Sample Unity Candle; Exchange of Promises; Hands of the Couple; Hand Fasting Ceremony
HAND FASTING CEREMONY - (Parents or designated representatives stay standing)
Officiant:
To all the family and friends of [NAME] and [NAME] I welcome you here to share in this day of love with them. Marriage is what brings us together today. The marriage of [NAME] and [NAME] is more than just the union of two people in love. It's also the joining of two families, of two sets of friends and of two patterns of life.
Who stands with this (woman/man, man/man, woman/woman, soul mate/soul mate) in support and blessing of this marriage?
"Her Mother and I do" or optional designated person(s)
Repeat for Soul Mate
As these two people join together in marriage, they ask for the support and love of not only their families, but of their friends as well. On this day, they ask that you recognize their union and welcome them both as your friends in your lives.
Parents or designated representatives Light the Family Candles
Support from Family: (Reading)
Marriage is not a legal document. No judge or pastor or justice of the peace can perform a marriage. Marriage, truly, is nothing except the promises made and kept between two individuals. Today __________ and _________ stand before us in the desire to publicly declare their love and to share with us their marriage promises. Marriage is a promise kept, a phrase translated into action.
[NAME] and [NAME], there is nothing that I, nor anyone else can do to make you more married than you already are, for you are already one spirit. We are here today to bless your life together. Know now before you go further, that since your lives have crossed in this life, you have formed ties between each other. With full awareness, know that within this circle you are not only declaring your intent to be hand fasted before your family and friends, but you speak that intent also to your creative higher powers. The promises made today and the ties that will bind and greatly strengthen your union.
Do you still seek to enter this ceremony?
Yes, We Seek to Enter.
VOWS:
[NAME] and [NAME], you are different people today than when you met (#) years ago. (#) years from now you be different still. Do you both, before these witnesses, pledge to do all in your power to make this a happy and enduring union?
We do.
I invite you now to make your promises to one another:
Officiant turns towards [NAME] and [NAME], and prompts them with their promises to one another
SOUL MATE: As time goes on, I expect you to change, just as I will change.
Other SOUL MATE: I promise you that, as I grow, I will share with you the growth.
SOUL MATE: I will encourage your growth as you will encourage mine.
Other SOUL MATE: I promise that I will not expect you to always think and believe exactly as you do today. I promise to respect your opinions even when they differ from my own.
SOUL MATE:I promise to respect your opinions even when they differ from my own.
Other SOUL MATE: I will be your partner, but never your shadow.
SOUL MATE: I will be your equal, but not your double.
Other SOUL MATE: I will bring to you my ideas and interests, not expecting you to always have the same enthusiasms.
SOUL MATE: The diversity of separate interest will keep our relationship from becoming stagnant.
Other SOUL MATE: I will strive for a love that is flexible and adapts to your changing needs.
SOUL MATE: I too will strive for a love that is flexible and adapts to your changing needs.
Other SOUL MATE: We stand today at the alter of love, ready to pledge our lives to one another.
SOUL MATE: I promise that the home we are founding today will have love at its core.
Other SOUL MATE: I promise I will do all that I can to nourish and enrich our love for each other.
Officiant: Only through love, can two people become one and still remain two.
LIGHTING OF THE UNITY CANDLE (Do not extinguish the family tapers) As we are walking back:
Officiant says the Irish Blessing: May the blessing of light be with you always, Light without and light within and may the sun shine upon you and warm your heart until it glows like a great fire so that others may feel the warmth of your love for one another.
HANDS CEREMONY
[NAME] please face [NAME], and hold hands, palms up, so you may see the gift that they are to you. These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and vibrant with love, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as he/she promises to love you all the days of his life.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 you will place with expectant joy against your stomach, until he/she too, feels his/her child stir within you.These are the hands that look so large and strong, yet will be so gentle as heshe holds your baby for the first time.These are the hands that will work long hours for you and your new family.
These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness.These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes: tears of sorrow and tears of joy. These are the hands that will comfort you in illness, and hold you when fear or grief wrack your mind. These are the hands that will tenderly lift your chin and brush your cheek as they raise your face to look into his eyes: eyes that are filled completely with his overwhelming love and desire for you.
Repeat for Soul Mate
RING EXCHANGE - click here for optional wording
For several thousand years, (men and women, men and men, women and women, soul mate and soul mate) have exchanged rings as a token of their wedding vows. The circle is the symbol of the sun, the earth and the universe; of wholeness, perfection, peace and unity. Like circles, your rings have no beginning and no ending. They are tokens of the growing relationship you have come here to celebrate and confirm.
Officiant turns towards [NAME] and [NAME], and prompts them...
