Welcome.
Anthony, Mellie, and Jordan wish to welcome you on this joyous occasion to celebrate their love for one another as they exchange wedding vows and become husband and wife and form a new family.
They wish to acknowledge you and thank you for being here today. For your love, for your support, and for your presence here today to witness their wedding vows.
INTRODUCTION:
Mellie and Anthony, we gather here today to celebrate your love for each other by exchanging wedding vows and becoming husband and wife.
Marriage is a serious commitment that you are making to each other in front of these witnesses. You are making promises to each other to love, honor, cherish, and to be faithful to one another, with the intent that this marriage is to last a lifetime.
Growing old together:
Before you exchange vows, I have a wish for the two of you.
Sometimes when you walk on the beach, or are in a park, or you’re in a restaurant,…it could be anywhere. But. You see an old couple together. They may not be talking. They may just be walking, hand-in-hand. You might see them on a dance floor, moving together as though they were one.
You can tell at a glance that they’ve been together for many years.
You know that they’ve had heartbreak and sadness in their life, along with incredible joy, and sorrow, but there they are – together – after all those years. They’ve been steady. They’ve honored their commitment, the promises they made on their wedding day – to stick it out, come what may.
This is my wish for you. Fifty years from now, I hope you will be this couple. Deeply connected, still in love. When people observe you walking on the beach, holding hands – they will know with just one glance that you’ve been true to your wedding promises – that you’ve been there for each other, loving each other, supporting each other, come what may.
That’s what marriage is about. It’s about the future – your future together.
And now, for the vows. Anthony and Mellie, will you together, repeat after me:
The vows I take will be forever
I’ll love you all my life
There’s no part way, no holding back
Once we are man and wife.
INDIVIDUAL VOWS
Anthony, do you promise to love, honor, and cherish Bride for the rest of your days?
“I do”
Mellie, do you promise to love, honor, and cherish Groom for the rest of your days?
“I do”
Anthony, look into the eyes of your one true love, and repeat after me:
Mellie, today I take you to be my wife.
Together we will create a home,
Completing one another.
I vow to help create a life that we can cherish,
inspiring your love for me,
and mine for you.
I vow to be honest, caring and truthful,
to love you as you are
and not as I want you to be,
and to grow old by your side
as your love and best friend.
Mellie, look into the eyes of your one true love, and repeat after me:
Anthony, today I take you to be my husband.
Together we will create a home,
Completing one another.
I vow to help create a life that we can cherish,
inspiring your love for me,
and mine for you.
I vow to be honest, caring and truthful,
to love you as you are
and not as I want you to be,
and to grow old by your side
as your love and best friend.
Anthony and Mellie,
Then if you'll have, and if you'll hold,
From now until you’re really old,
And if you'll love through good and bad,
And whether you are glad or sad,
And love in sickness, and in health,
And when you're poor, and when in wealth,
And if you'll love with all your hearts,
From now until death you do part,
And love each other through and through,
Please answer with these words, “I do!”
(“I do”)
RING CEREMONY:
Will the best man (or ring bearer or whoever) please present the rings:
Anthony, please repeat after me:
I give you this ring as a reminder
That I will love, honor, and cherish you,
In all times,
In all places,
And in all ways
Mellie, please repeat after me:
I give you this ring as a reminder
That I will love, honor, and cherish you,
In all times,
In all places,
And in all ways
These sacred vows are not just between Mellie and Anthony. Because you will not only be a new couple, you will be a new family. So Jordan will you please join us now for the special family rites of this wedding.
[Mellie and Anthony face Jordan]
Mellie takes Jordans hand.
Mellie, please repeat after me:
I love you, Jordan
I am devoted to making your life full of happiness
and accomplishments,
nurturing your creativity,
encouraging your independence,
and making sure you always know
what a gift you are to this world.
Anthony, will you please take Jordan’s hand and repeat after me:
Jordan Thank you for sharing your Mom with me
loving me and allowing me to love you with all of my heart
Today I promise that now I will love and support you as my own
in every step that you take in your life.
This necklace is a symbol of our love and devotion to you.
CLOSING COMMENTS:
When we marry, we receive something tangible. We gain a partner. We gain a lifelong friend. We belong.
Anthony, Mellie now belongs to you. She is yours. Cherish her.
Mellie, Anthony now belongs to you. He is yours. Cherish him.
CLOSING POEM
Together, Bride and Groom, repeat after me:
From this day forward,
You shall not walk alone.
My arms will be your shelter,
And my heart will be your home.
Groom and Bride,
Remember the love that brought you here today,
It is love which makes it a glorious union,
And by love which your marriage shall endure.
May God bless this day and always enrich you so that your love will never end.
PRONOUNCEMENT AND KISSING:
Mellie and Anthony, on behalf of the family and friends who are here to witness your vows, and by the authority vested in me by the State of California, I now pronounce you husband and wife.
Anthony…you may now kiss your bride!
Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present to you, Anthony, Mellie, and Jordan!