Spanish - English Bilingual Wedding Ceremony Script with Love Poem Reading

Procession

[GUESTS ARE SEATED FOLLOWED BY THE ENTRANCE OF THE WEDDING PARTY.]

Invocation & Welcome

Officiant to reception

Friends and family, welcome! ¡Bienvienido! We are so happy that you’ve joined us here today to celebrate with [PARTNER A] and [PARTNER B] as they proclaim their love and commitment to the world. 

We are gathered to rejoice, with them and for them, as they begin this new life together. 

Como testigos de este amor, brindémosles nuestro apoyo incondicional en esta nueva y hermosa aventura que están comenzando, pues eso es lo que es un verdadero matrimonio de pareja, ¡una aventura!

(Above section in English: As witnesses to this love, let's give them our unconditional support in this beautiful new adventure they are beginning – because that is what a true marriage of partners is, an adventure!)

DECLARATION OF INTENT

OFFICIANT TO THE COUPLE

[PARTNER A] and [PARTNER B], the relationship you enter into today must be grounded in the strength of your love and the power of your faith in each other. To make your relationship succeed it will take unending love.

It will take trust, to know in your hearts that you truly want what is best for one another, and to learn and grow together. 

It will take faith, to go forward together without knowing what the future holds.

Se necesitará una práctica diaria de honestidad y amabilidad, paciencia y compromiso. Para que su matrimonio sea un vínculo irrompible, debe estar cimentado en cada una de estas cosas, todos los días, y con cada nuevo desafío y triunfo que enfrenten, como pareja casada y como individuos.  

(Above section in English: It will take a daily practice of honesty and kindness, patience and compromise. To be an unbreakable bond, your marriage must be grounded in each of these things, each day, and with each new challenge and triumph you face, as a married couple and as individuals.)

If you both come freely, and understand the responsibility and work involved to make your relationship thrive, and are committed to not only each other but your family, please take each other by the hands and reply 'we do.'

THE COUPLE to the Officiant

We do!

 VOWS EXCHANGE

OFFICIANT TO Couple

[PARTNER A] and [PARTNER B] will now exchange the promises of marriage.

Dejen que estas promesas -estos votos- los guíen en los años que vendrán.

(Above section in English: Let these promises – these vows – guide you through the years to come. ) 

OFFICIANT TO Partner A 

[PARTNER A], repeat after me:

[PARTNER B], you are my best friend and everlasting companion. 

You have brought me the truest happiness I have ever known. 

I promise to honor and respect you, 

To care for you and grow with you. 

Es una alegría para mí entregar mi vida a la tuya. Te amaré por siempre. 

(Above section in English:I take joy in committing my life to yours. I will love you always.)

[PARTNER A REPEATS EACH LINE IN TURN.]

Officiant to Partner A 

Now place the ring on his/ her/ their hand and repeat after me...

Con este anillo, te prometo estar a tu lado mientras compartamos esta vida, y prometo atesorar los recuerdos que construyamos juntos.

(Above section in English: With this ring, I promise to stand with you as we share this life, and cherish the memories we make together.)

[PARTNER A REPEATS THE SECOND PASSAGE AS THEY PLACE THE RING ON PARTNER B'S FINGER.]

OFFICIANT TO PARTNER B

[PARTNER B], repeat after me:

[PARTNER A], you are my best friend and everlasting companion. 

You have brought me the truest happiness I have ever known.

I promise to honor and respect you, 

To care for you and grow with you. 

Es una alegría para mí entregar mi vida a la tuya. Te amaré por siempre.

(Above section in English: I take joy in committing my life to yours. I will love you always.)

[PARTNER B REPEATS EACH LINE IN TURN.]

Officiant to Partner B 

Now place the ring on his/ her/ their hand and repeat after me...

Con este anillo, te prometo estar a tu lado mientras  compartamos esta vida, y prometo atesorar los recuerdos que construyamos juntos.

(Above section in English: With this ring, I promise to stand with you as we share this life, and cherish the memories we make together.)

POETRY READING ON THE NATURE OF LOVE

OFFICIANT TO THE RECEPTION

As many of you know, [PARTNER B] and [PARTNER A] share a tremendous passion for poetry and history, and spent hours reading aloud to each other during the early days of their relationship. And it’s something they still do together on lazy weekends and long drives, to keep their connection strong.

In recognition of this shared love, they have chosen to read a poem together today – Sonnet 17 by Pablo Neruda – which speaks to the nature of deepest love. 

PARTNER B TO PARTNER A

No te amo como si fueras rosa de sal, topacio 
o flecha de claveles que propagan el fuego: 
te amo como se aman ciertas cosas oscuras, 
secretamente, entre la sombra y el alma. 

PARTNER A TO PARTNER B

Te amo como la planta que no florece y lleva 
dentro de sí, escondida, la luz de aquellas flores, 
y gracias a tu amor vive oscuro en mi cuerpo 
el apretado aroma que ascendió de la tierra. 

PARTNER B TO PARTNER A

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where,
I love you directly without problems or pride:
I love you that way because I don't know how to love in any other way, 

PARTNER A TO PARTNER B

but in this way in which I am not and you are not,
so close that your hand on my chest is mine,
So close that your eyes close with my sleep.

[PARTNERS ALTERNATE READING SECTIONS OF THE POEM]

 

OFFICIANT TO THE COUPLE

Let this message be a touchstone on those days when the future feels uncertain, that love is not always about knowing, but about faith and trust in each other.

PRONOUNCEMENT & cLOSING WORDS

OFFICIANT TO THE COUPLE

[PARTNER A] and [PARTNER B], before today, you each walked a separate path. Now, you embark together on a shared path. As you become a family, remember: It is the strength of your love that shall nourish you all together.

Su amor por el otro, por los hijos que puedan tener, por las generaciones de las que provienen y que puedan crear, y por todos sus amigos y familiares - es el amor lo que los alimentará.  

(Above section in English: Your love for each other, for the children you may have, for the generations you come from and that you may create, and for all of your friends and family – this love is what will nourish you.) 

[PARTNER A] and [PARTNER B], today you have stood before these witnesses and declared your intent to commit your lives to each other in marriage. You have made promises to each other and your family.

Your road to this moment has not always been smooth, but you continued to fight for one another. I hope you will never forget the fight and perseverance it has taken to get to this moment.

Sus esfuerzos para llegar a este día han valido la pena, y seguirán valiendo la pena mientras se amen abiertamente y sin limitaciones.

(Above section in English: Your efforts leading up to this day have been worth it, and will continue to be as long as you love one another openly and without reservations.) 

And I hope you will never forget the love and joy you feel today, because these are the values that will keep your marriage, family and bond to one another strong."

 

OFFICIANT TO THE COUPLE 

And so, by the power vested in me by the American Marriage Ministries and the State of [WEDDING STATE], I now pronounce you husband and wife.

You may kiss!  ¡Ahora pueden besarse! ¡Felicidades! 

RECESSIONAL

[END OF THE WEDDING CEREMONY.]