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This is a ceremony I had the pleasure to perform that includes a handfasting as well as a sand ceremony. Keep in mind all ceremonies can be personalized and can reflect same sex ceremonies and even vow renewals as well! You may use my
Build a Ceremony Menu to tailor and customize this ceremony to your liking. You may also want to add a reading or poem to be read by myself or a guests.
Processional-wedding party has entered, and is in place. Bridal music begins. Officiant asks guest to please stand for the bride. Bride is escorted by her father or special person. When bride and escort are about 3 feet from in front of the Officiant, they pause. Wait for the music to fade.
Officiant: Who has the honor of presenting this bride today?
Father or escort responds: On behalf of all who love her I do
Father or escort gives bride a kiss (If she has a veil over her face, he lifts it up and over her head) groom steps forward, escort and groom shake hands. Escort takes his seat. Bride hands her bouquet to her maid of honor. If needed maid of honor fixes brides dress. Bride and groom stand facing each other and hold hands-they do not want to have their backs to the guest
The greeting:
Officiant: I address the couple & the guests:
Welcome Friends, family and loved ones. We are all here today to witness _____ and ___ join hands and be bound together by their love, now and forever.
Today is a day to celebrate the love of _____ and ___. They are two people who are the halves of a whole. Two souls, coming together to form one single being; two hearts, beating in a single rhythm. Today we join in our support of them as they offer themselves to each other. We celebrate their love, their joy and their expectations.
Invocation or opening prayer (This can be changed to reflect a certain God or Goddess you are drawn to if you like):
Officiant:
Let us now pause to establish ourselves in the consciousness of the Holy Presence as we pray.
We acknowledge Thy Presence and Thy Power, Blessed Spirit. We give thanks that these two souls have been drawn together by divine appointment, and will be held together by the power of divine love. We rejoice that through this mystical union, these two, now become one, will experience soul satisfaction and fulfillment, and that your blessing, Dear God, is upon them and that your love is expressing through them now and always. Amen
Charge to Bride and Groom (the charge is address to the bride and groom. It is a preparation for the vows you are about to take):
Officiant:
___ and _____ the estate of wedlock is a holy one, one not to be entered into lightly, but only under the guidance of Infinite Wisdom and the inspiration of Divine Love.
Dear Ones, you are entering into that relationship which is the expression of the uniting, harmonizing power of divine love. Marriage is the uniting of two souls already attuned to each other. When there is a true bond such as this, it is proper that public acknowledgement of it be made. We are here to bear witness to your entering into this closer relationship of husband and wife, and we believe you are already one in spirit.
Blessing:
Officiant:
Today, we ask that the infinite light of the divine shine upon this union. In times past it was believed that the human soul shared characteristics with all things divine. It is this belief which assigned virtues to the cardinal directions; East, South, West and North. It is in this tradition that I offer this blessing to this ceremony.
Blessed be this marriage with the gifts from the east -- new beginnings that come each day with the rising sun, communication of the heart, mind, body and soul.
Blessed be this marriage with the gifts of the south -- the light of the heart, the heat of passion, and the warmth of a loving home.
Blessed be this marriage with the gifts of the west -- the rushing excitement of a raging river, the soft and pure cleansing of a rainstorm, and a commitment as deep as the ocean itself.
Blessed be this marriage with the gifts of the north -- a solid foundation on which to build your lives, abundance and growth of your home, and the stability to be found by holding one another at the end of the day.
___ and _____, these four simple blessings will help you on your journey that begins today. However, they are only tools. They are tools which you must use together to create the light, the strength, the infinite energy now and forever of a love you both so richly deserve.
Exchange of rings:
Officiant: May we please have the rings (At this point the Best Man or designated person will give the rings to the Officiant).
May these rings be blessed with; Air for hopes and dreams; Fire for the spark of love; Water for harmony and healing; And Earth for strength.
