INTRODUCTION

Family and friends, we are gathered here not to witness the beginning of what will be, but rather what already is. We celebrate with Jane and Bill the wondrous and joyful occurrence that has already taken place in their lives, their love for each other.

Jane and Bill, your bond was first formed when the two of you chose to combine your separate lives into one. You have made a mutual commitment to love each other in an atmosphere of care and consideration and respect. You are partners in life, working together to bring out the best in each other, and for each other, and striving to be the most you can. This ceremony marks the moment when the relationship you have been creating gains a new, richer meaning.

Your shared experiences have brought you together and forged this bond of love. From this day onward you will come closer together than ever before. You will love one another for better and for worse, in sickness and in health. At the same time your love will give you the strength to stand apart, to seek out your unique destinies, to make your special contribution to the world.

Treat yourselves and each other with respect, and remind yourselves often of what brought you together. Take responsibility for making each other feel safe, and give the highest priority to the tenderness, gentleness and kindness that your connection deserves. When frustration, difficulties, and fear assail your relationship, as they threaten all relationships at some time or another, remember to focus on what is right between you, not only the part that seems wrong. In this way, you can ride out the storms when clouds hide the face of the sun in your lives – remembering that even if you lose sight of it for a moment, the sun is still there.

May you always be able to talk things over, to confide in each other, to laugh with each other, to enjoy life together, and to share moments of quiet and peace when the day is done. May your marriage be a place in which you share your joys so that they may be multiplied and your pain so that it may be divided. May you be blessed with a lifetime of happiness and a home of warmth and understanding.

(pause)

There are loved ones who are unable to be here today. Jane and Bill, do not be sorrowful, for you know all those who love you and ever have loved you are here with you in spirit. Let’s take a moment to remember the special loved ones whose presence is missed today.

(pause)

BLESSING

As they prepare to join their lives, it’s important to understand that everyone present has played a part in shaping the characters of Jane & Bill, and will play a vital role in their continuing lives. And thus we are here not only to witness their vows to each other, but also bestow upon them our blessing.

Will you, the family and friends of Jane and Bill, pledge to give them your continuing support, your love and your understanding as they work to build a happy and enduring marriage? If so, please say, “We will.”

VOWS

Jane and Bill, you are different people today than when you met, and years from now you be different still. Do you both, before these witnesses, pledge to do all in your power to make this a happy and enduring union?

Jane and Bill: We do.

I invite you now to make your promises to one another:

(Bill and Jane to write)

UNITY CANDLE

At this time Jane and Bill will commemorate their marriage by lighting a Unity candle. The two smaller candles were lit by their mothers to represent their lives to this moment.

Bill and Jane, please take the candle symbolizing your individual life, and together light the center candle of your union.

(Place the tapers back into their holders—join hands and remain near the candles)

As this new flame burns undivided, so shall your lives now be one. From now on your thoughts will be for each other rather than just your individual selves. Your plans will be mutual, your joys and sorrows both will be shared alike.

Although you are now entering into a marriage relationship, you do not, however, lose your personal identity. Therefore all three candles remain glowing. The individual candles represent all that makes each of you the wonderful and unique person the other admires and respects. The Unity candle in the center symbolizes the joining of your lives, families, and friends, as well as your shining commitment to each other, and to a lasting and loving marriage.

RINGS

The vows you’ve made are invisible; the love you feel is invisible, too. But rings are visible, material signs of these inward ties. They are tokens of the growing relationship you have come here to celebrate and confirm.

(Give Bill Jane’s ring)

Bill:

Take this ring as a sign of my love

and as a symbol of all that we share.

May it remind you always of this day,

and that you are surrounded by my enduring love.

(Give Jane Bill’s ring)

Jane:

Take this ring as a sign of my love

and as a symbol of all that we share.

May it remind you always of this day,

and that you are surrounded by my enduring love.

CLOSING

Bill and Jane, may you always need one another, not to fill an emptiness, but to help each other know your fullness. May you want one another, but not out of lack. May you embrace one another, but not constrain one another. May you succeed in all important ways with each other, and not fail in the little graces. May you have happiness, and may you find it in making one another happy. May you have love, and may you find it in loving one another.

Jane and Bill, as you join hands right now and look into one another’s eyes, let it be known that you are joined, body and soul in this lifetime.

You may now seal this ceremony with a kiss.

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my pleasure to present to you Jane and Bill (Last Name)