Sample Stand-up circle ceremony for the guests; Interaction with couple's mother's, later with all the guests; Elements of Handfasting; Unusual blessing of the rings.
Elements: processional, creation of sacred space, welcoming of guests and partners, declaration of intent, charge, exchange of vows, exchange of rings (or other symbol of union), blessing/benediction, closing and presentation.
Stand-up Circle Ceremony
Welcoming of Guests and Partners:
[OFFICIANT] We have come together here in celebration of the joining together of [NAME] and [NAME] in marriage. Please join us in a circle around [NAME] and [NAME] Declaration of intent:
[OFFICIANT] There are many things to say about marriage. Much wisdom concerning the partnership of two souls, has come our way through all paths of belief, and from many cultures. With each union, more knowledge is gained and more wisdom gathered. Though we are unable to give all this knowledge to these two, who stand before us, we can hope to leave with them the knowledge of love and its strengths and the anticipation of the wisdom that comes with time. The law of life is love unto all beings. Without love, life is nothing, without love, death has no redemption. Love is anterior to Life, posterior to Death, initial of Creation and the exponent of Earth. If we learn no more in life, let it be this.
[OFFICIANT] Marriage is a bond to be entered into only after considerable thought and reflection. As with any aspect of life, it has its cycles, its ups and its downs, its trials and its triumphs. With full understanding of this,[NAME] and [NAME] have come here today to be joined in the partnership of marriage. Others would ask, at this time, who gives them in marriage?
[OFFICIANT] Please join hands with your betrothed and listen to that which we are about to say. To those witnesses present, please join hands and provide a sacred circle, within which this union can blossom.
Above you are the stars, below you are the stones, as time doth pass, remember. Like a stone should your love be firm, like a star should your love be constant. Let the powers of the mind and of the heart guide you in your marriage, let the strength of your wills bind you together, let the power of love and desire make you happy, and the strength of your dedication make you inseparable. Be close, but not too close. Cherish one another, yet be understanding. Have patience with one another, for storms will come, but they will pass quickly.Be free in giving affection and warmth. Have no fear and let not the ways of the unenlightened give you unease, for spiritual strength is with you always.
Love one another, but make not a bond of love: Let it rather be a moving sea between to shore of your souls. Fill each other's cup but drink not from one cup. Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf. Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each of you be alone. Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music. Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping, For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts. And stand together yet not too near together: For the pillars of the temple stand apart, And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow.-- Kahlil Gibran
Vows - click here for optional wording
(to Soul Mate) Repeat after me:
I, [NAME] in the name of the my source power that resides within us all, by the life that courses within my blood and the love that resides within my heart, take you [NAME]to my hand, my heart, and my spirit, to be my chosen one. To desire you and be desired by you, to cherish you, and be cherished by you, without sin or shame, for neither can exist in the purity of my love for you. I promise to love you wholly and completely without restraint, in sickness and in health, in plenty and in poverty, in life and beyond, where we shall meet, remember, and love again. I shall not seek to change you but will respect you, your beliefs, your people, and your ways as I respect myself.
Repeat for Soul Mate
Blessing of Rings
These rings, a token of your love for one another, serve as a reminder that all in life is a cycle; all comes to pass and passes away and comes to pass again.
OPTIONAL: May the element of Air bless these rings. Air is at the beginning of all things,the direction of East, and the dawning of a new day. May your lives through the reminder of this ring be blessed with continuing renewal of love. (Waves rings through air or gesture to the East)
May the element of Fire bless these rings. Fire is the passion within your love, the spark of love itself, the heat of anger, and the warmth of compassion. It is the direction of South, the heat of midday. May your lives through the reminder of this ring be blessed with continual warmth. (Passes the rings through flame or gesture to the South)
May the element of Water bless these rings. Water nourishes and replenishes us, the waters of emotion and harmony pour vitality into our lives. It is the direction of West, the afternoon and evening. May your lives through the reminder of this ring be blessed with fulfillment and contentment. (Submerges the rings in water or gesture to the West)
May the element of Earth bless these rings. All life springs from the earth and returns to the earth, the direction of North, the nighttime. May your lives through the reminder of this ring be blessed with strength and solidity. (Touches the rings to earth or a stone or gesture to the North then place the rings on a pillow).)
Ring Exchange: click here for optional wording
[OFFICIANT]: As these (two) people are joined, so are their families united through them. It has been their decision to bind themselves by marriage, and their lives will be blessed and enriched by the support you give. Will you encourage and bless [NAME] and [NAME] in their union?
Response from family.
Will you celebrate their marriage, standing beside them in rough times, yet not standing between them?
Response from family.
You are relatives of this couple, and thus you are an important part of their lives. Their interactions with you are colored by your actions and words. You entrusted with each another and with this couple to be supportive, understanding, and honest, and on this day of their marriage do I charge you to temper all of your dealings with love. Is there any of the relatives of [NAME] and [NAME] who would like to offer a brief personal blessing to them?
Alot time for family or personal blessings
[NAME] and [NAME] if there is anything you remember of this marriage ceremony, it is that it was love that brought you here today, it is only love which can make it a glorious union, and it is by love which your marriage shall endure. May the Winds of communication blow ever between you; may the Fires of love sustain you; may the Waters of life heal and soothe you; and may the strength of the Earth bind and steady you throughout your time together.
By the power vested in me by God - optional and the State, I now pronounce you ( husband and wife, husband and husband, wife and wife, soul mate and soul mate - your preference). May your love so endure that its flame remains a guiding light.
You may now kiss each other.
We give thanks to the planters of seeds, workers of the soil, and harvesters of grain and fruits, for the food and drink that we will now share. Their efforts, through the grace of our Mother Earth, sustain us. May all be blessed by the sharing of their gifts.
