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non-religious ceremony SCRIPT
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This is an outline of all of the parts of a formal ceremony. You can use it as it is or you can choose a different option for each part. You may choose scripture or poetry for one of the readings - or simple remove the readings. You can choose different vows, ring exchanges and unity ceremonies. Announce an Unplugged Ceremony
Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for joining us today. At this time, I request that you silence your phones and refrain from taking pictures during the ceremony. Please take these few moments to be fully present with them as they make their vows and are joined in their new life together. There will be plenty of time for you to capture the moment as the evening progresses. Thank you! Let the wedding begin…
The Bride (and/or Groom) is escorted down the aisle. Traditionally the Bride is escorted by her father, but it can be anyone or no one. An escort is not required.
At this point it the bride and her father wish it, we ask:
Who gives/ presents this woman to be married?
Father (or whomever escorted her) responds:
Her mother and I do.Or something similar
Officiant Continues:.Please be seated.
Welcoming
Welcome! We are gathered here today to celebrate and to witness the joining of Bride and Groom in marriage.As they promise to love, trust in that love, honor one another as individuals, and anticipate with joy spending the rest of their lives together. They, are surrounded by you - their friends and family. Thank you for gathering here to witness their marriage and to share in the joy of this special occasion.
A Moment of SilenceThis is optional:
We’d like to take a moment to remember those who are not with us here today. Those who were unable to be here and those who have gone on to greater things. We know that they are here with us in spirit. You can name specific people here if you like or just keep it general.
(Moment of Silence)This is usually just one deep breath
Bride and Groom, Today, as you two are joined in marriage, there is a vast and unknown future stretching out before you. The possibilities and potentials of your married life are great. We join with you in hoping you make real your dreams! That you are reborn in each other as you share your loves and dreams, wants and desires and together are enriched by them. Through your commitment to each other, may you grow and nurture a love that makes both of you better people, a love that continues to give you great joy, and also a passion for living that provides you with energy and patience to face the responsibilities of life.There was a time when your lives were two separate paths. Gradually, they were joined as you grew closer together. Today, you proclaim to the world your choice to stay on the same path together. May you be enriched by the unique view of the other!
The first reading is:(Readings are an option. You can switch them out or delete them.)
Why Marriage? By Mari Nichols- Haining.
Because to the depths of me, I long to love one person,With all my heart, my soul, my mind, my body...Because I need a forever friend to trust with the intimacies of me,Who won't hold them against me,Who loves me when I'm unlikable,Who sees the small child in me, andWho looks for the divine potential of me...Because I need to cuddle in the warmth of the nightWith someone who thanks God for me,With someone I feel blessed to hold...Because marriage means opportunityTo grow in love in friendship...Because marriage is a disciplineTo be added to a list of achievements...Because marriages do not fail, people failWhen they enter into marriageExpecting another to make them whole...Because, knowing this,I promise myself to take full responsibilityFor my spiritual, mental and physical wholenessI create me,I take half of the responsibility for my marriageTogether we create our marriage...Because with this understandingThe possibilities are limitless.
The Second Reading is
From "Union"by Robert Fulghum
"You have known each other from the first glance of acquaintance to this point of commitment. At some point, you decided to marry. From that moment of yes to this moment of yes, indeed, you have been making promises and agreements in an informal way. All those conversations that were held riding in a car or over a meal or during long walks - all those sentences that began with "When we're married" and continued with "I will and you will and we will" - those late night talks that included "someday and somehow and maybe"- and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart. All these common things, and more, are the real process of a wedding. The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, "You know all those things we've promised and hoped and dreamed- well, I meant it all, every word." Look at one another and remember this moment in time. Before this moment you have been many things to one another- acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, dancing partner, and even teacher, for you have learned much from one another in these last few years. Now you shall say a few words that take you across a threshold of life, and things will never quite be the same between you. For after these vows, you shall say to the world, this- is my husband, this- is my wife”
VowsThere are called the declaration of intent, or the I do's. They are the one question you HAVE to answer during any wedding ceremony in order to make your marriage legal.
Do you Groom, take Bride, to be your wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do you part.
Groom: I do.
Do you Bride take Groom, to be your husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do you part.
Bride: I do.
You can add personal vows here
Ring Exchange
The rings please…
The rings are the universal symbols of marriage. They mean many things. From now on you will wear these rings and they will remind you... They will remind you of the endless circle that they are. Like love, there is no beginning and no end. They will remind you daily that you are married. Sometimes they will remind you of the commitment that you have made - for better or worse. But, may they always remind you that there is one other person in the world that has pledged to love you forever, through thick and through thin and with all that they have.
please repeat after me....
Bride, I give you this ring with all that I am and all that I ever will be. Wear it and know that I love you. With this ring, I marry you.
Groom, I give you this ring with all that I am and all that I ever will be. Wear it and know that I love you. With this ring, I marry you.
Unity Ceremony - Optional
This is the Hand Ceremony
And now as you are holding hands take a moment, so that you may see the gift that you are to each other.
These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow and forever.These are the hands that will work alongside yours as together you build your future.These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes, tears of sorrow and tears of joy.These are the hands that will give you support and encouragement to chase down your dreams.These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it.These are the hands that will lift your chin and brush your cheek as they raise your face to look into eyes that are filled with overwhelming love for you.And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.
Final Blessing
Life and love are the greatest gifts bestowed upon humanity.May your union grant you patience, tolerance, and understandingas well as the passion and excitement every marriage should possess.May you need one another, but not out of weakness.May you want one another, but not out of lack.May you support one another, as a sign of mutual independence.May you continually rediscover your love in one another, as the greatest gift of all.
Pronouncement
And now, it is my great pleasure to acknowledge your union as “Husband and Wife.”
