On behalf of Bride and Groom and their families, I welcome you all here today for this most joyous
celebration, a wedding.

We are gathered here at this hour to witness and to celebrate the coming together of two separate lives
and hearts. We have come to join this woman, Bride, and this man, Groom, in marriage; to be with them and
rejoice with them in the making of this important commitment.

The essence of this commitment is the taking of another person in his or her entirety, as lover, companion
and friend. It is therefore a decision which is not to be entered into lightly, but rather undertaken with great
consideration, care, and respect for both the other person and oneself. Marriage lives on the love you give
each other and will never grows old, when you celebrate your love for one another with each new day of
your lives together.

Photo by K. Lyn Photography

My wish for both of you today is that your marriage will bring much happiness and joy to each of you. As you know happiness in marriage is not something that just happens; a good marriage, a joyous marriage, a compassionate marriage must be create in each and every day. And it is created in the following ways:

• Having a mutual sense of values and common objectives.
• Standing together facing life.
• Doing things for each other not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy.
• Speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude.
• Not looking for perfection in each other or in oneself.
• Seeking to understand first and then to be understood.
• Showing loving kindness and being tender with one another.
• Listening with an open and compassionate hearts.
• Remaining curious and open about each other over the years.
• Cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humor.
• Giving and creating an atmosphere in which each of you can grow.
• Never being too old to hold hands or to say I love you.
• Never going to sleep angry.
• At no time taking the other for granted.
• Finding room for the things of the spirit, the good and the beautiful.
• Establishing a relationship, in which independence is equal, dependence is mutual, and obligation is reciprocal.
• Not simply marrying the right partner; it is being the right partner.

Bride and Groom’s promises have been shared in their hearts and they will be spoken before us now.

(Groom, please repeat after me)

Bride, I vow to continue our journey of love with as much passion as when it began;
to always make us a priority, to honor your dreams, nurture your creativity and feed
you adventurous spirit. I vow always to invite your laughter, and your tears and to be
open to the unexpected. And I will love you with all of my heart always and forever.

(Bride, please repeat after me)

Groom, I vow to continue our journey of love with as much passion as when it began;
to always make us a priority, to honor your dreams, nurture your creativity and feed
you adventurous spirit. I vow always to invite your laughter, and your tears and to be
open to the unexpected. And I will love you with all of my heart always and forever.

Bride and Groom wish to exchange these rings as symbols of their commitment to love and to
each other. These rings are a symbol of the unbroken circle of love. Love freely given has no
beginning and no end, no giver and no receiver for each is the giver and each is the receiver.
May these rings always remind you of the vows you have made today.

(Groom, please repeat after me.)

Bride, with this ring, I marry you and join my life with yours.
I love you with all of my heart.

(Bride, please repeat after me.)

Groom, with this ring, I marry you and join my life with yours.
I love you with all of my heart.

Bride and Groom, since you have consented together in the unity of matrimony, and have pledged
your love each to the other before your family and friends present; by the authority vested in me;
I do now pronounce you husband and wife.

You may kiss the Bride!

May you always be blessed in your hearts with the wonder of this special day. May you always
be able to talk things over; confide in each other, laugh with each other, and enjoy life together.
May you be blessed with a lifetime of happiness. And may your home always be a refuge and a
haven for your hearts.

It gives me great pleasure and joy to be the first to introduce you to:
1) Groom and Bride (Last Name),
2) Mr. and Mrs. Groom (Last name),
3) Groom and Bride as husband and wife,
or whatever is appropriate for you.