The circle is the symbol of the sun, earth, and universe. It is the symbol of peace. Let these rings be the symbol of unity and peace in which your two lives are joined in one unbroken circle. Wherever you go, return unto one another and to your togetherness.
Officiant:
Now, I bid you look into one another's eyes and hearts.
To _____: _____, please place this ring on ___'s finger. Do you _____, promise to show ___ your honor and fidelity, to share her laughter and joy, to support and stand by her in times of difficulty, to dream and hope together with her, and to spend each day loving her more than the day before?
_____: I do
To ___: ___, please place this ring _____’s the ring. Do you, ___, promise to show _____ your honor and fidelity, to share his hopes and dreams, to laugh with him and share endless days of joy, to stand side by side with him in times of trouble, and to spend each day loving him more than the day before?
___ I do
By the exchange of these tokens of your love for one another, so are your lives interlaced. What one experiences, so shall the other; as honesty and love builds, so will your bond strengthen and grow.
Officiant:
Now we shall celebrate _____ and ___ union as it is symbolized through the pouring of sand.
(Bride and groom take their places behind the table; they do not want to have their backs to their guests)
_____ and ___, may your love always be as constant as the never-ending waves, flowing endlessly from the depths of the sea. Just as the waters touch and nourish the many shores of the earth, may your love be a moving sea between the shores of your souls. Just as there will never be a morning without the ocean's flow, there will never be a day without your love for each other. You have just sealed your relationship by giving and receiving of rings.
This beautiful union is symbolized through the combining of these two individual containers of sand The first represents you, _____ (he pours a portion of his sand in vase) and all that you were, all that you are, and all that you will ever be,
And the other representing you ___ (she pours a portion of her sand on top), and all that you were and all that you are, and all that you will ever be.
Each one holds its own unique beauty, strength, and character. They can stand on their own and be whole, without the need of anything else.
Please pour the sand into this common container to symbolize the union of your two lives.
(Together they pour their remaining sand in the central vase)
When the two are blended together they represent an entirely new and extraordinary love relationship. Each grain of sand brings to the mixture a lasting beauty that forever enriches the combination. Just as these grains of sand can never be separated and poured again into the individual vases, so will the love and bond between the two of you render you inseparable.
Handfasting:
Officiant:
A handfasting ceremony is the eternal joining of two people in love.
I ask you now to cross your hands over each other, and take one another's hands.
Officiant wraps the cord around the bride and grooms wrists, binding them together loosely and tying a knot.
Betrothal/Declaration of intent (this is when you declare your action or intent to marry is a matter of free will):
Officiant to groom: What is your name?
Groom Answer _____
Officiant to groom: And what is your desire?
Groom Answer: To join with ___, whom I love.
Officiant to groom: Will you seek to do her harm?
Groom Answer: I will not.
Officiant to groom: And if harm is done, will you seek to repair it?
Groom Answer: I will.
Officiant to groom: Will you seek to be honest with her in all things?
Groom Answer: I will.
Officiant to groom: Will you support her in times of distress?
Groom Answer: I will.
Officiant to groom: Will you temper your words and actions with love?
Groom Answer: I will.
Officiant to groom: These things you have promised to your partner, before this company and the Gods. May you ever be mindful and strive to keep the vows you have spoken.
Officiant to bride: What is your name?
Bride Answer ___
Officiant to Bride: And what is your desire?
Bride Answer: To join with _____, whom I love.
Officiant to Bride: Will you seek to do him harm?
Bride Answer: I will not.
Officiant to Bride: And if harm is done, will you seek to repair it?
Bride Answer: I will.
Officiant to Bride: Will you seek to be honest with him in all things?
Bride Answer: I will.
Officiant to Bride: Will you support him in times of distress?
Bride Answer: I will.
Officiant to Bride: Will you temper your words and actions with love?
Bride Answer: I will.
Officiant to bride: These things you have promised to your partner, before this company and the Gods. May you ever be mindful and strive to keep the vows you have spoken.