You may now seal your marriage with a kiss!!! (Or you may kiss the Bride!)
Ladies and Gentlemen, It is my pleasure to introduce to you: ...............................
Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for joining us today. At this time, I request that you silence your phones and refrain from taking pictures during the ceremony. Please take these few moments to be fully present with them as they make their vows and are joined in their new life together. There will be plenty of time for you to capture the moment as the evening progresses. Thank you! Let the wedding begin…
The Bride (and/or Groom) is escorted down the aisle. Traditionally the Bride is escorted by her father, but it can be anyone or no one. An escort is not required.
At this point it the bride and her father wish it, we ask:
Who gives/ presents this woman to be married?
Father (or whomever escorted her) responds:
Her mother and I do.Or something similar
Officiant Continues:.Please be seated.
Welcoming
Welcome! We are gathered here today to celebrate and to witness the joining of Bride and Groom in marriage.As they promise to love, trust in that love, honor one another as individuals, and anticipate with joy spending the rest of their lives together. They, are surrounded by you - their friends and family. Thank you for gathering here to witness their marriage and to share in the joy of this special occasion.
A Moment of SilenceThis is optional:
We’d like to take a moment to remember those who are not with us here today. Those who were unable to be here and those who have gone on to greater things. We know that they are here with us in spirit. You can name specific people here if you like or just keep it general.
(Moment of Silence)This is usually just one deep breath
Bride and Groom, Today, as you two are joined in marriage, there is a vast and unknown future stretching out before you. The possibilities and potentials of your married life are great. We join with you in hoping you make real your dreams! That you are reborn in each other as you share your loves and dreams, wants and desires and together are enriched by them. Through your commitment to each other, may you grow and nurture a love that makes both of you better people, a love that continues to give you great joy, and also a passion for living that provides you with energy and patience to face the responsibilities of life.There was a time when your lives were two separate paths. Gradually, they were joined as you grew closer together. Today, you proclaim to the world your choice to stay on the same path together. May you be enriched by the unique view of the other!
The first reading is:(Readings are an option. You can switch them out or delete them.)
Why Marriage? By Mari Nichols- Haining.
Because to the depths of me, I long to love one person,With all my heart, my soul, my mind, my body...Because I need a forever friend to trust with the intimacies of me,Who won't hold them against me,Who loves me when I'm unlikable,Who sees the small child in me, andWho looks for the divine potential of me...Because I need to cuddle in the warmth of the nightWith someone who thanks God for me,With someone I feel blessed to hold...Because marriage means opportunityTo grow in love in friendship...Because marriage is a disciplineTo be added to a list of achievements...Because marriages do not fail, people failWhen they enter into marriageExpecting another to make them whole...Because, knowing this,I promise myself to take full responsibilityFor my spiritual, mental and physical wholenessI create me,I take half of the responsibility for my marriageTogether we create our marriage...Because with this understandingThe possibilities are limitless.
The Second Reading is
From "Union"by Robert Fulghum
"You have known each other from the first glance of acquaintance to this point of commitment. At some point, you decided to marry. From that moment of yes to this moment of yes, indeed, you have been making promises and agreements in an informal way. All those conversations that were held riding in a car or over a meal or during long walks - all those sentences that began with "When we're married" and continued with "I will and you will and we will" - those late night talks that included "someday and somehow and maybe"- and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart. All these common things, and more, are the real process of a wedding. The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, "You know all those things we've promised and hoped and dreamed- well, I meant it all, every word." Look at one another and remember this moment in time. Before this moment you have been many things to one another- acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, dancing partner, and even teacher, for you have learned much from one another in these last few years. Now you shall say a few words that take you across a threshold of life, and things will never quite be the same between you. For after these vows, you shall say to the world, this- is my husband, this- is my wife”
VowsThere are called the declaration of intent, or the I do's. They are the one question you HAVE to answer during any wedding ceremony in order to make your marriage legal.
Do you Groom, take Bride, to be your wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do you part.
Groom: I do.
Do you Bride take Groom, to be your husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do you part.
Bride: I do.
You can add personal vows here
Ring Exchange
The rings please…
The rings are the universal symbols of marriage. They mean many things. From now on you will wear these rings and they will remind you... They will remind you of the endless circle that they are. Like love, there is no beginning and no end. They will remind you daily that you are married. Sometimes they will remind you of the commitment that you have made - for better or worse. But, may they always remind you that there is one other person in the world that has pledged to love you forever, through thick and through thin and with all that they have.
please repeat after me....
Bride, I give you this ring with all that I am and all that I ever will be. Wear it and know that I love you. With this ring, I marry you.
Groom, I give you this ring with all that I am and all that I ever will be. Wear it and know that I love you. With this ring, I marry you.
Unity Ceremony - Optional
This is the Hand Ceremony
And now as you are holding hands take a moment, so that you may see the gift that you are to each other.
These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow and forever.These are the hands that will work alongside yours as together you build your future.These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes, tears of sorrow and tears of joy.These are the hands that will give you support and encouragement to chase down your dreams.These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it.These are the hands that will lift your chin and brush your cheek as they raise your face to look into eyes that are filled with overwhelming love for you.And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.
Final Blessing
Life and love are the greatest gifts bestowed upon humanity.May your union grant you patience, tolerance, and understandingas well as the passion and excitement every marriage should possess.May you need one another, but not out of weakness.May you want one another, but not out of lack.May you support one another, as a sign of mutual independence.May you continually rediscover your love in one another, as the greatest gift of all.
Pronouncement
And now, it is my great pleasure to acknowledge your union as “Husband and Wife.”
You may now seal your marriage with a kiss!!! (Or you may kiss the Bride!)
Ladies and Gentlemen, It is my pleasure to introduce to you: ...............................