Tom and Mary, today you are taking into your care and trust the happiness of one person in this world whom you love with all your heart.

You are agreeing to share life’s deepest and richest experiences.
You are adding to your life not only the affection of each other, but also the companionship and blessing of mutual respect.

You have invited your family and friends to share in the celebration of your love, a very special love that now culminates in your union as husband and wife.

When you enter into marriage you enter life’s most important relationship.
It is a gift given to bring comfort when there is sorrow, peace when there is unrest, laughter when there is happiness and love when it is shared.
Real love goes far beyond the feelings of romance and bliss.

It is caring more about the wellbeing and happiness of your marriage partner than your own needs and desires.
Love makes burdens lighter because you divide them.
It makes joys more intense because you share them.

It makes you stronger so you can become involved with life in ways you dare not risk alone. Real love says you are stronger together than when you are apart.

A successful marriage is not something that just happens.
It takes work, it takes understanding and it takes time.

Most importantly, because a good marriage must be created, it will take a commitment from you both, a commitment to do whatever it takes to make your relationship thrive and not just simply survive.

We are here to listen to Mary and Tom as they promise to face the future together, accepting whatever may lie ahead.

Tom and Mary, when you walk out of here today, legally you will be man and wife, but you still must decide each and every day that lays before you, that you want to be married.

The contract of marriage is written on paper, whereas the act of marriage is written within the heart.
It is looking outward and moving forward in the same direction together. It makes joys more rewarding because you share them.
It makes you stronger so you can reach out and become involved with life in new and wonderful ways.

(To Mary's parents)
Mr and Mrs ......... as Mary's parent do you happily bring Mary to be married to Tom today?
Response - 'We do'

To each of you here today
 As Tom and Mary's family and friends, are you willing, now and always to support and strengthen this marriage by upholding this couple with your love and concern?
All respond -- We are.
 

We are here to listen to Tom and Mary as they promise to face the future together, accepting whatever may lie ahead.

Tom and Mary, when you walk out of here today legally you will be man and wife, but you still must decide each and every day that lays before you, that you want to be married.

The contract of marriage is written on paper, whereas the act of marriage is written within the heart.

It is looking outward and moving forward in the same direction together. It make joys more rewarding because you share them.

It makes you stronger so you can reach out and become involved with life in ways you may not dare to risk alone.

Who brings Mary to be joined in marriage with Tom?  
Parents - We do

Thankyou, please be seated.
 

Tom and Mary's love for each other has been built on a strong foundation of friendship and sharing, which they believe is a great base for marriage.

They were first friends and today they are to be husband and wife. Their love together is real...it is strong...it is tolerant, and it is unique.     

They both have tremendous respect and admiration for each other’s talents and acceptant of each other’s faults and weaknesses.  

It is this honesty and openness in their relationship that allows them
to just be themselves and develop together not only as a couple but as individuals. With each other’s full support and trust they are free to explore what life has to offer.

Tom and Mary … work slowly with each other and build a relationship that you both enjoy being part of. Share love and understand that neither of you are perfect and you are both subject to human weaknesses.

Encourage each other to pursue your dreams, even when you are both weary of trying. Expect the best that you both have to give.....and still love even if you fall short of expectations.

Be friends and respect one another’s individual personalities.
Give each other room to grow. Understand each other’s philosophies, even if you don’t always agree on them. Be friends as well as lovers.

Tom and Mary, I trust that you come not only with great joy,
but also full realisation and understanding of what it is that you enter into today.

In marriage, time is your friend. Use it to build wisely.
In time comes greater understanding, a depth of love and fullness of joy. 

These are just some of the foundations of not just a ‘good’ marriage but rather a ‘great’ marriage. 

Tom, the woman who stands by your side is about to become your wife. She will look to you for gentleness, for support,
for understanding, for encouragement, and for protection.

You must never take her for granted,
but be continually sensitive to her needs.
Your life and love will become Mary’s greatest source of joy.
 

Marriage is a promise, formed in the hearts of two people
who truly love each other.
This is not an event but rather a process,
something that takes time to mature, a lifetime to fulfill.

When you walk out of here today legally you will be man and wife, but you still must decide each and every day that lays before you, that you want to be married. The contract of marriage is written on paper, whereas the act of marriage is written within the heart.

Within the circle of its love, marriage encompasses all of life's most important relationships.

A wife and a husband are each other's lover, teacher,
listener, critic, and best friend.