Saturday, March 3, 2012

Wedding Ceremony - Gift to a Child

Here's a complete Wedding ceremony I conducted recently for a couple who wanted to include the giving of a necklace to the bride's child, as part of their wedding vows, lighting a candle in memory of the bride's father, and using the engagement ring as part of the ritual.


Giving away the bride
Celebrant:
Who brings Bride to stand with Groom?
Bride’s Mother:
I do.


Celebrant:
Do you promise, now and always,
to support this union?
Bride’s Mother:
I do.


Memorial Candle
Celebrant:
Before we begin this ceremony, Bride would like to have a candle lit in memory of her father by Friend.

While the candle is being lit.

Although we can't see you
We know you are here
Smiling down, watching over us
As we say "I do"
Forever in our hearts
Forever in our lives
And so we say our vows
In loving memory of you

Introduction
Family and friends of Bride, Groom and Child, we meet here today to share in Bride and Groom's wedding ceremony.

We have come here not only to witness their commitment to each other, but also to wish them well and share their joy as
they continue their life together.

Bride and Groom's decision to publicly exchange vows today confirms their commitment to marriage that has already taken place in their hearts and in their minds.

Bride and Groom understand the importance of friendship, family, loyalty and of sharing their lives as equals in a loving partnership.

It is in this spirit they stand before us.

Vows to Child
Celebrant:
Groom, in joining your life with Bride, you are accepting the added responsibility for Child, Bride’s daughter.

Groom here before Bride and your relatives and friends, do you promise to care for Child,  make for her a home where she can grow in peace and love, and at all times have her best interest at heart?
Groom:
I do.


Wedding Vows
Affirmation of Intent
Celebrant:
Groom, do you take Bride, to be your lawfully, wedded wife? Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honour and keep her, in sickness and in health, so long as you both shall live?
Groom:
I do.


Celebrant:
Bride, do you take Groom, to be your lawfully, wedded husband? Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honour and keep him, in sickness and in health, so long as you both shall live?
Bride:
I do.


Exchanging Vows
Groom:
Standing here among our friends, I Groom, take you, Bride , to be my lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forth, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, so long as we both shall live.
Bride :
Standing here among our friends, I Bride, take you, Groom, to be my lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forth, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, so long as we both shall live.

Exchanging Wedding Rings
Celebrant:  
This ring is the symbol of the promises you have made to each other. It is the link which forges the present to the future.

The promises made today must be lived tomorrow. Let this ring be a constant reminder.
Groom:
I give you this ring as a symbol of the love that binds us together.
Bride:
I give you this ring as a symbol of the love that binds us together.


Gift to the child
Celebrant:
Today not only marks the marriage of Bride and Groom, but is also a formal acknowledgement and blessing of the family bond they are creating with Child, Bride’s daughter.
Bride & Groom:
Child, today, on our wedding day, we give you this necklace to show our commitment to you, and as an outward symbol of the uniting of our family.


Blessing
Celebrant:
We will now hear a wish for the couple, expressed on behalf of us all, by Groom’s friend.
Friend:
May you have enough happiness to keep you sweet,
Enough trials to keep you strong,
Enough sorrow to keep you human,
Enough hope to keep you happy.
Enough failure to keep you humble,
Enough success to keep you eager,
Enough friends to give you comfort,
Enough wealth to meet your needs,
Enough enthusiasm to look forward,
Enough faith to banish depression,
Enough determination to make each day better than yesterday.


engagement ring
Celebrant:
Groom, you and Bride pledged your commitment to each other  when you first placed the engagement ring on Bride’s hand.

Today, that commitment has become a lifetime promise of your life together.

It is, therefore, fitting that the engagement ring which promised your commitment, is now placed next to the wedding ring as a fulfilment of your promise.

Groom, please remove the engagement ring from Bride’s right hand and place it on the left hand next to the wedding ring.


Conclusion
Ladies and gentlemen, since Groom and Bride have declared before us all their willingness to live together as husband and wife, and have symbolised their intentions by joining of hands, making of vows and exchanging of rings, by the power vested in me, I now pronounce them husband and wife.


Exchanging a Kiss


Signing of the Register


Since Groom and Bride have vowed to be loyal and loving toward each other, formalising in our presence the existence of the bond between them, we bear witness to the ceremony they have performed…the ceremony that has made them husband and wife.

May these two people, now married, keep the promises which they have made.

May they be a blessing and a comfort to each other, sharers of each other’s joys, consolers in each other’s sorrows, and helpers to each other in all the problems they may have to face.

May they encourage each other in whatever they set out to achieve. May they trusting each other, trust life and not be afraid.

Yet may they not only accept and give affection between themselves, but also together have affection and consideration for others.


Introduction of couple as husband & wife