Ceremony Details
I had no clue how to start this but I'm just doing some research. We'll have a Christian ceremony with prayers and referencing and thanking God for our union.
WEDDING CEREMONY
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE:
FRIENDS AND RELATIVES, WE HAVE COME HERE TODAY AT THE INVITATION
OF G__________ AND B__________ TO SHARE IN THE JOY OF THEIR WEDDING.
THIS OUTWARD CELEBRATION THAT WE SHALL SEE AND HEAR, I BELIEVE, IS
AN EXPRESSION OF THE INNER LOVE AND DEVOTION THEY HAVE IN THEIR
HEARTS TOWARD ONE ANOTHER. I BELIEVE MARRIAGE
IS OF GOD AND B__________ AND G__________.
COME TODAY DESIRING TO BE UNITED IN THIS
SACRED RELATIONSHIP OF MARRIAGE.
WHO IS GIVING THIS WOMAN TO BE MARRIED TO THIS MAN?
(FATHER) HER MOTHER AND I DO!
TO THE BRIDE AND GROOM:
THE CEREMONY OF MARRIAGE IN WHICH YOU COME TO BE UNITED IS ONE OF
THE FIRST AND OLDEST CEREMONIES IN ALL THE WORLD, CELEBRATED IN THE
BEGINNING IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD HIMSELF. MARRIAGE IS A GIFT IN
THAT WE GIVE OURSELVES TOTALLY TO ONE ANOTHER. I BELIEVE THAT
MARRIAGE IS A GIFT GIVEN TO COMFORT THE SORROWS OF LIFE AND TO
MAGNIFY LIFE'S JOYS.
MARRIAGE IS THE CLASPING OF HANDS, THE BLENDING OF TWO HEARTS, THE
UNION OF TWO LIVES INTO ONE AND YOUR MARRIAGE MUST STAND, NOT BY
THE AUTHORITY OF THE STATE, NOR BY THE SEAL ON YOUR WEDDING
CERTIFICATE, BUT BY THE STRENGTH AND POWER OF THE FAITH AND LOVE
YOU HAVE IN ONE ANOTHER.
NOW, WILL YOU PLEASE PASS YOUR FLOWERS, TURN AND FACE ONE ANOTHER
AND JOIN HANDS TO EXPRESS YOUR VOWS OF LOVE AND DEVOTION EACH TO
THE OTHER.
(GROOM) WILL YOU PLEASE REPEAT THIS VOW TO B_________, SAYING AFTER ME:
I, G__________, TAKE YOU B_________ TO BE MY WIFE, TO HAVE AND TO
HOLD, FROM THIS DAY FORWARD, FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE, FOR RICHER, OR
FOR POORER, IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH, I PROMISE TO LOVE AND
CHERISH YOU.
(BRIDE) WILL YOU PLEASE REPEAT THIS VOW TO G_________ SAYING AFTER ME:
I, B__________, TAKE YOU G_________ TO BE MY HUSBAND, TO HAVE AND TO
HOLD, FROM THIS DAY FORWARD, FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE, FOR RICHER OR
FOR POORER, IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH, I PROMISE TO LOVE AND
CHERISH YOU.
THE WORD OF GOD TELLS US WHAT LOVE IS LIKE AND WHAT LOVE DOES:
"LOVE IS PATIENT, LOVE IS KIND, LOVE IS NOT JEALOUS;
LOVE DOES NOT BRAG AND IS NOT ARROGANT, IT DOES NOT ACT
UNBECOMINGLY; IT DOES NOT SEEK ITS OWN, IT IS NOT PROVOKED, AND IT
DOES NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT A WRONG SUFFERED, IT DOES NOT REJOICE IN
UNRIGHTEOUSNESS, BUT REJOICES WITH THE TRUTH; FOR LOVE BEARS ALL THINGS,
BELIEVES ALL THINGS, HOPES ALL THINGS, AND ENDURES ALL
THINGS, BUT ABOVE ALL, LOVE NEVER FAILS."
HAVING THIS KIND OF LOVE IN YOUR HEARTS FOR ONE ANOTHER, YOU HAVE
CHOSEN TO EXCHANGE RINGS AS THE SIGN AND SEAL OF THE PROMISES YOU
ARE MAKING TO ONE ANOTHER TODAY. TO (GROOM): DO YOU HAVE A RING
FOR B__________? MAY I HAVE THE RING? TO BRIDE:
DO YOU HAVE A RING FOR G________? MAY I HAVE THE RING?
