July 31, 2008
Virginia Hey Wedding Ceremonies
I have been asked by thousands of people in the last 8 years to become a Minister so I could perform a marriage ceremony, well now I can, and now my soul can truly soar in all its utter romantic Blissssss!
OK, below is info for you.
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WEDDING CEREMONIES BY VIRGINIA HEY - FEES & COSTS
Booking Fee $50.00
A $50.00 non-refundable booking fee is required to secure a time and date commitment for your wedding. Please email Virginia to discuss your needs and dates, and if Virginia is available on those dates and can accomodate your ceremony needs she will guide you to fill out the Booking Form and send the $50 deposit via paypal. Virginia will give you all payment and contact details once you connect with eachother. Please email Virginia here.
This fee is normally paid to Virginia Hey after the initial wedding plan discussion is complete to secure your date and time. Reasonable e-mails with questions about their wedding are welcomed prior to booking. Minister E-Mail Address A personal meeting is encouraged when possible.
Ceremony Honorarium Minimum $300.00
A minimum honorarium fee of $300 for the first hour is expected for the wedding ceremony, and $50.00 for each additional hour thereafter. Normally this is paid in advance of the wedding unless a rehearsal is also included when payment is expected by or at the rehearsal.
Rehearsals $50 per hour
Virginia Hey gladly participates in any rehearsal or rehearsal dinner prior to a wedding service, the fee is $50.00 per hour. Rehearsal, parking, travel, or other special expenses are additional costs and expected to be paid by the couple before the ceremony begins. Weddings on a Holiday are up to double the regular rate depending on time and location.
All fees due for the rehearsal and wedding ceremony should be paid no later than at the rehearsal. To ensure that each couple is ready for the ceremony a telephone call to Virginia Hey the night or morning before the wedding is required.
Please notify Virginia Hey of any cancellations so she can remove the wedding from her calendar. Minister E-Mail Address
Average cost of a wedding for the Minister
Most average local weddings in Fort Myers Florida will cost $400.00, the total of the booking fee ($50) and the one hour minimum Honorarium ($300) and one hour rehearsal ($50). Travel and accommodation fees will be added for other locations.
It is the Bride and Grooms responsibility to obtain the Marriage License before the wedding, and have it available for me no later than the rehearsal day.
Please call and communicate that you have your Marriage License and there are no changes in plans as close to the wedding as possible and are ready for the marriage service. Ph 239 471 0720 for the answer service.
Extras
Wedding ceremonies in paid locations must be paid by the couple including any fees for the Officiant to park or enter such as Theme Parks or Festivals. Any special setting that may require her to remain for several hours also may incur additional costs depending on the amount of time required.
Travel
If travel is expected out of the area, the bride and groom are expected to pay all hospitality and transportation expenses for the Minister. A cost will be discussed for the travel at the booking. Any wedding outside the City of Fort Myers must be fully discussed and may include travel costs.
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Contact Information
Courtesy dictates that you contact the Minister about changes or cancellations and keep her well informed as to your plans.
Wedding Ceremonies by Virginia Hey
Minister E-Mail Address
Virginia Hey Wedding Ceremonies online pages.
Your contact information must be recorded on the Booking Form. Please be sure Virginia has your phone number and contact information as soon as possible in case of changes and questions. Until this information is received the wedding is not booked or placed on the calendar.
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What do I do and what sort of ceremony should I have?
Couples are all faced with those questions..
Well, first things first, contact Virginia via email, then make arrangements to meet and discusswhat you would like and Virginia will help you to choose the most exquisite ceremony that suits your personality and your dreams.
Virginia will need you to get your own marriage license. Information on the laws and how to do this for each state are here on the site.
Gay Marriages
Please be aware that in some states I cannot perform a gay marriage, however, we would be able to do a vow ceremony, but it will not be recognized by the state legally. Please be aware of your states gay marriage law.
Types of Marriage Ceremonies
A wedding ceremony can be constructed to contain traditional wedding vows, or can be a special service designed by the couple with some help by Virginia Hey. The result is a personalized wedding ceremony that is either Religious/Spiritual or Civil. The ceremony can be as simple or elaborate as you wish. It can contain elements that are of special importance to the couple, their family, or traditions from jumping a broom, to drinking of wine, or a Spiritual ceremony encompassing crystals, sage blessing, exchanging flower leis, or any Spiritual romantic ceremony your heart desires.. Virginia Hey loves to work with you to design something truly exquisite.
