Sample Ceremony - Interfaith

Who presents the bride in marriage? Here mother and I do.
Light of Two Souls
From every human being there rises a light that reaches straight
to heaven. And when two souls that are destined to be together
find each other, their streams of light flow together, and a single
brighter light goes forth from their united being.

Opening Prayer
Welcome in the name of Adonai.
Splendor is upon everything.
Blessing is upon everything.
Who is full of this abundance
Bless this groom and bride.

Convocation
We are gathered here to join _________ &
_________ in marriage. It is fitting and appropriate
that you, the families and friends of _________
& _________ be here to witness and to participate
in their wedding, for the ideals, the understanding,
and the mutual respect which they bring to their
marriage have their roots in the love, friendship
and guidance you have given them. Marriage makes
us aware of the changes brought by time, but the
new relationship will continue to draw much of its
beauty and meaning from the intimate associations
of the past. It is one of life’s richest surprises when
the accidental meeting of two life paths leads them
to proceed along the common path of husband and
wife, and it is one of life’s finest experiences when a
casual relationship grows into a permanent bond of
love. This meeting and this growth bring us together
today. With this in mind, let us pray.

Invocation #4
Wondrous Creator of all things, in bringing
_________ & _________ together, you invite us
to comprehend that love is a profound and mysterious
process. It is the unfolding, honing grinding and
preparing of ourselves that enable us to stand in the
presence of another human being and embrace that
person with the love we have been waiting a life time
to experience. We thank you for this miraculous day,
for the fulfillment of love we see before us and for
the joy of sharing this happy occasion. Amen.

Address #6
_________ & _________ today, this day of your
wedding, is the occasion of the shedding of your
solitary journeys in favor of bonding yourself with
one another; and your marriage, as well as being the
estate of joining with another human being, is also
the union of two people committed to the process
of their own becoming. Always remember to honor
your individual selves, to keep hold of the vision of
your own destinies. This is what you have labored to
create; yourselves are your greatest treasure, what,
in fact, you are each here to share with one another.
No matter how beautiful or captivating your marriage
may be, it can never stand in the place of what
you as individual came here to accomplish.

Always remember, your relationship, as itself, has a
destiny and your marriage is a living thing. Treat it
with respect and nourish it what whatever it needs
to keep it young and alive. Above all, bring humor
to this commitment you are about to make to one
another, Laughter is the heart at play. Humor can
enliven the good days and pull you through the rough
ones. When you look back at the sounds of your
marriage, let it be laughter that echoes through all
your memories.

The Lord’s Prayer
Consecration #5
The coming together of “two solitudes” is part of the
cycle of growth. The creating and recreating of boundaries.
May your _________ & _________, give
gratitude for the old boundaries that defined your
unique individualities, even as you create a new joint
boundary with the circle of your love. May this space
allow you to face each other and know intimacy
May your intimacy bring you to unfathomed heights
through your commitment to each other. May you
find the stability of a joint center where you can
welcome change. And most of all, may you receive
each other joyfully, with open hearts and minds into
this marriage.

Traditional Expression of Intent #3
_________ & _________, do you come here
freely and without reservation to give of yourselves
to each other in marriage? We do. Will you love and
honor each other as husband and wife for the rest of
your lives? We will.
Since this is your intention to enter into marriage,
please join hands and declare your consent before
these witnesses and God.

Traditional Vows #1
I _________, take thee, _________ to be my
wedded husband, to have and to hold from this
day forward; for better or for worse; for richer for
poorer; in sickness and in health, to live and cherish,
till death do us part. This is my solemn vow.

I _________, take thee, _________ to be my wedded
wife, to have and to hold from this day forward;
for better or for worse; for richer for poorer; in
sickness and in health, to love and cherish, till death
do us part. This is my solemn vow.

The Sharing of Wine
Holy One of the Blessing, your presence fills creation
forming the fruit of the vine.

Blessing of Rings #2
As God is a circle whose center is everywhere and
whose circumference is now here, so let the seamless
circle of these rings become the symbol of your
endless love. Lord, bless these rings that _________
& _________ give as a sign of their love and fidelity
to each other.

Ring Exchange #6
_________, I give your this ring as a token of my
abiding love.

_________, I give your this ring as a token of my
abiding love.

Pronouncement #3
Because you, _________ & _________, have
come together with your hearts and minds and
souls, and pledged one another the future in holy
matrimony, by the power vested in me by the State
of Utah, I now pronounce you husband and wife.

Benediction #1
May the Lord bless you and keep you;
May the Lord make His face to shine upon you;
May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you;
and give you peace. Amen.

Breaking of the Glass
(The symbolism explained)

The Kiss
You may now kiss.

Presentation of Newlyweds
Family and friends, I present you _________ &
_________ as husband and wife.