Welcome everyone!

From this place (here the minister or officiant should describe something about your chosen ceremony venue/location, about the significance or beauty of the location), we take ourselves out of the usual routines of daily living to witness a unique moment in the lives of BRIDE/GROOM and BRIDE/GROOM.  Today they join their lives in the union of marriage.

 

To all their guests, they are happy to share this moment with you.  They have known most of you for many years.  You watched them grow up, you went to school with them, or you worked with them.  Because you are the ones who have supported them and known them so well, it is only fitting that you are the ones to share this once-in-a-lifetime moment with them.

 

BRIDE/GROOM  and BRIDE/GROOM  are pleased to have their parents in the front row…close to them for the ceremony.

BRIDE/GROOM  thanks her/his mother for providing her/him with every opportunity possible and being the best mother anyone could ask for.

BRIDE/GROOM  appreciates all the love and support his/her parents gave him over the years.

 

A wedding day is often a day when couples miss family members no longer with them. For BRIDE/GROOM and BRIDE/GROOM , there are family members whose memories they hold dear.

(Here you can insert references to loved ones that have passed away.  Or you can mention loved ones that couldn’t be present for other reasons.)

 

And so it is that BRIDE/GROOM and BRIDE/GROOM  present themselves to be married today…surrounded by the people they love the most.

 

~Officiant:

As BRIDE/GROOM  and BRIDE/GROOM  prepared for the ceremony part of this wedding celebration, they reflected on what it is that they love about each other.  And this was the easiest part of planning this wedding!

 

~To the Groom/Bride:

 (Groom/Bride’s name), (Groom/Bride’s name) loves that you blend in so comfortably with her/his family.  She/He sees in you a funny, kind, and sweet man/woman.  She/He loves that you think she is funny and that you always find a way to compliment her.  She/He loves that you always want to be close to her/he.  You remember details of the stories she/he tells.  You want to be part of her/his family and circle of friends.  You help her/his around the house.  Most importantly, you are so close that even when she/he is at her/his worst, you have never made her/him feel like you want anything but to be closer to her/him.

 

 (Groom/Bride’s name), ( Groom/Bride’s name) loves that you BRIDE/GROOM  (fill in the blank).  He/She loves your brain, your smile, and your beauty. He/She appreciates that you are “low maintenance.”  He/She likes that you can be really silly. He/She loves your emails and texts.  He/She loves your cooking. He/She loves your kisses.  He/She just really loves you!

 

You both look to a shared future that includes raising a happy & healthy family.  That future also includes a richly lived life together…going out to restaurants, hanging out with family, relaxing at home in front of the TV, singing and dancing…Bride will do the singing, and Groom will do the dancing.

 

The years will come and go…you won’t take each other for granted, you will laugh a lot, you will be the best parents you can be, you will grow older and wiser together.  It’s a good story, and the ending is not in sight!

(Optional Reading)

 

~~MARRIAGE VOWS:

~Officiant:

We come now to the words BRIDE/GROOM  and BRIDE/GROOM  want to hear the most today…the words that take them across the threshold from being engaged to being married.

 

A marriage, as most of us understand it, is a voluntary and full commitment.  It is made in the deepest sense to the exclusion of all others, and it is entered into with the desire and hope that it will last for life.  Before you declare your vows to one another, I want to hear you confirm that it is indeed your intention to be married today.

 

BRIDE/GROOM , do you come here freely and without reservation to give yourself to BRIDE/GROOM  in marriage? If so, answer “I do.”

~ Groom/Bride:

I do.

 

~Officiant:

BRIDE/GROOM and BRIDE/GROOM, having heard that it is your intention to be married to each other, I now ask you to declare your marriage vows.

Please face each other and hold hands.

 

Groom/Bride, please repeat after me…

I, BRIDE/GROOM  take you, BRIDE/GROOM  to be my wife/husband.

I will share my life with yours, and build our dreams together,  Support you through times of trouble,  and rejoice with you in times of happiness. I promise to give you respect, love and loyalty.   This commitment is made in love, kept in faith, lived in hope, and made new every day of our lives.

 

~EXCHANGE WEDDING RINGS

~Officiant:

Your wedding rings are the outward and visible sign of the inward and invisible bond which already unites you two hearts in love.

 

Groom/Bride, place the ring on Bride’s finger and repeat after me….

I give you this ring. Wear it with love and joy.  As this ring has no end, my love is also forever.

 

May the wedding rings you exchanged today remind you always that you are surrounded by enduring love.

 

~Officiant:

Everyone has advice for newlyweds.  BRIDE/GROOM  and BRIDE/GROOM, I offer these good wishes to you on this special day.

 

May your life together be blessed with prosperity and good health.  May you always share open and honest communication between each other.  May you respect each other’s individual talents and gifts and give full support to each other’s professional and personal pursuits.

 

May you cherish the home and family you will create together.  May all the years to come be filled with moments to celebrate and renew your love.  May your love be a life-long source of excitement, contentment, affection, respect, and devotion for one another.

 

~DECLARATION OF MARRIAGE

~Officiant:

And so now by the power vested in me by THE STATE OF FLORIDA (and our Lord), it is my honor and delight to declare that you are husband and wife. You may seal this declaration with a kiss.

 

I am pleased to present the newlyweds, Mr. and Mrs. ______________!