Table Of ContentCreate Your Own Wedding Ceremony
-Easily!
By Kathy Karlander
All Copyrights reserved 2007
The contents of this book may be freely shared for the purposes of creating individual
ceremonies. It may not be reproduced in any form for the purposes of selling without
permission from Kathy Karlander. The purchaser of this eBook may share it with others
in its entirety. Thank you!
How to Use This eBook
MIX AND MATCH SECTION:
Chapter 1: The Address
Select your favorite address
Chapter 2: Opening Prayers
Select your favorite opening prayer
Chapter 3: Vows
Select your vows
Chapter 4: Rings
Select blessing of rings and vows to be spoken during exchange of rings
Chapter 5: Closing
Select Closing Prayer and Final Proclamation
Chapter 6: Music
List of suggested bridal music
Chapter 7: Poems and Passages
Selection of poems and passages appropriate for weddings
Chapter 8: Locate a Minister
Things to consider when selecting a minister and active links to internet directories
Chapter 9: Stress!
Suggestions for dealing with stress
Renewing Your Vows
PRINT AND USE
Fill in the Blank Ceremonies
Two of my most popular wedding ceremonies ready for you to print and use!
Ceremony #1
Ceremony #2
Newly Added!
Family Ceremony (complete ceremony which includes children)
Honeymoon Travel Resources
About the Author
How to use this eBook
Overview
Want to create your own wedding ceremony but don't have much time?
You can use one of the ready-to-print ceremonies in this e-book!
Want to create your own unique wedding ceremony but don't have a
clue where to begin?
Check out the Mix and Match section of this e-book! In the Mix and
Match section I have broken a typical ceremony down into different
categories. For each category, you will see several different variations
of passages.
If you see something you like just click the printer icon (picture in the
toolbar at the top of your page). Then you can easily type into a new
document the exact passage you want, including the names of the bride
and groom.
By the time you select a closing prayer and proclamation your wedding
ceremony will be complete. The only thing left for you to do is print it
out and give it to your wedding officiant.
Of course, it is important to keep in mind that you most certainly have
permission to make any modifications you like to make the wording of
any passage in this ebook so that it will suit your style best.
Purpose of this ebook. . .
This e-book is meant to be a simple guide to help out couples that wish
to create personalized wedding ceremonies. It is by no means meant to
be a complete wedding guide! I have also included some active links
throughout this e-book to make it easy for you to access additional
resources.
Most of the text you will see in this e-book came directly from folks like
you. Over the years, couples have worked with me to create unique
ceremonies for their special day. This e-book is a compilation of our
efforts. Some of the wording may not be entirely "grammatically"
correct, as I have included the text as it was given to me by the
couples. Also, a few of the passages were taken, and/or modified, from
"Conversations with God, Book 3", by Neale Donald Walsch.
My goal with this ebook is to give you a simple way of creating your own
unique ceremony. You can print one of the ready made ceremonies
and simply fill in the appropriate names, you can create your own
by using passages from the mix and match section. You can even use
the passages you see in this book as a springboard to creating your
own unique wording!
In the end, the most important thing for you to do is to give yourself
permission to approach this whole process with a playful attitude. I
hope you enjoy the time you spend creating a ceremony that is
meaningful for you and your future spouse.
Don't worry about what is "right" or "wrong". It is your day, say what
you want to say, when you want to say it!
The Address
Some people like to open with a prayer, while others like to open with a
short address followed up by a prayer. It is your day. You may put
them in any order that feels right to you!
Each Section listed in the box below will take you to a unique
address. Remember, you can print this page and use it as a guide
while you type into your new document. Before you know it you will be
on your way to completing your new, personalized wedding ceremony.
If you don't like to type, you can always copy and paste!.
1.
Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here today among family, friends, and God to
witness the marriage between ________________ and _______________.
