THE MARRIAGE CEREMONY
OF

(the bride) and (the groom)
created by
Dr. Cherie Carter-Scott

Welcome friends and family of (the bride) and (the groom). Today we have come together to witness, acknowledge, honor, and celebrate the union of (the bride) and (the groom) who will be joined in matrimony.

(the bride) and (the groom) have asked us to be with them and to rejoice with them in making this important commitment.

This relationship is a special one.
There is compatibility and harmony.
There is companionship and support.
There is playfulness and fun.
There is teamwork and camaraderie.
There is trust and communication.
There is choice and commitment.

(Add appropriate comments about (the groom) & (the bride’s) Relationship )

Harmony is the most valuable product of any marriage. A man and wife blend themselves and become one, thus transforming two separate lives into a perfect union. But life is not always peaceful. Realistically speaking, you may face difficulties from time to time. Nevertheless, by building a happy family with the firm spirit of one mind, one body, you can overcome any difficulty.

To symbolize their commitment to unite as one mind, one body, (the bride) and (the groom) have chosen to perform the “Wine Ceremony”.

This relationship is symbolized through the pouring of these two individual glasses of wine. One, representing you, (the bride) and all that you were, all that you are, and all that you will ever be, and the other representing you, (the groom), and all that you were and all that you are, and all that you will ever be.

As these two glasses of wine are poured into the third glass, the individual glasses of wine will be joined together as one. You may wish to leave a small amount of wine in each glass to symbolize that although you are now joined as one, you each remain individuals who have vowed to work together as one towards your dreams and goals. Just as these individual glasses of wine can never be separated and poured again into the individual glasses, so will your marriage be.

(The bride & the groom sip from the combined glass of wine.)

 (the bride) and (the groom) have come together in the hope that the love that brought them to this union may go out beyond itself into the lives of others.

(the groom) and (the bride) have chosen each other from their hearts. Their hearts tell them that they deeply love each other, and want to build a life together. But what do they mean when they say, "I love you".

Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens. A good marriage must be created. In the Art of Marriage, the little things are the big things. It means never being too old to hold hands…remembering to say 'I love you' at least once each day… it is never going to sleep angry… it is never taking the other for granted; the courtship should not end with the honeymoon, but rather continue and grow through all your years together. It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives. It is standing together facing the world. It is forming a circle of love that draws together the entire family. It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy and pleasure. It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways. It is not expecting the husband to wear a halo or the wife to have wings of an angel. It is not looking for perfection in each other, but rather cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humor. It is having the capacity to forgive and forget. It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow. It is finding room for the spirit. It is a common search for the good and the beautiful. It is establishing a relationship in which independence is equal, dependence is mutual, and responsibility is shared and reciprocal. It is not only marrying the right partner, it is being the right partner.

On this day, (the bride) and (the groom) have chosen to be married. They have chosen to formalize the bond that exists between them, to commit to a life of love, trust, mutual support, and to celebrate their relationship with you. On this day, (the bride) and (the groom) declare to the world that they are husband and wife. They choose to love, honor, and cherish each other, and to create a life based on the principles of respect, trust, support and unconditional love.

Dr. Cherie: (the groom), do you take (the bride) to be your lawfully wedded wife? Will you share your life openly with her and always strive to love, honor, cherish, and treasure her as your beloved, to support her through difficult times, and stand beside her in times of joy and conflict, in times of health and sickness, in times of stress and celebrate her victories as long as you live?

(the groom): " I Do"

Dr Cherie: (the groom), repeat after me

(the groom): (the bride), I choose you as my life partner, best friend, mate and spouse.

I will endeavor to be my best self. I will join you in your happiness, empower you through your obstacles and share compassion in your illness.

Dr Cherie: (the bride), do you take (the groom) to be your lawfully wedded husband? Will you share your life openly with him and always strive to love, honor, cherish, and treasure him as your beloved, to support him through difficult times, and stand beside him in times of joy and conflict, in times of health and sickness, in times of stress and celebrate his victories as long as you live?

(the bride): "I Do"

Dr Cherie: (the bride), repeat after me

(the bride): (the groom), I choose you as my life partner, best friend, mate and spouse.

I will endeavor to be my best self. I will join you in your happiness, empower you through your obstacles and share compassion in your illness.

Dr Cherie: A circle is the symbol of the sun, the earth, and the universe. It is a symbol of wholeness, unity, completeness, and serenity. Your rings are perfect circles that have no beginning and no end. These rings are strong and will hold up over time, but they are also flexible so that they will dance with the changes that life will bring your way. These rings are the symbols of the growing relationship you have come here today to honor and celebrate.  

Dr Cherie: (the groom), repeat after me.

(the groom): "With this ring, as the symbol of our bond to each other, I marry you this day with all my heart for the rest of my life".

Dr Cherie: (the bride), repeat after me.

(the bride): "With this ring, as the symbol of our bond to each other, I marry you this day with all my heart for the rest of my life".

(the bride) and (the groom) now ask you to join them in a moment of silence. They ask that you remember those loved ones that now live in our hearts and who watch over us this beautiful day.

(Moment of silence)

(the bride) and (the groom), by the power invested in me by the state of Nevada , as an ordained minister, I pronounce you husband and wife.

(They kiss, and turn around to face the guests)

Ladies and gentlemen, I present you Mr. & Mrs. (insert name or names).