Here are some samples of Ceremonies I have done in the past:
(Please note all rights reserved)
Short and Sweet Ceremony:
MARRIAGE IS A PROMISE TO EACH OTHER
Family, Friends and Honored Guests, we are gathered here this afternoon to witness and celebrate the wedding of Charles and Clea.
They have invited you all to join them here today to support, to witness, and to share this moment with them as they begin their new life together as one.
Marriage is the promise of hope between two people who love each other sincerely, who honor each other as individuals, and who wish to unite their lives and share the future together. In this ceremony, they dedicate themselves to the happiness and well-being of each other, in a union of mutual caring and responsibility.
The legal requirement of this state having been fulfilled and the license for their marriage being present, I must ask of each party if they come of their own free will and accord. Do you come to this union of your free will and with the intention of being faithful in marriage as long as you live?
At this time, I ask that you please face each other and join hands as we will begin the vows.
Charles do you take this woman whose hand you now hold to be your
lawfully wedded Wife? Do you promise before these witnesses that
you will be to her a true and devoted Husband?
Repeat after me.
I, Charles take thee Clea to be my Wife to love and to cherish in
sickness and in health; in joy and in sorrow, for richer or poorer and
forsaking all others will keep myself unto you until separated by death.
Clea, do you take this man whose hand you now hold to be your
lawfully wedded Husband? Do you promise before these witnesses
that you will be to him a true and devoted Wife?
Repeat after me.
I, Clea, take thee Charles to be my Husband to love and to cherish in
sickness and in health; in joy and in sorrow, for richer or poorer and
forsaking all others will keep myself unto you until separated by death
Rings
Do you have rings to exchange?
Charles please place the ring on Clea's finger and repeat after me:
With this ring, I thee wed, in token and pledge of the vows between us made.
Clea, please place the ring on Charles’s finger and repeat after me:
With this ring, I thee wed, in token and pledge of the vows between us made.
In as much as Charles and Clea have agreed in pledge and in the
giving and receiving of rings, by the power vested in me, by the State of
New Jersey, I now pronounce you Husband and Wife.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Traditional Ceremony:
Introduction:
Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness as (bride) and (groom) join their lives together in Holy Matrimony, the most sacred of relationships. Because you have known and loved them as individuals, you have been invited to share in the joyous moment as they join their lives together as one.
Who brings this woman to marry this man? (optional)
Father of the bride: “Her mother and I do.”
Charge to Couple:
This is the time which you have chosen to become husband and wife. We are here not only to witness your commitment to each other, but to wish you both every happiness in your future life together. If anyone has reason why these two should not be so joined, let him speak now, or forever hold his peace.
Within its framework of loyalty and commitment, marriage enables the establishment of a home, where through tolerance, patience and respect, the love and affection which you have for each other may develop into a deep and lasting relationship.
Reading: (Optional)
Marriage Vows:
Before you are joined in marriage in my presence and in the presence of these, your family, friends and witnesses, I am to remind you of the solemn and enduring nature of the relationship into which you are about to enter.
Do you (Groom) take (Bride) to be your lawfully wedded wife? From this day forward, to have and to hold, forsaking all others, for better or for worse, for richer and poorer, in sickness and health, to love and cherish for so long as you both shall live?
Groom: “I do.”
And do you (Bride) take (Groom) to be your lawfully wedded husband? From this day forward, to have and to hold, forsaking all others, for better and for worse, for richer and poorer, in sickness and health, to love and cherish for so long as you both shall live?
Bride: “I do.”
Ring Vows:
What token of your devotion do you offer your beloved?
(bride and groom retrieve rings from best man and maid of honor, handing them to wedding officiant).
May these rings be blessed as the symbol of this affectionate union. These two lives are now joined in one unbroken circle. Wherever they go, may they always return to one another in their togetherness. May these two find in each other the love for which all men and women yearn. May they grow in understanding and in compassion. May the home which they establish together be such a place of sanctuary that many will find there a friend. May these rings, on their fingers, symbolize the touch of the spirit of love in their hearts.
(Wedding Officiant hands ring to groom)
(Groom), in placing this ring on (Bride's) finger, repeat after me:
"I give you this ring as pledge of my love, and as the symbol of our unity. Amen."
(groom places ring on bride's finger)
(Wedding Officiant hands other ring to bride)
(Bride), in placing this ring on (Groom’s) finger, repeat after me:
"I give you this ring as the pledge of my love and as the symbol of our unity. Amen."
(bride places ring on groom's finger)
Pronouncement:
Inasmuch as (Bride) and (Groom) have consented together in marriage before this company; have pledged their faith and declared their unity by each giving and receiving a ring -- and are now joined in mutual esteem and devotion, by the authority vested in me by the State of New Jersey, pronounce that they are husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.
Presentation of the Couple:
It is now my great honor to be the first to present Mr. and Mrs.(Groom’s first and last name); or
(Bride first name) and (Groom full name), or;
(Bride first and last name) and (Groom first and last name), as man and wife (for situations in which the bride retains her last name).