Aramelle
01-01-2007, 07:56 PM
So, I've had our ceremony mostly written for a very long time now. Unfortunately, now that our wedding will be a vow renewal, some of the wording doesn't really work anymore. I'm going to post what I have here, and I would really appreciate if anyone can offer suggestions on how to tweak this so that it will still work for our renewal. The blue text is the stuff that I'm really struggling with figuring out. Though, I'd be happy to have any suggestions on any part of it. Also, if anyone has any reccomendations for readings that would be fitting for renewal (and where to put them in the ceremony), I'd love to see them as well. :)
TIA...
Lighting of the Candles
Initially, we were planning to have each of our moms light our taper candles for the Unity Candle ceremony. We are now planning to have the Unity Candle burn throughout the ceremony. I have to figure out whether we should just have the candles lit before everything starts, or what.
James and I will also each light a memory candle representing the people in our families who are with us in spirit. This will take place after my dad has "given me away," on the way to walking to Ken.
Presentation of the Bride:
The union of James and Aramelle brings together two family traditions, two systems of roots, in the hope that a new family tree may become strong and fruitful. Theirs is a personal choice and a decision for which they are primarily responsible. Yet their life will be enriched by the support of the families from which each comes. Will you (directed towards parents) support James and Aramelle in their marriage?
Answer: We will
Do you celebrate with them the decision they have made to choose each other?
Answer: We do.
Will you continue to stand beside them, yet not between?
Answer: We will.
Opening Words:
We are here today to celebrate the marriage of James and Aramelle. They ask for your blessing, encouragement, and life long support for their decision to become husband, wife and family. They are delighted that you have chosen to witness this special time in their lives. James and Aramelle not only want their relationship with each other to continue as individuals but to take on an even more important dimension as a family as well.
Marriage is a commitment to life, to the best that two people can find and bring out in each other. It offers opportunities for sharing and growth that no other human relationship can equal; a 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 critic. 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, and new ways of expressing love through the seasons of life. When two people pledge to love and care for each other in marriage, they create a spirit unique to 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, which takes a lifetime to fulfill.
James and Aramelle, today as you enter into the bonds of marriage, you are taking into your care and keeping the happiness of the one person in all the world whom you love best. What you promise today, must be renewed and decided again tomorrow, and the tomorrow after that and the tomorrow after that. Marriage is not only a commitment between lovers, it is also an agreement between two friends. Allow each other time to be an individual, respect each other's wishes as well as each other's dreams. May your marriage bring you all of the exquisite excitement a marriage should bring, and may life grant you also patience, tolerance, and understanding.
Consent (Do we still do the consent part?):
James and Aramelle, do you give yourselves totally to loving one another ,striving to do whatever you can to help the other feel happy and secure, treating each other with kindness, understanding and respect throughout your lives?
Answer: Each will say “I do”
Aramelle’s Reading:
Need to write this...
James's Reading:
Needs to write this...
Vows:
I promise to keep you in loving arms for the rest of your life.
I promise to love honor and cherish you until the end of time.
I promise to be there for you when you need me.
I promise to be your soul mate until we grow old together.
I will be your husband for an eternity.
I love you for always being you and being my laughter.
I will be your heart, soul and love for an eternity.
With these vows I do give you my heart to keep forever.
Ring Passage:
James and Aramelle, as these circles are designed without an ending, they speak of eternity. May the incorruptible substance of these rings represent a love glowing with increasing luster through the years. May God bless these rings which you give to each other as the sign of your love, trust, and faithfulness.
Ring Exchange:
I give you this ring as a symbol of my love, trust, and faithfulness, and with my heart I pledge to you all that I am. With this ring I marry you and join my life to yours.
Just a note regarding the ring exchange: I will have new wedding bands, which DH will present me with during the ceremony. DH will be having the same ring, but we are having some stones added to it just before the renewal. Just in case this makes a difference in how to word things...?
Candle Ceremony:
When we initially started planning our ceremony, we were intending to do a "family unity candle" or passing of the light. Our intention was to have James go to his family to light their small candles and vice versa. We then would light the unity candle. I really like this symboliztion of the fact that our marriage is bringing together two families, and I am determined to still figure out a way to make this work. Especially since this will be the fist time that our families meet, I think that it will still be a fitting message. I figure we can just do it a bit reversed with the "light" from our unity candle being used to then light the other candles. I would really appreciate any input on how to make this "flow" as well as the wording for this part of the ceremony.
The unity candle represents the coming together of 2 separate lives and 2 unique families.
The Hands Ceremony:
James and Aramelle will you please face each other and hold hands, so you may feel the gift that you are to one another.
These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours today as you renew your promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever.
These are the hands that will work alongside yours as together you build your future.
These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch will comfort you like no other.
These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief wracks your mind.
These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes, tears of sorrow and tears of joy.
These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children.
These are the hands that will help you to hold your family as one.
These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it.
These are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.
These four hands will give you support as you build your life and future. Reaching first out to each other, then united towards the world, these hands will be your strength, your shield, your shelter, and your guide.
