CIVIL CEREMONY #5
LOVING AND GIVING
PRESENTATION OF THE BRIDE
Who is it that brings this woman to this man? / Who gives this woman in marriage? / “I do”
TO GUESTS
We, who have gathered in this circle/this beautiful place, are now privileged to witness and to participate in a ceremony celebrating the public acknowledgment of a love which _(Bride)_ and _(Groom)_ have for each other, knowing that by our presence here with them, we are saying that they, together, are loved by us. We have come to surround them as they stand before us in the center, where now _(Bride)_ and _(Groom)_ in essence say, “Welcome to our marriage! Welcome to the Celebration!”
REMEMBRANCE
Today, as we celebrate this special day, _(Groom)_ and _(Bride)_ would like to pause to reflect upon those who have shaped their character, moulded their spirits and touched their hearts. Let us not forget the ones that have departed from our world, but not before they graced us with special memories only they could create. Though we cannot see them, we sense their presence. Though we cannot touch them, we feel the warmth of their smile, as we begin a new chapter in our lives.
TO COUPLE
_(Bride)_ and _(Groom)_ , according to Victor Hugo,
“You can give without loving, but you can never love without giving. The great acts of love are done by those who are habitually performing small acts of kindness. We pardon to the extent that we love. Love is knowing that even when you are alone, you will never be lonely again. And great happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved. Loved for ourselves. And even loved in spite of ourselves.”
” We all need love. With all our complexities, we are not easy creatures to satisfy. We cannot meet the conditions of a satisfied life by gorging ourselves, lying down on the grass and staring at the clouds. We have deeper needs and the deepest need of all is love. Too often we think in terms of receiving love instead of giving it. It is gratifying to receive. But there is much more fulfillment in having a heart so filled with love that we experience the joy of giving love more than in receiving. The need for love is born within us, and is as universal as the human race itself. Wherever we walk, on every shore and in every land, the need for love walks by our side. It is not trite, therefore, to say that love is necessary for life, no more than to say that food sustains life. Without food, we will die. Without love, we die a death worse than physical death. Do not depreciate love’s value. Preserve the value of love and live as exalted creatures on the high summit of tender affections that many will never obtain. Never forget the true value and the true need for love.”
– L. Brownlow
DECLARATION
_(Bride)_ and _(Groom)_ are about to commit themselves in marriage to each other.
If anyone knows of just cause why they may not be lawfully joined in marriage, let them declare it or else forever hold their peace.
VOWS
_(Bride)_ , would you please pass your bouquet to your maid of honor.
Please face each other and join hands.
_(Groom)_. , please repeat after me you wedding vows to _(Bride)_ ?
I, _(Groom)_ ,
take you, _(Bride)_ ,
to be my wedded wife.
With deepest joy
I receive you into my life
that together we may be one.
I promise you my deepest love,
my fullest devotion,
my tenderest care
throughout our life together.
No matter what may lie ahead of us,
I pledge to you my life
as a loving and faithful husband.
_(Bride)_ , please repeat after me your wedding vows to _(Groom)_ ?
I, _(Bride)_ ,
take you, _(Groom)_ ,
to be my wedded husband.
With deepest joy
I come into my new life with you.
As you have pledged to me
your life and love,
so I too happily give you my life,
and my confidence
throughout our life together.
I will be loving to you,
caring for you
and ever seeking to please you.
Throughout life,
no matter what may be ahead of us,
I pledge to you my life as a faithful wife.
RINGS
May I have the rings please?
_(Groom)_ , as you place your ring on _(Bride)_ ‘s ring finger, would you please repeat after me you commitment to your bride?
_(Bride)_ , I give you this ring,
wear it with love and joy.
I choose you to be my wife
to love and to cherish,
as long as we both shall live.
And now, _(Bride)_ , as you place your ring on _(Groom)_ ‘s ring finger, would you please repeat after me you commitment to you groom?
_(Groom)_ , I give you this ring,
wear it with love and joy.
I choose you to be my husband:
to love and to cherish,
as long as we both shall live.
May these rings forever be to you the symbol of your growing love.
PRONOUNCEMENT
Inasmuch as you have consented together in this ceremony to live in wedlock and have sealed your vows in the presence of this company and by the giving of a ring/these rings, by the powers vested in me by the Province of Ontario, it gives me great pleasure to pronounce that you are Husband and Wife.
KISS
BLESSING:
May you find happiness in union.
May you live faithfully together, fulfilling the vows you have made.
May you ever remain compassionate and encouraging, that your years may be rich with the joys of life, and your days be long upon the Earth.
SIGNING OF DOCUMENTS
ANNOUNCEMENT
It gives me great delight to introduce the newly married couple, Mr. and Mrs. ———- .
RECESSIONAL
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