Sample Ceremonies

DAVID AND JENNIFER
WHIPPANY, NJ

THIS IS A CEREMONY THAT I PERFORMED RECENTLY… WHICH WAS DRAFTED FOR A COUPLE THAT WANTED A 15 TO 20 MINUTE INTIMATE CEREMONY THAT FOCUSED ON THEIR LOVE FOR EACH OTHER…NO TWO CEREMONIES ARE ALIKE…EVERY CEREMONY IS DESIGNED ACCORDING TO THE COUPLE’S UNIQUE DESIRES.

We are gathered here today in the sight of God and angels, and in the presence of friends and loved ones, to celebrate one of life's greatest moments, to give recognition to the worth and beauty of love, and to add our best wishes and blessings to the words which will unite Jennifer and David in holy matrimony.

They come here from two different families. Out of these two families, a new family will be created. At this time, I would like to invite the mothers of the bride and groom to come forward and light the individual candles which represent the two separate families. The two individual flames, one representing each family, will demonstrate to us in a very beautiful way the symbol of two who will become one.

THE MOTHERS WILL LIGHT THE OUTER CANDLES AND RETURN TO THEIR SEATS.

In the Kama Sutra it is said that when the one man loves the one woman and the one woman loves the one man, the angels abandon heaven and go sit with the couple and sing for joy. In the face of the person next to you, you can see that the angels are here, for you have all come with joy and love in your hearts. It is a great gift you give to Jen and Dave…one that they are most grateful for. The blessing of your love will help to strengthen their union.

POEM BY JOSEPH A. DALY – READ BY REGINA

Jen & Dave, Here are some Words of love to take with you as you embark on this journey together.

Love is something quiet
Like a warmth that’s in the air
It fills a room with gladness
When it makes it’s presence there
It shines from eyes that soften
When they gaze at someone dear
And smiles to listen closely
To the voice it longs to hear
Love shares a person’s sorrows
And it lightens heavy loads
And it makes the rough ways gentle
By smoothing out the roads
It’s always there to lean on
When the moment seems like night
To find a way through darkness
And fill the heart with love’s bright light
Love is a word unspoken
And yet said within a glance
That passes ‘cross a crowded room
And makes the heart just dance
It is an understanding
That two people feel as one
And their sweet love will long endure
Until the world is done.
Love stories spark the desire
To begin seeking a soul-mate
Not realizing the search is to no avail
For Lovers don’t meet somewhere along the way
They are in one another’s souls from the beginning.

Jen & Dave, enjoy this blessed journey.

UNITY CANDLE

Jennifer and David, the two single candles that were lit by your mothers, symbolize your separate lives, separate families and separate friends.
The individual candles represent your lives before today. Lighting the center candle represents that your two lives are now joined to one light, and the joining together of your two families and friends to one. The three candles will remain lit, one for each of you and your families, and one for your marriage, as symbols of your commitment to each other and to a lasting and loving life together. Jennifer & David I ask that each of you take one of the lit candles and together light the center candle.

EXPRESSION OF INTENT

David and Jennifer, do you choose still and happily and in our midst to make the promises of marriage?

DAVID AND JENNIFER: I DO.

VOWS

JENNIFER:

I, Jennifer, take you David, to be my husband, my partner in life, and my one true love. I promise to cherish our love and friendship today, tomorrow, and forever. I promise to trust and honor you, to laugh and cry with you, to love you faithfully through the best and the worst, the difficult and the easy. Whatever may come, I promise to always stand by your side. As I have given you my hand to hold, I give you my life to keep.

DAVID:

I, David, take you Jennifer, to be my wife, my partner in life, and my one true love. I promise to cherish our love and friendship today, tomorrow, and forever. I promise to trust and honor you, to laugh and cry with you, to love you faithfully through the best and the worst, the difficult and the easy. Whatever may come, I promise to always stand by your side. As I have given you my hand to hold, I give you my life to keep.

MESSAGE TO THE COUPLE

Jennifer and David, life is given to each of us as individuals, and yet we must learn to live together. Love is given to us by our family and by our friends. We learn to love by being loved. Learning to love and living together is one of the greatest challenges of life - and is the shared goal of a married life.

As the two of you come into this marriage uniting as husband and wife, and as you affirm your faith and love for one another, always remember to cherish each other as special and unique individuals, respect the thoughts, ideas and suggestions of one another. Be able to forgive, don’t hold grudges, and live each day fully in peace - as from this day forward you shall be each other's home, comfort and refuge, your marriage strengthened by your love and respect for each other.

As you travel through life together, remember that the true measure of success, the true avenue to joy and peace, is to be found within the love you hold in your hearts. Hold the key to your heart very tightly.

EXCHANGE OF THE RINGS

These Wedding rings are an outward and visible sign of an inward spiritual grace and the unbroken circle of love, signifying to all the union of David and Jennifer in marriage. They are symbols of holiness, of perfection and peace ... that which has no beginning and no end. We ask that these rings be also symbols of unity, of joining, and of commitment. And may the love which Jennifer and David have for each other remain always as it is today.

JENNIFER, PLEASE PLACE THIS RING ON DAVID’S WEDDING FINGER AND REPEAT AFTER ME:

David,
This ring is the token of my love
and of the hopes and joys
I most dearly behold in you.
I marry you with this ring,
With all of my love,
With all that I have
and with all that I am.

DAVID, PLEASE PLACE THIS RING ON JENNIFER’S WEDDING FINGER AND REPEAT AFTER ME:

Jennifer,
This ring is the token of my love
and of the hopes and joys
I most dearly behold in you.
I marry you with this ring,
With all of my love,
With all that I have
and with all that I am.

PRAYER

Let us pray. Dear Heavenly Father, our hearts are filled with great happiness on Jennifer and Dave’s wedding day, as they come before You pledging their hearts and lives to one another. Grant that they may ever be true and loving, living together in such a way as to always bring happiness to the marriage. Temper their hearts with kindness and understanding, rid them of all pretense or jealousy. Help them to remember to be each other's sweetheart, helpmate, best friend and guide, so that together they may meet the cares and problems of life more bravely. May the home they are creating today truly be a place of love and harmony, where Your Spirit is always present. Bless this marriage and walk beside Jennifer and David throughout all of their lives together. Amen

PRONOUNCEMENT

And now Jennifer and Dave, by the great love that has brought you here today, by the vows you have exchanged and the integrity of your commitment, in the presence of God, in the company of your families and friends, it is my honor to pronounce you husband and wife.

CONGRATULATIONS, YOU MAY KISS THE BRIDE

BENEDICTION

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift up his countenance unto you, and give you peace.

Rev. Ren Porter…heartsongceremonies.com…973-945-1772…revren@heartsongceremonies.com