Closing:
As you continue your lives together, may you find that each day adds greater beauty and magic to your love. May the circle of caring family and friends that surround you today grow ever wider. May each of you always be the answer to each other's questions, the gift for each other's needs, and the reason for each other's happiness. May you not only be husband and wife, but helpmates, equal partners, and above all, best friends. As the days and years go by may you keep discovering new and wonderful riches in each other and new ways of saying, I love you.
TIA...
Lighting of the Candles
Initially, we were planning to have each of our moms light our taper candles for the Unity Candle ceremony. We are now planning to have the Unity Candle burn throughout the ceremony. I have to figure out whether we should just have the candles lit before everything starts, or what.
James and I will also each light a memory candle representing the people in our families who are with us in spirit. This will take place after my dad has "given me away," on the way to walking to Ken.
Presentation of the Bride:
The union of James and Aramelle brings together two family traditions, two systems of roots, in the hope that a new family tree may become strong and fruitful. Theirs is a personal choice and a decision for which they are primarily responsible. Yet their life will be enriched by the support of the families from which each comes. Will you (directed towards parents) support James and Aramelle in their marriage?
Answer: We will
Do you celebrate with them the decision they have made to choose each other?
Answer: We do.
Will you continue to stand beside them, yet not between?
Answer: We will.
Opening Words:
We are here today to celebrate the marriage of James and Aramelle. They ask for your blessing, encouragement, and life long support for their decision to become husband, wife and family. They are delighted that you have chosen to witness this special time in their lives. James and Aramelle not only want their relationship with each other to continue as individuals but to take on an even more important dimension as a family as well.
Marriage is a commitment to life, to the best that two people can find and bring out in each other. It offers opportunities for sharing and growth that no other human relationship can equal; a 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 critic. 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, and new ways of expressing love through the seasons of life. When two people pledge to love and care for each other in marriage, they create a spirit unique to 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, which takes a lifetime to fulfill.
James and Aramelle, today as you enter into the bonds of marriage, you are taking into your care and keeping the happiness of the one person in all the world whom you love best. What you promise today, must be renewed and decided again tomorrow, and the tomorrow after that and the tomorrow after that. Marriage is not only a commitment between lovers, it is also an agreement between two friends. Allow each other time to be an individual, respect each other's wishes as well as each other's dreams. May your marriage bring you all of the exquisite excitement a marriage should bring, and may life grant you also patience, tolerance, and understanding.
Consent (Do we still do the consent part?):
James and Aramelle, do you give yourselves totally to loving one another ,striving to do whatever you can to help the other feel happy and secure, treating each other with kindness, understanding and respect throughout your lives?
Answer: Each will say “I do”
Aramelle’s Reading:
Need to write this...
James's Reading:
Needs to write this...
Vows:
I promise to keep you in loving arms for the rest of your life.
I promise to love honor and cherish you until the end of time.
I promise to be there for you when you need me.
I promise to be your soul mate until we grow old together.
I will be your husband for an eternity.
I love you for always being you and being my laughter.
I will be your heart, soul and love for an eternity.
With these vows I do give you my heart to keep forever.
Ring Passage:
James and Aramelle, as these circles are designed without an ending, they speak of eternity. May the incorruptible substance of these rings represent a love glowing with increasing luster through the years. May God bless these rings which you give to each other as the sign of your love, trust, and faithfulness.
Ring Exchange:
I give you this ring as a symbol of my love, trust, and faithfulness, and with my heart I pledge to you all that I am. With this ring I marry you and join my life to yours.
Just a note regarding the ring exchange: I will have new wedding bands, which DH will present me with during the ceremony. DH will be having the same ring, but we are having some stones added to it just before the renewal. Just in case this makes a difference in how to word things...?
Candle Ceremony:
When we initially started planning our ceremony, we were intending to do a "family unity candle" or passing of the light. Our intention was to have James go to his family to light their small candles and vice versa. We then would light the unity candle. I really like this symboliztion of the fact that our marriage is bringing together two families, and I am determined to still figure out a way to make this work. Especially since this will be the fist time that our families meet, I think that it will still be a fitting message. I figure we can just do it a bit reversed with the "light" from our unity candle being used to then light the other candles. I would really appreciate any input on how to make this "flow" as well as the wording for this part of the ceremony.
The unity candle represents the coming together of 2 separate lives and 2 unique families.
The Hands Ceremony:
James and Aramelle will you please face each other and hold hands, so you may feel the gift that you are to one another.
These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours today as you renew your promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever.
These are the hands that will work alongside yours as together you build your future.
These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch will comfort you like no other.
These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief wracks your mind.
These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes, tears of sorrow and tears of joy.
These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children.
These are the hands that will help you to hold your family as one.
These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it.
These are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.
These four hands will give you support as you build your life and future. Reaching first out to each other, then united towards the world, these hands will be your strength, your shield, your shelter, and your guide.
Closing:
As you continue your lives together, may you find that each day adds greater beauty and magic to your love. May the circle of caring family and friends that surround you today grow ever wider. May each of you always be the answer to each other's questions, the gift for each other's needs, and the reason for each other's happiness. May you not only be husband and wife, but helpmates, equal partners, and above all, best friends. As the days and years go by may you keep discovering new and wonderful riches in each other and new ways of saying, I love you.