Approximate Time: 8-10 minutes

With music, entrance, and exit: 15-20 minutes

WELCOME

We are here today to celebrate the miracle of love. (Groom's full name) ____________________ and (Bride's full name) _________________________ have found that miraccle in each other and now desire to share their love all the days of their lives. 

CONSENT

Are both of you willing to give your hand to the one whose heart you hold? 

(Both answer): Yes, we are. 

Who presents (Bride) _______________ to be married to (Groom) _______________?

(The Escort shall say): Her Mother and I or I do or We do or Her family or other. 

(Bride gives bouquet to Maid of Honor.)

ADDRESS AND READINGS

Today you are giving yourselves to one another to love and to live. Your lives are being woven together, and in time, they will intertwine in such a way that you truly will become one in heart, mind, and soul. Listen to these words that reflect this kind of love between a man and a woman. 

When a Man and a Woman Are in Love

When a man and a woman are in love, His life lies with hers and her life lies within his.

Each lives as an individual, yet they also live for one another. 

Each strives for independent goals, but they also work together to achieve their dreams. 

When a man and a woman are in love, they will give to one another what they need to survive and help fulfill each other's wants. 

They will turn one another's disappointment into satisfaction. 

They will turn one another's frustration into contentment. 

They will work as a mirror, reflecting to each other their strengths and weaknesses. 

They will work together to alleviate the emotional walls that may separate them.

They will work together to build a better understanding of one another. 

They will learn to lean on each other, but not so much as to be a burden on the other. 

They will learn to reach out to one another, but not so much as to suffocate the other. 

They will learn when it is time to speak and when it is time to listen. 

They will be there to comfort each other in times of sorrow. 

They will be there to celebrate together in times of happiness. 

 They will be one another's friend, guiding each other to the happiness that life holds. 

They will be one another's companion, facing together the challenges that life may present. 

When a man and a woman are in love, his life lies within hers and her life lies within his. 

Together they will love one another for the rest of their lives and forever. (Reading #10)

(Groom) _______________ and (Bride) _______________, may this kind of love always help you keep the promises you are about to make here today.

WEDDING VOWS

(Bride/Groom) _______________/_______________, my promise to you is but a simple one. I will love you today and everyday that follows until the end of time. With the passing of every minute, my love grows stronger and my devotion grows deeper. I will love and cherish you until my eyes can no longer see your beauty, my ears can no longer hear your loving words, and my hands can no longer feel your tender caress. From this moment until my dying breath, you are my love-----you are my life. (Wedding Vow #10) 

NOTE: These wedding vows are best if read rather than repeated. 

EXPLANATION OF THE RINGS

The wedding ring is the outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual bond that unites two loyal hearts in endless love. May these rings always remind you that it was love that brought you together, and it is love that will keep you together through all the seasons of your lives. 

RING EXCHANGE VOWS

(The Officiant shall say): May I have the token of (Groom's) _______________ love for (Bride) _______________? (Officiant receives ring from Best Man. Groom places ring on Bride's finger.) 

(The Officiant shall say): (Groom) _______________, please repeat after me. 

(Bride) _______________, this ring is the token of my love. / I marry you with this ring, / with all that I have and all that I am. (Ring Vow #1a). 

(The Officiant shall say): (Bride) _______________, please repeat after me.  

(Groom) _______________, I will forever wear this ring / as the sign of my commitment / and the desire of my heart. (Ring Vow #1b). 

(The Officiant shall say): May I have the token of (Bride's) _______________ love for (Groom) _______________? (Officiant receives ring from Maid of Honor. Bride places ring on Groom's finger.) 

(The Officiant shall say): (Bride) _______________, please repeat after me. 

(Groom) _______________, this ring is the token of my love. / I marry you with this ring, / with all that I have and all that I am. (Ring Vow #1a). 

(The Officiant shall say): (Groom) _______________, please repeat after me.  

(Bride) _______________, I will forever wear this ring / as the sign of my commitment / and the desire of my heart. (Ring Vow #1b). 

LIGHTING OF THE UNITY CANDLE

The lighting of the Unity Candle symbolizes the joining together of your two hands, your two hearts and your two lives into one. From this moment on, the light of your love burns jointly as you walk down life's pathway together. May the path of life become brighter as the flame of your love grows stronger. 

WEDDING PRAYER/BLESSING

May God bless you with Hope enough to keep sunshine in your love, and Fear enough to keep you holding hands in the dark. May God bless you with Unity enough to eep your roots entwined, and Separation enough to keep you reaching for each other. May God bless you with Harmony enough to keep romance in your song, and Discor enough to keep you tuning your love so it becomes sweet music to all who may hear it. (Blessing #3)

PRONOUNCEMENT

(Groom) _______________ and (Bride) _______________, now that you have shared with each other these words of love and commitment, and we have witnessed the expression of your love as you have given each other these rings, and you have joined your hands and hearts before your family and friends, it is with great joy that I pronounce you husband and wife. 

KISS

(The Officiant shall say): (Groom) _______________, you may kiss your Bride. (Bride and Groom kiss.) (Bride receives bouquet from Maid of Honor.)

PRESENTATION

(The Officiant shall say): Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my privilege to introduce to you for the very first time, (Mr. and Mrs.) ________________________.