Welcome
On behalf of Alex and Katie, I welcome all of you, and am elated that you could join us for this marriage celebration. We are here today to encourage, celebrate, and support the covenant these two special people are preparing to make. The marriage they are creating here has roots in themselves, and also the love, friendship, and guidance each of you has offered them. They have asked you to be with them here today, because you are a community of loved ones. We rejoice in the ways life has led them to each other and brought them to the place where they now stand.
Alex and Katie met when they were freshmen at the University of San Diego. Although the two had very different upbringings, they both discovered their similarities and created a foundation for a strong relationship with core values of trust, honesty, encouragement, family, and humor. They have found a poem by William Peterson titled
“The Art of Marriage” that resonates with their values that they would like to share.
The
little things are the big things.
It is never being too old to hold hands.
It is remembering to say, “I love you” at least once a day.
It is never going to sleep angry.
It is at no time taking the other for granted;
the courtship should not end with the honeymoon,
it should continue through all the years.
It
is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives.
It is standing together facing the world.
It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family.
It is doing things for each other
not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice,
but in the spirit of joy.
It
is speaking words of appreciation
and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.
It is not expecting the husband to wear a halo
or the wife to have the wings of an angel.
It is not looking for perfection in each other.
It
is cultivating flexibility, patience,
understanding, and a sense of humor.
It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.
It is giving each other an atmosphere
in which each can grow.
It
is not only marrying the right partner,
it is BEING the right partner.
This is “The Art of Marriage”.
Parent & Community Blessing
People have been united in marriage in all lands and all cultures. In marriages everywhere, two individuals leave the families that raised them, to begin a new family. At this time, we ask the parents of the bride and groom to stand to bless this marriage.
Do you, Madeline, Michael, and Holly who have lovingly raised and nurtured these two individuals, offer your blessing for their marriage, promising to support them, understand them, and encourage them in their solemn endeavor, in the years ahead? If you agree, please say, “We do.” [Parents respond.]
And to the witnesses and honored guests here today, I ask the same question. Do you offer your blessing for their marriage, promising to support them, understand them, and encourage them in their solemn endeavor, in the years ahead? If you agree, please say, “We do.” [Audience responds]
Each one of you have been important in their lives, and they look forward to your love and support in the future as they begin life as husband and wife. Alex and Katie also wish to pay tribute to family members and friends who are no longer with us physically, but whose gifts of love and compassion over the years will always be cherished and remembered. We are certain they are here today in spirit. In their memory, let us be silent together. (moment of silence) Thank you.
This wedding is also a celebration of family. It is the blending of two families, separate up to this moment, but united from this day forward. Alex and Katie wish to honor this blending of families by presenting special gifts to their parents to thank them for their wisdom, support, and for the unconditional love that has been so freely given to them throughout their lives.
Marriage Vows
Do you, Alex, take Katie to be your lawful wedded wife?
I do.
Do you promise to love and cherish her, in sickness and in health, for richer for poorer, for better for worse, and forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto her, for so long as you both shall live?
I do.
Do you, Katie, take Alex to be your lawful wedded husband?
I do.
Do you promise to love and cherish him, in sickness and in health, for richer for poorer, for better for worse, and forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto her, for so long as you both shall live?
I do.
Rings
The wedding ring is a symbol of unity, a circle unbroken, without beginning or end. Today, Alex and Katie give and receive these rings as confirmations of their vows to join their lives, to work at all times to create a life that is whole and unbroken, and to love each other without end.
Traditionally, the wedding ring was placed on the fourth finger of the left hand, because it was believed that this finger was a direct connection to the heart. The Romans and the Greeks called this vein the venus amoris, which is Latin for the vein of love. What a perfect place to wear a symbol of your love and commitment to each other!
Alex, will you please place the ring on Katie’s finger and repeat after me:
With this ring I thee wed
With this ring I thee wed
I give you my hand and my heart
I give you my hand and my heart
Katie, please place the ring on Alex’s finger and repeat after me:
With this ring I thee wed
With this ring I thee wed
I give you my hand and my heart
I give you my hand and my heart
Wrap-up
Alex and Katie,
As a collection of words, this ceremony would count for little, were it not for the love and commitment you pledged to one another here, at this most beautiful place. Your vows may have been spoken in minutes, but your promises to each other will last a lifetime.
May God bless and watch over this marriage.
Pronouncement After the Marriage Vows
By the authority vested
in me by the State of
Kiss
Alex, ... you may now kiss your bride!
Presentation
Ladies and Gentlemen, I have the great pleasure of presenting to you -
Mr. and Mrs. Alex _________