Nonreligious Ceremony
1. The entrance
Music begins
Groom and Groomsmen wait at altar
Bridesmaids walk
Ring bearer walks
Flower girl walks
Music changes, bride to walk, escorted by [father]
2. Opening words
We are gathered here today to celebrate one of life's greatest moments, to give recognition to the worth and beauty of love, and to add our best wishes to the words which shall unite [bride’s full name] and [groom’s full name] in marriage.
Let this be a day of happiness, gratitude, possibility, and celebration for [groom] and [bride], who are coming together to demonstrate the wonder of love through their wedding celebration.
We who are witnessing your marriage, hope that despite the stresses inevitable in any life, your love and respect for each other, and your trust and understanding of each other, will increase your contentment and heighten your joy in living.
3. Honoring of Family/Tribute to Deceased Loved Ones
[Bride] and [groom] would like to thank their parents and family for all the love and care they received growing up, and to thank all of you who are here to share in their joy today. They would also like to honor in memorium those who couldn’t attend, namely _____________________ on [groom]’s side, and __________________________ on [bride]’s side. These loved ones will live on in their minds and hearts today and always.
4. Wedding Address
Dear Friends and Family,
Marriage is a very special place, the sheltered environment in which we can learn and grow as individuals, with the support, love and companionship of that other very special person who has made the commitment and promise to share with us life’s journey together.
Marriage is a bond to be entered into only after considerable thought and reflection, and with full appreciation of its sacred nature. Marriage is a gift, given to comfort the sorrows of life and magnify the joys. As with any aspect of life, it has its cycles, its ups and its downs, its trials and its triumphs. With full understanding of this, [bride] and [groom] have come here today to be joined as lifelong partners.
We are here today, not only to witness your commitment to each other, [groom] and [bride], but also to wish you both every happiness in your future life as a couple. Within its framework of commitment and loyalty, marriage enables the establishment of a home, where through trust, patience and respect, the love and affection that you have for each other may continue to develop and deepen in the years to come.
We have come here today to be with [bride] and [groom] as they take the next step in their journey together. In one sense they are not beginning a new life, they are continuing and strengthening the bond that is obviously already there. A piece of paper cannot make a marriage. For [groom] and [bride], the spirit of marriage is already alive in their hearts and minds. Therefore, the piece of paper that is generated from this ceremony today merely conforms their outward status to the love, friendship and affection that is already there.
5. Reading
At this time [friend or family member] is going to share with us a reading, [title of reading].
6. Statement of Intent and Exchange of Vows.
As an expression that you are joining hearts and lives, please join hands while facing each other, to recite your vows.
Do you, [Groom] take [Bride] to be your wedded wife, to cherish in love and in friendship, in strength and in weakness, in success and in disappointment, to love her faithfully, today, tomorrow, and for as long as the two of you shall live?
I do.
Do you, [Bride] take [Groom] to be your wedded husband, to cherish in love and in friendship, in strength and in weakness, in success and in disappointment, to love her faithfully, today, tomorrow, and for as long as the two of you shall live?
I do.
7. Exchange of Rings
Rings are an ancient symbol of unity and completeness. As day follows night and night follows day, your two lies are now joined in one unbroken circle.
[Groom], please place this ring on [Bride's] finger and repeat after me:
With this ring
I pledge my love and life to you.
[Bride], while placing the ring on [Groom's] finger, if you will also repeat these words after me:
With this ring
I pledge my love and life to you.
8. Unity Candle
From every person there arises an individual light, whole and complete, to be honored and respected. And then when they form a bond with another whole, complete person, a single, brighter light emerges from their union.
At this time I would ask that you light the two outside candles that stand for you as individuals.
[Each lights a candle.]
These also symbolize your separate families and sets of friends that each of you bring to the marriage. With these flames I ask that you now light a new and brighter light, which is your candle of unity, for the new life you will share. Your own lights will not be extinguished—your marriage will be made stronger by the richness you bring to it as individuals.
[Together they light the candle of unity.]
The flames that are kindled here are precious. As the years go by, you must tend all three flames to keep the light of your marriage strong and bright.
9. Blessing of Marriage
Before all is said and done today, I would add some words of advice. [Groom] and [Bride], please treat yourselves and each other with respect, and remind yourselves often of what brought you together. Give the highest priority to the tenderness, gentleness and kindness that your connection deserves. When frustration, difficulty and fear assail your relationship—as they threaten all relationships at one time or another—remember to focus on what is right between you, not only the part which seems wrong. In this way, you can ride out the storms when clouds hide the face of the sun in your lives, remembering that even if you lose site of it for a moment, the sun is still there. And if each of you takes responsibility for the quality of your life together, it will be marked by abundance and delight.
10. Pronouncement
[Bride] & [Groom], if there is anything you recall after today of this marriage ceremony, please remember that it is love that brought you here today and it is through love by which your marriage shall endure.
And now by the power vested in me by the State of Oregon, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may share the first kiss of your marriage.
[Kiss.]
Ladies and Gentlemen: It is with great pleasure that I introduce to you for the first time as a married couple, _______________ and ________________.