Soul Mate : [NAME], I have brought you a ring, the age-old symbol of love and fidelity. With it, I offer you my heart and soul as your life partner. Will you accept?
Soul Mate: I accept with joy! (place ring on finger)
Repeat for Soul Mate
HAND FASTING
I bid you look into each others eyes. [NAME], Will you cause her/him pain? I May
Is that your intent? No
Repeat for Soul Mate
*To Both* Will you share each other's pain and seek to ease it?
Yes (Both)
And so the binding is made. Please join your hands
*First cord is draped across the bride and grooms hands*
Soul Mate: Will you share his/her laughter? Yes
Soul Mate: Will you share her/his laughter? Yes
*To Both* Will both of you look for the brightness in life and the positive in each other? Yes
And so the binding is made.
*Second chord is draped across the couples hands*
Soul Mate: Will you burden him/her? I may
Is that your intent? No
Soul Mate: Will you burden her/him? I may
Is that your intent? No
*To Both* Will you share the burdens of each so that your spirits may grow in this union? Yes
And so the binding is made.
*Drape third chord across the couples hands*
Soul Mate: will you share his/her dreams? Yes
Soul Mate: will you share her/his dreams? Yes
*To Both* Will you dream together to create new realities and hopes? Yes
And so the binding is made.
*Drape fourth chord across the couples hands*
Soul Mate: will you cause her/him anger? I may
Is that your intent? No
Soul Mate: will you cause him/her anger? I may
Is that your intent? No
*To Both* Will you take the heat of anger and use it to temper the strength of this union? We Will
And so the binding is made.
*Drape fifth chord across the couples hands*
Soul Mate: Will you honor him/her? I will
Soul Mate: Will you honor her/him? I will
*To Both* Will you seek to never give cause to break that honor? We will
And so the binding is made.
*Drape sixth chord across the couples hands** Tie chords together while saying:** Leave the chords on until after the kiss*
By the promises they've made, [NAME] and [NAME] have demonstrated their faith. The have shown us their belief in love, in marriage and in each other. They ask now for the blessing and confirmation of all those who have witnessed their vows. If you also believe in and approve of the love that [NAME] and [NAME] have shown for each other, please applaud their Love.
You may now kiss each other!!
Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my pleasure to introduce to you for the very first time as (husband and wife, husband and husband, wife and wife, soul mate and soul mate) : [NAME] and [NAME] [LAST NAME].
Officiant:
To all the family and friends of [NAME] and [NAME] I welcome you here to share in this day of love with them. Marriage is what brings us together today. The marriage of [NAME] and [NAME] is more than just the union of two people in love. It's also the joining of two families, of two sets of friends and of two patterns of life.
Who stands with this (woman/man, man/man, woman/woman, soul mate/soul mate) in support and blessing of this marriage?
"Her Mother and I do" or optional designated person(s)
Repeat for Soul Mate
As these two people join together in marriage, they ask for the support and love of not only their families, but of their friends as well. On this day, they ask that you recognize their union and welcome them both as your friends in your lives.
Parents or designated representatives Light the Family Candles
Support from Family: (Reading)
Marriage is not a legal document. No judge or pastor or justice of the peace can perform a marriage. Marriage, truly, is nothing except the promises made and kept between two individuals. Today __________ and _________ stand before us in the desire to publicly declare their love and to share with us their marriage promises. Marriage is a promise kept, a phrase translated into action.
[NAME] and [NAME], there is nothing that I, nor anyone else can do to make you more married than you already are, for you are already one spirit. We are here today to bless your life together. Know now before you go further, that since your lives have crossed in this life, you have formed ties between each other. With full awareness, know that within this circle you are not only declaring your intent to be hand fasted before your family and friends, but you speak that intent also to your creative higher powers. The promises made today and the ties that will bind and greatly strengthen your union.
Do you still seek to enter this ceremony?
Yes, We Seek to Enter.
VOWS:
[NAME] and [NAME], you are different people today than when you met (#) years ago. (#) years from now you be different still. Do you both, before these witnesses, pledge to do all in your power to make this a happy and enduring union?
We do.
I invite you now to make your promises to one another:
Officiant turns towards [NAME] and [NAME], and prompts them with their promises to one another
SOUL MATE: As time goes on, I expect you to change, just as I will change.
Other SOUL MATE: I promise you that, as I grow, I will share with you the growth.
SOUL MATE: I will encourage your growth as you will encourage mine.
Other SOUL MATE: I promise that I will not expect you to always think and believe exactly as you do today. I promise to respect your opinions even when they differ from my own.
