If you're the kind of couple who
haven't attended many weddings, it can be difficult to come up with ideas when
it comes to thinking about your own wedding ceremony. It's easy to get caught
up in planning the party, the food and the cake, but many forget that it is at
the ceremony they actually become husband and wife. It is the words they
say to each other and the declarations made in front of their guests that
will be looked back upon as the years pass.
Usually your celebrant or officiant will provide you with plenty
of options to consider for your ceremony, but a ceremony that has been
personalised with some of the things that are truly special to the couple and
reflect who they are always leave those in attendance with a sense of
connection and sincerity.
Today we thought we would bring you an actual ceremony that was
put together by a couple who wanted to incorporate some Pagan elements to their
day. We hope you enjoy it and we look forward to bringing you some more
ceremony options.
The Ceremony
Welcome:
(Warming of the rings) On behalf of Andrew and Kathryn I would
like to welcome you here today to celebrate with them as they pledge their
commitment to one another in marriage. I would like to take this opportunity to
thank you all for being here and showing them your support.
Introduction:
We have come together here in celebration of the joining together
of Kathryn and Andrew. There are many things to say about marriage. Much wisdom
concerning the joining together 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.
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,
Andrew and Kathryn have come here today to be joined as one in marriage.
Giving of the bride:
Celebrant: Others would ask, at
this time, who gives the bride in marriage, but, as a woman is not property to
be bought and sold, given and taken, I ask simply if she comes of her own will
and if she has her family's blessing.
Celebrant: Kathryn, is it true that
you come of your own free will and accord?
Kathryn: Yes, it is true.
Celebrant: And with
whose blessings accompany you.
Bride's attendant: She’s
accompanied with her father’s blessings.
Envoking the elements:
In times past it was believed that the human soul shared
characteristics with all things divine. It is this belief which assigned
virtues to the cardinal directions; East, South, West and North. It is in this
tradition that a blessing is offered in support of this ceremony.
Blessed be this union with the gifts of the East. Communication of
the heart, mind, and body Fresh beginnings with the rising of each Sun. The knowledge
of the growth found in the sharing of silences.
Blessed be this union with the gifts of the South. Warmth of
hearth and home The heat of the heart's passion The light created by both To
lighten the darkest of times.
Blessed be this union with the gifts of the West. The deep
commitments of the lake The swift excitement of the river The refreshing
cleansing of the rain The all encompassing passion of the sea.
Blessed be this union with the gifts of the North Firm foundation
on which to build Fertility of the fields to enrich your lives A stable home to
which you may always return.
Each of these blessings from the four cardinal directions
emphasizes those things which will help you build a happy and successful union.
Yet they are only tools. Tools which you must use together in order to create
what you seek in this union.
Any Legally Required Words
Reading: Why Marriage? - Mari Nichols-Haining
Why Marriage? Because to the depths of me, I long to love one
person, with all my heart, my soul, my mind, my body .
Because I need a forever friend to trust with the intimacies of
me, who won't hold them against me, who loves me when I'm unlikable, who sees
the small child in me, and looks for the divine potential of me.
Because I need to cuddle in the warmth of the night with someone
who is thankful, with someone I feel blessed to hold.
Because marriage means opportunity to grow in love in friendship.
Because, knowing this, I promise myself to take full
responsibility for my spiritual, mental and physical wholeness, I create me, I
take half of the responsibility for my marriage together we create our
marriage.
Because with this understanding the possibilities are limitless.
The Handfasting:
Celebrant:
Please join hands. As your hands are joined, so now are your
lives.
Above you are the stars
below you are the stones
as time does pass
Remember
Like a star should our love be constant
Like a stone should your love be firm
Be close, but not too close
Posses one another, but be understanding
Have patience with one another
For storms will come, but they will go quickly
Be free in the giving of affection and warmth
Make love often, and be sensuous with one another
Have no fear and let not the ways or words
of the unenlightened give you unease for the Gods are with you.
Vows:
I ask you now to exchange your vows. We’ll start with you Andrew.
Andrew: I ask all present to
witness that I, Andrew James Lane, take you, Kathryn Cameron, to be my lawful
wife. I pledge to share my life openly with you, to speak the truth to you in
love. I promise to honour and tenderly care for you, to cherish and encourage
your own fulfilment as an individual for the rest of my life. I am honoured to
call you my wife, my soul mate and I will love you unconditionally forever and
some more.
And now it’s Kathryn’s turn.
Kathryn: I ask all present to
witness that I, Kathryn Cameron, take you, Andrew James Lane to be my lawful
husband. I pledge to share my life openly with you, to speak the truth to you
in love. I promise to honour and tenderly care for you, to cherish and encourage
your own fulfilment as an individual for the rest of my life. I am honoured to
call you my husband, my soul mate and I will love you unconditionally forever
and some more.”
Celebrant: Andrew and
Kathryn have made their vows to each other in the presence of those dear to
them; I then take this cord and bind them to those vows.
(Celebrant ties the ribbon around hands).
The Asking/Exchange of Rings
Celebrant Kathryn and Andrew, as
these circles are designed without an ending, they speak of eternity. May the
incorruptible substance of these rings represent a love glowing with increasing
lustre through the years. Bless these rings which you give to each other as the
sign of your love, trust, and faithfulness.
Celebrant: Andrew will you take
Kathryn to be your wife and soul mate, to travel through all your lives
together, to love, laugh, cherish, communicate and understand each other as
long as love may last?
Andrew; I Will.
Celebrant to bride;
Kathryn will you take Andrew to be your husband and soul mate, to
travel through all your lives together, to love, laugh, cherish, communicate
and understand each other as long as love may last?
Kathryn; I Will.
Bride and groom say together
“Heart to thee, soul to thee, always and forever, so mote it be.
Celebrant: So mote it be
Guests: So mote it be.
Announcement: Now that you
have joined yourselves in marriage, may you strive always to meet this
commitment with the same spirit you now exhibit. We all bear witness to this
ceremony you have just performed, may the gods bless this union, and may the
majesty of this earth protect you in your joined lives together. You may now
kiss your bride.
Signing:
We will now be taking a few minutes to sign the legal paperwork.
Please Feel free to take photos.
Presentation:
Having said that It now gives me great pleasure to introduce to
you for the first time as a married couple……Andrew and Kathryn Lane.
