Gathering Words

Welcome.

A wedding is such a wonderful occasion, filled with hopes, dreams, and excitement. We are here today to celebrate the love that Bride and Groom have for each other, and to recognize and witness their decision to journey forward in their  lives as Marriage Partners.

We are gathered to support them as they embark upon their voyage of discovery as husband and wife.

We are here to see them off on this journey.

Let us also be there for them to see them through.

Declaration of Support

Collectively,

you represent the families, friends, and traditions that have brought Bride and Groom to this point in their lives. Please affirm your support for this marriage by responding “Yes, I do” to the following  question:

As part of the community that surrounds Bride and Groom, do you offer your love and support to  strengthen  their marriage and bless this family created by their union?

Guests: Yes, I do.

Wedding Vows

Bride and Groom, please join hands and share your Wedding Vows.

Groom:

Bride, I promise to love you, to cherish you, and to respect you in all ways, always. I promise to participate fully in our Marriage Partnership. I will give completely of my mind, body, heart, and soul.

I promise to make your plans and dreams as important to me as my own.

I promise to do my share so that our lives together can  be  healthy,  happy, and  abundantly satisfying.

I promise to lovingly fulfill these vows each and every day for all of my days.

Bride:

Groom, I promise to love you, to  cherish you, and to respect you in all ways, always.

I promise to participate fully in our Marriage Partnership.

I will give completely of my mind, body, heart, and soul.

I promise to make your plans and dreams as important to me as my own.

I promise to do my share so that our lives together can  be  healthy,  happy, and  abundantly satisfying.

I promise to lovingly fulfill these vows each and every day for all of my days.

Ring Exchange

Officiant:

May I have the rings, please?

Groom, place this ring on Bride’s finger.

Groom:

Bride, this ring is a symbol of the strength and beauty of our  love.

May it belong to your hand as my heart belongs to you, separate yet close, simple  yet miraculous.

Officiant:

Bride, place this ring on Groom’s finger.

Bride:

Groom, this ring is a symbol of the strength and beauty of our  love. May it belong to your hand as my heart belongs to you, separate yet close, simple yet miraculous.

Final Blessing

By virtue of the authority vested in me by the First Nation Church and the Knights of St. Valentine and in accordance with the laws of the State of the Maryland, it is my honor to pronounce you married.

Because you have chosen one another and pledged to love each other for all the days of your lives, before God and before this loving community of family and  friends, it gives me great joy to pronounce that you are Partners in Marriage. You may now kiss!