RINGS ARE VERY LARGE IN THEIR SIGNIFICANCE. THEY ARE MADE OF A
PRECIOUS METAL AND PRECIOUS STONE AND THAT REMINDS US THAT LOVE IS
NOT CHEAP NOR COMMON; BUT INDEED LOVE IS VERY COSTLY AND DEAR TO
US. THESE RINGS ARE ALSO MADE IN A CIRCLE AND THEIR DESIGN TELLS
US THAT WE MUST KEEP LOVE CONTINUOUS THROUGHOUT OUR WHOLE LIVES
EVEN AS THE CIRCLE OF THE RING IS CONTINUOUS. AS YOU WEAR THESE
RINGS, WHETHER YOU ARE TOGETHER OR APART FOR EVEN JUST A MOMENT,
MAY THESE RINGS BE A CONSTANT REMINDER OF THE PROMISES YOU ARE
MAKING TO ONE ANOTHER THIS DAY.
TO GROOM: G__________ WILL YOU PLEASE TAKE THIS RING AND PLACE IT
UPON THE THIRD FINGER OF B_________ 'S LEFT HAND, AND HOLDING HER
HAND IN YOURS, PLEASE REPEAT THIS PROMISE TO B_________, SAYING
AFTER ME:
WITH THIS RING, I SEAL MY PROMISE, TO BE YOUR FAITHFUL AND LOVING HUSBAND,
AS GOD IS MY WITNESS.
TO BRIDE: B__________ WILL YOU PLEASE TAKE THIS RING AND PLACE IT
UPON THE THIRD FINGER OF G__________ 'S LEFT HAND, AND HOLDING HIS
HAND IN YOURS PLEASE REPEAT THIS PROMISE TO G________ AFTER ME TO HIM, SAYING:
WITH THIS RING, I SEAL MY PROMISE, TO BE YOUR FAITHFUL AND LOVING WIFE, AS GOD IS MY WITNESS.
CANDLE LIGHTING OPTIONAL.
PRAYER FOR BRIDE AND GROOM AND PERSONAL WORDS BY THE MINISTER.
POEMS - OPTIONAL OR HAVE YOUR OWN.
INDIAN WEDDING PRAYER
NOW YOU WILL FEEL NO RAIN,
FOR EACH OF YOU WILL BE THE SHELTER TO THE OTHER.
NOW YOU WILL FEEL NO COLD,
FOR EACH OF YOU WILL BE THE WARMTH TO THE OTHER.
NOW THERE IS NO MORE LONELINESS FOR YOU,
BECAUSE NOW YOU ARE NO LONGER LONELY.
NOW YOU ARE TWO BODIES,
YET THERE IS ONLY ONE LIFE SET BEFORE YOU.
GO THEREFORE INTO YOUR DWELLING PLACE,
TO ENTER INTO THE DAYS OF YOUR TOGETHERNESS.
THAT YOUR DAYS MAY BE GOOD AND BEAUTIFUL AND LONG UPON THIS EARTH.
TRUE LOVE
TRUE LOVE GIVES NOTHING OF ITSELF
AND TAKES NOTHING BUT FROM ITSELF
LOVE DOES NOT POSSESS, NOR WOULD IT BE POSSESSED
FOR LOVE IS SUFFICIENT UNTO LOVE.
LOVE HAS NO OTHER DESIRE BUT TO FULFILL ITSELF
TO AWAKE AT DAWN WITH A WINGED HEART AND TO GIVE
THANKS FOR ANOTHER DAY OF LOVING.
TO REST AT NOON AND MEDITATE UPON LOVE'S ECSTASY,
TO RETURN HOME AT EVENING WITH GRATITUDE
AND THEN TO SLEEP WITH A PRAYER FOR YOUR BELOVED
IN YOUR HEART AND A SONG OF PRAISE UPON YOUR LIPS.
PRONOUNCEMENT OF MARRIAGE
B__________ AND G__________, YOU HAVE COME HERE TODAY
BEFORE US AND BEFORE GOD AND HAVE EXPRESSED YOUR DESIRE TO BECOME
HUSBAND AND WIFE. YOU HAVE SHOWN YOUR LOVE AND AFFECTION BY JOINING
HANDS, AND HAVE MADE PROMISES OF FAITH AND DEVOTION, EACH TO THE
OTHER, AND HAVE SEALED THESE PROMISES BY THE GIVING AND THE
RECEIVING OF THE RINGS.