Contact Virginia in advance before booking a hall or location to be sure she is available.
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Menu:
1. Civil Ceremony
2. Poems and Readings
3. Vow writing
4. Religious Ceremony/Spiritual Ceremony
5. Simple Marriage Vow Renewal
6. Wine Ceremony
7. Modern Civil Ceremony
8. Sample Religious Wedding Program
9. Web Pages for assistance
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1. Civil Ceremony
Simple Wedding Ceremony
The step which you are about to take is the most important into which human beings can come. It is a union of two people founded upon mutual respect and affection. Your lives will change, your responsibilities will increase, but your joy will be multiplied if you are sincere and earnest with your pledge to one another.
__(Groom)___________, will you have this woman to be your wedded wife, to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, and forsaking all others, keep you only unto her, for so long as you both shall live?
_ (Bride)____________, will you have this man to be your wedded husband, to love Virginia, comfort Virginia, honor and keep Virginia, and forsaking all others, keep you only unto Virginia, so long as you both shall live?
Take hands and repeat after me: I, __(Groom)___________, take you, __(Bride)___________, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, to love and to cherish, from this day forward.
I, ___(Bride)________, take you, _(Groom)__________, to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, to love and to cherish, from this day forward.
Do you have a ring for the bride? Please place the ring on the bride's finger and say: With this ring, I thee wed.
Is there a ring for the groom? Please place the ring on the groom's finger and say: With this ring I thee wed.
Let these rings be given and received as a token of your affection, sincerity and fidelity to one another.
In as much as _____________ and _____________ have consented together in wedlock and have witnessed the same before this company, and pledged their vows to each other, by the authority vested in me by the State of Florida, I now pronounce you husband and wife. (You may now kiss .)
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2. Poems and Readings
Generally I open the service by reading a poem of your choice, here are some ideas on this page link, or please provide your own beautiful poem.
Sample Wedding Readings and Poems
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3. Vow writing
For help with writing your Vows please see the links below.
weddings.about.com/od/yourweddingceremony/a/PersonalizeVows.htm
www.associatedcontent.com/article/11588/a_stepbystep_guide_to_writing_your.html
SUGGESTED BOOKS:
Centuries of Writing and Rituals on Love and Marriage - by Eleanor Munro.
Complete Book of Wedding Vows: Hundreds of Ways to Say "I Do" - by Diane Warner
Words For Your Wedding - by David Glusker and Peter Misner.
With These Words I Thee Wed: Contemporary Vows for Today's Couples - by Barbara Eklof.
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4. Religious Ceremony/Spiritual Ceremony
Spiritual Ceremonies
For Spiritual ceremonies, please contact Virginia, she will design an exquisite Spiritual ceremony especially for you that will encompass all your needs. If any items need to be purchased for the wedding ceremony such as flower leis, crystals, goblets, dried sage for smudging, perfume oils for blessing of the forehead, wands, garlands, custom wedding perfume designed by Virginia for your wedding and for the congregation or bridesmaids, or any other special item for your Spiritual ceremony, you would need to provide Virginia with the funds to make these purchase, this is over and above the ceremony fee.
Christian Wedding Ceremony
Submitted by Zion Bible Hour
OPENING STATEMENT
MINISTER
"Dearly Beloved: We are gathered here, in the presence of God and of this company, that ______ and ______ may be united in holy matrimony. We are here to celebrate and share in the glorious act that God is about to perform - the act by which He converts their love for one another into the holy and sacred estate of marriage.
This relationship is an honorable and sacred one, established by our Creator for the welfare and happiness of mankind, and approved by the Apostle Paul as honorable among all men. It is designed to unite two sympathies and hopes into one; and it rests upon the mutual confidence and devotion of husband and wife.
May it be in extreme thoughtfulness and reverence, and in dependence upon divine guidance, that you enter now into this holy relationship."
GIVING OF THE BRIDE
MINISTER
"Being assured that your love and your choice of each other as lifelong companions are in God's will and that you have your families' blessings. I now ask. Who gives this woman to be married to this man?"
BRIDE'S FATHER
"Her mother and I do."
(Bride's father places her hand in Groom's hand and is seated)
DECLARATION OF INTENTION
MINISTER
"The apostle Paul compared the relationship between husband and wife to that between Christ and the church. Marriage is a decision of two individuals to share the same type of pure, Christian love described by Paul."
1 Cor 13:4-8, 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....
"This kind of love enriches each part of life and marriage enriches love. Two lives, shared with this kind of love, can hold more fulfillment and happiness than either life alone."
