The following are sample ceremony portions that were submitted to me from several people. These are just to give you ideas…we can add, change, and delete to make anything more personal and fitting to you. As with all weddings, there can be the following parts in your Holy Union/Commitment Ceremony:
Words of Welcome; The Question of Intent; The Readings/Message; the Vows; The Exchange of Rings; The Blessing; the Declaration/Announcement; the KISS; the Benediction; the Presentation of the Couple.
Holy Union #1
Officiant:
This is a moment of celebration. Let it also be a moment of dedication. The world does a good job of reminding us how fragile we are. Individuals are fragile; relationships are fragile too.
Every marriage needs the love, nurture and support of a network of friends and family. On this wedding day I ask you not only to be friends of ___________ or ____________ but friends of ___________ and ____________ together, friends of the relationship.
In the moment of silence that follows, I ask each of you, in your own way, to confer a silent prayer, blessing, wish or hope upon this wedding.
[The officiant pauses for a moment of silence.]
Blessing:
May the love you have found grow in meaning and strength until its beauty is shown in a common devotion to all that is compassionate and life-giving. May the flow of your love help brighten the face of the earth. May the source of all love touch and bless us and grace our lives with color and courage.
- John Corrado
Holy Union #2
____________ and _____________, as a collection of words, this ceremony would count for little, were it not for the love and commitment which you pledge to one another. By virtue of being human, there is distance between you, which is both infinite and infinitesimal, at one and the same time.
Today you have joined in a covenant bridging that distance. Always remember that in reaching across any distance, you are faced with two choices: to circle the globe in one direction or to take one step in the other. May you ever seek the shorter distance, for love is as difficult - and as simple - as that.
- Fred F. Kelp
Holy Union #3
_________ and ___________, may the warmth of your love melt the snows of all your barriers, and may you truly be united as one, spiritually, emotionally and physically. Your parents, your families and your friends now recognize your commitment. Let us pray.
Most holy God, mother and father of all creation, may your blessings continue for _________ and ___________. May you encourage and help each of them to develop into a more complete person, by becoming a more united couple. May the loving spirit of Jesus grant them patience to mend their differences, wisdom and guidance in all their decisions. May the spirit of Jesus grant them grace in times of disappointment, and peace that comforts them all the days of their lives. We pray these things, believing in the power and the everlasting love of Jesus. Amen.
- Michael Barlow-Sparkman
Holy Union #4
You have come together, before God, your families, and friends, to share your commitment and love. Now, as you stand before us, know that you have support, friendship, and love around you. May your life together be happy, even through difficult times, and may you always know that you are loved by many. May you always share laughter, truth, patience, honor, and faith, and may you live in peace and happiness for all your days.
-Anonymous
Holy Union #5
____________ and _____________, you have now affirmed before your families and friends your love and your caring for each other. You have come from different backgrounds. You have walked different paths. You are different individuals. Your love has transcended these differences. In the years before you may the richness of the traditions that have nurtured you enhance and brighten your lives as you help to create and shape the future.
May the challenges of your life together be met with courage and optimism. May you learn from your failures and grow in your achievements. May life bless you with children, friends and family in a wide network of mutual support and enjoyment. May you face pain, toil and trouble with a stout but light heart. May you share with others the radiance of your seasons of joy and pleasure. May you always remember that laughter is the medicine of the gods.
May the spirit of love be ever a part of your lives so that the union we here celebrate this day be worthy of continued celebration tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow.
- Kenneth W. Phifer
Holy Union #6
Friends, _____________ and ______________ have invited us here today to share in the celebration of their marriage their wedding.
We come together not to mark the start of a relationship, but to recognize a bond that already exists. This marriage is one expression of the many varieties of love. Love is one, though its expressions are infinite.
It is fitting to speak briefly about love. We live in a world of joy and fear and search for meaning and strength in the seeming disorder. We discover the truest guideline to our quest when we realize love in all its magnitudes. Love is the eternal force of life. Love is the force that allows us to face fear and uncertainty with courage.
But, you must "be of love a little more careful than of anything."
For the giving of yourself in love is difficult, for you must learn to give of your love without total submission of yourself. Therefore, in your giving, give your joy, your sadness, your interest, your understanding, your knowledge all expressions that make up life. But in this giving, remember to preserve yourself your integrity, your individuality. This is the challenge of love within marriage.
-- Source Unknown
Holy Union #7
You have come here today from your varied life experiences to make public the commitment you have made, each to the other. You come to combine your two separate lives into one.
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.
Grow, sometimes together, sometimes separately. But never remain stagnant. Love and life are always changing, always new.
If you will ensure a healthy lasting marriage, always, always value each other. Although you will disagree, remember to respect each other's feelings, needs and wants. And above all, never, never lose your sense of humor.
-Joan Kahn-Schneider
Holy Union #8
______________ and _______________, in presenting yourselves here today to be joined in holy union, you perform an act of faith. This faith can grow and mature and endure, but only if you both determine to make it so. A lasting and growing love is never automatic, nor guaranteed by any ceremony.
If you would have the foundation of your union be the love you have for each other, not just at this moment, but for all the days ahead, then cherish the hopes and dreams that you bring here today. Resolve that your love will never be blotted out by the commonplace nor obscured by the ordinary in life. Faults will appear where now you find contentment, and wonder can be crushed by the routine of daily living.
Devotion, joy and love can grow only if you nurture them together. Stand fast in that hope and confidence, believing in your shared future just as strongly as you believe in yourselves and in each other today. Only in this spirit, can you create a partnership that will strengthen and sustain you all the days of your lives.
- Angeline E.M. Theisen
Holy Union #9
We have come together today to celebrate a union of two hearts.
___________________________ and _______________________,
know now that you are taking a step toward becoming a family, companions, and tied together by the bonds of your love. You have chosen to come forward, today, in front of friends and family to profess that commitment, and we all join in celebrating and supporting your decision. Both joyous and troubled days are part of the life in front of you, and you must remember that you are a team, and with trust, honesty, and faith in each other, you will be able to face all the challenges and trials that lay ahead.
-Anonymous
