Non-Denominational Christian Ceremony
Welcoming Words
It is with great pleasure that we gather today to witness the joining of two hands, and two hearts in holy matrimony. These two people, Happy Human and Other Happy Human have fallen in love so deeply, so completely, that today, they make a bond, a sacred covenant before God, whereby their hearts, their bodies, and their souls shall be united as one in marriage for the rest of their days.
Happy Human’s and Other Happy Human ’s respective families, together with their friends, each represent a circle of love; a circle of love where members care for, and nurture each other, in times of joy and in times of sorrow. Today, Happy Human and Other Happy Human join their lives together to make a new circle of love, one that overlaps with, and is made stronger by those from which it has emerged. You have been invited here because of their special relationship with you, to witness the creation of this sacred bond.
(Optional) Bringing Of The Happy Human
Who is it that brings this Happy Human to be wedded to this Other Happy Human?
FATHER-OF-THE-Happy Human: “I do” or “Her mother and I do”
(Optional) Passing Of The Peace
We ask our honored guests assembled here to take a moment to exchange a greeting of peace. (GUESTS TURN TO EACH OTHER AND SAY, “Peace be with you” and “And also with you.”)
(Optional) Honoring Those Not Present
At this time, we would also like to honor those who could not be with us today. We offer a special remembrance of______________________. Although they are not here with us physically, we feel blessed they are with us in spirit on this beautiful day. We bow in silence to honor their memory. (Pause for a few moments.)
Biblical Reading
1 Corinthians 13
Love.
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Officiant’s Address
(Officiant gives a homily on marriage, and talks about special characteristics of the couple. May include the following reading or another passage of his choosing.)
From The Art Of Marriage by William A Petersen
A good marriage must be created.
In the marriage, the little things are the big things. It is never being too old to hold hands.
It is remembering to say "I love you" at least once each day,
It is never going to sleep angry.
It is having a mutual sense of values and objectives. It is standing together and facing the world.
It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family.
It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways. It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.
It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each person can grow. It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.
It is not only marrying the right person
It is being the right partner.
Declaration Of Intent To Marry
The covenant of marriage is one that can be entered into only by persons who are both legally and spiritually free to offer themselves to each other. Therefore, in the presence of God and in the presence of all of the witnesses here, I will ask Happy Human and Other Happy Human to state their intention. Happy Human and Other Happy Human, have you come here freely and without reservation to give yourselves to each other in the holy state of matrimony?
They respond: “yes” or “we have.”
Traditional Vows
Happy Human and Other Happy Human, please face each other and join your hands, and in so doing, join your hearts.
Please repeat after me:
(TO Happy Human/Other Happy Human) Please repeat after me:
I, Happy Human/Other Happy Human, take you Other Happy Human/Happy Human, to be my lawfully wedded husband/wife, to have and to hold, to love and to cherish,
for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health,
from this day forward, until death do us part.
Blessing Of Rings
Do we have the rings?
Lord, please bless these rings that Happy Human and Other Happy Human are about to exchange. May these rings forever remind them of their covenant with one another, as well as the circle of love they have publicly created here today. May their compassion and kindness for one another always be like these rings, with no beginning and no end. May the precious metal remind them of their precious commitment, and if either begins to tarnish, may they joyfully undertake the sacred duty to make it shine brightly again. May their relationship always be like these rings, separate but close, simple but beautiful. May these rings always belong to their hands, and their love always belong in each other’s hearts. Amen
Exchange Of Rings
Other Happy Human, look into the eyes of your beloved and placing the ring on the third finger of her left hand repeat after me:
Happy Human/Other Happy Human, this ring I give you,
my personal gift and my personal promise
of love and trust,
and pride that you are my wife/husband.
Pronouncement
Happy Human and Other Happy Human, with the support of your families and friends, by the vows you have made to one another, by the strength of your covenant, and in the presence of God, it is my pleasure to pronounce you Husband and Wife/Partners in Life.
We will close with a final blessing for your marriage:
Apache Wedding Blessing
Now you will feel no rain,
For each of you will be shelter to the other.
Now you will feel no cold,
For each of you will be warmth to the other.
Now there is no more loneliness,
For each of you will be companion to the other.
Now you are two bodies,
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 upon the earth.
Presentation Of The Married Couple
Ladies and gentlemen, it is my great honor and privilege to present to you for the very first time, Mr. and Mrs. Happy Human and Other Happy Human Lastname !
