The Wedding Procession
The ceremony begins with the couple's families seated in the front rows. The officiant enters the gazebo, and signals for the wedding party to proceed down the aisle, and the couple to proceed down the aisle together after the other members of the wedding party.
We
are here together this evening to celebrate love. We see it in the faces of
Rod and Tony who stand before us, and we experience it in our own hearts as
well. Their love is powerful enough to withstand time and circumstance, and
their union is one of two human souls joined together to strengthen each other
throughout their lifetime. What greater joy is there than to travel side by
side with a companion? What greater comfort is there than knowing that your
home is always at the side of your beloved?
We wish that the words and spirit of our gathering may be filled with a truth that will deepen with the years. And we hope, too, that the meaning of the words that Rod and Tony are about to share will also deepen and they continue to discover the infinite possibilities of life together.
Love is stronger than conflicts, more radiant than the glare of public opinion,
and always a miracle to be treasured by the human heart.
It is written that love suffers long and is kind. Love does not envy. Love does not parade itself, and is not proud. Love rejoices in the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.
The Vows
Rod, do you take Tony to be your companion? To love him, to cherish him,
and to continually bestow on him your heart's deepest devotion? (Rod: I do.)
Tony, do you take Rod to be your companion? To love him, to cherish him, and to continually bestow on him your heart's deepest devotion? (Tony: I do.)
Please join hands, face one another, and repeat after me:
(Rod) Tony, you are my partner, to love and to cherish, to have and to hold,
for richer for poorer, for better and for worse, in sickness and in health,
in sadness and in joy, to share our lives together, from this day forward.
(Tony) Rod, you are my partner, to love and to cherish, to have and to hold,
for richer for poorer, for better and for worse, in sickness and in health,
in sadness and in joy, to share our lives together, from this day forward.
The Apaches say, now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter for the other. Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to the other. Now there will be no loneliness, for each of you will be companion to the other. Now you are two persons, but there is only one life before you. May beauty surround you both in the journey ahead and through all the years. May happiness be your companion and your days together be good and long upon the earth…And if each of you takes responsibility for the quality of your life together, it will be marked by abundance and delight.
Exchanging Rings
What tokens of your love have you brought for each other?
[Rod and Tony] These rings.
May these rings be blessed as a symbol of your unity. Your two lives are
joined today in an unbroken circle. Wherever you go, may you always return
to one another in your togetherness. May you know in one another the love
for which all people yearn. May you grow in understanding and compassion.
May these rings symbolize the touch of the spirit that is love.
Rod, place the ring on Tony's left hand, repeat after me:
Tony, I give you this ring as a pledge of my love, and a symbol of our unity.
Tony, place the ring on Rod's left hand, repeat after me:
Rod, I give you this ring as a pledge of my love, and a symbol of our unity.
Flower Ceremony
Rod and Tony, you wish to honor a woman who embraced Rod with love from the
day of his birth. As a token of your gratitude, I ask you to present this
symbol of eternal love, this rose, to Rod's mother.
(Rod and Tony both go together to hand the rose to Rod's mother and offer her a kiss.)
Declaration
Rod and Tony, you have promised together before your friends and family to
love each other and join your lives. You are now united in mutual esteem and
devotion.
I now pronounce you partners in life. Congratulations! You may share a kiss.
Recessional
The wedding party returns up the aisle together, with the officiant, and exits towards the gathered celebration.
© 2003, Jody Serey