Sample Ceremony

The Ceremony
Of
The Gems of Love
Prelude

Processional:

Convocation: Greetings to all of you, both family and friends of __________ and ____________. It is their great pleasure to welcome you to witness their vows of love and commitment on this most joyous day.

Invocation: Let us pray: Almighty God, we ask your presence and your blessings as ______ and _____ take this step of committing their lives to one another. We ask that you would encourage their loving hearts as they make their vows today, so that the promises they make will last for the rest of their lives, knowing that their love is a valued gem. Amen.

Who gives this woman to be married?

The Address: As two people come together in that first meeting, it is not always apparent that the outcome will be lifelong love. While there may be the awareness that there is something different about the other, it may take several days or meetings before one realizes that this person has touched one’s heart. Like beautiful gemstones that grow in the earth, changing and becoming ever more beautiful over time, assisted by the pressure of the shifting earth; heat or cold; moisture and drought, so too, do relationships become more beautiful because of the challenges and stresses that a couple experience in their lifetimes.

Gems of Love

Your first meeting is represented by the emerald,
full of curiosity and excitement and attraction.
As you become acquainted and interested in pursuing each other,
The fiery, exciting ruby symbolizes your love.
As you grow to appreciate each other in all of your aspects,
It is the simple white pearl that expresses the layers of knowing
And when you are ready to make a lifetime commitment
It is the diamond, created through heat and pressure,
That symbolizes your willingness to undergo the challenges of life together.
And finally, as you have spent years and years of learning each other’s strengths, weaknesses, and the hidden parts of each other’s nature, it is the beautiful, shining amber, which reveals the innermost history,
that blesses your lives forevermore.


Though life is never cast in stone—there are no guarantees—knowing that you have a partner to support you through the tests and trials of everyday life makes it easier to get beyond those challenges. You are able to do this by ensuring a safe place where both of you can communicate your needs and wants, your silent sufferings, your hopes and dreams, and the delights in the little things you experience every day. And so, your love grows from both directions, like nature’s beautiful stalactite and stalagmite in a crystal cave. The love that you share eventually connects to create an amazing pillar of great strength. It is the contribution made by each of you, acting in harmony, that makes your love something beautiful to behold, as well as creating and establishing a relationship that will stand the test of time.
In addition, by seeking to delight each other with simple pleasures, being open to new adventures, and making your relationship the single most important thing in your lives, you have the prescription for happiness.

Consecration: As you, ____, and you, ____, make your vows this day, know that you are becoming complete, within and without. You now become part of a cherished team, a source of wonder and delight. May you be blessed with every vision of happiness that you have hoped for and may you step forward with the knowledge that this relationship is destined to become a beautiful gem.

Expression of Intent: With the knowledge of the fullness of commitment and the permanence of your vows, have you come here today freely for the intention of marriage?

______ and ____ say, “We have.”

The Vows:

Do you, _______, take ________ to be your lawfully wedded wife? Do you promise to love, honor, respect and cherish her, support her through challenges and the full expression of her dreams? Do you promise to protect her, encourage her, and share the remainder of your life with her?

________ says, “I do.”

Do you, _______, take ________ to be your lawfully wedded husband? Do you promise to love, honor, respect and cherish him, support him through challenges and the full expression of his dreams? Do you promise to protect him, encourage him, and share the remainder of your life with him?

________ says, “I do.”

May I please have the rings?

Rings symbolize the union of soul unto soul, forming a perfect circle. They are made of precious metal, which symbolizes the great value that is placed upon your union, strong enough to last a lifetime. Bless, O Lord, these rings to be a symbol by which this man and this woman have committed themselves to one another. Amen.

Optional: Unity Candle, Sands of Unity, toast, or other ritual.

___, Please place this ring on ___’s third finger and repeat after me:

“I give you this ring as a symbol of the love, honor and trust that we share. The gem that is our love will grow more beautiful and perfect as time goes on.”

___, Please place this ring on ___’s third finger and repeat after me:

“I give you this ring as a symbol of the love, honor and trust that we share. The gem that is our love will grow more beautiful and perfect as time goes on.”

The Pronouncement: As you, ___ and you, _______, have stated your vows before this audience and exchanged the symbols by which your marriage shall be known, it gives me great pleasure to pronounce you husband and wife.

Optional: Signing of the Marriage License

You may kiss!

Benediction: May your marriage be blessed with all the wonder and delight that you have experienced this day and may be a gem of a relationship through the end of your lives. May the Lord bless you and keep you, may he make his face to shine upon you and give you peace.

Recessional:

Receiving Line

Copyright 2007 by Samm J. Bogner