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Bride and Groom : Today you join in marriage. Marriage is loving someone more than you love yourself. Treasure what you have now. Be kind. Be forgiving. Practice compromise. Learn to apologize.
Brief outline of a wedding ceremony. Input from you is welco
PROCESSION
The CEREMONY begins with a welcome to guests.
Comments by the JP regarding a good marriage.
The couple may exchange personal vows each has written to the other.
An EXCHANGE of traditional vows during which the bride and groom repeat vows as stated by the JP and rings are exchanged.
Prouncement of marriage
Thoughts on the ceremony
The Ceremony
Every part of your wedding ceremony reflects you as individuals and as a couple.
These are some of these parts that enhance your ceremony.
- readings: I have many. You may have your own..
- music: Something soft and beautiful or meaningful
- sand Unity streams: One of many small parts.
- rose First gifts: A small part which we can discuss.
- unity candle Commercially made or something you created.
- memorial services For people you have known and loved.
- your ideas.
I encourage incorporating old family traditions and creating new ones.
As part of the ceremony, I will help your attendants to be comfortable. Your bridesmaids and groomsmen will receive all the attention they need prior to the ceremony. The Maid of Honor will know when to take the bride's bouquet and when to straighten the bride's gown. She will know where to stand and when to follow the newly married couple away from the ceremony site.
Whether your ceremony is interfaith, same sex, a first marriage for both, or not, I will work with you to make your wedding day one to remember. I am flexible and looking forward to helping you with your exciting day.
Each ceremony is individual to the couple marrying. Almost anything can be incorporated into the ceremony.
- Interfaith: An interfaith marriage ceremony is created with respect to both religions or beliefs. Customs such as breaking a glass, repeating vows that are relevant to each religion, and wearing a head scarf will add to the cementing of the various religions.
- Same sex: Ceremonies are the same as any wedding.
- First marriage: Remember that marriage is not a Cinderella fairy tale of prince meets beautiful princess and live happily ever after.
- Marriage is compromise with respect to the person you love.
- Blended family: Small gifts can be given to the children, each receiving a necklace, ring or other symbolic item.
A sample ceremony
The start
THIS IS JUST AN EXAMPLE OF A CEREMONY. YOURS WILL BE WRITTEN FOR YOU.
WHEN EVERYONE IS SEATED, THE MUSIC MAY CHANGE FOR THE PROCESSIONAL BRIDESMAIDS, USHERS, RING BEARER, FLOWER GIRL, BRIDE. IN ANY ORDER YOU CHOOSE. Someone may give the bride away
Begin
BRIDE AND GROOM,
THE CEREMONY BEGINS WITH A WELCOME TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS. MAY INCLUDE HERE MUSIC, A POEM, A MEMORIAL, ETC.
DO YOU COME TO THIS MARRIAGE FREELY AND OF YOUR OWN CHOOSING? (BRIDE AND GROOM TOGETHER): WE DO.
WHAT IS MARRIAGE? HOW SHOULD YOU BEHAVE TO MAKE YOUR MARRIAGE STRONG? NEXT ARE WORDS TO THE BRIDE AND GROOM ABOUT THEIR COMMITMENt to THE IMPORTANCE OF MARRIAGE AND THE VALUE OF COMPROMISE
Vows
MAY BE SAID JOINTLY OR REPEATED. THEY MAY ALSO BE SAID INDIVIDUALLY YOU MAY WRITE OWN VOWS OR I WILL WRITE THEM FOR YOU.
GROOM:
WILL YOU TAKE THIS WOMAN AS YOUR WEDDED WIFE?
WILL YOU PROMISE TO LOVE HER, COMFORT HER,
HONOR AND SUPPORT HER IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH,
BEING FAITHFUL TO HER IN ALL YOUR DAYS TOGETHER?
GROOM: I WILL.
BRIDE:
WILL YOU TAKE THIS MAN AS YOUR WEDDED HUSBAND?
WILL YOU PROMISE TO LOVE HIM, COMFORT HIM,
HONOR AND SUPPORT HIM IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH,
BEING FAITHFUL TO HIM IN ALL YOUR DAYS TOGETHER?
BRIDE: I WILL.
OFTEN CEREMONIES SUCH AS UNITY CANDLE, WINE, POEMS OR SONGS ,MAY BE INCLUDED HERE.
Exchange of rings
THE RING IS A SYMBOL OF ETERNITY AND EVERLASTING LOVE.
IT HAS NO BEGINNING AND NO ENDING.
YOU WEAR THIS RING TO SHOW YOUR COMMITMENT.
GROOM, TAKE BRIDE’S LEFT HAND AND REPEAT AFTER ME.
BRIDE
I ACCEPT YOU AS MY WIFE
TO LOVE, RESPECT, AND CHERISH.
I PLACE YOU IN MY HEART TODAY
BEFORE ALL OTHER WOMEN.
WITH THIS RING, I BECOME YOUR HUSBAND.
GROOM PUTS RING ON BRIDE’S FINGER.
BRIDE, TAKE GROOM’S LEFT HAND AND REPEAT AFTER ME.
GROOM,
I ACCEPT YOU AS MY HUSBAND
TO LOVE, RESPECT, AND CHERISH.
I PLACE YOU IN MY HEART TODAY
BEFORE ALL OTHER MEN.
WITH THIS RING, I BECOME YOUR WIFE.
BRIDE PUTS RING ON GROOM’S FINGER.
PRONOUNCEMENT OF MARRIAGE
BRIDE AND GROOM, AS YOU HAVE PLEDGED YOUR LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER IN THE PRESENCE OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS, WITH THE POWER VESTED IN ME BY THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU HUSBAND AND WIFE.
CONGRATULATIONS GROOM AND BRIDE.
FACE YOUR GUESTS ANDWALK UP THE AISLE.
Lots of clapping, congratulations, and crying.
Couple walk slowly up the aisle followed by attendants
