Unions Performed™

The Ceremony

If the couple will be given away, I will ask the person and/or persons giving their hand in marriage; “Who gives this couple to be married?” That person may reply; “I do”, Mother and I do”, “Family and I do”; or whatever may be appropriate.

Invocation
Minister’s Opening Statement

Marriage is an act of faith. It is a personal commitment as well as a moral and physical union between two people. We are gathered here today in the presence of this company to join together this Couple in marriage which is commended as honorable amongst all people. Marriage is the most important step in life; therefore should not be entered into lightly or unadvisedly; but reverently, deliberately and with God. It is into this holy estate these two persons present, come now to be joined!

The Declaration of Intent

Partner1 and Partner 2, it being your intention to take each other as Partners in Life and as Soul Mates you will please turn and join together your hands.

(Insert 1: You may insert a special reading or song.)

The Vows

Partner 1; you now take this man/woman whose hands you hold to be your Partner in life. Do you vow that you will love, honor and cherish him/her; in sickness and or health, for richer for poorer, for better or worse, in sadness and in joy, and will forsake all others for her alone? I do.

Partner 2; you now take this man/woman whose hands you hold to be your Partner in life. Do you vow that you will love, honor and cherish him/her; in sickness and or health, for richer for poorer, for better or worse, in sadness and in joy, and will forsake all others for her alone? I do.

The Exchanging of the Rings

Partner 1, What token of your love and affection have you to offer Partner 2? This ring.
Partner 1 place the ring on your Partner’s finger. Now while holding his/her hand please repeat after me.
I, Partner 1, do love you Partner 2. I want to share with you my life, my soul. To be your companion and mate forever, I pledge to you my love and with this ring I thee wed.

Partner 2, What token of your love and affection have you to offer Partner 1? This ring.
Partner2 place the ring on Partner one’s a finger. Now while holding his/her hand please repeat after me.
I, Partner 2, do love you Partner 1. I want to share with you my life, my soul. To be your companion and mate forever, I pledge to you all my love and with this ring I thee wed.

Blessing of the Rings

May these rings be blessed as a symbol of your affectionate unity. Your two lives are now joined in one unbroken circle. Wherever you go may you always return to one another in your togetherness. May you two find in each other the love for which all men and women yearn for. May you grow in understanding and in compassion. May the home that you have together be full of love, laughter, family and friends. May these rings on your fingers symbolize the spirit of love that is in your hearts. Let this be the seal of your faith and of your mutual affection and fidelity and of the bonds of marriage by which you are now bound.

As we celebrate the love of this couple, we have also witnessed the creation of a family and family is sacred whether it is created by birth or by marriage. We also recognize the significant role this/these child/children will play in this marriage for children are precious gifts entrusted to us by God.

Do you Partner 1 do you vow to love and nurture this child/children as your own and will support his/her efforts and goals in life as a parent and a friend?

Do you Partner 2 vow to love and nurture this child/children as your own and will support his/her efforts and goals in life as a parent and a friend?

The Family Ceremony (Optional)

As we give thanks for the love of this Couple, we also recognize the merging of a family taking place. A wedding is not just the binding of two people together; it is also the Spiritual bonding of two groups of people who will grow into a family! Family is sacred whether it is created by birth or newly formed by marriage. We have witnessed the creation of a family here today, and this will be a family in which each member is equally important in making this family complete.

Do you Partner 1 vow to love and nurture this child/children (name each child) as your own and will support his/her efforts and goals in life as a parent and a friend?

Do you Partner 2 vow to love and nurture this child/children (name each child) as your own and will support his/her efforts and goals in life as a parent and a friend?