The Wedding
Ceremony used by
Dr. Gary B. Musgrove
Who gives this woman to be married to this man? We welcome you on
behalf of ____________________and__________________ to the celebration of their vows and
covenants, in the presence of those that they love the most and in the presence of God.
You are here today to do more than witness. Hopefully you too will make a promise of
support and love to _____________and______________. Love is the most sought after of all
things, the most sacred and mysterious. The highest definition of love is given to us from
the heart of God, whose love is unconditional and perfect. We use it as a standard,
knowing that our expression of love is often imperfect because of our own needs and
weaknesses...reach beyond all those needs and let these words guide you... Love is
kind...never jealous, envious, selfish or rude. If you really love someone you will be
loyal...no matter what the cost. You will stand your ground in defense of them. Love never
keeps score of the rights or wrongs...no account ledger, as it were, with some balance
sheet. Love can outlast anything...all may change, hope and faith may pass away...but real
love will always remain. Here are some thoughts you should use as a guide for your lives
together: Promise to give to each other the very best that you can...and never ask more
from each other than you are willing and able to give. Promise to accept each other just
the way you are...you fell in love for both the strengths and weaknesses you have...don't
spend your lives trying to reshape each other. Promise to respect each other as
individuals with your own interests, desires and needs, and to realize that those may
sometimes differ from your own but will never be less important. Promise to share your
time, your close attention, and to bring joy, strength and imagination to your
relationship. Promise to keep yourselves open to see as through each others eyes...to see
the needs, fears and hopes...so that you can respond and care for each other.
Promise to grow along with each other and be willing to face changes...so that your
relationship will stay alive and exciting. Finally, promise to love with courage in good
times and in difficult, with all you have to give...in the only way you know
how...completely and forever. It will require courage for you to love when there is no
expectation of love in return...when love is given freely, there is security and
peace. VOWS ___________ will you take this woman/man to be your husband/wife. To
love and cherish, and care for as long as you both shall live? COVENANTS I
_________________ take ______________________ to be my husband/wife, and do promise and
covenant before God and these witnesses to be your loving and faithful husband/wife in
sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, committing myself only to you as long as we
both shall live. COVENANTS (ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS THAT I USUALLY INCORPORATE HERE) I love
you and accept you just as you are. I will never, knowingly, do anything to hurt or harm
you. My love for you isn't based on what you promise me, or what you give to me: but is
based on my desire to love you and help you be all that you can be. RING EXCHANGE You have
brought a ring, a seal or earnest of your covenant to give to each other. The ring is a
symbol of the enduring quality, beauty and eternal nature of your love. It is worn on the
third finger because that is the only finger on the hand whose bloodline is closest to the
heart, symbolizing that all the of your hands should always be governed by the promise you
make today. That those works and deeds of your lives together will never be more important
than the promise you make today. (each will repeat as they place the ring on the finger)
This ring I give you in token and pledge of my abiding love and constant faith. I trust
that your love will always be as depicted in Roy Croft's words: I love you, not only for
what you are, but for what I am when I am with you. I love you, not only for what you have
made of yourself, but for what you are making of me. I love you for the part of me that
you baring out; You took the time to reach into my heart, passing over all the weak and
foolish things you could not help but see that were there and for drawing out into the
open, for all to see...strong and beautiful things. Things, that if anyone else saw, they
did not notice and if they did notice they did not care. I love you, too, be cause you are
helping me to make out of the lumber of my life, not a tavern, but a temple... And out of
my everyday works, never a reproach, but always a song. And now by the authority given to
me by the State of California, I now pronounce that you are husband and wire. ___________,
you may kiss your bride.
Additions: Rose
Ceremony "This beautiful tradition started a century ago during the Victorian Era and
is based on a true love story. In that day;, as today, the single long stemmed red rose
meant commitment, passion and deep, enduring love. A very wise bride and groom once
exchanged one with the other...a red rose - to be placed in a vase in a special spot in
their home. At this time you are each in possession of a beautiful red rose. Will you
please exchange your red rose, one with the other... In this exchange you are proclaiming
one to the other your commitment, passion and deep, enduring love to one another. This
special occasion today, which is your wedding, will be just the first of many special
occasions in your lives, in which you will give a red rose one to the other. Mush more
significant is its symbol. When times are rough, hearts torn or disagreements arise - one
of you could place a single rose in that appointed place and as the other sees it the
meaning would break through where words could not... though there may be disagreements,
times may be tough, and there may be strains, there is still your love, and through it
all, love will make everything all right! |
