Welcome
Hello and welcome!! We are gathered here today in this beautiful place to celebrate love, life, and the journey of marriage. _____ and ______ are overjoyed to have you all here to share in this sacred day with them. The love between these two before you is quite literally overflowing and to come together, many for the first time, to witness and share in their love is what this day is all about.
Blessing
We are assembled here, in the presence of God, to listen, to love, to dance and celebrate, and to send ______ and ______ into their future with one gigantic blessing! May this day be blessed with wisdom, love, and joy; blessings that will follow ______ and _______ throughout their days together.
Address
(The story of the couple's meeting and highlights of their relationship are shared)
Dedication Blessing
“A soulmate is someone who has locks that fit our keys, and keys to fit our locks. When we feel safe enough to open the locks, our truest selves step out and we can be completely and honestly who we are; we can be loved for who we are and not for who we’re pretending to be. Each unveils the best part of the other.”
_____ and ______, you have the keys to one another’s locks. Today symbolizes your commitment to keep unlocking your hearts, to continue growing in family and love, to travel challenging roads together, to honor the sacredness of your connection, and to enjoy the ride!
Declaration of Intent
______, do you vow, before God, your family, and friends to embrace ______ as your wife? As your companion and best friend for life, do you vow to treat her with love and devotion, honor and respect? Do you vow to stand by her in the triumphs and tragedies of life, as a faithful and caring husband?
(I do)
______, do you vow, before God, your family, and friends to embrace ______ as your husband? As your companion and best friend for life, do you vow to treat him with love and devotion, honor and respect? Do you vow to stand by him in the triumphs and tragedies of life, as a faithful and caring husband?
(I do)
Vows
The couple would now like to share the vows they have written to one another.
Ring Blessing
The ring is a symbol of the unbroken circle of love. Love freely given has no beginning and no end, no giver and no receiver, for each is the giver and each is the receiver. The wedding ring is placed on the fourth finger of the left hand because it was traditionally believed that this finger was a direct connection to the heart- the perfect place for a symbol representing everlasting love and commitment.
Exchanging of the Rings
_____, repeat after me: With this ring, I offer you my heart and soul. May its presence in your hand be a constant reminder of my love.
______, repeat after me: With this ring, I offer you my heart and soul. May its presence in your hand be a constant reminder of my love.
Sand Ceremony
_____ and ______, you have just sealed your relationship by the giving and receiving of rings; a pledge between two people who agree that they will commit themselves to one another throughout their lives.
Today, this relationship is also symbolized through the pouring of these two individual containers of sand. One, representing you, _______ and One Representing you _______ and all that you were, all that you are, and all that you will ever be.
As these two containers of sand are poured into the third container, the individual containers of sand will no longer exist, but will be joined together as one. Just as these grains of sand can never be separated, our prayer for you today is that your lives together would be blended like the seven seas and may your love swirl around each other like the changing tides.
Breaking of the Glass Ceremony
The final act of this ceremony is the shattering of the glass. This old custom has many traditions, with many interpretations. At one time it was meant to scare off demons that frequent celebrations (or pesky wedding guests). Today, the fragility of the glass suggests the frailty of human relationships.
The breaking of the glass reminds us that we should consider the marriage vows spoken today are as permanent and final as the breaking of this glass is unchangeable. The glass is broken to protect this marriage with the implied prayer. ”May your bond of love be as difficult to break, as it would be to put back together these pieces of glass.” After ______ breaks the glass, I invite everyone to shout the Hebrew words “Mazel Tov,” meaning “Good Luck” and “Congratulations.”
Pronouncement of Marriage
_______ and ______, by the power vested in me by the state of Michigan, I pronounce you husband and wife!
The Kiss
You may kiss!
Presentation
I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. _______________