CIVIL CEREMONY #23
Unequaled Relationship
PRESENTATION OF THE BRIDE
Is there one of her family who is prepared to present _(Bride)_ to _(Groom)_?
“Her mother and I do.”
OR
“On behalf of _(Bride)_’s Mum & Dad who were not able to be with us today, I do.”
WELCOME
A warm welcome to you, the family and friends on this special day. We are here to celebrate and bless the wedding of (Groom) and _(Bride)_ . They would like to thank you for being here. Each of you has touched their lives in some significant ways.
(Groom) and _(Bride)_ know each other deeply, intimately, and their love has grown each day. The time has now come to formalize what has been and is in their hearts.
They know that only together shall they be complete, content and happy. It is with this in mind that we have gathered here in joyful celebration for (Groom) and _(Bride)_ . For them this ceremony represents the start of a new chapter in their lives.
DECLARATION
(Groom) and _(Bride)_ 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 now or else forever hold their peace.
Marriage is an estate born of love. It is a relationship entered into thoughtfully, reverently, with gratitude for the past and hope for the future.
“What is Marriage?”
Marriage is a commitment to life, the best that two people can find and bring out in each other. It offers opportunities for sharing and growth that no other relationship can equal. It is a physical and an emotional joining that is promised for a lifetime. Within the circle of its love, marriage encompasses all of life’s most important relationships. A wife and a husband are each other’s best friend, confidant, lover, teacher, listener and critic.
Marriage deepens and enriches every facet of life. Happiness is fuller, memories are fresher, commitment is stronger, even anger is felt more strongly and passes away more quickly.
FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT
To all of you, who are gathered here, you are family and friends; you are the framework that supports their world. You represent, symbolically, all the people who have touched their lives past, present and future and who will be touched in any way by the life of this couple. Today, as _(Groom)_ and _(Bride)_ join their hearts, we rejoice, with and for them, in the new life they now begin together. _(Groom). and _(Bride)_, we celebrate together the love that you have discovered in each other, and support your decision to commit yourselves to one another for the rest of your lives.
VOWS
_(Bride)_, would you please pass your bouquet to your maid of honour? Turn toward each other and join hands.
_(Groom)_ and _(Bride)_ if at this time you wish to affirm your free choice to unite as partners in marriage please indicate that now by turning to face each other, join hands and look deeply into each others eyes as you take your wedding vows before your family and friends_(Groom)_., I ask you now to declare your intent.
_(Groom)_ will you have _(Bride)_ to be your wife? / Answer: “I will.”
_(Groom)_ will you love her, comfort her, honor and protect her and forsaking all others be faithful to _(Bride)_ as long as you both shall live? / Answer: “I will.”
_(Groom)_, please repeat after me …
I, _(Groom)_ ,
take you, _(Bride)_ ,
to be my wife,
to have and to hold
from this day forward;
for better, for worse,
for richer, for poorer,
in sickness and in health,
to love and to cherish,
always and forever.
_(Bride)_ , I ask you now to declare your intent.
_(Bride)_ will you have _(Groom)_ to be your husband? / Answer: “I will.”
_(Bride)_ will you love him, comfort him, honor and protect him and forsaking all others be faithful to _(Groom)_ as long as you both shall live? / Answer: “I will.”
_(Bride)_, please repeat after me…
I, _(Bride)_ ,
take you, _(Groom)_ ,
to be my husband,
to have and to hold
from this day forward;
for better, for worse,
for richer, for poorer,
in sickness and in health,
to love and to cherish,
till death us do part.
RING EXCHANGE
I will ask you now to seal the vows you have just made by the giving and receiving of rings.
May I have the rings please?
The wedding ring has been a traditional symbol of commitment and enduring love that, like a circle, has no end. The circle symbolizes the wholeness of your love, unbroken and everlasting. The precious metal represents the sincerity of your commitment. It is strong, enduring, and does not tarnish. These rings are your gift to each other; they are the outward and visible signs of an inward and spiritual bond that unites your two hearts in a love that has no end. With your rings you seal the vows you have just exchanged, reminding each other of your decision to remain faithful to your promises of love and commitment. Let them be a symbol of a never-ending love and devoted friendship. As often as either of you looks at this symbol, I hope that you will be reminded of the commitment to love each other, which you are formalizing today. These two lives will now be joined in one unbroken circle. May your two rings symbolize the spirit of this undying love in the hearts of both of you.
_(Groom)_ , please repeat after me while placing this ring on _(Bride)_ ’s finger…
With this ring, I thee wed.
As a symbol and promise
of my love, faith and loyalty,
I give you this ring.
May it constantly remind you
of my everlasting commitment to you.
_(Bride)_, please repeat after me to you groom.
_(Groom)_ , as a symbol and promise
of my love, faith and loyalty
I receive your ring
and declare my intention
to wear it as a reminder
of our vows this day.
_(Bride)_ please repeat after me while placing this ring on _(Groom)_ ’s finger…
With this ring,
I thee wed.
This ring I give you
Is an expression of,
And a promise of
My constant faith
And abiding love.
_(Groom)_, please repeat after me to your bride.
_(Bride)_ , as a symbol and promise
of my love, faith and loyalty
I receive your ring
and declare my intention
to wear it as a reminder
of our vows this day.
BLESSING AND CLOSING
_(Groom)_ and _(Bride)_ , may the challenges of your life together be met with courage and optimism. May you learn from your challenges and grow in your achievements. May life bless you with friends and family in a wide network of mutual support and enjoyment. May you face adversity with courage and a light heart. May your union last through all of your moments together, so that in the triumphs and the trials that lie ahead, you will feel just as happy as you do now – happy to be in love and married to one another.
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is LOVE.
PRONOUNCEMENT
_(Groom)_ and _(Bride)_ , you have openly declared your wishes to be united in marriage and in the presence of these witnesses have pledged your love to one another. You have confirmed the same by each giving and receiving a ring and by joining hands. By virtue of the powers vested in me by the Province of Ontario, it is my honour and delight to pronounce that you are husband and wife. May all respect the commitment you have made this day.
Please seal your vows with a kiss.
SIGNING OF REGISTER
PRESENTATION OF COUPLE
Family and friends, it is my delight to present to you for the first time, the newly married couple, Mr. & Mrs. —————— .
RECESSIONAL
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