Good evening everyone!
From this place (here the officiant describes something about your chosen ceremony venue/location, about the significance or beauty of the location), we take ourselves out of the usual routines of daily living to witness a unique moment in the lives of ______ and ______. Today they join their lives in the union of marriage.
To all their guests, they are happy to share this moment with you. They have known most of you for many years. You watched them grow up, you went to school with them, or you worked with them. Because you are the ones who have supported them and known them so well, it is only fitting that you are the ones to share this once-in-a-lifetime moment with them.
______ and _____ are pleased to have their parents in the front row…close to them for the ceremony.
(Insert special thanks to parents, grandparents, friends etc)
(Here you can insert references to loved ones that have passed away. Or you can mention loved ones that couldn’t be present for other reasons Bell ringing service would be done here)
And so it is that _____ and _____ present themselves to be married today…surrounded by the people they love the most.
Officiant:
As _____ and _____ prepared for the ceremony part of this wedding celebration, they reflected on what it is that they love about each other. And this was was the easiest part of planning this wedding!
To the 1st participant:
______ (1st Participant's name), ______ (2nd participant's name) loves that you blend in so comfortably with his/her family. He/She sees in you a funny, kind, and sweet person. She/He loves that you think he/she is funny and that you always find a way to compliment them.
He/She loves that you always want to be close to them. You remember details of the stories he/she tells. You want to be part of his/her family and circle of friends. You help him/her around the house. Most importantly, you are so close that even when he/she is at his/her worst, you have never made him/her feel like you want anything but to be closer to him/her.
To the 2nd participant:
______ (2nd Participant's name), ______ (1st participant's name) loves that you ______________________(fill in the blank). He/She loves your brain, your smile, and your beauty. He/She likes that you can be really silly. He/She loves your emails and texts. He/She loves your _________ (attribute). He/She loves your kisses. He/She just really loves you!
You both look to a shared future that includes raising a happy & healthy family. That future also includes a richly lived life together…going out to restaurants, hanging out with family, relaxing at home in front of the TV, singing and dancing…_______(Participant) will do the singing, and _______(Participant) will do the dancing.
The years will come and go…you won’t take each other for granted, you will laugh a lot, you will grow older and wiser together. It’s a good story,and the ending is not in sight!
(Optional Reading)
MARRIAGE VOWS:
Officiant:
We come now to the words ____ and _____ want to hear the most today…the words that take them across the threshold from being engaged to being married.
A marriage, as most of us understand it, is a voluntary and full commitment. It is made in the deepest sense to the exclusion of all others, and it is entered into with the desire and hope that it will last for life.
Before you declare your vows to one another, I want to hear you confirm that it is indeed your intention to be married today.
____, do you come here freely and without reservation to give yourself to _____ in marriage? If so, answer “I do.”
Participant 1:
I do.
Officiant:
_____, do you come here freely and without reservation to give yourself to _____ in
marriage? If so, answer “I do.”
Participant:
I do.
Officiant:
_____ and _____, having heard that it is your intention to be married to each other, I now ask you to declare your marriage vows.
Please face each other and hold hands.
Participant 1, please repeat after me…
I, _____ take you, _____ to be my husband/wife/spouse/partner/etc.
I will share my life with yours,
and build our dreams together,
Support you through times of trouble,
and rejoice with you in times of happiness.
I promise to give you
respect, love and loyalty.
This commitment is made in love,
kept in faith,
lived in hope,
and made new every day of our lives.
Officiant:
Participant 2, please repeat after me…
I, _____ take you, _____ to be my husband/wife/spouse/partner/etc.
I will share my life with yours,
and build our dreams together,
Support you through times of trouble,
and rejoice with you in times of happiness.
I promise to give you
respect, love and loyalty.
This commitment is made in love,
kept in faith,
lived in hope,
and made new every day of our lives.
EXCHANGE WEDDING RINGS
Officiant:
Your wedding ring are the outward and visible sign of the inward and invisible bond which already unites you two hearts in love.
Participant 1, place the ring on Participant 2's finger and repeat after me….
I give you this ring.
Wear it with love and joy.
As this ring has no end,
My love is also forever.
Participant 2, place the ring on Participant 1's finger and repeat after me….
I give you this ring.
Wear it with love and joy.
As this ring has no end,
My love is also forever.
May the wedding rings you exchanged today remind you always that you are surrounded by enduring love.
Officiant:
Everyone has advice for newlyweds. _____ and ______, I offer these good wishes to you on this special day.
May your life together be blessed with prosperity and good health. May you always share open and honest communication between each other. May you respect each other’s individual talents and gifts and give full support to each other’s professional and personal pursuits.
May you cherish the home and family you will create together. May all the years to come be filled with moments to celebrate and renew your love. May your love be a life-long source of excitement, contentment, affection, respect, and devotion for one another.
DECLARATION OF MARRIAGE
Officiant:
And so now by the power vested in me by The State of Connecticut, it is my honor and delight to declare
you husband and wife/Mr. and Mrs./etc.
Officiant:
I am pleased to present the newlyweds, Mr./Mrs. and Mrs./Mrs. ______________!