(Groom Stands beside Officiant as the bride walks up and into a circle of loved ones standing.)

 

Officiant: 

"We come here today some witnessing for the first time the beauty of a handfasting marriage, this circle we stand in is as sacred as the symbol of a ring. Like a ring, this stands for the unity of the couple, and the space where they will be symbolically reborn again as one.

 

Those of you who have been to a Greek Orthodox ceremony will undoubtedly recognize the symbolic binding of the hands at the end of the service that inspired the terms “Bonds of Holy Matrimony” and to “Tie the knot” This custom has also been known the world over, through many different periods in history.

 

During the Middle Ages to be seen in public holding hands was a sign that a couple were exclusive to one another. And while rings were for the very rich, love knows no bounds and a simple cord would do just fine."

 

Greeting:

We are honored, and grateful to be present here today to witness the sacred vows of marriage between __________ and ___________, who were brought together by love’s divine appointment, and we rejoice with them in this moment of mystical matrimony.

 

(OR alternatively)

 

1. Officiant: "Welcome one and all.

 

We are here with great honor, to bear witness to the love of this couple, ________ and ________ which is profound and enduring. We gather here to witness this love and the vows they will make to each other on this, their wedding day.

 

We join in our support of them as they offer themselves to each other. We celebrate their joy, their love and their expectations.

 

2. "Friends and loved ones, join with me in the celebration of the union between __________ and __________ as their lives’ paths now merge to become a singular road paved with love."

 

Charge:

Officiant:"If there is any here who can show just cause that these people should not be joined into the bonds of marriage, let them speak now, or keep their silence for all time."

 

Officiant to Bride and Groom:

"Love is the most profound experience that can come to humankind. At its best it reduces our selfishness, deepens our personalities, and makes life far more meaningful. Its very nature is to want to give to another, and to feel joy in the joy of the other.

 

Such love can call forth the best qualities in each of you. Marriage is an estate that is to embody, nurture and protect all the warm and precious values that grow in human companionship and love.

 

Marriage symbolizes the ultimate intimacy between two people. Therefore, it is not to be entered into lightly, but with certainty, with mutual respect, and with a sense of reverence which can include beauty, humor and joy.

 

A marriage that is to last will be continually growing. Today's celebration of human affection is the outward sign of a sacred and inward commitment, which religious societies may consecrate and states may legalize, but which neither can create or annul. Such union can only be created by loving purpose, be maintained by abiding will, and be renewed by human feelings and intentions.

 

It is in this spirit that these two come now to be wed."

 

Declaration of intention:

Officiant: "Please turn to each other and hold hands."

(Bride and Groom face each other holding hands.)

 

Officiant: To Groom:" ____________, is it your wish to let your pledge be known to all these witnesses gathered here today that you will take this woman ____________ to be your wife in the divine sanctity of marriage, in front of the your loved ones and the divine. And will you honor, respect her and be true to her above all others?" 

Groom Responds: "I will."

 

Officiant: To Bride:"____________ , is it your wish to let your pledge be known to all these witnesses gathered here today that you will take this man ____________ to be your husband in the divine sanctity of marriage, in front of your loved ones and the divine. And will you honor, respect him and be true to him above all others?"

Bride Responds: "I will."

 

Wedding Vows:

Officiant: To Groom: "Repeat after me."

(The following can be broken down line by line instead of said all at once)

"I take you ____________ to be my wife from this day forward,

to join with you and share all that is to come;

both in times of light and times of darkness,

I will steadfastly stand by you.

I promise to be faithful and vow to love you with all my heart and soul."

 

Groom Repeats:"I take you ____________ to be my wife from this day forward, to join with you and share all that is to come; both in times of light and times of darkness, I will steadfastly stand by you. I promise to be faithful and vow to love you with all my heart and soul."

 

Officiant: To Bride: "Repeat after me." (The following can be broken down line by line instead of said all at once)

"I take you ____________ to be my husband from this day forward, to join with you and share all that is to come; both in times of light and times of darkness, I will steadfastly stand by you. I promise to be faithful and vow to love you with all my heart and soul."

 

Bride Repeats:"I take you ____________ to be my husband from this day forward, to join with you and share all that is to come; both in times of light and times of darkness, I will steadfastly stand by you. I promise to be faithful and vow to love you with all my heart and soul."

 

(OR Alternatively)

 

Blessing of the Rings:

Officiant: To the Best Man or Ringbearer: "May we now have the rings?"

 

(The designated person gives the rings to the Officiant. Or in a smaller/simpler ceremony without a Best Man or Ringbearer the Officiant will already have the rings.)

 

Officiant: "The wedding ring is a symbol of eternity, a circle unbroken, without beginning or end. It is an outward sign of a commitment and spiritual bond which unites two hearts in endless love."

 

Exchange Of Rings:

Officiant: To Groom:"____________ will you take this ring and place it upon ____________’s finger, and as you do, repeat after me, these words: (The following can be broken down line by line instead of said all at once.)

 

Officiant: "With this ring, I thee wed and with it I bestow upon thee my pledge of faithfulness and enduring love.

 

Groom Repeats: "With this ring, I thee wedand with it I bestow upon thee my pledge of faithfulness and enduring love."

 

Officiant: To Bride:"____________ will you take this ring and place it upon ____________’s finger, and as you do, repeat after me, these words"

(The following can be broken down line by line instead of said all at once.)

 

Officiant: "With this ring, I thee wed and with it I bestow upon thee my pledge of faithfulness and enduring love."

 

Bride Repeats: "With this ring, I thee wed, and with it I bestow upon thee my pledge of faithfulness and enduring love."

 

(OR Alternatively)

 

(To the groom) , take this ring and place it on finger, and state your pledge to her, repeating after me:

“With this ring I thee wed.

I offer you my hand, and my heart as I know they will be safe with you.

All that I am I give to you, and all that I have I share with you.”

 

(To the bride) , take this ring and place it on finger, and state your pledge to him, repeating after me:“With this ring I thee wed.I offer you my hand, and my heart as I know they will be safe with you. All that I am I give to you and all that I have I share with you.”

 

Handfasting:

Officiant: “Is it also your wish today that your hands be fasted in the ways of old?”

BRIDE and GROOM respond: “It is.”

 

Officiant: “Remember then as your hands are fasted, these are not the ties that bind...”

Cords are held in both right hands.

Officiant: "The role already taken by the song your hearts share shall be now be strengthened by the vows you take.

All things of the material world eventually returns to the Earth unlike the bond, and the connection your spirits share which is destined to ascend to the heavens.

Woven into this cord, imbued into its very fibers, are all the hopes of your friends and family, and of yourselves, for your new life together.

 

With the fashioning of this knot do I tie all the desires, dreams, love, and happiness wished here in this place to your lives for as long as love shall last."

(Ties Knot)

"In this joining of hands and the fashion of a knot, so are your lives now bound, one to another. "

 

Pronouncement As Husband And Wife:

Officiant:"You are now as your hearts have always known you to be,Husband and Wife. You may now kiss the bride!”

 

(OR Alternatively)

1.Officant:"And now by the powers vested in me. I proudly declare that you are now husband & wife. Congratulations! You may now kiss the bride!"

 

Earthly Blessing:

Officiant:"May the sun bring you new energy by day. May the moon gently restore you by night.

May the rain wash away your worries.

We all wish that your love remain rock solid, in all the elements the nature of life may bring.

May you live the days of your lives together in peace, love, and happiness with an ever burning fiery passion for love."

 

Announcement As Newlyweds:

Officiant:"Honored Guests, I now present to you Mr. and Mrs. __________________!"