There are endless ways to say “I love you and I will honour the love we share.”
Upon request, we will send you via email options of vows and prayers that you can put together for your wedding ceremony.
Below are a few different ways to say “I do”.
These are our own Marriage Vows that we said on the beach in Maui June 10, 2006…
We are gathered together in the sight of God to witness and bless the joining together of Paul and Kathie in marriage.
Paul and Kathie, the vows you are about to take are not to be taken without careful thought and prayer. For in them you are committing yourselves exclusively, the one to the other for as long as you both shall live. This love is the foundation, the very essence of life and is not to be diminished by difficult circumstances. It must be cared for, tended to, and nourished if it is to grow, become strong, and thrive.
Marriage is a very special spiritual connection of two people united on a common path, bringing together love and trust into a single focus. At the same time, your love should give you the strength to stand apart, to seek out your unique destinies, and to grow as individuals.
Marriage requires the faith and commitment of two people to love, to stand by each other, and to support one another through both the good times and the difficult. This commitment is the alignment of your words, which speak boldly of your intentions, and your actions, which speak louder than your words.
Paul and Kathie you have come to give yourselves to one another in this holy covenant.
I ask you now, in the presence of God, to declare your intention to enter into union with one another.
Kathie, will you have Paul to be your husband, to live together in Holy Matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?
(Kathie, “I will”)
Paul, will you have Kathie to be your wife, to live together in Holy Matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?
(Paul “I will”)
Kathie and Paul face each other and join hands (From The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran – Speak to Us of Love)
When Love beckons to you, follow Love, though Love’s ways are hard and steep.
And when Love’s wings enfold you yield to Love, though the sword hidden among Love’s pinions may wound you.
And when Love speaks to you believe in Love, though Love’s voice may shatter your dreams as the north wind lays waste the garden.
For even as Love crowns you so shall Love crucify you.
Even as Love is for your growth so is Love for your pruning.
Even as Love ascends to your height and caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun, so shall Love descend to your roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth. Like sheaves of corn Love gathers you unto Himself. Love threshes you to make you naked. Love sifts you to free you from your husks. Love grinds you to whiteness. Love kneads you until you are pliant; and then Love assigns you to Love’s sacred fire, that you may become sacred bread for God’s sacred feast.
All these things shall Love do unto you that you may know the secrets of your heart, and in that knowledge become a fragment of Life’s heart.
But if in your fear you would seek only Love’s peace and Love’s pleasure, then it is better for you that you cover your nakedness and pass out of Love’s threshing-floor, into the season-less world where you shall laugh, but not all of your laughter, and weep, but not all of your tears.
Love gives naught but itself and takes naught but from itself. Love possesses not nor would it be possessed; for Love is sufficient unto Love.
When you love you should not say “God is in my heart” but rather, “I am in the heart of God”. And think not you can direct the course of Love, for Love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.
Love has no other desire but to fulfill itself. But if you Love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires:
To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night.
To know the pain of too much tenderness.
To be wounded by your own understanding of Love; and to bleed willingly and joyfully.
To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of Loving;
To rest at the noon hour and meditate Love’s ecstasy;
To return home at eventide with gratitude;
And then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart and a song of praise upon your lips.
Vows: Look into each other’s eyes and repeat after me…
I, Paul, take you, Kathie, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do we part. This is my solemn vow.
I ,Kathie, take you, Paul, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do we part. This is my solemn vow.
Ring Exchange
These rings are the outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace signifying to us the union of Paul and Kathie. These rings are symbols of the unbroken unity of Love, now to be continued in your married life. The circle has no beginning and no end; it is eternal and everlasting.
Bless, O Lord, the giving of these rings, that they who wear them may live in Your peace and continue in Your favor all the days of their lives. Amen
(Repeat after me)
Kathie, I give you this ring as a sign of my vow, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you.
Paul, I give you this ring as a sign of my vow, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you.
God, help us now with your Grace and Guidance, to honor that which You have joined together in Destiny and sealed in Sacred Ceremony. Keep our Holy Union in the safety of Your Grace and protect what You have joined. May the two of us find rest here, a heaven for our souls. Let us always remember that in each other we have the most beautiful woman, the most beautiful man – the strongest one, the sacred one in whose arms we are repaired. Please make of our relationship a great and Holy adventure. Let our Love be a beacon of Light in a world in need of Your Inspiration and Revelation, a fount of Love and Wisdom for us, for our family, for our community, for our world. Show us how You would have us be. Let our Holy Union be inspirited with Your Grace as we come back Home in Love, to where we have never left, together.