___ and _____, Just as your hands are bound together so now are your lives and spirits joined in a union of love and trust.
Above you are the stars and below you is the earth.
Like the earth should your love be a firm foundation from which to grow stronger through the seasons.
Like a star should your love be a constant source of light.
Like a flame should your union be warm and glowing with love in your hearts.
Like the wind may you sail through life safe and calm.
Like water should your relationship remain clean and soothing, that it may never thirst for love.May this union always be blessed. May all who encounter it be blessed with love.
May your lives be full and your hurts be few. May you draw forth, each from the other, the highest and the best.
May you be open and receptive to divine inspiration and guidance.
May you express poise, patience and understanding with each other.
May your lives blend together in harmony and joy and may your days be good and long upon the earth.
By the Winds that bring change, by the Fire of love, by the Seas of fortune and the strength of the Earth do I bless this union.
Officiant will remove the cord while saying:
___ and _____, this cord symbolize so much. It is your life, your love, and the eternal connection that the two of you have found with one another. Yet the knots of this binding are not formed by these chords- but instead by your vows. Either of you may drop the chords, for as always, you hold in your own hands the making or breaking of this union.
Pronouncement:
Officiant:
Your two hearts now beating as one, your two souls now deeply joined anew - walk forward together, forever hand in hand, May your marriage be a lifelong celebration of love! Now that the rituals are complete, you have made your promises, and exchanged your rings. May your lives together be filled with love and laughter. By the power vested in me as an Officiant and the laws of this state, I now pronounce you husband and wife!
You may kiss the Bride!
Officiant will prompt maid of honor to hand the bride her bouquet. Bride and groom will face their guests. ….Get your bubbles ready in a moment the newlyweds will walk back down the aisle and as a symbol of joy and happiness shower them with the bubbles!
Officiant:
It is with great honor I present to you Mr. and Mrs. ______!
Recessional music begins. Newlyweds walk back down the aisle, followed by best man & maid of honor-the rest of the wedding party, couple by couple.
Build a Ceremony Menu to tailor and customize this ceremony to your liking. You may also want to add a reading or poem to be read by myself or a guests.
Processional-wedding party has entered, and is in place. Bridal music begins. Officiant asks guest to please stand for the bride. Bride is escorted by her father or special person. When bride and escort are about 3 feet from in front of the Officiant, they pause. Wait for the music to fade.
Officiant: Who has the honor of presenting this bride today?
Father or escort responds: On behalf of all who love her I do
Father or escort gives bride a kiss (If she has a veil over her face, he lifts it up and over her head) groom steps forward, escort and groom shake hands. Escort takes his seat. Bride hands her bouquet to her maid of honor. If needed maid of honor fixes brides dress. Bride and groom stand facing each other and hold hands-they do not want to have their backs to the guest
The greeting:
Officiant: I address the couple & the guests:
Welcome Friends, family and loved ones. We are all here today to witness _____ and ___ join hands and be bound together by their love, now and forever.
Today is a day to celebrate the love of _____ and ___. They are two people who are the halves of a whole. Two souls, coming together to form one single being; two hearts, beating in a single rhythm. Today we join in our support of them as they offer themselves to each other. We celebrate their love, their joy and their expectations.
Invocation or opening prayer (This can be changed to reflect a certain God or Goddess you are drawn to if you like):
Officiant:
Let us now pause to establish ourselves in the consciousness of the Holy Presence as we pray.
We acknowledge Thy Presence and Thy Power, Blessed Spirit. We give thanks that these two souls have been drawn together by divine appointment, and will be held together by the power of divine love. We rejoice that through this mystical union, these two, now become one, will experience soul satisfaction and fulfillment, and that your blessing, Dear God, is upon them and that your love is expressing through them now and always. Amen
Charge to Bride and Groom (the charge is address to the bride and groom. It is a preparation for the vows you are about to take):
Officiant:
___ and _____ the estate of wedlock is a holy one, one not to be entered into lightly, but only under the guidance of Infinite Wisdom and the inspiration of Divine Love.
