In
the eyes of God and each other, we are here today to celebrate one of
life's
greatest moments, to give recognition to the worth and beauty of love,
and to
cherish the words that will unite Shane and Charlotte in marriage.
Shane and
Charlotte, in the
days ahead of you, there will be times of conflict and times of joy.
Harmony
will be your reward if you follow this advice:
Let your love be stronger than your anger.
Learn the wisdom of compromise, for it is better to bend than to break.
Look for the best in your beloved rather than the worst.
Confide in your partner and ask for help when you need it.
Remember that true friendship is the basis for any lasting
relationship. Give your spouse the same courtesies and kindnesses you
bestow on your
friends. Say "I love you" every day.
Shane and
Charlotte, I remind
you that marriage is a precious gift; a lifelong dedication to love and
a daily
challenge to love one another more fully and more freely.
With this understanding, do you Shane, take Charlotte to be your
beloved wife?
Do you promise to be a tender, faithful husband?
Do you promise to love, honor, and cherish her, in sickness and in
health, for
richer for poorer, for better for worse, from this day forward?
With this understanding, do you Charlotte, take Shane to be your
beloved husband?
Do you promise to be a tender, faithful wife?
Do you promise to love, honor, and cherish him, in sickness and in
health, for
richer for poorer, for better for worse, from this day forward?
Shane
and Charlotte have chosen rings as outward symbols of the commitment
they make
today. From earliest times, the ring has been a symbol of wedded love.
An
unbroken and never-ending circle symbolizes a commitment to love that
is also
never ending. We ask that God bless these rings and this union of
souls.
Shane,
place the ring
you have chosen on Charlotte's finger
and say to her these words:
This ring, a gift for you, symbolizes my desire that you be my wife
from this
day forward.
Charlotte,
place
the ring you have chosen on Shane's finger and say to him these words:
This ring, a gift for you, symbolizes my desire that you be my husband
from
this day forward.
Let
these rings
serve not as locks binding you together, but as keys, unlocking
the secrets of your hearts for each other to know, and thus bringing
you closer
together forever.
Let
us pray:
“God, bless this
couple that
you see before you this day. Give them the strength to hold on during
the
storms of stress and the dark of disillusionment. Keep them tender and
gentle
as they nurture each other in their wondrous love. Help them to
continue
building a relationship founded in respect and rich in caring. May
Shane and
Charlotte see each other as healer, protector, shelter and guide. Amen.”
Shane and Charlotte, having
witnessed your vows for marriage with all who are assembled here, and
by the
authority vested in me, I announce that you are husband and wife.
May the sun bring you new
energy by day. May the moon softly restore you by night. May the rain
wash away your worries.
And may you live the days of your lives
in peace, love, and happiness.
You may seal your vows with a
kiss.
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