Thank you, Dear God, for this Love. Amen
Pronouncement
You have declared your consent and vows before God. May God confirm your covenant and fill you both with grace.
I announce you husband and wife! Those, whom God has joined together, let no one put asunder. Amen
You may kiss your Bride, Paul.
These Marriage Vows were shared by Deanna and George..
Kathie:
Dear friends and family of Deanna and George, we are Reverends Kathie and Paul Scott and it is our honor to join you here today to marry these two wonderful people.
It is with great love and affection for Deanna and George that you have gathered here today to witness and bless their union in marriage. To this very special moment Deanna and George bring the fullness of their hearts, as a treasure and a gift to share with one another and each of you.
As well they each bring their own gifts and talents, their unique personalities and their dreams of a life together in committed relationship.
Deanna and George have chosen to open their ceremony with a poem that Paul will read now…
“The Art of Marriage”
Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens,
A good marriage must be created in the following ways:
It is never being too old to hold hands.
It is remembering to say “I love you” at least once a day.
It is at no time taking the other for granted.
It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives.
It is standing together facing life. It is the sharing of a dream.
It is doing things for each other not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in a spirit of joy.
It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude.
It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humor.
It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.
It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow.
It is finding room for the things of the spirit.
It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.
It is not only marrying the right partner it is being the right partner!
The Vows – With All My Heart
Paul to George: George, please repeat after me…
With all my heart I, George, take you, Deanna, to be my wife.
I promise to be your lover, companion and friend; your ally in conflict….your greatest fan,
I will be your comrade in adventure, your comfort in disappointment, your accomplice in mischief, your strength in times of need.
I will listen with understanding, and trust you completely, all the days of my life.
Paul to Deanna:
Deanna, do you accept George’s promises to you?
Deanna:
“I do.”
Kathie to Deanna:
Deanna, please repeat after me…
With all my heart I, Deanna, take you, George, to be my husband. I promise to be your lover, companion and friend, your ally in conflict….your greatest fan.
I will be your comrade in adventure, your comfort in disappointment, your accomplice in mischief, your strength in times of need.
I will listen with understanding, and trust you completely, all the days of my life.
Kathie to George:
George, do you accept Deanna’s promises to you?
George:
“I do.”
Ring Exchange
The Best Man will give Kathie and Paul the Rings
Paul gives the ring to George:
George, please repeat after me….
Deanna, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love, honour and friendship. For as long as you wear this ring, may you never walk alone.
George puts the ring on Deanna’s hand.
Kathie gives the ring to Deanna:
Deanna, please repeat after me….
George, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love, honour and friendship. For as long as you wear this ring, may you never walk alone.
Deanna puts the ring on George’s hand.
Deanna and George have chosen The Irish Blessing to close their ceremony…Kathie reads…
May the road always rise up to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your home,
The rains fall soft upon your fields,
And the light of friendship guide your path together.
May you be poor in misfortune, but rich in blessings,
May you know nothing but happiness.
May green be the grass you walk upon,
May blue be the skies above you.
May pure be the joys that surround you,
May true be the hearts that love you.
And today, may the Spirit of Love find a dwelling place in
your hearts. Forever!
May the long-time sun shine upon you; all love surround
you; and the pure light within you guide your way on!
The KISS and Pronouncement
Paul to George:
George, you may kiss your bride!
Paul to Family and Guests:
Sealed with a kiss….it is now our privilege to introduce to
you for the first time…
Mr. and Mrs. ___________!
CALL TO WORSHIP
Kathie:
Dear friends and family, it is with great affection for Marcus and inga that we have gathered together to witness and bless their union in marriage.
To this sacred moment they bring the fullness of their hearts, as a treasure and a gift from God, to share with one another.
They bring the dreams which bind them together in an eternal commitment.
They bring their gifts and talents, their unique personalities and spirits, which God will unite together into one being as they build their life together.
We rejoice with them in thankfulness to the Lord for creating this union of hearts built on friendship, respect and love.
OPENING PRAYER
Paul:
Our Father, love has been Your richest and greatest gift to the world.
Love between a man and woman which matures into marriage is one of Your most beautiful of all loves.
Today we celebrate that love. May your blessing be on this wedding ceremony.
Protect, guide, and bless Marcus and Kinga in their marriage.
