Bride and Groom's Wedding Ceremony

1. Opening: Welcome everyone! We are here today to joyfully celebrate the love
Bride and Groom share as they declare their ongoing commitment to each other
before you, their friends and family.

2. Community: Groom and Bride have asked you here to thank you for the love
and support you have given them over the years, to be a witness to the promises
they make tonight, and to acknowledge the importance of having a community as
they continue their life together.

3. Marriage: The following text, from the 2003 Massachusetts Supreme Court
decision that legalized same-sex marriage, speaks to Bride and Groom’s feelings
on why they have made the choice to marry as they recognize that not everyone
present here today has that right:

“Marriage is a vital social institution; the exclusive commitment of two

individuals to each other. Marriage is at once a deeply personal commitment to
another human being and a highly public celebration of the ideals of mutuality,
companionship, intimacy, fidelity, and family.

Because it fulfills yearnings for security, safe haven, and connection that express
our common humanity, marriage is an esteemed institution and the decision
whether and whom to marry is among life's momentous acts of self-definition. It
is undoubtedly for these concrete reasons, as well as for its intimately personal
significance, that marriage has long been termed a 'civil right.' Without the right
to choose to marry, one is excluded from the full range of human experience.”

Today, Bride and Groom are declaring their choice to publicly acknowledge their
personal commitment to each other.

4. Poem: I’d like to invite Close Friend to read a poem that Bride and Groom chose
for today.

LOVE By Roy Croft

I love you, I love you
Not only for what you are, For the part of me
But for what I am That you bring out;
When I am with you. I love you
For putting your hand
I love you, Into my heaped-up heart
Not only for what And passing over
You have made of yourself, All the foolish, weak things
But for what That you can't help
You are making of me. Dimly seeing there,

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 And for drawing out
Into the light I love you
All the beautiful belongings Because you have done
That no one else had looked More than any creed
Quite far enough to find. Could have done
To make me good,
I love you because you And more than any fate
Are helping me to make To make me happy.
Of the lumber of my life
Not a tavern You have done it
But a temple; Without a touch,
Out of the works Without a word,
Of my every day Without a sign.
Not a reproach You have done it
But a song. By being yourself.

5. Swearing the audience in... ( make sure that they you know you are
addressing them).

Now, I ask that these friends and family who are gathered here together to
acknowledge Groom and Bride, as they acknowledge you. As family and friends,
you form a community of support that surrounds Bride and Groom. Each of
you, by your presence here today, is being called upon to uphold them in loving
each other.

Always stand beside them, never between them. Offer them your love and
support - Not your judgment. Encourage them when encouragement is needed,
and listen to them when they ask for advice.

In these ways, you can honor this marriage into which they have come to be
joined today. Do you offer your love and support to strengthen this marriage, and
honor this family here in front of you.

Please answer by saying: WE DO. [Guests: WE DO] Thank you.

6. Swearing Bride and Groom in... Groom and Bride, do you, with family and
friends as your witnesses, present yourselves willingly and of your own accord to
be joined in this marriage?
[B&G: WE DO]

7. Statement about the Rings :These rings are circles, symbols that remind us of
the Sun, and the Earth, and the universe. These are the rings that Bride and
Groom will wear for the rest of their lives. These rings express the love that they
have for one another. Let us take a moment to send our thoughts and our love to
these rings, so that as they wear them, they will carry our love with them as well.

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8. Vows

Bride:

(personal vows memorized and spoken to groom)

I promise to stand by you through times of great joy, sorrow, sickness, and
health. Whether we are rich or poor, I will love and support you. I will always
be honest with you. I will always tell you what is in my heart. As long as we
both live I will work to strengthen the love we have built over the last eight
years.

With this ring, I promise to be an equal partner with you in our marriage.

Groom:

(personal vows memorized and spoken to bride)

I promise to stand by you through times of great joy, sorrow, sickness, and
health. Whether we are rich or poor, I will love and support you. I will always
be honest with you. I will always tell you what is in my heart. As long as we
both live I will work to strengthen the love we have built over the last eight
years.

With this ring, I promise to be an equal partner with you in our marriage.

9. Joining of hands:

Please take each others' hands

The love already shared by your hearts has been strengthened by the vows you
have taken. You will be bound by your love as you are bound by your clasped
hands.
These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as you build your future
together.
These are the hands that will hold you whenever illness, fear, or grief may find
you.
These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it.
These are the hands that will help you hold your family as one.
These are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged will still be reaching for
each other.
May they always reach out with love, gentleness and respect.

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10. The official stuff:
Groom and Bride, we have heard your promise to share your lives in marriage.
We recognize and respect the vows you have made here before each one of us as a
witness.
In the honesty and sincerity of what you have said and done here today, and in
accordance with the laws of the state of North Carolina, It is my honor and
delight to declare you henceforth to be wife and husband.

You may seal your vows with a kiss.

11. Benediction

Now you will feel no rain, For each of you will be shelter for the other. Now you
will feel no cold, For each of you will be warmth for the other. Now there is no
loneliness for you, Now you are two persons but there is only one life before you.
Go now to your dwelling place to enter into the days of your togetherness and
may your days be good and long together.

12. Declaration of Marriage

I now present Mr. Groom and Mrs. Bride!