Same-Sex Wedding Ceremony Script with Unity Sand Ceremony

Instructions on how to perform a Sand Ceremony are linked below. 

Invocation

Officiant to reception

Friends, we’re here today to celebrate ___________ and ___________, as they promise each other their continued love and commitment in marriage.

Before we get started, take a minute to look at the person sitting next to you. Whether you’ve known ___________ and ___________ a short time or for years, each of you brings irreplaceable joy to their lives. Each of you share a special place in their story, and are part of a community they’re incredibly grateful for. You all are their family, the people who make them feel accepted, appreciated, and loved, just the way they are. 

So take a moment to smile at each other. Feel the warmth and love that fills this room! Keep that love in your hearts as we get these two married! 

Not too long ago, this wedding wouldn’t have been possible, and ___________ and ___________ are beyond happy that you’re here to celebrate with them today. 

We know that true love is not something that can be taught, or instructed. Love lies deep within the soul, it’s an intrinsic part of who we are as human beings. And it’s a powerful force that can overcome almost any obstacle. 

___________ and ___________’s relationship demonstrates that power, and a love that conquers all. 

Today, they pledge to tend to and nurture that love, to be each other’s family, to honor and celebrate their community, and to revel in the joyful life they build together. 

Exchange of Vows (Joint Wedding Vows) 

Officiant to couple

Marriage is a serious step, a lifelong commitment to love and care for each other. Are you both ready to take this step together?

Couple to officiant

Yes! 

Officiant to couple

Do you promise to care for each other, to treat each other with compassion and grace, and to always move toward love and a better understanding of one another? 

Couple to officiant

We do

Officiant to couple

Do you promise to meet each challenge and success with gratitude, integrity, humor and patience, and to learn and grow together?  

Couple to officiant

We do  

Officiant to couple

And do you promise to honor these promises each and every day as partners, friends, and lovers, in sickness and in health, in good times and bad, for as long as you both shall live? 

Couple to officiant

We do

Ring Exchange

Officiant to couple 

I thought you might! Now, you’ve chosen to exchange rings as a physical symbol of these promises. May we have the rings? 

• The Officiant or a member of the wedding party passes each partner a ring.

These rings are a symbol of your never-ending love and commitment. When you look at your wedding ring, let it be a reminder that your love is eternal – there is no beginning and no end. 

Officiant to Partner A

___________ please place this ring on ___________’s finger and repeat after me:

• Partner A puts the ring on Partner B’s finger and repeats each of the following lines

I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and devotion. 

I promise to love, honor, and cherish you

Now, and from this moment forward.

Officiant to Partner B

___________ please place this ring on ___________’s finger and repeat after me:

• Partner B puts the ring on Partner A’s finger and repeats each of the following lines

I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and devotion. 

I promise to love, honor, and cherish you

Now, and from this moment forward.

Officiant to couple

Thank you both.

Sand Ceremony

• Three clear jars or vases should be placed on a small table before the start of the ceremony. Two smaller jars will hold two different colors of sand, and a larger decorative container will be empty, ready to pour the sand into.

Officiant to reception

We started this ceremony by looking at each other, by feeling the power of love and community. This love binds us, and can’t be broken. Today, ___________ and ___________ are becoming a family of their own, pouring their love and strengths into a shared dream for the future. 

To honor this, they’ll partake in a Sand Ceremony. ___________ and ___________ will each take different colored sand, and pour it into this single jar. They’ll take this jar home with them, so that every day they’ll be reminded of how their individual strengths and passions can blend together into a shared beautiful life. 

 

• During this time, the Minister / Officiant guides them to a small table that holds the jars. Ambient music places while the couple take turns pouring small amounts of colored sand into the larger jar, creating a pattern. If the sand is pouring slowly, the jar doesn’t have to be filled all the way at this time. If it is filled in time, the officiant can hold it up for all to see.
• Additional instructions on how to perform a Sand Ceremony are linked below.

 

Officiant to reception 

As you can see, the jar is now filled with these really neat colored twists and patterns. 

Officiant to couple 

We wish the same for the two of you, that your lives will be much more interesting, fun, creative, and exciting together. 

Pronouncement

Officiant to couple 

As you take this next step in life together, remember that you always have each other, and you always have the love and support of all of us! 

With this in mind, it’s my honor and privilege to pronounce you husband and husband – married!  

You may kiss!

• The wording of this pronouncement can be substituted with any phrase or introduction the couple prefers, such as ‘partners for life,’ ‘wife and wife,’ etc. 

Recession

• The ceremony is now over. The couple join hands and head out toward the reception or afterparty. 

 

Learn how to perform a Sand Ceremony: 

How to Perform a Unity Sand Ceremony (for Wedding Officiants)