Cynthia Everette Shelman

Good afternoon! Lauren and Derek want to welcome all family and friends to their special day. They so appreciate your being here from both near or far. They come before us today to enter into the sacred covenant of marriage, vowing to be partners through the trials and triumphs of their shared life. They are declaring to each other and to all of us present that they will be by each other's side, no matter what life brings their way.

The marriage ceremony has been an important feature of nearly every culture, religion, generation, and society. We have thousands of important moments that happen throughout our lives, but this one is regarded as one so meaningful that we acknowledge its special status by sharing it with others.

Why this moment?

Because, despite all our unique differences, love is what we all share. Love is the great unifier — our one universal truth. No matter who we are, where we have come from, what we believe, we know this one thing . . . love is what we're doing right. Love is why you both are standing here. That's why you all have been invited to witness this moment and be reminded that the ability to love or to be loved unconditionally is the most precious gift a person can give or they can receive by someone.

Who gives this bride to be wed?

Ring Exchange

Who has the rings?

We all understand the gesture that you are now making. To reach out to someone and be acknowledged, held, and loved is what we all want. Taking the hand of the one who loves you is the symbol of that unspoken bond.

You fell in love by chance, but you're here today because you're making a choice. You both are choosing each other to be with someone who enhances you, who makes you think, makes you smile, and makes every day brighter. These rings will remind you, again and again, over and over, of your promise to your loved one. Every time you take hands, you will feel that wedding ring on your partner's hand, and you will both be reminded again in turn. It will say to the world that someone loves me enough to make me a promise to share a life.

Derek please take Lauren’s hand, place the ring on her finger, and repeat after me as you look at her: I give you this ring in token and pledge of my abiding love.

Lauren please take Derek’s hand, place the ring on his finger, and repeat after me as you look at him: I give you this ring in token and pledge of my abiding love.

Hand Fasting Vows

Please join palms.

As the rings are a symbol of everlasting love, so also is the love knot. Knots have been used in marriage ceremonies from Celtic times and beyond.

The love knot has no end and is therefore a sign of of the eternal bond between two people. They have chosen the cord colors of red, cobalt blue and silver.

The color red symbolizes strength, energy and passion. (As I state the meaning, a groomsman drapes the cord equally across the joined palms.)

The color cobalt symbolizes productivity, ingenuity and enlightenment. (As I state the meaning, the maid of honor drapes the cord equally across the joined palms.)

The color silver symbolizes intuition, wealth and inspiration. (As I state the meaning, a groomsman drapes the cord equally across the joined palms.)

Derek, please repeat after me as you look at Lauren. I, Derek promise you, Lauren that I will be your husband from this day forward, to love and respect you, to support and to hold you, to make you laugh and to be there when you cry, to softly kiss you when you are hurting and to be your companion and your best friend, forever. (As I am reciting the promise, I begin the the Celtic knot.)

Lauren, please repeat after me as you look at Derek. I, Lauren promise you_________, that I will be your wife from this day forward, to love and respect you, to support and to hold you, to make you laugh. And to be there when you cry. To softly kiss you when you are hurting, and to be your companion and your best friend, on this journey that we will now make together as one. (As I am reciting the promise, the couple pulls the knot into the Celtic knot.)

As your hands are now bound together, so shall your lives be bound as one.

Keep this cord as a visible reminder of your promise to one another, and let no one unbind it as long as you both shall live.

May you enjoy a lifetime of love and peace, happiness, and prosperity. So mote it be!