Dear Ones, you are entering into that relationship which is the expression of the uniting, harmonizing power of divine love. Marriage is the uniting of two souls already attuned to each other. When there is a true bond such as this, it is proper that public acknowledgement of it be made. We are here to bear witness to your entering into this closer relationship of husband and wife, and we believe you are already one in spirit.
Blessing:
Officiant:
Today, we ask that the infinite light of the divine shine upon this union. In times past it was believed that the human soul shared characteristics with all things divine. It is this belief which assigned virtues to the cardinal directions; East, South, West and North. It is in this tradition that I offer this blessing to this ceremony.
Blessed be this marriage with the gifts from the east -- new beginnings that come each day with the rising sun, communication of the heart, mind, body and soul.
Blessed be this marriage with the gifts of the south -- the light of the heart, the heat of passion, and the warmth of a loving home.
Blessed be this marriage with the gifts of the west -- the rushing excitement of a raging river, the soft and pure cleansing of a rainstorm, and a commitment as deep as the ocean itself.
Blessed be this marriage with the gifts of the north -- a solid foundation on which to build your lives, abundance and growth of your home, and the stability to be found by holding one another at the end of the day.
___ and _____, these four simple blessings will help you on your journey that begins today. However, they are only tools. They are tools which you must use together to create the light, the strength, the infinite energy now and forever of a love you both so richly deserve.
Exchange of rings:
Officiant: May we please have the rings (At this point the Best Man or designated person will give the rings to the Officiant).
May these rings be blessed with; Air for hopes and dreams; Fire for the spark of love; Water for harmony and healing; And Earth for strength.
The circle is the symbol of the sun, earth, and universe. It is the symbol of peace. Let these rings be the symbol of unity and peace in which your two lives are joined in one unbroken circle. Wherever you go, return unto one another and to your togetherness.
Officiant:
Now, I bid you look into one another's eyes and hearts.
To _____: _____, please place this ring on ___'s finger. Do you _____, promise to show ___ your honor and fidelity, to share her laughter and joy, to support and stand by her in times of difficulty, to dream and hope together with her, and to spend each day loving her more than the day before?
_____: I do
To ___: ___, please place this ring _____’s the ring. Do you, ___, promise to show _____ your honor and fidelity, to share his hopes and dreams, to laugh with him and share endless days of joy, to stand side by side with him in times of trouble, and to spend each day loving him more than the day before?
___ I do
By the exchange of these tokens of your love for one another, so are your lives interlaced. What one experiences, so shall the other; as honesty and love builds, so will your bond strengthen and grow.
Officiant:
Now we shall celebrate _____ and ___ union as it is symbolized through the pouring of sand.
(Bride and groom take their places behind the table; they do not want to have their backs to their guests)
_____ and ___, may your love always be as constant as the never-ending waves, flowing endlessly from the depths of the sea. Just as the waters touch and nourish the many shores of the earth, may your love be a moving sea between the shores of your souls. Just as there will never be a morning without the ocean's flow, there will never be a day without your love for each other. You have just sealed your relationship by giving and receiving of rings.
This beautiful union is symbolized through the combining of these two individual containers of sand The first represents you, _____ (he pours a portion of his sand in vase) and all that you were, all that you are, and all that you will ever be,
And the other representing you ___ (she pours a portion of her sand on top), and all that you were and all that you are, and all that you will ever be.
Each one holds its own unique beauty, strength, and character. They can stand on their own and be whole, without the need of anything else.
Please pour the sand into this common container to symbolize the union of your two lives.
(Together they pour their remaining sand in the central vase)
When the two are blended together they represent an entirely new and extraordinary love relationship. Each grain of sand brings to the mixture a lasting beauty that forever enriches the combination. Just as these grains of sand can never be separated and poured again into the individual vases, so will the love and bond between the two of you render you inseparable.