"_____ (GROOM). are you ready to enter into this marriage with _____ (BRIDE), believing the love you share and your faith in each other will endure all things?"
GROOM
"I am."
MINISTER
"_____ (BRIDE), are you ready to enter into this marriage with _____ (GROOM), believing the love you share and your faith in each other will endure all things?"
BRIDE
"I am."
MARRIAGE VOWS
MINISTER
"_____ do you take _____ to be your wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in holy matrimony? Do you promise to love her, to honor and cherish her, in joy and in sorrow, in sickness and in health, and to be to her in all things a good and faithful husband as long as you both shall live?"
GROOM
"I do."
MINISTER
"_____, do you take _____ to be your wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in holy matrimony? Do you promise to love Virginia, to honor and cherish Virginia, in joy and in sorrow, in sickness and in health, and to be to Virginia in all things a good and faithful wife as long as you both shall live?"
BRIDE
"I do."
MINISTER WITH GROOM REPEATING
"I, _____, take thee, _____, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part. According to God's holy ordinance, and thereto I pledge thee my faith."
MINISTER WITH BRIDE REPEATING
"I, _____, take thee, _____, to be my wedded husband. to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part. According to God's holy ordinance, and thereto I pledge thee my faith."
PRAYER
MINISTER
"Father in heaven, You ordained marriage for your children, and You gave us love. We present to You _____ and _____, who come this day to be married. May the covenant of love they make be blessed with true devotion and spiritual commitment. We ask that You, God, will give them the ability to keep the covenant they have made. When selfishness shows itself, grant generosity; when mistrust is a temptation, give moral strength; when there is misunderstanding, give patience and gentleness; if suffering becomes a part of their lives, give them a strong faith and an abiding love. Amen."
EXCHANGE OF RINGS
MINISTER
"It is a Christian custom to exchange rings as a symbol of love. As the rings have no end so your love should have no end. As the rings are made of gold symbolizing purity, so should your marriage have purity. As often as either of you see them, you will be reminded of this moment and the endless love you promised."
"____, what token to you give that you will perform your vows?" (Minister receives ring and says to bride.)
"_____, do you receive this ring in token of the same?"
BRIDE
"I do." (Groom places ring on Bride's finger.)
MINISTER WITH GROOM REPEATING
"_____, this ring I give to you in token and pledge of my constant faith and abiding love."
MINISTER
"_____, what token to you give that you will perform your vows?" (Minister receives ring and says to groom.)
"_____, do you receive this ring in token of the same?"
GROOM
"I do." (Bride places ring on Groom's finger.)
MINISTER WITH BRIDE REPEATING
"_____, this ring I give to you in token and pledge of my constant faith and abiding love."
Light Unity Candle & Sign License
MINISTER
"The candle represents the joining together of two individuals to live together as one in spirit.______and ________, the candle yet to be lit, represents the new family which is being created today. _____ and _____ are leaving their families to make a new life together."
(Bride & Groom light candle)
(Bride, Groom, & Witnesses sign license)
PRAYER
MINISTER
"Let us pray: O thou eternal God, who art our Father and our Friend, as you have heard these words of promise just spoken, may the Holy Spirit deepen in the mind of this man and this woman the sense of the sacred and binding power of their vows. And as in Thy Name these words were spoken to make these lives one, may your rich blessing be added. Give them Your grace and guidance that they may loyally fulfill the vows they have taken. May Your joy abide with them always, that thus they may be a blessing to each other, and to those about them, finding in the blessedness of the home life on earth a sample of the happiness of Thine eternal home. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
(Bride and Groom join right hands.)
DECLARATION OF THE MARRIAGE
MINISTER
"What therefore God hath joined together, let no man put asunder. For as much as Anthony and Amanda have consented together in holy matrimony, and have witnessed the same before God and this company and have pledged their love and loyalty to each other, and have declared the same by the joining and the giving of rings, I, therefore, by the authority of the state, pronounce that they are husband and wife, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ."
"The Groom may now kiss the Bride."
PRESENTATION
MINISTER
"I now present to you Mr and Mrs _____ _____ _____."
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5. Simple Marriage Vow Renewal
Vow Renewal Ceremony
Let this be a day of gladness, thanksgiving, possibility, and good fortune for all of us, but especially for (Groom) and (Bride), who are here to renew and celebrate their love. Just as spring blossoms anew after a harsh winter, so must spouses renew their love for each other in their daily lives. Today marks the ________ anniversary of your marriage vows and today you renew your vows and love as husband and wife. Today begins the new spring of this year's love. So may it be renewed each day in your hearts.