THEREFORE, IT IS MY PRIVILEGE AS A MINISTER AND BY THE
AUTHORITY GIVEN TO ME BY THE
THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, I NOW PRONOUNCE
THAT YOU ARE HUSBAND AND WIFE.
G___________ YOU MAY KISS YOUR WIFE.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IT IS MY PRIVILEGE TO INTRODUCE TO YOU FOR
THE FIRST TIME MR. AND MRS. __________________.
WEDDING CEREMONY
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE:
FRIENDS AND RELATIVES, WE HAVE COME HERE TODAY AT THE INVITATION
OF G__________ AND B__________ TO SHARE IN THE JOY OF THEIR WEDDING.
THIS OUTWARD CELEBRATION THAT WE SHALL SEE AND HEAR, I BELIEVE, IS
AN EXPRESSION OF THE INNER LOVE AND DEVOTION THEY HAVE IN THEIR
HEARTS TOWARD ONE ANOTHER. I BELIEVE MARRIAGE
IS OF GOD AND B__________ AND G__________.
COME TODAY DESIRING TO BE UNITED IN THIS
SACRED RELATIONSHIP OF MARRIAGE.
WHO IS GIVING THIS WOMAN TO BE MARRIED TO THIS MAN?
(FATHER) HER MOTHER AND I DO!
TO THE BRIDE AND GROOM:
THE CEREMONY OF MARRIAGE IN WHICH YOU COME TO BE UNITED IS ONE OF
THE FIRST AND OLDEST CEREMONIES IN ALL THE WORLD, CELEBRATED IN THE
BEGINNING IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD HIMSELF. MARRIAGE IS A GIFT IN
THAT WE GIVE OURSELVES TOTALLY TO ONE ANOTHER. I BELIEVE THAT
MARRIAGE IS A GIFT GIVEN TO COMFORT THE SORROWS OF LIFE AND TO
MAGNIFY LIFE'S JOYS.
MARRIAGE IS THE CLASPING OF HANDS, THE BLENDING OF TWO HEARTS, THE
UNION OF TWO LIVES INTO ONE AND YOUR MARRIAGE MUST STAND, NOT BY
THE AUTHORITY OF THE STATE, NOR BY THE SEAL ON YOUR WEDDING
CERTIFICATE, BUT BY THE STRENGTH AND POWER OF THE FAITH AND LOVE
YOU HAVE IN ONE ANOTHER.
NOW, WILL YOU PLEASE PASS YOUR FLOWERS, TURN AND FACE ONE ANOTHER
AND JOIN HANDS TO EXPRESS YOUR VOWS OF LOVE AND DEVOTION EACH TO
THE OTHER.
(GROOM) WILL YOU PLEASE REPEAT THIS VOW TO B_________, SAYING AFTER ME:
I, G__________, TAKE YOU B_________ TO BE MY WIFE, TO HAVE AND TO
HOLD, FROM THIS DAY FORWARD, FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE, FOR RICHER, OR
FOR POORER, IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH, I PROMISE TO LOVE AND
CHERISH YOU.
(BRIDE) WILL YOU PLEASE REPEAT THIS VOW TO G_________ SAYING AFTER ME:
I, B__________, TAKE YOU G_________ TO BE MY HUSBAND, TO HAVE AND TO
HOLD, FROM THIS DAY FORWARD, FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE, FOR RICHER OR
FOR POORER, IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH, I PROMISE TO LOVE AND
CHERISH YOU.
THE WORD OF GOD TELLS US WHAT LOVE IS LIKE AND WHAT LOVE DOES:
"LOVE IS PATIENT, LOVE IS KIND, LOVE IS NOT JEALOUS;
LOVE DOES NOT BRAG AND IS NOT ARROGANT, IT DOES NOT ACT
UNBECOMINGLY; IT DOES NOT SEEK ITS OWN, IT IS NOT PROVOKED, AND IT
DOES NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT A WRONG SUFFERED, IT DOES NOT REJOICE IN
UNRIGHTEOUSNESS, BUT REJOICES WITH THE TRUTH; FOR LOVE BEARS ALL THINGS,
BELIEVES ALL THINGS, HOPES ALL THINGS, AND ENDURES ALL
THINGS, BUT ABOVE ALL, LOVE NEVER FAILS."
HAVING THIS KIND OF LOVE IN YOUR HEARTS FOR ONE ANOTHER, YOU HAVE
CHOSEN TO EXCHANGE RINGS AS THE SIGN AND SEAL OF THE PROMISES YOU
ARE MAKING TO ONE ANOTHER TODAY. TO (GROOM): DO YOU HAVE A RING
FOR B__________? MAY I HAVE THE RING? TO BRIDE:
DO YOU HAVE A RING FOR G________? MAY I HAVE THE RING?
RINGS ARE VERY LARGE IN THEIR SIGNIFICANCE. THEY ARE MADE OF A
PRECIOUS METAL AND PRECIOUS STONE AND THAT REMINDS US THAT LOVE IS
NOT CHEAP NOR COMMON; BUT INDEED LOVE IS VERY COSTLY AND DEAR TO
US. THESE RINGS ARE ALSO MADE IN A CIRCLE AND THEIR DESIGN TELLS
US THAT WE MUST KEEP LOVE CONTINUOUS THROUGHOUT OUR WHOLE LIVES
EVEN AS THE CIRCLE OF THE RING IS CONTINUOUS. AS YOU WEAR THESE
RINGS, WHETHER YOU ARE TOGETHER OR APART FOR EVEN JUST A MOMENT,
MAY THESE RINGS BE A CONSTANT REMINDER OF THE PROMISES YOU ARE
MAKING TO ONE ANOTHER THIS DAY.
TO GROOM: G__________ WILL YOU PLEASE TAKE THIS RING AND PLACE IT
UPON THE THIRD FINGER OF B_________ 'S LEFT HAND, AND HOLDING HER
HAND IN YOURS, PLEASE REPEAT THIS PROMISE TO B_________, SAYING
AFTER ME:
WITH THIS RING, I SEAL MY PROMISE, TO BE YOUR FAITHFUL AND LOVING HUSBAND,
AS GOD IS MY WITNESS.
TO BRIDE: B__________ WILL YOU PLEASE TAKE THIS RING AND PLACE IT
UPON THE THIRD FINGER OF G__________ 'S LEFT HAND, AND HOLDING HIS
HAND IN YOURS PLEASE REPEAT THIS PROMISE TO G________ AFTER ME TO HIM, SAYING:
WITH THIS RING, I SEAL MY PROMISE, TO BE YOUR FAITHFUL AND LOVING WIFE, AS GOD IS MY WITNESS.
CANDLE LIGHTING OPTIONAL.
PRAYER FOR BRIDE AND GROOM AND PERSONAL WORDS BY THE MINISTER.
POEMS - OPTIONAL OR HAVE YOUR OWN.
INDIAN WEDDING PRAYER
NOW YOU WILL FEEL NO RAIN,
FOR EACH OF YOU WILL BE THE SHELTER TO THE OTHER.
NOW YOU WILL FEEL NO COLD,
FOR EACH OF YOU WILL BE THE WARMTH TO THE OTHER.
NOW THERE IS NO MORE LONELINESS FOR YOU,
BECAUSE NOW YOU ARE NO LONGER LONELY.
NOW YOU ARE TWO BODIES,
YET THERE IS ONLY ONE LIFE SET BEFORE YOU.
GO THEREFORE INTO YOUR DWELLING PLACE,
TO ENTER INTO THE DAYS OF YOUR TOGETHERNESS.
THAT YOUR DAYS MAY BE GOOD AND BEAUTIFUL AND LONG UPON THIS EARTH.
TRUE LOVE
TRUE LOVE GIVES NOTHING OF ITSELF
AND TAKES NOTHING BUT FROM ITSELF
LOVE DOES NOT POSSESS, NOR WOULD IT BE POSSESSED
FOR LOVE IS SUFFICIENT UNTO LOVE.
LOVE HAS NO OTHER DESIRE BUT TO FULFILL ITSELF
TO AWAKE AT DAWN WITH A WINGED HEART AND TO GIVE
THANKS FOR ANOTHER DAY OF LOVING.
TO REST AT NOON AND MEDITATE UPON LOVE'S ECSTASY,
TO RETURN HOME AT EVENING WITH GRATITUDE
AND THEN TO SLEEP WITH A PRAYER FOR YOUR BELOVED
IN YOUR HEART AND A SONG OF PRAISE UPON YOUR LIPS.