Presenting for the first time [NAME] and [NAME] [LAST NAME].
Stand-up Circle Ceremony
Welcoming of Guests and Partners:
[OFFICIANT] We have come together here in celebration of the joining together of [NAME] and [NAME] in marriage. Please join us in a circle around [NAME] and [NAME] Declaration of intent:
[OFFICIANT] There are many things to say about marriage. Much wisdom concerning the partnership of two souls, has come our way through all paths of belief, and from many cultures. With each union, more knowledge is gained and more wisdom gathered. Though we are unable to give all this knowledge to these two, who stand before us, we can hope to leave with them the knowledge of love and its strengths and the anticipation of the wisdom that comes with time. The law of life is love unto all beings. Without love, life is nothing, without love, death has no redemption. Love is anterior to Life, posterior to Death, initial of Creation and the exponent of Earth. If we learn no more in life, let it be this.
[OFFICIANT] Marriage is a bond to be entered into only after considerable thought and reflection. As with any aspect of life, it has its cycles, its ups and its downs, its trials and its triumphs. With full understanding of this,[NAME] and [NAME] have come here today to be joined in the partnership of marriage. Others would ask, at this time, who gives them in marriage?
[OFFICIANT] Please join hands with your betrothed and listen to that which we are about to say. To those witnesses present, please join hands and provide a sacred circle, within which this union can blossom.
Above you are the stars, below you are the stones, as time doth pass, remember. Like a stone should your love be firm, like a star should your love be constant. Let the powers of the mind and of the heart guide you in your marriage, let the strength of your wills bind you together, let the power of love and desire make you happy, and the strength of your dedication make you inseparable. Be close, but not too close. Cherish one another, yet be understanding. Have patience with one another, for storms will come, but they will pass quickly.Be free in giving affection and warmth. Have no fear and let not the ways of the unenlightened give you unease, for spiritual strength is with you always.
Love one another, but make not a bond of love: Let it rather be a moving sea between to shore of your souls. Fill each other's cup but drink not from one cup. Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf. Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each of you be alone. Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music. Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping, For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts. And stand together yet not too near together: For the pillars of the temple stand apart, And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow.-- Kahlil Gibran
Vows - click here for optional wording
(to Soul Mate) Repeat after me:
I, [NAME] in the name of the my source power that resides within us all, by the life that courses within my blood and the love that resides within my heart, take you [NAME]to my hand, my heart, and my spirit, to be my chosen one. To desire you and be desired by you, to cherish you, and be cherished by you, without sin or shame, for neither can exist in the purity of my love for you. I promise to love you wholly and completely without restraint, in sickness and in health, in plenty and in poverty, in life and beyond, where we shall meet, remember, and love again. I shall not seek to change you but will respect you, your beliefs, your people, and your ways as I respect myself.
Repeat for Soul Mate
Blessing of Rings
These rings, a token of your love for one another, serve as a reminder that all in life is a cycle; all comes to pass and passes away and comes to pass again.
OPTIONAL: May the element of Air bless these rings. Air is at the beginning of all things,the direction of East, and the dawning of a new day. May your lives through the reminder of this ring be blessed with continuing renewal of love. (Waves rings through air or gesture to the East)
May the element of Fire bless these rings. Fire is the passion within your love, the spark of love itself, the heat of anger, and the warmth of compassion. It is the direction of South, the heat of midday. May your lives through the reminder of this ring be blessed with continual warmth. (Passes the rings through flame or gesture to the South)
May the element of Water bless these rings. Water nourishes and replenishes us, the waters of emotion and harmony pour vitality into our lives. It is the direction of West, the afternoon and evening. May your lives through the reminder of this ring be blessed with fulfillment and contentment. (Submerges the rings in water or gesture to the West)
May the element of Earth bless these rings. All life springs from the earth and returns to the earth, the direction of North, the nighttime. May your lives through the reminder of this ring be blessed with strength and solidity. (Touches the rings to earth or a stone or gesture to the North then place the rings on a pillow).)
Ring Exchange: click here for optional wording
[OFFICIANT]: As these (two) people are joined, so are their families united through them. It has been their decision to bind themselves by marriage, and their lives will be blessed and enriched by the support you give. Will you encourage and bless [NAME] and [NAME] in their union?
Response from family.
Will you celebrate their marriage, standing beside them in rough times, yet not standing between them?
Response from family.
You are relatives of this couple, and thus you are an important part of their lives. Their interactions with you are colored by your actions and words. You entrusted with each another and with this couple to be supportive, understanding, and honest, and on this day of their marriage do I charge you to temper all of your dealings with love. Is there any of the relatives of [NAME] and [NAME] who would like to offer a brief personal blessing to them?
Alot time for family or personal blessings
[NAME] and [NAME] if there is anything you remember of this marriage ceremony, it is that it was love that brought you here today, it is only love which can make it a glorious union, and it is by love which your marriage shall endure. May the Winds of communication blow ever between you; may the Fires of love sustain you; may the Waters of life heal and soothe you; and may the strength of the Earth bind and steady you throughout your time together.
By the power vested in me by God - optional and the State, I now pronounce you ( husband and wife, husband and husband, wife and wife, soul mate and soul mate - your preference). May your love so endure that its flame remains a guiding light.
You may now kiss each other.
We give thanks to the planters of seeds, workers of the soil, and harvesters of grain and fruits, for the food and drink that we will now share. Their efforts, through the grace of our Mother Earth, sustain us. May all be blessed by the sharing of their gifts.
Presenting for the first time [NAME] and [NAME] [LAST NAME].
Copyright © 2012
Renee Ukena - Edwardsville, IL
Contact me at [email protected] to discuss your ceremony and start your journey together
Renee Ukena - Edwardsville, IL
Contact me at [email protected] to discuss your ceremony and start your journey together