Words of Thanks to Parents
This is a touching way to express the Bride's and Groom's gratitude to their parents. When speaking these words, the officiant should announce that he or she will be extending some special words to the parents on behalf of the Bride and Groom. Then, have the Bride and Groom turn and face their parents.
Wording options
1. Officiant: To the parents of Groom and Bride, congratulations on the part you have played in raising a son and daughter-now this man and this woman who stand before you-of such loving hearts They accept a very mature and meaningful task in taking on this marriage. On their behalf, I thank you for all you have done to bring them to this place. I remind you that it is more than they who joining their hearts here today, for you are as well. With this marriage, your two families are irrevocably linked through a common bond -that of the love you have for your children.
With this in mind, I ask you, (insert names of bride's parents), to take this man __________ into your hearts as your son. I ask your family to take him into their hearts as a son, a brother and a grandson (if appropriate), and beloved to (Bride). May the light from this marriage shine throughout your entire family.
And of you, (insert names of Groom's parents) I ask that you take this woman, ______ into your hearts, that she might live from this day as your daughter. I ask your family to take her into their hearts as a daughter and sister and granddaughter (if appropriate), for she is dear and beloved to Groom. May the joy of this marriage extend throughout your family.
2. Officiant: When we were children, you held our hands when we crossed the street. All these years later, you no longer hold our hands, but you still hold our hearts. You have given us roots to ground us and wings to let us soar. We have made you proud, worried, frustrated, frazzled, afraid, euphoric, and scratching your heads in bewilderment-sometimes (during the teen years) in the span of 5 minutes. Still, you have believed in us, encouraged us and loved us unconditionally. You cheered, advised, listened, cajoled and extricated us from more sticky situations than we will ever admit. You have baked the cookies, scared the monsters away from under the bed, and helped us calculate at what spot two trains traveling toward each other from 100 miles apart, leaving at the same time and traveling at 50mph would pass. You have always been there and without that, we would not be the people we are today.
Most important, you have been our role models, not only in teaching us, but by living lives of integrity, selflessness and unconditional love for us and (if appropriate) one another. Because of your love, we, in turn, are able to love each other wholeheartedly and without reservation.
And for that, we thank you
Parents Rose Ceremony
Marriage is a coming together of two lives, and a celebration of the love of two people. But it is more. The love that you feel for one another is the flowering of a seed your mothers (parents) planted in your hearts many years ago. When you were first born, you were a bundle of diapers and tears, and your mothers (Parents) lost sleep caring for you. Their love for you has brought them great happiness and great challenges, and their love did not diminish as they met these challenges. That is the great lesson you can bring into your marriage. As you embrace one another in your love, so too do you embrace the families which have been brought together on this happy occasion. As a token of your gratitude for your families, I would like to ask you to offer these symbols of eternal love, these roses, to your mothers (Parents).
(Both bride and groom can hand the roses to each mother together, offering the mothers (Parents) kisses and hand shakes if they wish.)