Marriage
Ceremony
Dear Family
and Friends, we are gathered here today to witness and to celebrate the
coming together of two separate lives.
We have come to join this man, Nick
and this woman, Lise in marriage, to be with them in the making of this
important commitment.
Their
decision to enter into this union has not been taken unadvisedly or lightly,
but solemnly, lovingly and with honesty.
Their decision has not been reached with haste. They have known one another for several
years– make that 18 years, first as friends.
Their friendship grew, deepened into love and has led to this special
moment in their lives, their ‘Wedding Day’ or as they prefer the “Oui Project”.
You are the
people with whom they most want to share their joy as they enter into marriage
because you have already shared in their love with your friendship, it is
important that you are here today to share in this special moment which love has
created. On their behalf I welcome you.
My name is
Gaylene Shapka; I am a Marriage Commissioner, appointed by the
Province
of
British Columbia
and given the authority to solemnize this marriage.
The essence of the commitment that is being entered
into today is the taking of another person in his or her entirety; as lover,
companion, equal and friend. It is a
decision not to be entered lightly, but rather undertaken with great
consideration and respect.
A good
marriage is dependent upon many factors, but the first prerequisite is a strong
bond of friendship and respect for one another.
Your love for each other will grow deeper with the passing of each day,
but genuine liking for each other, the willingness to accept each other’s
strong and weak points with understanding and respect is the foundation for a strong
marriage.
Along with accepting each
others’ dry sense of humor, or own laugh track.
This
ceremony marks neither a beginning nor an end in your relationship, but one
step in a continuing process of change and growth. Growth is an essential part of marriage as it
is an essential part of life. Your
relationship will keep unfolding into new dimensions. Keep in step as you go forward together and
your marriage will remain a source of new strength and joy.
Although you
will be sharing one life, never forget, you are two separate people. Cherish and affirm your differences. Love each other. Keep your commitment primary. Together you will laugh and cry, be sick and
well, be happy and angry, share and grow.
Also, continue to be true to yourself as an individual, which will give
you strength.
Grow, sometimes together, sometimes separately; but
never remain stagnant. Love and life are
always changing, always new.
You will ensure a healthy and lasting marriage if you
always value each other. Although you
will sometimes disagree, remember to respect each other’s feelings, needs and
wants; and above all else, never lose your sense of humor and never stop having
fun.
We are here
today then to celebrate the love which Nick and Lise have for each other, and
to celebrate their decision to accept each other totally and permanently.
May peace, love and fun be a part of this day and of
all your days to follow.
** The Declarations:
a requirement of the
Marriage Act, to be repeated by both Bride and
Groom.
I
solemnly declare that I do not know of any lawful impediment,
why I, Nick / Lise may not be joined in matrimony to Lise / Nick
The Promises and
Marriage Vows:
The Promises: (a question that I will ask of both):
Do you promise
to love and cherish
all of your life, with all of your heart?
** Legal Vow: I call on those present to witness,
that I, Nick / Lise take you
to be my lawful
wedded wife/husband.
Chosen
Vow: I
have found in you . . .
a touch that always warms me . . .
a smile I never want to be far from . . .
a kiss that makes me tingle . . .
In you I have found love.
You are the joy
of my days,
the beauty of my world, the love of my life.
The Exchange of Rings:
Wedding
rings are unbroken circles which symbolizes unending and everlasting love, and
are visible symbols which represents your inner commitment to one another.
May your life together be blessed with everlasting
happiness.
Groom/Bride: Wherever life may take us, let us go
together.
Take this ring and with it my love from this day forward.
The
Reading
:
To Have and To Hold
As you are joined in marriage . . .
Have patience and understanding,
as
your hearts are linked by love,
Hold each other dearly,
and always with high regard.
Have a sense of humor
as
you meet the challenges of life.
Hold on to your
dreams,
and believe that they’ll come true.
Have respect for one another
when together or apart.
Hold one another’s
welfare forever
in
your thoughts and in your heart. From this day forward . . .
The Pronouncement:
Nick and Lise in as
much as you have accepted the vows by which you have declared your binding love
and by the giving and receiving of rings have pledged yourselves to one another
in the presence of this company and of these witnesses, I now declare you to be
‘Husband’ and ‘Wife’. You may kiss the
bride!
May your days and years come
to be filled with the integrity and joy that will enable you to abide through
all times of doubt and ambivalence.
May the love, happiness and friendship you share today
be with you always!
Now, Nick and Lise would like
to say a few words to all present.
