Wedding Ceremony of Simon and Tracey

 

WELCOME

Friends and family of Simon and Tracey, what a joy it is to welcome you here as we come to celebrate the miracle of love, and to witness this union of soul-mates.

Simon and Tracey….. every experience you have ever had,
everything you have ever done,
everything you have ever learned
has brought you to this moment
as you now stand before these witnesses
to take each other as husband and wife.

New experiences lay before you with opportunities to grow deeper in love with each other.
As you walk hand in hand into the future, cherish each moment as a gift, a gift given to strengthen the bond between you both.

CONSENT

Simon and Tracey do you come here of your own free will, accompanied by the blessing of your family and friends, to be united as husband and wife.

Simon and Tracey: Yes

# Who presents Tracey to be married to Simon?

Dad: I do

Family and Friends of Simon and Tracey will you commit today to support and strengthen this marriage with your encouragement, sincerity, honesty and love?

READING: The Prophet by Kahil Gabran.
Then Almitra spoke again and said, "And what of Marriage, master?"
And he answered saying:
You were born together, and together you shall be forevermore.
You shall be together when white wings of death scatter your days.
Aye, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God.
But let there be spaces in your togetherness,
And let the winds of the heavens dance between you.
Love one another but make not a bond of love:
Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.
Fill each other's cup but drink not from one cup.
Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf.
Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone,
Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music.
Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping.
For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.
And stand together, yet not too near together:
For the pillars of the temple stand apart,
And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow.

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, it takes a commitment from both of you- a commitment to do whatever it takes to make your relationship thrive and not just simply survive.
A good marriage must be created. 

WEDDING VOWS

Simon
I, Simon take you Tracey to be my partner in life.
I promise to walk by your side forever
and to love, help and encourage you in all that you do.
I will take time to talk with you,
to listen to you, and to care for you.
I will share in your laughter and your tears
as your partner, lover and best friend.
Everything that I am and everything I have is yours. 

Tracey
I, Tracey take you Simon to be my partner in life.
I promise to walk by your side forever
and to love, help and encourage you in all that you do.
I will take time to talk with you, to
listen to you, and to care for you.
I will share in your laughter and your tears
as your partner, lover and best friend.
Everything that I am and everything I have is yours. 

EXPLANATION OF THE RINGS

The wedding ring is the outward and visible sign of an inward and invisible bond which unites two loyal hearts in endless love.
The ring is a circle that has no end
and symbolises the never ending love that exists between you.
The precious metal of which the ring is made is a symbol of the riches that resides in each of you.
These rings also are made of rare gems, gems that radiate a quality and a brilliance that set them apart from other ordinary stones.
May these rings always reflect the light of your love throughout your life together.

RING EXCHANGE VOWS

Simon:
Tracey I give you this ring, wear it with love and joy.
As this ring has no end, neither shall my love for you.
I choose you to be my wife this day.

Tracey:
Simon, this ring I give you as a token of my love and devotion.
With my heart I pledge to you all that I am,
and with this ring I marry you to join my life to yours.

Blessing of the Apaches 
Now you will feel no rain,
for each of you will be shelter for the other. 
Now you will feel no cold,
for each of you will be warmth to the other. 
Now there will be no loneliness,
for each of you will be companion to the other. 
Now you are two persons,
but there is only one life before you. 
May beauty surround you both
in the journey ahead and through all the years, 
May happiness be your companion
and your days together  be good and long upon the earth.
Treat yourselves and each other with respect,
and remind yourselves often of what brought you together.
Give the highest priority to the tenderness,
gentleness and kindness that your connection deserves.
When frustration, difficulty and fear assail your relationship
as they threaten all relationships at one time or another
remember to focus on what is right between you,
not only the part which seems wrong.
In this way, you can ride out the storms when clouds hide the face of the sun in your lives
remembering that even if you lose sight of it for a moment,
the sun is still there.
And if each of you takes responsibility for the quality of your life together, it will be marked by abundance and delight."

PRONOUNCEMENT

Simon and Tracey because you have committed yourselves to each other in marriage,
and demonstrated this by exchanging your vows and giving each other rings,
It is my great joy to pronounce you husband and wife.

Simon you may kiss your bride.

SIGNING OF REGISTER

PRESENTATION

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my privilege to introduce to you for the very first time Mr and  Mrs .............