Fruits Of Life
We, who have gathered in this circle, are now privileged to witness and to participate in a ceremony celebrating the public acknowledgement of a love which Groom and Bride have for each other, knowing that by our presence here with them, we are saying that they, together, are loved by many others. We have come to surround them as they stand before us in this center, where now Groom and Bride in essence say, "Welome to our marriage! Welcome to the Celebration!"
Marriage is too for children! For them it is, or can be, more than just witnessing. There is an opportunity for them to bring themselves into the new family and in a symbolic sense to give themselves to this new venture as they bring a "Gift of Love" which they will present now to Groom and Bride.
(The children come bearing flowers, which are given to the Bride and Groom).
Minister: When you love someone, you do not love them all the time, in exactly the same way, from moment to moment. That is impossible. It is even a disservice to pretend it is possible. Yet that is what most of us demand. We have such little faith in the ebb and flow of life and of love and relationships.
We leap forward at the flow of the tide and resist in terror its ebb, for we are afraid it will never return. We insist on permanence, on duration, on continuity. But the only continuity possible in life, as in love, is in growth, in fidelity and in freedom, as dancers are free, barely touching as they pass, but partners in creating the same pattern.
I speak now to Groom and Bride of love, in which, the trust and freedom of the other person becomes as significant as the trust and freedom of one's self. I speak to them of generosity, which gathers the beauty of earth for riches and the kindness which turns away the wrath of foolish men and women. I speak of all our hopes for their continued growth through patience, one for the other. May Groom and Bride keep the vows made on this day, in freedom, teaching each other who they are, what they yet shall be, enabling them to know that, in the fullness of being, they are more than themselves and more than each other, that they are all of us and that togetgher we share joyously the fruits of life on this Earth, our home.
Vows:
I Groom, take you, Bride, as the love of my life. I vow to be patient with you and the circumstances in our lives. I vow to be kind to all people we come across. I vow not to be boastful of our love or about our accomplishments. I promise to be proud of you, but not proud in love for though I will strive for perfection, I know I can never reach it. I promise not to be quick to anger, but to think before I speak and act. I vow not to keep a record of wrongs, but to always keep the happy memories alive. Through God, our love will never fail.
I Bride, take you, Groom, as the love of my life. I vow to be patient with you and the circumstances in our lives. I vow to be kind to all people we come across. I vow not to be boastful of our love or about our accomplishments. I promise to be proud of you, but not proud in love for though I will strive for perfection, I know I can never reach it. I promise not to be quick to anger, but to think before I speak and act. I vow not to keep a record of wrongs, but to always keep the happy memories alive. Through God, our love will never fail.
Ring Ceremony:
Groom places ring on Bride's finger. May this ring forever be to you the symbol of my growing love.
Bride places ring on Groom's finger. May this ring forever be to you the symbol of my growing love.
Optional: (One of these unification ceremonies listed below may be included in your regular ceremony at no extra charge. Two or more unification ceremonies are an additional charge).
Minister: May these two find happiness in their union. May they live faithfully together, executing the vows they have made between them; and may they ever remain compassionate and encouraging, that their years may be rich with the joys of life, and their days be long upon the Earth.
By the authority vested in me by the state of Michigan, I now pronounce you husband and wife.
You may seal your promises with a kiss.
I now present to you Groom and Bride, husband and wife.
Unification Ceremonies:
