Civil Wedding Ceremony With Charge To Couple And Confirmation Of Love

PROCESSIONAL

• Guests are Seated.

INVOCATION

officiant to the reception

"We have come together to witness the marriage of [PARTNER A] and [PARTNER B]. Much wisdom concerning the joining of two people has come our way through all paths of belief, and from many cultures.

With each union, more knowledge is gained and more wisdom gathered. Though we are unable to give all this knowledge to these two, who stand before us, we can hope to leave with them the knowledge of love and its strengths and the anticipation of the wisdom that comes with time."

CHARGE TO COUPLE

officiant to the couple

"[PARTNER A] and [PARTNER B], in presenting yourselves here today to be joined in marriage, you perform an act of faith. This faith can grow and develop and last, but only if you both decide to make it so. I would ask that you both remember to treat yourself and each other with respect, and remind yourself often of what brought you together today.

Give the highest priority to the tenderness, gentleness and kindness that your marriage deserves. When frustration and difficulty assail your marriage - as they do in every relationship at one time or another - focus on what seems right between you, not only the part that seems wrong.

This way, when clouds of trouble hide the sun in your lives and you lose sight of it for a moment, you can remember that the sun is still there. And if each of you will take responsibility for the quality of your life together, abundance and delight will mark it."

VOWS EXCHANGE

officiant to the couple

"Since it is your intention to enter into marriage, please face each other and join both your hands."

• the couple does as instructed.

officiant to partner a

"[PARTNER A], please repeat after me:

I, [PARTNER A], take you, [PARTNER B], to be my wife. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you all the days of my life."

officiant to partner b

"[PARTNER B], please repeat after me:

I [PARTNER B], take you, [PARTNER A], to be my husband. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you all the days of my life."

officiant to partner a

"[PARTNER A], have you any special words you'd like to say to [PARTNER B]?"

• partner a recites their vows.

officiant to partner b

"[PARTNER B], have you any special words you'd like to share with [PARTNER A]?"

• partner b recites their vows.

RING EXCHANGE

officiant to the couple

"The wedding ring is a symbol of married love, the precious metals show that your love is your most precious possession, and the unending circle symbolizes that your love may never cease."

officiant to partner a

"[PARTNER A], as you place the ring on [PARTNER B]'s finger, please repeat after me:

[PARTNER B], I give you this ring, as a symbol of my love. I ask you to wear it as a sign to the world that you are my wife. With this ring, I thee wed."

• partner a repeats the words as they place the ring on partner b's finger.

officiant to partner b

"[PARTNER B], as you place the ring on [PARTNER A]'s finger, please repeat after me:

[PARTNER A], I give you this ring, as a symbol of my love. I ask you to wear it as a sign to the world that you are my wife. With this ring, I thee wed."

• partner B repeats the words as they place the ring on partner a's finger.

CONFIRMATION OF LOVE

officiant to the couple

"May your love be one based on freedom. For though our hands may touch, it's our hearts that hold.

When you hold love within your heart, you radiate a light, which shall brighten all the days of your life and beyond.

Everything we truly love, becomes a part of us forever. So take your time with each other. Let your love's seed grow and mature with the seasons, to provide you with warmth, serenity, joy and acceptance throughout all the years of your marriage.

Love is not a wall, it is a bridge. Love does not confine, it sets you free. It leads, as a pathway, winding, to places unknown and mysterious. With love to light the way, you can meet any challenge, together."

PRONOUNCEMENT

officiant to the couple

"[PARTNER A] and [PARTNER B], through your words today, you have joined together in matrimony.Because you have exchanged your vows before these witnesses, have pledged your commitment each to the other, and have declared the same by joining hands and by exchanging rings, I now pronounce that you are husband and wife.

[PARTNER A], you may kiss your bride!

• the couple performs their first married kiss.

RECESSIONAL

End of the Wedding Ceremony.