Ceremony  Number 2

Every wedding ceremony at which a clergyman, a rabbi or a celebrant like myself officiates, is of course, of a marriage, which already exists. This ceremony gives social recognition to a union, which has already taken place in the hearts of the couple present. It is __________ and __________’s, wish at this time to declare their marriage partnership to the world. It is a statement of commitment to each other and to the ideals they already have.

In their belief, their union is based not only on mutual love but on the desire to work together for the development of a union of spirit, for their own personal fulfilment and for the attainment of mutual goals and ambitions. Together they hope to discover the truth in life. They intend to encourage each other to act according to what is best for their world, their children and themselves. __________ and __________, recognise not only the need for loving commitment to each other but also to humane principles of living and to the best of human values.
 
__________ and __________, the passage you have asked me to read is very old and still today is very meaningful.  The passage is from the Bible, 1 Corinthians 13.
 
__________ and __________,
Love is always patient and kind;
It is never jealous;
Love is never boastful or conceited;
It is never rude or selfish;
It does not take offence,
And it is not resentful.
Love takes no pleasure
In other people’s faults
But delights in the truth;
It is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope.
It is always ready to endure whatever comes, and finally,
True love does not come to an end.
 
Marriage Declaration
As a civil celebrant I am duly authorised by law to solemnise this, your marriage according to the laws of this country.  Before you, _________ and you, ________ are joined together in marriage in our presence, I am bound to remind you publicly of the solemn, serious and binding nature of the relationship into which you are about to enter.  Marriage is the voluntary and full commitment of a man to a woman and a woman to a man; it is made in the deepest sense, to the exclusion of all others, and is entered into with the desire, the hope and the intention that it will last for life.
 
Asking
_________, will you take ________ to be your lawful wedded wife, will you love and respect her, be honest with her, and stand by her through whatever may come, so that you can genuinely share your life together?
 
_________, will you take ________ to be your lawful wedded husband, will you love and respect him, be honest with him, and stand by him through whatever may come, so that you can genuinely share your life together?
 
Vows
_________/__________, having found you, I have decided that there is no moment in my life more significant than this one. You have captured my mind and soul, and I here commit them to our union.  May we share with each other, from this day on, the unending joy of growth and discovery.
 
Rings
_________/__________, with this ring, I wed you and pledge to you my faithful love.
 
The Art of Marriage
___________ and __________, a good marriage must be created.
 
In the art of Marriage 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 having a mutual sense of values and common objectives.
It is standing together to face the world.
It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family.
 
It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways. It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.
 
It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow.
It is finding room for the things of the spirit. It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.
 
It is not only marrying the right partner –
It is being the right partner.
 
 
__________ and __________, you have declared before all of us that you will live together in marriage.  You have made special promises to each other.  You have symbolised it by joining hands, taking vows and by exchanging rings.  So therefore on your behalf and on behalf of the community I now declare you to be husband and wife.
 
You may now kiss the bride.