Wedding Ceremony for Lindsey and Josh
Processional
Grandmothers:
Beverly, escorted by Jonathan
Shirley, escorted by Jason
Sally, escorted by Johnny
Ethel, escorted by Pat
Mothers
Cindy, escorted by Dave
Josh's Mom, escorted by Josh (Groom)
Lindsey's mom, Debbie, escorted by Jason
Wedding Party
Jonathan and Susie
Miranda and Jason
Johnny and Carrie
Pat and Lisa
Caitlin (Josh's "best woman")
Ring Bearer, Chase
Jody (Lindsey's maid of honor)
Officiant will have everyone stand
Lindsey will enter, escorted by her father. At the front row, Lindsey's mother will join them.
We will wait for music to stop.
Officiant: Who gives Lindsey in marriage?
Parents: We do
Mom and dad will kiss Lindsey good-bye and go to their seats. Josh will take Lindsey's hand and turn to face Officiant.
Officiant will informally welcome everyone on behalf of Josh and Lindsey and ask guests to be seated.
Opening words
Officiant: We are gathered here today in the presence of friends and loved ones, to celebrate one of life's greatest moments, to give recognition to the worth and beauty of love, and to add our best wishes and blessings to the words which shall unite Josh and Lindsey in marriage.
Marriage is a commitment to life, the best that two people can find and bring out in each other. It offers opportunities for sharing and growth that no other relationship can equal. It is a physical and an emotional joining that is promised for a lifetime. Within the circle of its love, marriage encompasses all of life's most important relationships. A wife and a husband are each other's best friend, confidant, lover, teacher, listener, and cheerleader.Marriage deepens and enriches every facet of life. Happiness is fuller, memories are fresher, commitment is stronger, even anger is felt more strongly, and passes away more quickly. Marriage understands and forgives the mistakes life is unable to avoid. It encourages and nurtures new life, new experiences, new ways of expressing a love that is deeper than life. When two people pledge their love and care for each other in marriage, they create a spirit unique unto themselves which binds them closer than any spoken or written words. Marriage is a promise, a potential made in the hearts of two people who love each other and takes a lifetime to fulfill.
Officiant will have Josh and Lindsey turn toward one another and hold hands.
Statement of Intention
Officiant: Will you, Josh, have Lindsey to be your wife/? Will you love her, comfort and keep her, and forsaking all others remain true to her as long as you both shall live?
Josh: I will
Will you, Lindsey, have Josh to be your husband? Will you love him, comfort and keep him, and forsaking all others remain true to him as long as you both shall live?
Lindsey: I will
Officiant: having stated your intention to live together in marriage, I now ask that you repeat after me.
Vows
Josh: Today, I give myself to you, and ask for your tomorrows. I choose you above all others to share my life with me. I promise to love and respect you, to honor and tenderly care for you, in sorrow and in joy, in hardship and in ease. I give you all of my love and trust, and ask that you accept me through all the changes of our lives.
Lindsey: Today, I give myself to you, and ask for your tomorrows. I choose you above all others to share my life with me. I promise to love and respect you, to honor and tenderly care for you, in sorrow and in joy, in hardship and in ease. I give you all of my love and trust, and ask that you accept me through all the changes of our lives.
Exchange of rings
Best Man will have the rings
Officiant: These rings mark the beginning of a long journey filled with wonder, surprises, laughter, tears, celebration, grief & joy. May these rings glow in reflection of the warmth and love which flow through both of you today.
Lindsey, please extend your left hand. Josh, as you place the ring on her finger, repeat after me:
Josh: I give you this ring to wear with love and joy. As a ring has no end, neither shall my love for you. I choose you to be my wife this day and forevermore
Josh, please extend your left hand. Lindsey, as you place the ring on his finger, repeat after me
Lindsey: I give you this ring to wear with love and joy. As a ring has no end, neither shall my love for you. I choose you to be my husband this day and forevermore
Unity Candle
Officiant: Josh and Lindsey, the individual candles stand alone--symbolizing your lives before today. Lighting the center candle represents that your two lives are now joined to one light, signifying the belief that together you are greater than you are alone. The side candles remain burning to further symbolize the continuing importance of the individual integrity within the marriage relationship.
I ask that each of you take one of the lit candles and that together you light the center candle.
Josh and Lindsey will together light the unity candle.
Officiant:
As you light this candle today, may the brightness of the flame shine throughout your lives. May it give you courage and reassurance in darkness-warmth and safety in the cold. And strength and joy in your bodies, minds, and spirits. May your union be forever blessed.
Rose Ceremony
Officiant: Josh and Lindsey, your gift to each other for your wedding today has been your wedding rings - which shall always be an outward demonstration of your vows of love and respect; and a public showing of your commitment to each other. You now have the most intimate relationship that can exist between a man and a woman-that of husband and wife. For your first gift as husband and wife, that gift will be a single rose.
The rose is a symbol of love and a single rose given between lovers means "I love you." So it is appropriate that for your first gift - as husband and wife - that gift would be a single rose.
Please exchange your first gift as husband and wife.
Bride and groom will slowly exchange their roses.
In some ways it seems like you have not done anything significant at all. Just a moment ago you were holding one red rose - and now you stand before us--still holding one red rose. In some ways, a marriage ceremony is like this. Your lives will go on and perhaps your tomorrows will not seem all that different from your yesterdays.
But your lives from this day forward will be forever changed-there
will be a difference-perhaps not one that you can touch or see, but a difference nonetheless, just as the rose you've received, while similar to the one you gave, is not exactly the same. Today you have publicly and legally declared your intention to live together as husband and wife. You have pledged without reservation and of your own free will to give each other the gift of true and unconditional love. You have made a promise that says, "I love you. I trust you. I will be here for you when you are hurting, and when I am hurting. I will not leave. "
Josh and Lindsey, I would ask that where ever you make your home in the future that you both pick a special location for roses; so that on each anniversary of your wedding day you both may take a rose to that spot as a recommitment that yours will be a marriage based upon unconditional love.
In every marriage there are times where it is difficult to find the right words. It is easiest to hurt and be hurt by those whom we most love. It is often difficult to find the words to express sorry, hurt, forgiveness or pain. If this should happen, if you simply cannot find the right words, then leave a rose at that spot which you have selected - for that rose will say what matters most of all and should overpower all other things and all other words.
That rose says the words: "I still love you."
The other should accept this rose for the words which can not be found, and help you to remember the love and hope that you both share today for is that love which will allow your marriage to endure.
Final Blessing
Treat yourselves and each other with respect, and remind yourselves often of what brought youtogether. Give the highest priority to the tenderness, gentleness and kindness that your connection deserves. When frustration, difficulties and fear assail yourrelationship, as they threaten all relationships at onetime or another, remember to focus on what is rightbetween 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 qualityof your life together, it will be marked by abundance and delight.
Pronouncement
Officiant: In so much as the two of you have agreed to live together in marriage, have promised your love for each other by these vows, the giving of these rings and the joining of your hands, I now declare you to be husband and wife.
Josh, you may kiss your bride.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I present "Mr. and Mrs. Josh and Lindsey Smith"
Recessional
Everyone walks out as couples.