Favorite Poem:
(_________________________________)
Vows:
Groom and Bride, have you come here freely and with the intention of a renewal of your marriage vows?
(Both answer, We Have)
Will you continue to love and honor each other as man and wife every day as you have promised to do?
(Both answer, We Do.)
Will you love, comfort and honor, keeping each other forever more?
(Both answer,We Will)
Groom do you again take Bride as your wife, will you continue to be faithful to her in tender love and honor, offering encouragement and companionship and will you continue to live with her and cherish her?
(Groom answers I do)
Bride do you again take Groom as your husband, will you continue to be faithful to Virginia in tender love and honor, offering encouragement and companionship and will you continue to live with Virginia and cherish Virginia?
(Bride answers I do)
Rings:
The wedding ring is the outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual bond, which unites two loyal hearts in endless love. These circles are designed without an ending, so they speak of eternity. May the incorruptible substance of these rings represent a love glowing with increasing luster through the years and may all good and holy beings upon this Earth bless these rings which you give to each other as the sign of your love, trust, faithfulness, respect and devotion.
Groom, repeat after me...
With this ring, I continue my promise to you that I will be your faithful partner in life,
Bride, repeat after me...
With this ring, I continue my promise to you that I will be your faithful partner in life,
Pronouncement:
May your joys be sweet as spring flowers that grow
As bright as a fire when winter winds blow
As countless as leaves that float down in the fall
As serene as the Love that keeps watch over all.
I now pronounce that you have today reaffirmed your life�s commitment to one another, go forth in love and friendship for the rest of the days of your lives.
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6. Wine Ceremony
Written by JK Schwehm
Red wine and white wine in a small carafe is placed next to an empty carafe with a wineglass on a small table near the couple. The center carafe, called the Marriage Carafe is sometimes a bit larger than the two outside "individual" carafes. Alternatively there would be 2 carafes and one empty glass. If the individual carafes are carried in the Wedding Processional the Marriage Carafe or Wine Glass is already sitting on the table and only the two individual filled carafes are carried forth.
When the Wine Ceremony is done music can be played or there can be no music at all.
The Wine Ceremony can be divided into two parts. The presenting of the two individual carafes filled with red and white wine to be placed on the table near the larger empty carafe during the processional. Then part two the pouring of the two separate wines into the empty carafe and drinking the combined wine by the wedding couple. Part two follows the exchange of vows. The ceremony can be one part with the wine already sitting on the table and the couple just combining the wines before drinking them.
Part One can take place during the Wedding Processional with one of the attendants on both sides carrying the red or white carafe and placing it on the table. Or a bit earlier the parents of the couples come forward with a bottle of wine and fill the smaller carafes already on the table just before they are seated and then the wedding processional starts.
Ceremony:
After the vows the Officiant announces "We Now Shall Perform the Wine Ceremony" The couple goes to the table and each takes the individual carafe and pours some wine into the larger carafe. The groom then takes the larger filled carafe with the combined wine and pours some in a glass for the bride. The bride then takes the Larger Carafe with the combined wines and pours some into a glass for the Groom. He may now toast his bride with, " Now Our Lives Are One" and drinks from the glass she responds the same. They place the wineglass back and face back to the officiant. Who states.
This Ceremony represents the two individual lives are now combined like the two wines into one single life. The drinking of the combined wine signifies the commitment you now make to live your lives as one family. May you remember this day of commitment you have sealed with drinking of the new wine joining your lives as one."
He may also announce that immediately after the service others may drink the new wine of their commitment to one life if they so desire. Or Rose wine served at the reception to mark this ceremony. Originally a French wine country tradition in joining two vineyard owners in marriage.
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7. Modern Civil Ceremony
Welcome to family and friends:
You are here to witness a wedding. Today we unite __________ and __________ as husband and wife. What we do today is done in conformity to the laws of Louisiana and in the historical Western tradition of the act of marriage.
__________ and __________, you have requested that I marry you. Do you both do this of your own desire and free will?
Groom & Bride answer "We do."
Do any of the witnesses know of any reason why we may not legally continue with this wedding?
Witnesses answer "We do not."
Vows:
Then let us continue. __________, if it is your desire to become the husband of __________, then repeat after me.