11. Recessional
Bride and Groom exit first
Bridal party exits in pairs
12. Signing of Marriage License
Music begins
Groom and Groomsmen wait at altar
Bridesmaids walk
Ring bearer walks
Flower girl walks
Music changes, bride to walk, escorted by [father]
2. Opening words
We are gathered here today to celebrate one of life's greatest moments, to give recognition to the worth and beauty of love, and to add our best wishes to the words which shall unite [bride’s full name] and [groom’s full name] in marriage.
Let this be a day of happiness, gratitude, possibility, and celebration for [groom] and [bride], who are coming together to demonstrate the wonder of love through their wedding celebration.
We who are witnessing your marriage, hope that despite the stresses inevitable in any life, your love and respect for each other, and your trust and understanding of each other, will increase your contentment and heighten your joy in living.
3. Honoring of Family/Tribute to Deceased Loved Ones
[Bride] and [groom] would like to thank their parents and family for all the love and care they received growing up, and to thank all of you who are here to share in their joy today. They would also like to honor in memorium those who couldn’t attend, namely _____________________ on [groom]’s side, and __________________________ on [bride]’s side. These loved ones will live on in their minds and hearts today and always.
4. Wedding Address
Dear Friends and Family,
Marriage is a very special place, the sheltered environment in which we can learn and grow as individuals, with the support, love and companionship of that other very special person who has made the commitment and promise to share with us life’s journey together.
Marriage is a bond to be entered into only after considerable thought and reflection, and with full appreciation of its sacred nature. Marriage is a gift, given to comfort the sorrows of life and magnify the joys. As with any aspect of life, it has its cycles, its ups and its downs, its trials and its triumphs. With full understanding of this, [bride] and [groom] have come here today to be joined as lifelong partners.
We are here today, not only to witness your commitment to each other, [groom] and [bride], but also to wish you both every happiness in your future life as a couple. Within its framework of commitment and loyalty, marriage enables the establishment of a home, where through trust, patience and respect, the love and affection that you have for each other may continue to develop and deepen in the years to come.
We have come here today to be with [bride] and [groom] as they take the next step in their journey together. In one sense they are not beginning a new life, they are continuing and strengthening the bond that is obviously already there. A piece of paper cannot make a marriage. For [groom] and [bride], the spirit of marriage is already alive in their hearts and minds. Therefore, the piece of paper that is generated from this ceremony today merely conforms their outward status to the love, friendship and affection that is already there.
5. Reading
At this time [friend or family member] is going to share with us a reading, [title of reading].
6. Statement of Intent and Exchange of Vows.
As an expression that you are joining hearts and lives, please join hands while facing each other, to recite your vows.
Do you, [Groom] take [Bride] to be your wedded wife, to cherish in love and in friendship, in strength and in weakness, in success and in disappointment, to love her faithfully, today, tomorrow, and for as long as the two of you shall live?
I do.
Do you, [Bride] take [Groom] to be your wedded husband, to cherish in love and in friendship, in strength and in weakness, in success and in disappointment, to love her faithfully, today, tomorrow, and for as long as the two of you shall live?
I do.
7. Exchange of Rings
Rings are an ancient symbol of unity and completeness. As day follows night and night follows day, your two lies are now joined in one unbroken circle.
[Groom], please place this ring on [Bride's] finger and repeat after me:
With this ring
I pledge my love and life to you.
[Bride], while placing the ring on [Groom's] finger, if you will also repeat these words after me:
With this ring
I pledge my love and life to you.
8. Unity Candle
From every person there arises an individual light, whole and complete, to be honored and respected. And then when they form a bond with another whole, complete person, a single, brighter light emerges from their union.
At this time I would ask that you light the two outside candles that stand for you as individuals.
[Each lights a candle.]
These also symbolize your separate families and sets of friends that each of you bring to the marriage. With these flames I ask that you now light a new and brighter light, which is your candle of unity, for the new life you will share. Your own lights will not be extinguished—your marriage will be made stronger by the richness you bring to it as individuals.
[Together they light the candle of unity.]
The flames that are kindled here are precious. As the years go by, you must tend all three flames to keep the light of your marriage strong and bright.
9. Blessing of Marriage
Before all is said and done today, I would add some words of advice. [Groom] and [Bride], please treat yourselves and each other with respect, and remind yourselves often of what brought you together. Give the highest priority to the tenderness, gentleness and kindness that your connection deserves. When frustration, difficulty and fear assail your relationship—as they threaten all relationships at one time or another—remember to focus on what is right between you, not only the part which seems wrong. In this way, you can ride out the storms when clouds hide the face of the sun in your lives, remembering that even if you lose site of it for a moment, the sun is still there. And if each of you takes responsibility for the quality of your life together, it will be marked by abundance and delight.
10. Pronouncement
[Bride] & [Groom], if there is anything you recall after today of this marriage ceremony, please remember that it is love that brought you here today and it is through love by which your marriage shall endure.
And now by the power vested in me by the State of Oregon, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may share the first kiss of your marriage.
[Kiss.]
Ladies and Gentlemen: It is with great pleasure that I introduce to you for the first time as a married couple, _______________ and ________________.
11. Recessional
Bride and Groom exit first
Bridal party exits in pairs
12. Signing of Marriage License
Wedded Your Way Chapel & Officiant Services Portland OR
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