Surround them and us with Your love now and always.
Amen.
GIVING AWAY OF THE BRIDE
Kathie:
Blessed is the couple which comes to the marriage altar with the approval of their families and their friends.
Paul:
Who has the honor of presenting this woman to be married to this man?
Daddy G: “I do”.
SONG: Sheep May Safely Graze from Cantata 208
THE CHARGE TO BRIDE AND GROOM
Paul:
Let me charge you both to remember, that your future happiness is to be found in mutual consideration, patience, kindness,
confidence and affection.
Marcus, it is your duty to love Kinga as yourself, provide tender leadership, and protect her from danger.
Kinga, it is your duty to treat Marcus with respect, support him, and create a healthy, happy home.
It is the duty of each of you to find the greatest joy in the company of each other; to remember that in both interest and affection, you are to be one, and undivided.
ThePledge
Kathie:
Marcus and Kinga, you have made a very serious and important decision in choosing to marry each other today.
You are entering into a sacred covenant as life partners in God.
The quality of your marriage will reflect what you put into nurturing this relationship.
You have the opportunity to go forward from this day to create a faithful, kind and tender relationship.
We bless you this day. It is up to you to keep the blessings flowing each and every day of your lives together.
Paul:
We wish for you the wisdom, compassion, and constancy to create a peaceful sanctuary in which you can both grow in love.
Marcus, do you understand and accept this responsibility and do you promise to do your very best each day to create a loving,
healthy and happy marriage?
Marcus:
“Yes, I do.”
Kathie:
Kinga, do you understand and accept this responsibility, and do you promise to do your very best each day to create a loving,
healthy and happy marriage?
Kinga:
“Yes, I do.”
Wedding Vows
Paul:
Marcus, please repeat after me…
I, Marcus, take you, Kinga, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward,
for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, ‘til death do us part:
according to God’s Holy ordinance.
I love you, Kinga, as I love no other. All that I am I share with you and thereto I pledge you my love and faithfulness.
Kathie:
Kinga, please repeat after me…
I, Kinga, take you Marcus, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward,
for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, ‘til death do us part;
according to God’s Holy ordinance. I love you Marcus, as I love no other.
All that I am I share with you, and thereto I pledge you my love and faithfulness.
Exchanging of the Rings
~ The Best Man gives The Wedding Blessers the Rings ~
Paul:
“The wedding ring is a symbol of Eternity. It is an outward sign of an inward and spiritual bond which unites two hearts in endless
Love.
And now, as a token of your love and of your deep desire to be forever united in heart and soul, you Marcus, may place a ring
on the finger of your Bride.
Marcus:
“Kinga, I give you this ring as a symbol of our love, and with all that I am and all that I have, wear it and think of me and know that
I love you.”
Kathie:
By the same token, Kinga, you place a ring on the finger of your Groom.
Kinga:
“Marcus, I give you this ring as a symbol of our vows, and with all that I am and all that I have, I honor you. In the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, with this ring, I thee wed.
Unity of the Candle
After the rings are exchange, before pronouncement of marriage as husband and wife, the bride and groom walk to a table where they will light a candle together, blowing out the separate candles to symbolize the end of their separate lives and the beginning of their lives together.
Signing of the Registration
Signing with witnesses; music in the background – Quebra Queixo – Choro
The Pronouncement
Paul:
Because Marcus and Kinga have desired each other in marriage and have witnessed this before God and our Gathering,
affirming their acceptance of the responsibilities of such a union, and have pledged their love and faith to each other,
sealing their vows in the giving and receiving of rings, I do proclaim, in the sight of God and man, that they are husband and wife.
Let all people here and everywhere recognize and respect this Holy Union, now and forever.
The Closing Prayer
Paul:
Hand in hand, we come before you, O Lord.
Kathie:
Hand in hand, we are stepping out in Faith.
Paul:
We who are gathered here, ask that you would take this couple into your hands.
Kathie:
Help them, O Lord, to keep firm in the commitments they have just made.
Paul:
Guide them, O God, as they become a family, as they each change through the years.
Kathie:
May they be flexible as they are faithful. And Lord, help us all to be your hands, if there be need.
Paul:
Strengthen, tenderly, all of our commitments, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The KISS
Kathie:
Marcus, you may kiss the Bride!
Presentation of The Couple!
Paul:
Sealed with a kiss…it is now our privilege to introduce to you for the first time…
Mr. and Mrs. ______________!
Song: Wedding March