Civil Ceremony #34

A NAUTICAL CEREMONY

TO GUESTS
We are gathered here today to launch (Bride) and (Groom) on the sea of matrimony. (Bride) and (Groom) are very honored that each of you is here to witness the beginning  of their married life together. Love can be a wonderful cruise across the expansive sea of life. It is best achieved as we work together like a crew focused on an agreed upon destination, each doing his and her part to enable the progress desired.

TO COUPLE
When you love someone, you do not love them all the time, in exactly the same way, moment by moment.  That is impossible. It is even a disservice to pretend it is possible. Yet that is what most of us demand. We have such little faith in the ebb and flow of life, of love and of relationships. We leap forward at the flow of the tide and resist in terror its ebb, for we are afraid it will never return. We insist on permanence, on duration, on continuity. But the only continuity possible in life, as in love, is in growth, in fluidity and in freedom, as synchronized swimmers are free, barely touching as they pass, but partners in creating the same pattern. In this love, the trust and freedom of the other person becomes as significant as the trust and freedom of one’s self. This is our hope for your continued growth through patience, one for the other.

As you stand on the edge of this new opportunity, may I challenge you not to hesitate in your mind and heart concerning the commitment you are about to make. Every diver knows that doubting the dive messes up your positioning and balance. Marriage requires total commitment for a smooth entry into this new experience of being totally immersed in each other for the rest of your lives.

The world you are about to enter is as different as the ocean floor from the world of air. There will be new colours, new designs, new experiences available no other way – new fulfillment and new challenges that will test your stamina. There will be cross currents, under currents and even crushing breakers that will pound on your relationship. If you keep the debris from gathering between you, you may rise together to new levels of enrichment.

May you, _(Groom)_ and _(Bride)_,  keep the vows made on this day, in freedom, teaching each other who you are and what you yet shall be, enabling you to know that, together, married, you will be more than yourselves and more than each other.  Successful marriage will enhance both of you.

VOWS

(Groom) would you please repeat after me your vows to to your bride?

(Bride) we are very different from one another
Yet our differences attract us.
For I find in you
My completion,
My other self.

______, I invite you to plunge into my life
That we may swim together
It is my desire to sink into your arms,
To be encircled by your love,
Constantly fascinated
By the colours of your uniqueness.

It is my abiding belief
That we are meant
To be together for all time.

Come and beautify my life,
With the wonder of who you are.

Stay with me
Through the ebb and flow
Of the tides of life.

I want to grow with you
Seeking the unique beauty
Of our marriage
Whatever the currents of life.

(Bride) would you please repeat after me your vows to your groom?

(Groom) we are very different from one another
Yet our differences attract us.
For I find in you
My completion,
My other self.

______, I invite you to plunge into my life
That we may swim together
It is my desire to sink into your arms,
To be encircled by your love,
Constantly fascinated
By the colours of your uniqueness.

It is my abiding belief
That we are meant
To be together for all time.

Come and beautify my life,
With the wonder of who you are.

Stay with me
Through the ebb and flow
Of the tides of life.

I want to grow with you
Seeking the unique beauty
Of our marriage
Whatever the currents of life

EXCHANGE OF RINGS

May I have the rings please?

_(Groom)_ , as you place your ring on _(Bride)_ ‘s ring finger please repeat you commitment to _(Bride)_ ?

With this ring, I thee wed.
Let it ever be to us
a symbol of our love.

_(Bride)_ , as you place your ring on _(Groom)_ ‘s ring finger please repeat you commitment to _(Groom)_ ?

With this ring, I thee wed.
Let it ever be to us
a symbol of our love.

PRONOUNCEMENT
_(Groom)_ and _(Bride)_ by stating your vows, you have publicly declared your commitment to each other.
By virtue of the powers vested in me by the Province of Ontario, I hereby declare you husband and wife.

KISS

ANNOUNCEMENT
Trim your sails.
The adventure begins.
It is my privilege to present to you the newly married couple, Mr. & Mrs. ———-.
May you find safe harbour in each other’s arms.

RECESSIONAL