Heartfelt Wedding Ceremony Script with Gift from Parents / Participation of Family Elders

Procession 

• Beginning of Ceremony 

Invocation

Officiant to all present

Good afternoon everyone!

Welcome and thank you for being here on this beautiful day. We come together to celebrate with [Partner A] and [Partner B] as they proclaim their love and commitment to one another. You were invited as an honored guest to this celebration because you are important in the lives of the couple. Please continue to support them in their marriage and encourage their love for each other. 

• PERSONALIZE THIS SECTION BY INCLUDING DETAILS FROM THE COUPLE’S LOVE STORY, SUCH AS HOW THEY MET AND WHAT THEIR LIFE HAS LOOKED LIKED TOGETHER, OR INCLUDE A SPECIAL READING OR A PRAYER

Declaration of Intent 

OFFICIANT

WIth that being said, a successful marriage takes more than just love. It takes hard work and patience. It takes commitment and trust. Marriage requires courage, an open mind and heart full of hope. 

OFFICIANT TO THE COUPLE

Please face each other and hold hands. 

[Partner A] and [Partner B] , do you promise to respect, care for, and love each other, unconditionally, from this day forward? If so, please say “We Do!”

PARTNER A AND PARTNER B

(together) We do!

EXCHANGE OF VOWS & RINGS

OFFICIANT

[Partner A] and [Partner B] will now exchange vows and rings as a display of love and commitment to one another. The rings that they have chosen are a symbol of the promises they are making today. 

OFFICIANT TO PARTNER A

[Partner A], repeat after me:

[Partner B], I love you.
I choose you as my lover, partner and best friend. 
I promise to honor you and respect you. 
I promise to support you and encourage you.
I promise to laugh with you in times of joy 
and comfort you in times of sorrow. 

• PARTNER A REPEATS EACH LINE AFTER IT'S SPOKEN BY THE OFFICIANT.

Officiant to Partner A

Now take this ring and place it on [Partner B]’s finger and repeat these words: 

I give you this ring as a symbol of my dedication to you.
Let it be a reminder that you are always surrounded by my enduring love. 

• PARTNER A REPEATS EACH LINE AFTER IT'S SPOKEN BY THE OFFICIANT AND PLACES THE RING ON PARTNER B'S FINGER.

Officiant to Partner B

[Partner B], repeat after me:

[Partner A], I love you.
I choose you as my lover, partner and best friend. 
I promise to honor you and respect you. 
I promise to support you and encourage you.
I promise to laugh with you in times of joy 
and comfort you in times of sorrow. 

• PARTNER B REPEATS EACH LINE AFTER IT'S SPOKEN BY THE OFFICIANT.

OFFICIANT TO PARTNER B

Now take this ring and place it on [partner A]’s finger and repeat these words:

I give you this ring as a symbol of my dedication to you.
Let it be a reminder that you are always surrounded by my enduring love. 

• PARTNER B REPEATS EACH LINE AFTER IT'S SPOKEN BY THE OFFICIANT AND PLACES THE RING ON PARTNER A'S FINGER.

Unity Ceremony: Family Heirloom Gift 

• Note: The couple's parents or family members may choose to use any meaningful heirloom or heirlooms in this ceremony, such as a family medallion, a pendant or necklace, a charm bracelet, ring, mantel clock, family photo album, recipe book, a family Bible or Quran, or another meaningful object.  this section can also be easily modified so that the newlyweds give a gift to their children instead, or to involve several different generations.

Officiant to all present

We often think of a wedding as the union of just two people, but in reality, the entire family [two families] is being united.

To celebrate this broader union, [Partner A] and [Partner B]'s parents [elders] have chosen to present the newlyweds with a gift [necklace, bracelet, ring, etc]  to symbolize their love and support.

• The officant invites the couple's parents / elders to come up with the gift 

[Names of Parents/ Elders], as your children have already made promises to each other, they will also be making promises to you, and to their own children to come, as you all have a share in this marriage. Your participation is necessary to develop the bonds of your new family. 

Officiant to the couple's Parents / chosen Elders

Do you offer your wisdom and love to [Partner A] and [Partner B]? Do you promise to be supportive of their marriage, and to help them continue to grow together as a family? If so, respond, “We will.”

The couple's parents / chosen elders

• We will! 

Officiant to the couple

Do you promise to honor those who have come before you, mapping out all that a good marriage can be, as you continue to grow as individuals and as members of your family? Do you pledge to treasure and love each other and your family unconditionally? If so, respond, “We will."

The couple to the officiant

We will!

Officiant to the couple 

As a symbol of your family joining as one today, a special gift will now be presented to you. This is a token of family unity. As you receive these gift and [wear it / use it / look upon it] with honor, may it give you reassurance that your family is forever blessed with love and happiness!

• The couple's Parents / chosen elders present the newlyweds with a gift, either wrapped in a box, handed to the couple, or placed on the couple's clothing, etc. After the gift has been presented, they'll return to their seats.

 Pronouncement

[Partner A] and [Partner B] , you came here today, in the presence of family and friends, to express your devotion to each other. Your lives have been changed forever. May your lives together be blessed with prosperity and moments to renew your love.

May your love be a source of passion and excitement and may each day together be filled with laughter and friendship.

By the power vested in me by the state of (Name of State) and American Marriage Ministries, I now pronounce you [new married name]!

This script has been edited by AMM Staff.