I, __________, take you, __________, to be my wife. In this moment I promise before these witnesses to love you and care for you all of our days. I accept you with your faults and your strengths, even as I offer myself with my faults and strengths. I promise to support you when you need support and to turn to you when I need support. I choose you as the one with whom I will spend my life.
I, __________, take you, __________, to be my husband. In this moment I promise before these witnesses to love you and care for you all of our days. I accept you with your faults and your strengths, even as I offer myself with my faults and strengths. I promise to support you when you need support and to turn to you when I need support. I choose you as the one with whom I will spend my life.
__________ and __________, you have shared promises in our presence. Do you have a rings that you wish to exchange?
Couple replies "We do."
Rings
__________, will you give your ring to __________ and repeat these words:
I give you this ring as a reminder of the promises we exchanged today.
__________, will you give your ring to __________ and repeat these words:
I give you this ring as a reminder of the promises we exchanged today.
__________ and __________, you have exchanged your promises and given and received rings in my presence. By these acts you have become husband and wife. According to the laws of the state of Louisiana, I hereby pronounce you are husband and wife. You may now kiss.
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8. Sample Religious Wedding Program
The Marriage Celebration and Blessing of (BRIDE) and (GROOM), on this day (date), at half past twelve o'clock at (Location Hotel)
Ceremony:
The Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage
The Seating of the Parents
Air & Hornpipe from The Water Music Handel
The Processional
Canon in D Pachelbel
The Bridal Processional
Trumpet Voluntary Clark
(We begin)
Virginia Hey, facing the people and Bride and Groom with Bride to the right and Groom to the left, addresses the congregation and says:
"Dearly beloved: We have come together in the presence of God to witness and bless the joining together of this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony. The bond and covenant of marriage was established by God in creation, and our Lord Jesus Christ adorned this manner of life by his presence and first miracle at a wedding in Cana of Galilee. It signifies to us the mystery of the union between Christ and his Church, and Holy Scripture commends it to be honored among all people."
"The union of husband and wife in heart, body, and mind is intended by God for their mutual joy; for the help and comfort given one another in prosperity and adversity; and, when it is God's will, for the procreation of children and their nurture in the knowledge and love of the Lord. Therefore marriage is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, deliberately, and in accordance with the purposes for which it was instituted by God."
"Into this holy union Bride and Groom now come to be joined. If any of you can show just cause why they may not lawfully be married, speak now, or else for ever hold your peace."
Then Virginia Hey says to Bride and Groom:
"I require and charge you both, here in the presence of God, that if either of you know any reason why you may not be united in marriage lawfully, and in accordance with God's Word, you do now confess it."
The Declaration Of Consent
Virginia Hey says to Bride
"Bride, will you have this man to be your husband; to live together in the covenant of marriage? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?"
Bride answers "I will."
Virginia Hey says to Groom:
"Groom, will you have this Woman to be your wife; to live together in the covenant of marriage? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?"
Groom answers "I will."
Virginia Hey then addresses the congregation:
"Will all of you witnessing these promises do all in your power to uphold these two persons in their marriage?"
The People answer "We will."
The Presentation of the Bride
Virginia Hey then addresses father
"Who presents this woman to be married to this man?"
Father answers: "I do".
The Ministry Of The Word
Virginia Hey then says to the people: "The Lord be with you."
The People respond: "And also with you."
Virginia Hey continues.
"Let us pray. O gracious and ever-living God, you have created us male and female in your image: Look mercifully upon this man and this woman who come to you seeking your blessing, and assist them with your grace, that with true fidelity and steadfast love they may honor and keep the promises and vows they make; through Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen."
The people may be seated
Scripture 1
"A Reading from Song of Solomon"
Song of Solomon 2:10-13; 8:6-7
My beloved speaks and says to me: " Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away; for now the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree puts forth its figs, and the vines are in blossom; they give forth fragrance. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away. Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; for love is strong as death, passion fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, a raging flame. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it. If one offered for love all the wealth of his house, it would be utterly scorned."
"The word of the Lord." People: Thanks be to God
Psalm 128
1. Happy are they all who fear the Lord, *
and who follow in his ways!
2. You shall eat the fruit of your labor; *
happiness and prosperity shall be yours.
3. Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine within your house, *
your children like olive shoots round about your table.
4. The man who fears the Lord *
shall thus indeed be blessed.
5. The Lord bless you from Zion, *
and may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days
of your life.
6. May you live to see your children's children; *
may peace be upon Israel.
