Non Traditional Wedding Ceremony
Welcome
We are here today to celebrate the miracle of love. (Groom’s full name)____________and
(Bride’s full name) ________________ have found that miracle in each other, and
now desire to share their love all the days of their lives.
Consent
Are both of you willing to give your hand to the one whose heart you hold?
(Both answer): Yes, we are.
Who presents (Bride) ______________ to be married to (Groom) ______________?
(The Escort shall say): Her Mother and I or I do or We do or Her family or other.
(Bride gives bouquet to Maid of Honor.)
Address and Readings
Today you are giving yourselves to one another to love and to live. Your lives are being
woven together, and in time, they will intertwine in such a way that you truly will become one in heart, mind, and soul.
Listen to these words that reflect this kind of love.
When a Man and a Woman are in Love
When a man and a woman are in love,
His life lies within hers
and her life lies within his.
Each lives as an individual,
yet they also live for one another.
Each strives for independent goals,
but they also work together to achieve their dreams.
When a man and a woman are in love,
they will give to one another
what they need to survive
and help fulfill each other’s wants.
They will work as a mirror,
reflecting to each other
their strengths and weaknesses.
They will work together
to alleviate the emotional walls
that may separate them.
They will be there to comfort each other
in times of sorrow.
They will be there to celebrate together
in times of happiness.
They will be one another’s friend,
guiding each other to the happiness that life holds.
When a man and a woman are in love,
his life lies within hers
and her life lies within his.
Together they will love one another
for the rest of their lives
and forever.
(Groom)______________ and (Bride) _________________, may this kind of love always help you
keep the promises you are about to make here today.
Wedding Vows
(The Officiant shall say): (Groom) __________________, please repeat after me.
I, (Groom) ___________, take you, (Bride) ____________, / to be my wedded wife. / I do promise before God and these witnesses / to be faithful and true, / in plenty and in want, / in joy and in sorrow, / in sickness and in health, / and I will love you and cherish you / for as long as we both shall live.
(The Officiant shall say): (Bride) ____________________, please repeat after me.
I, (Bride) ___________, take you, (Groom) ____________, / to be my wedded husband. / I do promise before God and these witnesses / to be faithful and true, / in plenty and in want, / in joy and in sorrow, / in sickness and in health, / and I will love you and cherish you / for as long as we both shall live.
Explanation of the Rings
The wedding ring is the outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual bond that unites
two loyal hearts in endless love. May these rings always remind you that it was love that
brought you together, and it is love that will keep you together through all the seasons of
your lives.
Ring Exchange Vows
(The Officiant shall say): May I have the token of (Groom’s) ______love for (Bride)__________?
(Officiant receives ring from Best Man. Groom places ring on Bride’s finger.)
(The Officiant shall then say): (Groom) _______________________, please repeat after me.
(Bride)________________________, This ring I give in token and pledge/ as a sign of my love and devotion. / With this ring, I thee wed.
(The Officiant shall say): May I have the token of (Bride’s) ______________ love for (Groom) ___________?
(Officiant receives ring from Maid of Honor. Bride places ring on Groom’s finger.)
(The Officiant shall then say): (Bride) _______________________, please repeat after me.
(Groom)________________________, This ring I give in token and pledge/ as a sign of my love and devotion. / With this ring, I thee wed.
Wedding Prayer/Blessing
May God bless you with Hope enough to keep sunshine in your love, and strength enough to
keep you holding hands in the dark; Unity enough to keep your roots entwined, and
Separation enough to keep you reaching for each other; Harmony enough to keep romance
in your song, and Discord enough to keep you tuning your love so it becomes sweet music
to all who may hear it.
Pronouncement
(Groom)_____and (Bride)_________, now that you have shared with each other these
words of love and commitment, and we have witnessed the expression of your love as you
have given each other these rings, and you have joined your hands and hearts before your
family and friends, it is with great joy that I pronounce you husband and wife.
Kiss
(The Officiate shall say): (Groom) ______, you may kiss your Bride.
(Bride and Groom kiss.)
(Bride receives bouquet from Maid of Honor.)
Presentation
(The Officiant shall say): Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my privilege to introduce to you for
the very first time, (Mr. and Mrs.) __________________.
