CIVIL CEREMONY #31

SURROUNDED BY LOVE

 TO GUESTS

On behalf of _(Bride)_ and _(Groom)_, welcome and thank you for being here on this special day. By your presence, you celebrate with them the love they have discovered in each other and you support their decision to commit themselves to one another for the rest of their lives. Today we are here to celebrate love. We come together to witness and proclaim the joining together of these two persons in marriage.      This is an important and joyous occasion for _(Groom)_ and _(Bride)_ and who will today make a commitment to each other, before witnesses, to pledge themselves, by mutual consent, to a union in friendship and life which is one of the most sacred of all human ties.   Marriage is not to be entered upon thoughtlessly or irresponsibly but with a due and serious understanding and appreciation of the ends for which it is contracted. Therefore, if there is anyone present who can show just cause why these two persons may not be lawfully joined together in matrimony, they should now declare it or hereafter remain silent.

TO COUPLE

_(Groom)_ and _(Bride)_, you have made it known that you want to be joined in marriage and no one has shown any valid reason why you may not. If either of you know of any lawful impediment why you should not be married, you are now to declare it.

VOWS

Would you please face each other, join hands and repeat after me.

_(Groom)_, would you please repeat after me you vows to _(Bride)_:

I call upon these persons
here present
to witness that I,
do take you, _(Bride)_,
to be my lawful wedded wife.
To laugh with you in joy;
to grieve with you in sorrow;
to grow with you in love;
to be faithful to you alone;
as long as we both shall live.

_(Bride)_, will you please repeat after me your vows to _(Groom)_:

I call upon these persons
here present
to witness that I,
do take you, _(Groom)_,
to be my lawful wedded husband.
To laugh with you in joy;
to grieve with you in sorrow;
to grow with you in love;
to be faithful to you alone;
as long as we both shall live.”

RINGS

May I have the rings please?

_(Groom)_, this ring is a symbol of your marriage and a symbol of your love and life together.

_(Groom)_, while placing this ring on the third finger of _(Bride)_’s left hand please repeat after me to _(Bride)_,

This ring is my precious gift to you
as a measure of my love
and as a sign that
from this day forward
your every breath
shall be surrounded
by my love.

_(Bride)_,  this ring is a symbol of your marriage and a symbol of your love and life together.

_(Bride)_, while placing this ring on the third finger of _(Groom)_’s left hand, please repeat after me to _(Groom)_,

This ring is my precious gift to you
as a measure of my love
and as a sign that
from this day forward
your every breath
shall be surrounded
by my love.

As you wear these rings may you find them reminders of an endless love which may grow more meaningful with each passing day.

_(Groom)_ and _(Bride)_ have pledged themselves to each other and have declared this symbolically by their vows and the exchange of rings.

BLESSING

Let your home be a haven of peace in the middle of a busy and businesslike world; let your relationship be one of complete truth and understanding between you both; respect the confidences of your partner in this marriage, and consider that as the world gives nothing freely, neither will your marriage yield you more than you give into it.

May you enjoy length of days, fulfillment of hopes and peace and contentment of mind as you day by day live and fulfill the terms of this covenant you have made with one another.

PRONOUNCEMENT
Now, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Province of Ontario, I, _(Officiant)_ , do hereby pronounce you, _(Groom)_ and _(Bride)_, to be husband and wife.

You may kiss the bride.

DOCUMENTS 

At this time, the wedded parties and their witnesses will sign the Official Marriage Register.

SIGNING OF DOCUMENTS

ANNOUNCEMENT

It is my delight to introduce to you the newly married couple, Mr. and Mrs. _____________.

RECESSIONAL