Scripture 2 (to be chosen)
"The word of the Lord." People: Thanks be to God
How Great Thou Art
Dedicated in loving memory to Mary Gambrell Webster
Oh Lord my God
When I in awesome wonder
Consider all the works
Thy hands have made
I see the stars
I hear the rolling thunder
Thy power throughout
The universe displayed
Then sings my soul
My Saviour, God, to Thee
How great thou art
How great thou art
Then sings my soul
My Saviour, God, to Thee
How great Thou art
How great Thou art
Scripture 3
"A reading from 1st Corinthians"
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part; but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.
"The word of the Lord." People: Thanks be to God
The Marriage
Groom, facing Bride, takes her right hand in his, and says:
"In the Name of God, I, Groom, take you, Bride, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow."
Then they loose their hands, and Bride, still facing Groom, takes his right hand in hers, and says:
"In the Name of God, I, Bride, take you, Groom, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow."
They loose their hands.
Virginia Hey asks God's blessing on the rings as follows:
"Bless, O Lord, these rings to be a sign of the vows by which this Man and this Woman have bound themselves to each other; through Jesus Christ our Lord." People: Amen
Bride places the ring on the ring finger of Groom's hand and says:
"Groom, I give you this ring as a symbol of my vows, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
Groom places the ring on the ring-finger of Bride's hand and says:
"Bride, I give you this ring as a symbol of my vows, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
Virginia Hey joins the right hands of husband and wife and says:
"Now that Bride and Groom have given themselves to each other by solemn vows, with the joining of hands and the giving and receiving of rings, I pronounce that they are husband and wife, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
"Those whom God has joined together let no one put asunder."
The Prayers
All standing, Virginia Hey says: "Let us pray together in the words our Savior taught us:"
The Lord's Prayer is then recited by the People and Virginia Hey
Our father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
The Lay reader then reads several prayers, to which the People respond, saying, "Amen."
"Eternal God, creator and preserver of all life, author of salvation, and giver of all grace: Look with favor upon the world you have made, and for which your Son gave his life, and especially upon this man and this woman whom you make one flesh in Holy Matrimony." People: Amen
Give them wisdom and devotion in the ordering of their common life, that each may be to the other a strength in need, a counselor in perplexity, a comfort in sorrow, and a companion in joy. People: Amen
Grant that their wills may be so knit together in your will and their spirits in your Spirit, that they may grow in love and peace with you and one another all the days of their life. People: Amen
Give them grace, when they hurt each other, to recognize and acknowledge their fault, and to see each other's forgiveness and yours. People: Amen
Make their life together a sign of Christ's love to this sinful and broken world, that unity may overcome estrangement, forgiveness heal guilt, and joy conquer despair. People: Amen
Bestow on them, if it is your will, the gift and heritage of children, and the grace to bring them up to know you, to love you, and to serve you. People: Amen
Give them such fulfillment of their mutual affection that they may reach out in love and concern for others. People: Amen
Grant that all married persons who have witnessed these vows may find their lives strengthened and their loyalties confirmed. People: Amen
Grant that the bonds of our common humanity, by which all your children are united one to another, and the living to the dead, may be so transformed by your grace, that your will may be done on earth as it is in heaven; where, O Father, with your Son and the Holy Spirit, you live and reign in perfect unity, now ad for ever. People: Amen
The Blessing Of The Marriage
The people remain standing and Virginia Hey says::
"Most gracious God, we give you thanks for your tender love in sending Jesus Christ to come among us, to be born of a human mother, and to make the way of the cross to be the way of life. We thank you, also, for consecrating the union of man and woman in his name. By the power of your Holy Spirit, pour out the abundance of your blessing upon this man and this woman. Defend them from every enemy. Lead them into all peace. Let their love for each other be a seal upon their hearts, a mantel about their shoulders, and a crown upon their foreheads. Bless them in their work and in their joys and in their sorrows; in their life and in their death. Finally, in your mercy, bring them to that table where your saints feast for ever in your heavenly home; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever." People: Amen
Virginia Hey says:
"I now present Mr. and Mrs. Groom Name. You may now kiss the bride."
The Recessional
Bridal March Mendelssohn
The Wedding Party
Parents of the Bride
Names
Parents of the Groom
Names
Maid of Honor Best Man Ushers Others
Names
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9. Web Pages for assistance
weddings.about.com/od/traditionsandcustoms/a/newarkwedding.htm
SUGGESTED BOOKS:
Sacred Threshold: Rituals and Readings for a Wedding With Spirit - by Gertrud Nueller Nelson and Christopher Witt.