Handfasting:
Officiant:
A handfasting ceremony is the eternal joining of two people in love.
I ask you now to cross your hands over each other, and take one another's hands.
Officiant wraps the cord around the bride and grooms wrists, binding them together loosely and tying a knot.
Betrothal/Declaration of intent (this is when you declare your action or intent to marry is a matter of free will):
Officiant to groom: What is your name?
Groom Answer _____
Officiant to groom: And what is your desire?
Groom Answer: To join with ___, whom I love.
Officiant to groom: Will you seek to do her harm?
Groom Answer: I will not.
Officiant to groom: And if harm is done, will you seek to repair it?
Groom Answer: I will.
Officiant to groom: Will you seek to be honest with her in all things?
Groom Answer: I will.
Officiant to groom: Will you support her in times of distress?
Groom Answer: I will.
Officiant to groom: Will you temper your words and actions with love?
Groom Answer: I will.
Officiant to groom: These things you have promised to your partner, before this company and the Gods. May you ever be mindful and strive to keep the vows you have spoken.
Officiant to bride: What is your name?
Bride Answer ___
Officiant to Bride: And what is your desire?
Bride Answer: To join with _____, whom I love.
Officiant to Bride: Will you seek to do him harm?
Bride Answer: I will not.
Officiant to Bride: And if harm is done, will you seek to repair it?
Bride Answer: I will.
Officiant to Bride: Will you seek to be honest with him in all things?
Bride Answer: I will.
Officiant to Bride: Will you support him in times of distress?
Bride Answer: I will.
Officiant to Bride: Will you temper your words and actions with love?
Bride Answer: I will.
Officiant to bride: These things you have promised to your partner, before this company and the Gods. May you ever be mindful and strive to keep the vows you have spoken.
___ and _____, Just as your hands are bound together so now are your lives and spirits joined in a union of love and trust.
Above you are the stars and below you is the earth.
Like the earth should your love be a firm foundation from which to grow stronger through the seasons.
Like a star should your love be a constant source of light.
Like a flame should your union be warm and glowing with love in your hearts.
Like the wind may you sail through life safe and calm.
Like water should your relationship remain clean and soothing, that it may never thirst for love.May this union always be blessed. May all who encounter it be blessed with love.
May your lives be full and your hurts be few. May you draw forth, each from the other, the highest and the best.
May you be open and receptive to divine inspiration and guidance.
May you express poise, patience and understanding with each other.
May your lives blend together in harmony and joy and may your days be good and long upon the earth.
By the Winds that bring change, by the Fire of love, by the Seas of fortune and the strength of the Earth do I bless this union.
Officiant will remove the cord while saying:
___ and _____, this cord symbolize so much. It is your life, your love, and the eternal connection that the two of you have found with one another. Yet the knots of this binding are not formed by these chords- but instead by your vows. Either of you may drop the chords, for as always, you hold in your own hands the making or breaking of this union.
Pronouncement:
Officiant:
Your two hearts now beating as one, your two souls now deeply joined anew - walk forward together, forever hand in hand, May your marriage be a lifelong celebration of love! Now that the rituals are complete, you have made your promises, and exchanged your rings. May your lives together be filled with love and laughter. By the power vested in me as an Officiant and the laws of this state, I now pronounce you husband and wife!
You may kiss the Bride!
Officiant will prompt maid of honor to hand the bride her bouquet. Bride and groom will face their guests. ….Get your bubbles ready in a moment the newlyweds will walk back down the aisle and as a symbol of joy and happiness shower them with the bubbles!
Officiant:
It is with great honor I present to you Mr. and Mrs. ______!
Recessional music begins. Newlyweds walk back down the aisle, followed by best man & maid of honor-the rest of the wedding party, couple by couple.
