Weddings by Church of the Green Wood

Welcoming the Guests

 

At this time you may acknowledge, welcome, and thank your guests for their presence at this ceremony and in your lives. You can select one or a combination of the following, or be inspired to write your own words.  You may also want to include guests in the ceremony with a pledge of community support section.

1. Although this is their day, it is also a tribute to all of you. For knowing and interacting with you has helped to make (Bride) and (Groom) who they needed to be in order to find each other.  They would like to thank you for that.  All of you are the threads of which are woven the tapestry of their lives.  Each one of you is an important piece in the story it tells.  It is the fabric they wrap around themselves and take comfort in when the world seems cold , and on days like today when all is well with the world, that tapestry is proudly spread out and displayed for everyone to see, with all the glorious colors and textures your diversity adds.  You all hold a place in their hearts, reserved for those they have chosen to call Family and they are greatful for all of you.
   
2. Amid the hectic pace of today's world, it is easy to lose sight of the important things in life.  This is not so for (Bride) and (Groom); family and family life are very important to them.  Although I amd sure that you are all happy to be here with them, they wanted very much to express how deeply grateful they are to have you both here today and in their lives.  All of you are those nearest and dearest to them.  You all supply them with different aspects of that which they will need to accomplish their goal of living a long and happy life together.  From those of you who have the wisdom of age, they can seek council in times of difficulty.  In the children here, they see the embodiment of their hopes and dreams for the future.  And the rest of you: you are like personal record keepers of times and places and events in their lives.  Without all of you and the sharing of these events our memories would lose the scents and colors and the flavor and emotion that keeps them vibrant and alive.  Without all of you the past would fade to black and white over time, so please remember that your presence here is a vital part of this celebration.
   
3. (Bride) and (Groom) would like to thank you all for being here with them today, and for supporting them through everything that it has taken for them to make this day a reality.  They know that your taking the time and making the journey to be here took considerable effort for some of you, and they want you to know the deep appreciation and gratitude they feel in their hearts for this.  All of you are the most important, and have been the most influential people in their lives.  All of the time and conversations that you have had with (Bride) and (Groom) even before they met have helped to make them who they needed to be to first find themselves and then each other.  You have shared in their best and and their worst days, and you are an irreplacable part of their yesterdays, their today, and their tomorrows.  For all of you are among those they can call Family and Friends.
   
4. Our Bride and Groom would like to thank you all for being here with them
   today, They know that your taking the time, and making the journey,
   took considerable effort for a good many of you and they wanted you
   all to know the deep appreciation and gratitude that they feel in
   their hearts for this.

   Thomas Merton once said:
   
   "The beginning of Love
   is to let those we Love be perfectly themselves,
   And not to try to twist them to fit our own image. Otherwise we love
   only the reflection of ourselves
   that we see in them."

   This is what (Bride) and (Groom) have found in one another, and are
   thankful beyond words to receive from their all of you who have
   loved them and supported them, through everything that it has taken
   to make this day a reality, whether you have understood their
   choices or not."

Community Blessing

It is important for events such as these to be witnessed and shared with the community of friends and family that you all represent. For it is only is such a sharing with those we love that the joy in our hearts can be amplified. And only with your blessings may we all truly flourish as a community. This is why, for a brief moment of silence, (Bride) and (Groom) now ask for your blessings upon their union. Please bring to mind not so much what we would wish for our bride and groom, but that all of their own hopes and dreams shall come to pass. Think of (Bride) and (Groom) with a future filled with joy and happiness, and let your spirits rejoice, remembering that in all the love and emotion that pours forth from each of you are the hopes and dreams, best wishes and blessings that are the true gifts that your hearts have come to bestow upon this couple today.

Pledge of Community Support

Your presence at (Bride) and (Groom)'s wedding today is a reflection of your support for their union.  Do you promise to do all in your power to uphold the promises they make here today?

Guests: We will.

Will you support them as individuals and as a partnership and remind them of the precious treasure that is their love and commitment should they encounter difficulties on their path together?

Guests: We will.

Your love and friendship is dear to (Bride) and (Groom) and they are honored that you are here to witness and share this joyous occasion.  May the promises they make today fill your own hearts with sweetness, remind you of the awesome power of love, and move you to cherish and nurture all your relationships.