Parts:
Entrance of the Officiant, Groom and Groomsmen
Seating of the Grandmother
Seating of the Mothers
Bridal Party Processional (4 bridesmaids, 1 ringbearer)
Bride’s Processional
Welcome
Declaration of Intent
Reading
Exchange of Vows
Blessing and Exchange of Rings
Declaration of Marriage and Kiss
Presentation of the Couple
Recessional and Dismissal of the Guests
(Welcome)
Mark and Susan, today you are surrounded by family and friends. We, who have gathered around you, are now privileged to witness this ceremony celebrating the public acknowledgment of your union, knowing that by our presence here with you, we are saying that you, together, are loved by many others. We have come to surround you as you stand before us now saying, "Welcome to our marriage! Welcome to the Celebration!”
Marriage symbolizes the intimate sharing of two lives. This sharing must not diminish, but enhance the individuality of each partner. You do not shed your individuality, for that is what brought you together in the first place. Marriage is the loving declaration that you should be no other than yourself. A marriage that lasts is one which is continually developing and in which each person is individually developing while growing in understanding of the other.
It is not this ceremony or the state of being married that will truly join you and hold you together, but your ongoing commitment to your relationship and to the kind of life you wish to make together. In this way, your marriage will not be just a word; it will be more than that, it will be an action, it will be something you work to do every day.
(Declaration of Intent)
Since it is your intention to enter into marriage, please declare your consent. Have you come here freely today and without reservation to commit yourselves to each other in marriage?
Mark & Susan: We have.
Will you be respectful and value one another as your equal, be open, honest, and patient, trust and have faith in one another, and be worthy of that trust?
Mark & Susan: We will.
Marriage is an ongoing dialogue, a series of discussions that will help you find your way together. Will you listen and communicate with each other fully, and fearlessly?
Mark & Susan: We will.
Every marriage requires a leap of faith. Will you work, even when the work is hard, to honor your vows?
Mark & Susan: We will.
As your life unfolds before you, will you remain true to the promises you make this day?
Mark & Susan: We will.
(Reading)
Mark and Susan have chosen to share with you a reading from “I Like You” by Sandol Stoddard Warburg.
Susan: I like you and I know why.
I like you because you are a good person to like.
I like you because when I tell you something special, you know it's special
And you remember it a long, long time.
You say, Remember when you told me something special
And both of us remember
Mark: When I think something is important
you think it's important too
We have good ideas
When I say something funny, you laugh
I think I'm funny and you think I'm funny too
Hah-hah!
Susan: You know how to be silly
That's why I like you
Boy are you ever silly
I never met anybody sillier than me till I met you
Mark: I like you because you know when it's time to stop being silly
Maybe day after tomorrow
Maybe never
Too late, it's a quarter past silly
Susan: Sometimes we don't say a word
We snurkle under fences
We spy secret places
Mark: If I am a goofus on the roofus hollering my head off
You are one too
Susan: If I am getting ready to pop a paper bag,
then you are getting ready to jump
Mark: HOORAY!
That's because you really like me
You really like me, don't you
And I really like you back
And you like me back and I like you back
And that's the way we keep on going every day
Susan: I like you because I don't know why but
Everything that happens is nicer with you
Mark: I like you because because because
I forget why I like you but I do
So many reasons
Susan: On the 4th of July I like you because it's the 4th of July
On the fifth of July, I like you too
If you and I had some drums and some horns and some horses
If we had some hats and some flags and some fire engines
Mark: We could be a HOLIDAY
Susan: We could be a CELEBRATION
Mark: We could be a WHOLE PARADE
Susan: See what I mean?
Mark: Even if it was the 999th of July
Susan: Even if it was no place in particular in January
Mark: I would go on choosing you
And you would go on choosing me
Susan: Over and over again
That's how it would happen every time
Mark: I don't know why
I guess I don't know why I really like you
Why do I like you
I guess I just like you
Susan: I guess I just like you because I like you.
(Exchange of Vows)
Mark and Susan, you will now exchange your wedding vows. Through the sacred vows of marriage, you are saying that who you are and who you want to be are best achieved through this union. Please join hands, as you exchange your vows, repeating after me.
I, Susan, choose you, Mark to be my husband.
Susan: I, Susan, choose you, Mark to be my husband.
I promise to love you, to honor you, to respect you and to support you, as long as we both shall live.
Susan: I promise to love you, to honor you, to respect you and to support you, as long as we both shall live.
This is my solemn vow.
Susan: This is my solemn vow.
I, Mark, choose you, Susan to be my wife.
Mark: I, Mark, choose you, Susan to be my wife.
I promise to love you, to honor you, to respect you and to support you, as long as we both shall live.
Mark: I promise to love you, to honor you, to respect you and to support you, as long as we both shall live.
This is my solemn vow.
Mark: This is my solemn vow.
(Blessing and Exchange of Rings)
You are about to give each other a ring. The wedding ring is a symbol of many things. It is made of precious metals that symbolize a marriage that is precious and enduring. It is a perfect circle that symbolizes a love freely given with no end. You have chosen to exchange matching rings to represent that this is a marriage of equals.
May I have the rings?
May these rings be blessed as a symbol of this affectionate unity.
Susan, in placing this ring on Mark’s left hand, please repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed, and with all that I am and all that I have, I honor you.
Susan: With this ring, I thee wed, and with all that I am and all that I have, I honor you.
Mark, in placing this ring on Susan’s left hand, please repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed, and with all that I am and all that I have, I honor you.
Mark: With this ring, I thee wed, and with all that I am and all that I have, I honor you.
Just as these rings have no points of weakness, may your union be strong and may you be blessed with joy as you journey life together surrounded by the circle of your love.
(Declaration of Marriage and The Kiss)
Mark and Susan, there is a wonderful life ahead of you. Live it fully. Love its changes and choices. Let life amaze you and bring you great joy.
Our best wishes go forward from this day with you. May the grace of this day carry forward with you all the days of your life. We wish you a fulfilling life, rich in caring and in happiness. We wish for you a gentle and peaceful life that nurtures and comforts you. We wish for you a noble life, which reflects your honesty, kindness and integrity. We wish for you adventures, exploring the fullness of life.
Now that Mark and Susan have joined themselves to each other through solemn vows, and by the giving and receiving of rings, I do now, by virtue of the authority vested in me, pronounce that they are husband and wife. We bless you this day. It is up to you to keep the blessings flowing each and every day of your lives together. Congratulations. You may now kiss the bride.
(Presentation of the Couple- IF OUTSIDE)
Mark and Susan ask that you remain seated after the recessional. They will return to dismiss the rows personally and to thank you for witnessing their ceremony. I now present to you for the first time Mr. and Mrs. Mark and Susan …. Go forth in joy!
(Presentation of the Couple- IF INSIDE due to rain)
Susan and Mark wish to invite you for cocktails, then dinner and dancing immediately following their recessional. I now present to you for the first time Mr. and Mrs. Mark and Susan … Go forth in joy!