Weddings by Church of the Green Wood

Declaration of Marriage

1. ____________________________ and ___________________________ as the two of you come into this marriage uniting you as husband and wife, and as you this day affirm your faith and love for one another, I would ask that you always remember to cherish each other as special and unique individuals, that you respect the thoughts, ideas and suggestions of one another. Be able to forgive, do not hold grudges, and live each day that you may share it together - as from this day forward you shall be each other's home, comfort and refuge, your marriage strengthened by your love and respect for each other.
   Just as two threads woven in opposite directions will form a most beautiful tapestry, so too can your two lives merged together make a beautiful marriage. To make your relationship work will take love. This is the core of your marriage and why you are here today. It will take trust, to know in your hearts that you truly want the best for each other. It will take dedication, to stay open to one another - and to learn and grow together. It will take faith, to go forward together without knowing exactly what the future brings. And it will take commitment, to hold true to the journey you both pledge today to share together.



2. UNITY CANDLE CEREMONY (this is not required, but can be positioned at this point in the ceremony if you wish)
   ____________________ and _____________________, the two separate candles symbolize your separate lives, separate families and separate sets of friends. I ask that each of you take on of the lit candles and that together you light the center candle.
   The individual candles represent your lives before today. Lighting the center candle represents that your two lives are now joined to one light, and represents the joining together of your two families and sets of friends to one.
   
   (For couples who are adding music to the ceremony, it is usually placed either here or after the vows are repeated earlier.)
   
   
3. ________________________ and _________________________, in so much as the two of you have agreed to live together in Matrimony, have promised your love for each other by these vows, the joining of your hands and the giving of these rings, I now declare you to be Husband and Wife.



4. May the promises you make this day lead to the fulfillment of all your dreams.
I now pronounce you Husband and Wife.


5. Living by these promises you make today, may your lives be filled with love and laughter, joy and wonder.  I now pronounce you husband and wife.



6. For inasmuch as you, (Groom), and you, (Bride), have consented to be joined together in marriage, by the authority vested in me, but most of all by the power of your love for each other, I now pronounce you husband and wife.



7. You are now as your hearts have always known you to be, Husband and Wife.
   

Congratulations, you may kiss your bride.
It is my privilege to present to you Mr. & Mrs. _______________________________

(If a large gathering, after the wedding party has exited, I will thank all for coming on your behalf and make any reception announcements that you wish.)