Copyright Reverend Bob Curzon 2019
*Processional – {“Better Together” suggested music}*

Seating of [grandparents]
Seating of [Groom’s Parents]
Seating of [Bride’s Parents]
Officiant’s entrance (Stage right)
Groom’s entrance (Stage right)
Brides Maids and Grooms Men entrance

“Please rise to greet the bride.”
*Bride’s entrance – {“Marry Me” suggested music}*
“You may be seated.”

Thank you all for gathering here to witness the joining of [Groom] and [Bride] on their special day.

[Groom] and [Bride] [something personal about how they met, fell in love and decided to join their lives together]

The bride and groom would like to share a passage from Captain Corelli’s Mandolin which guides them on their journey together:
“Love is a temporary madness; it erupts like volcanoes and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is: Love is not breathlessness; it is not excitement; it is not the promulgation of eternal passion. That is just being in love, which any fool can do. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident. Those that truly love have roots that grow towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossoms have fallen from their branches, they find that they are one tree and not two.” 

(To couple): Please face each other and share your vows.
[Groom]’s vows
[Bride]’s vows
Ring Exchange
[[Groom] places ring on [Bride]’s hand]
Celebrant:  With this ring I take you to be my most trusted friend and partner for life.
[[Groom] repeats]
Celebrant:  Wear it, think of me, and know that I love you.
[[Groom] repeats]
[[Bride] places ring on [Groom]’s hand]
Celebrant:  With this ring I take you to be my most trusted friend and partner for life.
[[Bride] repeats]
Celebrant:  Wear it, think of me, and know that I love you.
[[Bride] repeats]
Handfasting
[Bride], take [Groom]’s 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 promises to love you all the days of his life.
Now [Groom], please take [Bride]’s hands, palms up, so you may see the gift that they are to you:
These are the hands of your best friend; young, nurturing, and compassionate, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as she promises to love you all the days of her life.
[Best man and Maid of Honor bind the hands of the bride and groom with cord or ribbon]
[To both] 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 work alongside yours, as you build your future together.
These are the hands that will hold you whenever illness, fear, or grief may find you.
These are the hands that will hold you up as you struggle through difficult times.
These are the hands that will give you support and encourage you to chase your dreams.
These are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours.
Celebrant to groom:  Will you cause her pain?
Groom:  I May
Celebrant to groom: Is that your intention?
Groom:  No
Celebrant to bride:  Will you cause him pain?
Bride: I may
Celebrant to bride:  Is that your intention?
Bride:  No
Celebrant to both:  Will you share each other's pain and seek to ease it?
Both:  Yes
Celebrant to both:  And so the binding is made.
Celebrant to bride:  Will you share his laughter?
Bride:  Yes
Celebrant to groom:  Will you share her laughter?
Groom:  Yes
Celebrant to both:  Will both of you look for the brightness in life and the positive in each other?
Both:  Yes
Celebrant:  And so the binding is made.
Celebrant to bride:  Will you burden him?
Bride:  I may.
Celebrant to bride:  Is that your intention?
Bride:  No
Celebrant to groom:  Will you burden her?
Groom:  I may
Celebrant to groom:  Is that your intention?
Groom:  No.
Celebrant to both:  Will you share the burdens of each so that your spirits may grow in this union?
Both:  Yes
Celebrant:  And so the binding is made.
Celebrant to bride:  Will you share his dreams?
Bride:  Yes
Celebrant to groom:  Will you share her dreams?
Groom:  Yes
Celebrant to both:  Will you dream together to create new shared realities?
Both:  Yes
Celebrant:  And so the binding is made.
Celebrant to groom:  Will you cause her anger?
Groom:  I may
Celebrant to groom:  Is that your intention?
Groom:  No.
Celebrant to bride:  Will you cause him anger?
Bride:  I may.
Celebrant to bride:  Is that your intention?
Bride:  No.
Celebrant to both:  Will you take the heat of anger and use it to temper the strength of this union?
Both:  We will.
Celebrant:  And so the binding is made.
Celebrant:  The knots of this binding are not formed by these chords but instead by your vows. Either of you may drop the chords, for always you will hold in your own hands the making or breaking of this union.
[Tied cord is removed]
Pronouncement:
[Groom] and [Bride], you have consented together in matrimony before these witnesses, have pledged your vows to each other, and have exchanged rings as tokens of your love and commitment to each other.  In accordance with the laws of the state of California, with the authority of the Universal Life Church, and with great joy, I now pronounce you husband and wife.
YOU MAY SEAL YOUR VOWS WITH A KISS!
Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. [Groom’s Sur Name]!
*Recessional – {“Everything” suggested music}*
*First Dance – {“I Won’t Give Up” suggested music}
Handfasting Ceremony