CEREMONY DIALOGUE
(customizable)
Introduction:
Hello everyone, glad you could all make it today! My name is Abby Whelchel, I am a certified wedding officiant. I primarily preform wedding ceremonies here in northwest Arkansas under my business name, Modern Vows. Before we begin, I'd like to take this opportunity to remind you all to turn your cell phones off or turn them on silent. Otherwise, I'm super excited to be here today, to be part of such a momentous occasion. How about you guys, are you ready to see them get married? Alright with that, lets get started.
-Processional
Please stand for the bride
Who supports this woman in marriage?
Please be seated
-Welcome:
Welcome to all who have gathered here today to share in the marriage ceremony of BRIDE AND GROOM. On behalf of the bride and groom, thank you for joining us. By your presence, you support and celebrate with them the love they have discovered in each other.
OPTIONAL: BRIDE AND GROOM have also asked that we take a moment to honor those loved ones who are not with us today; INSERT NAMES OF THE ACKNOWLEDGED
-OPTIONAL: Acknowledge parents/mother's rose presentation
BRIDE/GROOM are pleased to have their parents in the front row, close to them for the ceremony. BRIDE/GROOM offer their profound gratitude for all the love and care their parents/mothers showed in raising them. The unconditional gifts of love and support that you have continually offered have inspired them to become who they are today. Without you, this day would not be possible. The bride and groom would like to offer these roses to their mothers as symbols of their eternal love.
These roses are a promise that no matter how far away you are that you are not forgotten and that you are always in their hearts.
-Love:
Sooner or later we begin to understand that love is more than verses on valentines and romance in the movies. We begin to know that love is here and now, real and true, the most important thing in our lives. For love is the creator of our favorite memories, and the foundation of our fondest dreams. Love is friendship caught fire. It is mutual confidence, sharing and forgiving, It is loyalty through good and bad times. Love does not demand perfection. It requires acceptance, understanding, and a sense of humor doesn't hurt! Love and logic, although not natural companions, can learn to live in the same room. And in this moment we're reminded that the ability to love is the very best part of our humanity.
OPTIONAL: The best description of love that I have found comes from God himself. In the bible in 1st Corinthians, chapter 13 it describes the kind of love that must characterize your lives if you are to live in harmony before God. Listen to what it says. Love is patient and kind, love does not envy or boast, it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way, it is not irritable or resentful, it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.
-OPTIONAL: Passages read by family and friends:
And though this experience of love is so incredible, words tend to fail us when we try and explain it. It's meant to be felt, not described. But trying to describe love is one of our favorite past times. We use the words we have to write stories, poems, and songs about love. And even though we describe love in different ways and even though love can look different from one person to the next- we all know it when we see it. And we see it here. So today we have some words about what love is, coming from some of the people who love you the most...
-Couple's Love Story (available if you've booked at least 1 month in advance):
All of us here today have our own love stories. Some are short, others long. Some are yet unwritten, while others are just getting to the good part. There are chapters in all of our stories that are sad or disappointing, and others that are exciting and full of adventure. As BRIDE AND GROOM prepared for the ceremony portion of this wedding celebration, they reflected on what it is that they love about each other...
...As family and close friends of the bride and groom, you have shared in some of their best and worst days, and you are an irreplaceable part of their yesterdays, their today, and all of their tomorrows. Here's what you had to say about this great couple..
...And that brings them here. A time to pause, look back and smile at all the moments that brought them here. And a time to look forward to their marriage and all the moments that are still to come.
-Marriage
Marriage is described as a familial bond, a commitment whose value is beyond appraisal; a glorification of not just love, but sincere intention that lasts far longer than even the most extravagant of parties. These words, spoken today, are indeed important and sacred, but they are not what unites these two together. BRIDE AND GROOM have already joined their hearts and chosen to walk together on life's journey. And we have gathered here to acknowledge and honor a lasting bond that already exists between them.
-OPTIONAL: Prayer
Let us pray. Dear God, thank you for bringing us together today. We pray that you would take this couple into your hands. We ask that your abundant blessing will always pour upon them and their home. We pray that you guide them into greater love and sacrifice as they care for each other's needs. Let them always be grateful. We pray God that when selfishness shows itself, grant generosity. When mistrust is a temptation, give moral strength. When there is misunderstanding, give patience and gentleness. If suffering becomes part of their lives, give them strong faith and abiding love. May their contentment and devotion always be a shining reflection of their marriage. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
-Vows:
We come now to the words BRIDE AND GROOM probably want to hear the most today. The words that will take them across the threshold from being engaged to being married.
BRIDE and GROOM as I guide you in exchanging your vows, you will declare your intentions for a lasting partnership in love and marriage.
Please join hands? face each other?
OPTION 1: The bride and groom have prepared their own vows. GROOM would you please repeat your vows? Then BRIDE please repeat your vows.
OPTION 2: GROOM please repeat after me. I GROOM take you BRIDE, to have and to hold, for better or for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, from this day forward, until death do us part. Then BRIDE.
OPTION 3: GROOM please repeat after me. I GROOM take you BRIDE to be my WIFE my partner in life, and my one true love. Then BRIDE.
OPTION 4: BRIDE I take you as you are. Loving who you are, I promise from this day forward, to be grateful, for our love and our life, to be generous with my time, my energy, and my affection. To be patient, to fill our life with adventure and our home with laughter. To encourage you to grow as an individual, to love you completely, these things I pledge to you. Repeat to BRIDE
GROOM do you take this woman to be your wedded wife?
BRIDE do you take this man to be your wedded husband?
-Rings:
Please present the rings.
The ring has been a symbol of the unbroken circle of love, with no beginning and no end. They are the outward and visible sign of your marriage, and they are a symbol of the words that you speak today. *OPTIONAL: This exchange of rings not only reminds us of the unending love you have for each other, but also reflects the eternal love God has for each of you.* May these rings always remind you of the freedom and power of this commitment.
GROOM placing the ring on BRIDE'S finger, please repeat after me. BRIDE I give you this ring, as a sign of my vow, to love honor and cherish you.
Then BRIDE placing the ring on GROOM'S finger, please repeat after me. GROOM I give you this ring, as a sign of my vow, to love honor and cherish you
-OPTIONAL: Champagne/Wine toast
Please, grab your glasses. BRIDE AND GROOM, we raise our glasses to offer you these good wishes on this special day. There has never been a love like yours, making you incomparable. May that love be inspiring and lifelong. We hope you find a peaceful life that nurtures and comforts you. May you have many long years to delight in each other's company, and to feel gratitude for your great fortune in having found each other. To BRIDE AND GROOM, Cheers!
-Declaration:
BRIDE AND GROOM, take pride in declaring yourselves married. You have begun today, in speaking your promises before your family and friends and you will do it again in the days and years to come. Standing by each other, sharing all that is sweet and bitter in life. Each tender act, each loving word will be the declaration of what was made here today.
-Pronouncement:
So now, having entered into the covenant of marriage by the exchanging of vows, and the giving and receiving of rings, it is my joyful responsibility and desire to officially pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss your bride!
Ladies and gentlemen, it is my privilege to present to you for the first time as husband and wife, MR. AND MRS.!