Share your ceremony script!

These are all so beautiful. I like the kiss your groom bit. But I think we'll likely go with something like "You may now share a kiss"

Here is my script...it was AWESOME!!!

I thought that I would only cry during the hands ceremony part...but I started crying when I was saying my vows. Make that I cried the whole way through them, and then I only cried at the very end of the hands ceremony poem. Nevertheless, it was great!

2009 May 24 Jessica and Adam Hilton 5 pm CCwB.doc

Thank you all for posting the vows you have or are using. This has been so helpful.

These are absolutely beautiful!!

Does anyone have any suggestions for incorporating our children into the ceremony? I have a daughter and my fiance has 2 sons and we are planning to give them rings as a symbol of our love as a family...and that we are all united through this marriage. I am hoping that the minister will give us a minute or two in order to say something to our children...but I'm not positive on what we should say or how to word it. Any suggestions?

I love them all! Now I have to pick one!

Here is mine (long, but complete)!

I take NO credit for this, because I just copied and pasted from other posts on this thread, but maybe this will help someone! Congrats and good luck!

OPENING

On behalf of Darren and Toni, I welcome you and thank you all for gathering here on this beautiful day to witness their marriage ceremony. The fact that you all have travelled such a great distance to be here today is a testament to the amazing amount of love and support they have. All of you have given them much happiness, love, warmth, and guidance through the various stages of their lives. They would like to sincerely thank you all for being here to celebrate their big day. A special and respectful acknowledgement must also be made to those friends and family members who were unable to attend, or have passed on, but whose spirit remains alive and strong in all our hearts.

For Darren and Toni marriage is an affirmation of life, an undying commitment, a spiritual, emotional, and intellectual bond between two people. It is created from the purest of friendship, respect and love. The institution of marriage is not entered into lightly, because it symbolizes commitment on every level. Together you will continue to meet the challenges and obstacles of life head on.

Marriage is an adventure in the most intimate of human relationships. It is the mutual commitment of two people sincerely in love who share the same dreams about life. But more than that, it is the intimate sharing of two lives. It is a sharing that does not diminish but enhances the individuality of each partner.

The marriage between Darren and Toni does not mark the beginning of a new relationship; rather, it is an acknowledgement and celebration, of a relationship that has been flourishing since they met.

A successful relationship takes more than just love. It takes trust, to know in your hearts that you want only the best for each other. It takes dedication, to stay open to one another, to learn and grow, even when it is difficult to do so. And it takes faith, to go forward together without knowing what the future holds for you both.

You have chosen to walk through life together. There is no truer statement of love. The choice was not made by any one moment, but by being together you grew to realize that you belonged together and that you fulfilled each other’s needs. You have come to thrive upon each other’s presence, loyalty and wisdom. The foundation of your love is profound friendship. A friendship you have nurtured until at last you realized that you wanted to be together always. The commitment you make today will be the foundation on which you will build your life together.

HAND CEREMONY

As an expression that you are joined together in love – Darren, will you please hold Toni’s hands, palms up, so you may feel the gift they are to you.

These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day as she promises to love you today, tomorrow, and forever.

These are the hands that will work alongside yours as together you build your future, as you laugh and cry, as you share your innermost secrets and dreams.

These are the hands that will passionately love you and with the slightest touch, will comfort you like no other.

These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills your mind.

These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it.

These are the hands that will tenderly cradle your children.

And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.

Toni, will you please hold Darren’s hands, palms up, so you may feel the gift they are to you.

Darren, take a look at the position of your hands with Toni’s and know that this is the last time that you will have the “upper hand.â€

These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day as he promises to love you today, tomorrow, and forever.

These are the hands that will work along side yours, as together you build your future, as you laugh and cry, as you share your innermost secrets and dreams.

These are the hands that will wipe the tears from your eyes: tears of sorrow and tears of joy.

These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times.

These are the hands that will comfort you when you are sick, or console you when you are grieving.

And these are the hands that will give you support as he encourages you to chase your dreams.

And these are the hands that when wrinkled and aged will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.

Our wish for you today is that both of you will use these hands to build a marriage where all your dreams come true.

Let us now allow the bride and groom to express their love and the ways in which they have brought harmony to each-others life.

PERSONAL VOWS (this will be a surprise for each of us, so I don't have them)

EXCHANGING OF RINGS

I will ask you now to seal the vows which you have just made, by the giving and receiving of rings. Your wedding rings represent the unconditional love that you have for one another.

Darren, take this ring, put it on Toni's finger and repeat after me:

I, Darren, take you, Toni, to be my wife.

I will cherish our friendship

and love you today, tomorrow, and forever.

I will trust you and respect you, encourage you, and inspire you.

I will laugh with you and comfort you in times of sorrow.

I will love you faithfully and unconditionally

through good times and bad, completely and forever.

Toni, take this ring, put it on Darren’s finger and repeat after me:

I, Toni, take you, Darren, to be my husband.

I will cherish our friendship

and love you today, tomorrow, and forever.

I will trust you and respect you, encourage you, and inspire you.

I will laugh with you and comfort you in times of sorrow.

I will love you faithfully and unconditionally

through good times and bad, completely and forever.

Sand Ceremony

Today, this relationship is symbolized through the pouring of these two individual containers of sand one, representing you Toni and all that you were, all that you are, and all that you will ever be, and the other representing you, Darren, and all that you were and all that you are, and all that you will ever be. As these two containers of sand are poured into the third container, the individual containers of sand will no longer exist, but will be joined together as one. Just as these grains of sand can never be separated and poured again into the individual containers, so will your marriage be."

CLOSING

Darren and Toni, remember to treat both yourself 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 or fear assail your relationship – as they threatened all relationships at one time or another – remember to focus on what is right between you. In this way, you can ride out the times when clouds hide the face of the sun in your lives – remembering that even if you lose sight of it for a moment, the sun is still there.

Give to one another new experiences of joy. Challenge one another so that you may grow. May the love you hold for each other, now sealed in marriage, continue to mature with the passing years. May you never take each other for granted, but always experience the wonder of your union. Be slow to anger, quick to forgive, leaving no tracks of resentment behind each day.

We who are present today, hope that the inspiration of this moment will never be forgotten. May all your days and years to come be filled with vision, joy and passion. May the love you now share continue to grow, and may the happiness you bring to each other be a continuing part of your life together. May you continue to laugh often and enjoy each other every day, steadfast in hope and confidence, believing in yourself and believing in each other. May your love be a sanctuary and a source from which you draw strength to live your lives with enthusiasm and imagination. May the people you touch in your lifetime know how much you love and care for one another and may you love one another forever.

With friends and family, I have the pleasure of announcing you as husband and wife.

You may now kiss the groom!

these are all so beautiful!! for those of you who are already married, was your minister/judge good about going along with the script?

Wow! What a great thread!! I honestly hadn't given much thought to what we would say yet, but this has given me some great inspiration to get writing!! Thanks everyone for posting!