PRONOUNCEMENT OF MARRIAGE
B__________ AND G__________, YOU HAVE COME HERE TODAY
BEFORE US AND BEFORE GOD AND HAVE EXPRESSED YOUR DESIRE TO BECOME
HUSBAND AND WIFE. YOU HAVE SHOWN YOUR LOVE AND AFFECTION BY JOINING
HANDS, AND HAVE MADE PROMISES OF FAITH AND DEVOTION, EACH TO THE
OTHER, AND HAVE SEALED THESE PROMISES BY THE GIVING AND THE
RECEIVING OF THE RINGS.
THEREFORE, IT IS MY PRIVILEGE AS A MINISTER AND BY THE
AUTHORITY GIVEN TO ME BY THE
THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, I NOW PRONOUNCE
THAT YOU ARE HUSBAND AND WIFE.
G___________ YOU MAY KISS YOUR WIFE.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IT IS MY PRIVILEGE TO INTRODUCE TO YOU FOR
THE FIRST TIME MR. AND MRS. __________________.
Adding Hand Blessing
HANDS! I love this. Crying.
Bride & Groom, please look now at one anthers hands, so you may see the gift that they are to you.
These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever.
These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future.
These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch, will comfort you like no other.
These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills your mind. These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow, and tears of joy.
These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children.
These are the hands that will help you to hold your family as one.
These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it.
And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.”
God, bless these hands that you see before you this day. May they always be held by one another. Give them the strength to hold on during the storms of stress and the dark of disillusionment. Keep them tender and gentle as they nurture each other in their wondrous love. Help these hands to continue building a relationship founded in your grace, rich in caring,and devoted in reaching for your perfection. May [Groom] and [Bride] see their four hands as healer, protector, shelter and guide. We ask this in your name, Amen.
**Ceremony Notes that I'll need (for the order on how things go)
For a Protestant wedding, this is the traditional order of a wedding processional:
The mothers of the bride and groom are seated after all guests are seated, and immediately before the start of the processional music. They are usually escorted to their seats by a brother of the bride or groom, or by another usher.
After they are seated, the officiant, groom and best man enter by a side door and wait at the altar.
Groomsmen may also enter by a side door, or can escort the bridesmaids.
Bridesmaids
Ring bearer and/or flower girl
Maid or Matron of Honor
The bride, escorted by her father or other close male family member or friend. At the front of the aisle, her escort can remain standing with her until the minister asks "Who gives this woman in marriage?" to which he responds "I do," or "Her mother and I do." However, some people feel this tradition is old fashioned and sexist, and choose to forgo it. In such a case, her escort walks with the bride to the front of the aisle, and then takes his seat in the front row.
Bride & Groom, please look now at one anthers hands, so you may see the gift that they are to you.
These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever.
These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future.
These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch, will comfort you like no other.
These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills your mind. These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow, and tears of joy.
These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children.
These are the hands that will help you to hold your family as one.
These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it.
And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.”
God, bless these hands that you see before you this day. May they always be held by one another. Give them the strength to hold on during the storms of stress and the dark of disillusionment. Keep them tender and gentle as they nurture each other in their wondrous love. Help these hands to continue building a relationship founded in your grace, rich in caring,and devoted in reaching for your perfection. May [Groom] and [Bride] see their four hands as healer, protector, shelter and guide. We ask this in your name, Amen.
**Ceremony Notes that I'll need (for the order on how things go)
For a Protestant wedding, this is the traditional order of a wedding processional:
The mothers of the bride and groom are seated after all guests are seated, and immediately before the start of the processional music. They are usually escorted to their seats by a brother of the bride or groom, or by another usher.
After they are seated, the officiant, groom and best man enter by a side door and wait at the altar.
Groomsmen may also enter by a side door, or can escort the bridesmaids.
Bridesmaids
Ring bearer and/or flower girl
Maid or Matron of Honor
The bride, escorted by her father or other close male family member or friend. At the front of the aisle, her escort can remain standing with her until the minister asks "Who gives this woman in marriage?" to which he responds "I do," or "Her mother and I do." However, some people feel this tradition is old fashioned and sexist, and choose to forgo it. In such a case, her escort walks with the bride to the front of the aisle, and then takes his seat in the front row.