SOUL MATE:I promise to respect your opinions even when they differ from my own.
Other SOUL MATE: I will be your partner, but never your shadow.
SOUL MATE: I will be your equal, but not your double.
Other SOUL MATE: I will bring to you my ideas and interests, not expecting you to always have the same enthusiasms.
SOUL MATE: The diversity of separate interest will keep our relationship from becoming stagnant.
Other SOUL MATE: I will strive for a love that is flexible and adapts to your changing needs.
SOUL MATE: I too will strive for a love that is flexible and adapts to your changing needs.
Other SOUL MATE: We stand today at the alter of love, ready to pledge our lives to one another.
SOUL MATE: I promise that the home we are founding today will have love at its core.
Other SOUL MATE: I promise I will do all that I can to nourish and enrich our love for each other.
Officiant: Only through love, can two people become one and still remain two.
LIGHTING OF THE UNITY CANDLE (Do not extinguish the family tapers) As we are walking back:
Officiant says the Irish Blessing: May the blessing of light be with you always, Light without and light within and may the sun shine upon you and warm your heart until it glows like a great fire so that others may feel the warmth of your love for one another.
HANDS CEREMONY
[NAME] please face [NAME], and hold hands, palms up, so you may see the gift that they are to you. These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and vibrant with love, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as he/she promises to love you all the days of his life.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 you will place with expectant joy against your stomach, until he/she too, feels his/her child stir within you.These are the hands that look so large and strong, yet will be so gentle as heshe holds your baby for the first time.These are the hands that will work long hours for you and your new family.
These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness.These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes: tears of sorrow and tears of joy. These are the hands that will comfort you in illness, and hold you when fear or grief wrack your mind. These are the hands that will tenderly lift your chin and brush your cheek as they raise your face to look into his eyes: eyes that are filled completely with his overwhelming love and desire for you.
Repeat for Soul Mate
RING EXCHANGE - click here for optional wording
For several thousand years, (men and women, men and men, women and women, soul mate and soul mate) have exchanged rings as a token of their wedding vows. The circle is the symbol of the sun, the earth and the universe; of wholeness, perfection, peace and unity. Like circles, your rings have no beginning and no ending. They are tokens of the growing relationship you have come here to celebrate and confirm.
Officiant turns towards [NAME] and [NAME], and prompts them...
Soul Mate : [NAME], I have brought you a ring, the age-old symbol of love and fidelity. With it, I offer you my heart and soul as your life partner. Will you accept?
Soul Mate: I accept with joy! (place ring on finger)
Repeat for Soul Mate
HAND FASTING
I bid you look into each others eyes. [NAME], Will you cause her/him pain? I May
Is that your intent? No
Repeat for Soul Mate
*To Both* Will you share each other's pain and seek to ease it?
Yes (Both)
And so the binding is made. Please join your hands
*First cord is draped across the bride and grooms hands*
Soul Mate: Will you share his/her laughter? Yes
Soul Mate: Will you share her/his laughter? Yes
*To Both* Will both of you look for the brightness in life and the positive in each other? Yes
And so the binding is made.
*Second chord is draped across the couples hands*
Soul Mate: Will you burden him/her? I may
Is that your intent? No
Soul Mate: Will you burden her/him? I may
Is that your intent? No
*To Both* Will you share the burdens of each so that your spirits may grow in this union? Yes
And so the binding is made.
*Drape third chord across the couples hands*
Soul Mate: will you share his/her dreams? Yes
Soul Mate: will you share her/his dreams? Yes
*To Both* Will you dream together to create new realities and hopes? Yes
And so the binding is made.
*Drape fourth chord across the couples hands*
Soul Mate: will you cause her/him anger? I may
Is that your intent? No
Soul Mate: will you cause him/her anger? I may
Is that your intent? No
*To Both* Will you take the heat of anger and use it to temper the strength of this union? We Will
And so the binding is made.
*Drape fifth chord across the couples hands*
Soul Mate: Will you honor him/her? I will
Soul Mate: Will you honor her/him? I will
*To Both* Will you seek to never give cause to break that honor? We will
And so the binding is made.
*Drape sixth chord across the couples hands** Tie chords together while saying:** Leave the chords on until after the kiss*
By the promises they've made, [NAME] and [NAME] have demonstrated their faith. The have shown us their belief in love, in marriage and in each other. They ask now for the blessing and confirmation of all those who have witnessed their vows. If you also believe in and approve of the love that [NAME] and [NAME] have shown for each other, please applaud their Love.
You may now kiss each other!!
Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my pleasure to introduce to you for the very first time as (husband and wife, husband and husband, wife and wife, soul mate and soul mate) : [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