______________ and ______________ have come here today to declare their
love for each other, to declare the choice to live and partner and grow
together—out loud and in your presence. It is their desire that we will all come
to feel a very real and intimate part of their decision, and thus make it even
more powerful. If you are here with a partner or a spouse, let this ceremony be
a reminder, a re-dedication to your own loving bond.
2.
Dearly beloved, we are gathered in the home of ______________ and
_____________ today as a family and in the presence of God to
witness their marriage. _____________ and _______________ have
come here today to declare their love and devotion for each other. They
ask that you bear witness as they pledge aloud, what they have already
pledged in their hearts, to live together as partners and grow together as
friends.
This is indeed a day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice in it and be glad, and let
us count our many blessings!
3.
Friends and family, we have come together to witness ______________ and
_____________ as they exchange their vows of marriage. We celebrate the
love that they have discovered in each other and support their decision to
commit themselves to each other for the rest of their lives.
As ______________ and __________________ enter into marriage, they do so
with thought and reverence. They give thanks for the past, which has brought
them to this place, and look forward with hope to what the future will bring.
_______________ and ____________________, marriage symbolizes the
ultimate intimacy between a man and a woman. This closeness should not
diminish, but strengthen the individuality of each partner. A marriage that lasts
is one that always needs a bit more growth. Today, ____________________
and _____________________, your celebration of human affection is an
outward sign of a sacred and inward commitment.
_______________ and _______________ as you stand here in our presence, I
remind you that a successful marriage is based upon respect, honesty, loyalty,
and love. Be kind to one another. When you disagree, do so with respect. The
love you that you have found together is a fragile gift. Nothing of this earth is
worth the risk that this might be damaged. Always hold in your heart the
feelings that you have in this moment. When there are difficult times, when
you may doubt the validity of your love, bring yourself back to this moment.
Keep your hearts open to each other, especially when it is the most difficult.
Love is given to us by our family and by our friends. Learning to love and
living together are some of the greatest challenges of life and is the shared goal
of a married life.
4.
Family and friends, I welcome you to a day of celebration. ______________
and ____________________ have invited us to this place to share in their
decision of lifelong commitment together. Your blessings, support, and
encouragement are important to this union, not only now, but in the years to
come.
Amidst the turmoil of our world, with all of life’s struggles and concerns, it is
with deep joy and a sense of wonder and awe that we pause to affirm the power
of love. As we gather to witness the union of ____________________ and
___________________ we also celebrate the blessings we all cherish in our
own intimate relationships.
5.
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.
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.
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 ____________________ and _____________________
now come to be joined. If any of you can show just cause why they may not be
lawfully married, speak now; or forever hold your peace.
6.
The commitment of marriage is one of the most important decisions two people
can make in their lives. The vow of marriage is a pledge of their everlasting
love, whereby they commit to share all life has to offer, the good times and the
bad, with patience and understanding. Marriage offers the greatest challenges
to overcome, but in return, marriage gives us love, strength, and support for one
another.
A good marriage is dependent upon many factors, but the first prerequisite is a
strong bond of friendship and respect for one another. Your love for each other
will grow deeper with the passing of each day, but genuine liking for each
other, the willingness to accept each other’s strong and weak points with
understanding and respect, is the foundation for a strong marriage.
7.
A good marriage must be created. In the art of 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 a day. 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 can grow. It is
not only marrying the right partner, it is being the right partner. It is having a
mutual sense of values and common objectives; it is standing together to face
the world. It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family.
8. Who Gives this Woman Away?
You may also include the following statement after the completion of the
address or opening prayer. I typically ask it following the address, if the bride
wants it to be in the ceremony. Many brides simply choose to leave it out all
together.
Minister Asks:
“Who gives this woman away to be married to this man?”
or
“Who supports this woman in her choice to marry this man?”
Minister States to the bride:
Because a woman is not property to be bought or sold, given or taken, I will not
ask who gives this bride away, but instead ask if she comes of her own free
will. _____________, is it true you come of your own free will and accord?
Bride responds: It is true.
