Kristen Ashley Lee

Jeffrey & Theresa’s Candle Ceremony Script

INTRODUCTION

Officiant (to guests):

On behalf of Jeffrey and Theresa and their families. I would like to welcome everyone here @ LOCATION on this beautiful evening. I am Kristen the officiant and ordained minister through Universal Life Church in the state of Ohio. First of all I would like to say I am deeply honored that Jeffrey and Theresa have asked me to officiate their wedding. I have known Theresa for over a decade and it's so beautiful to see how much she is in love with this man who stands here before her today. I wish them both a marriage that is beautiful and never ending! The couple has chosen to become wed with a Unity Candle ceremony today. The candles on either side represent the wedding couple, and the candle in the middle represents their marriage to come as a single unit. We will now begin the ceremony.

Officiant (to couple):

You both have chosen the Unity Candle for your symbolic wedding ceremony today. The candle on the far left represents Jeffrey. The candle on the far right represents Theresa. The candle in the center here represents your covenant of marriage, which you will light together shortly.

Up until this point, you both have led separate lives as your own unique individuals. But now your paths will cross into this unified marriage once you light this candle. The fire of the candle represents the passion and love that you have for one another as you unify as a married couple. Remember that your individuality remains so even as you enter this marriage and to support one another in your separate endeavors but strive to come together as a team in everything you do.

READING

Officiant (to guests):

I will now share a brief reading on the nature of love. May your love be firm, And may your dream of a life together be a river between two shores by day bathed in sunlight, and by night illuminated from within. May the heron carry news of you to the heavens, and the salmon bring the sea’s blue grace. May your twin thoughts spiral upward like leafy vines, like fiddle strings in the wind, and be as noble as the Douglas fir. May you never find yourselves back to back without love pulling you around into each other’s arms.”-A Wedding Toast by James Bertolino

EXCHANGING OF VOWS

Officiant (to couple):

Before you both light the center candle together, it is time for the bride and groom to exchange vows.

Jeffrey, you can say your vows first.

Jeffrey reads vows

I, Jeffrey, take you, Theresa, to be my lawfully wedded wife. I vow to love and cherish you through the best and worst we may face. From this day, and forevermore, I am yours.

Officiant (to the other partner):

Theresa, you can now say your vows.

Theresa reads vows

I, Theresa, take you, Jeffrey, to be my lawfully wedded husband. I vow to love and cherish you through the best and worst we may face. From this day, and forevermore, I am yours.

Officiant (to couple)

Now that you have exchanged your vows, it is time to light the center candle. Each of you takes one candle and places the flame on the wick in the center candle. At this moment, your lives will be united into one marriage covenant in this symbolic lighting of the center candle.

EXCHANGING OF RINGS

Officiant (to couple):

Now it’s time to exchange the rings.

Officiant (to Theresa):

Theresa, place your ring on Jeffrey’s finger and repeat after me. “With this ring, I promise to love you until death do us part.”

Theresa:

With this ring, I promise to love you until death does us part.

Officiant (to Jeffrey):

Jeffrey, place your ring on Theresa’s finger and repeat after me. “With this ring, I promise to love you until death do us part.”

Jeffrey:

With this ring, I promise to love you until death does us part.

DECLARATION OF INTENT

Officiant (to couple):

Jeffrey and Theresa, please join hands. Theresa, do you take Jeffrey to be your lawfully wedded partner?

Theresa:

I do.

Officiant (to Jeffrey):

Jeffrey, do you take Theresa to be your lawfully wedded partner?

Jeffrey:

I do.

PRONOUNCEMENT

Officiant (to couple):

Jeffrey and Theresa, you have vowed your love to one another and lit the unity candle in symbolism of this passion for each other.

By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you Mr. & Mrs. Alexander!

Mr. Alexander, you may now kiss your bride!