ceremony wording ideas

Presentation of the Bride

(Optional) 

It has long been custom to ask the bride's parents or father to give the bride in marriage. 

This is an important question,

for it signifies the parents’ acceptance and support of the marriage. 

And, yet in a sense the idea of giving a daughter in marriage is an incomplete one, 

for a marriage is not only the formation of a new family 

it is also the expansion of the families 

in which both the bride and the groom have lived and grown. 

To give the bride in marriage, then, is not to give her up or give her away, 

but to accept and celebrate her becoming a part of another family, 

while remaining a treasured member of the household of her parents.

Question-Who presents this woman to be the bride of this man?

(The father/parents says, "I/We do") 

Xx and Yy want to acknowledge their parents on this occasion. They offer their profound gratitude to you for all the love and care that you showed in raising them. The unconditional gifts of love and support that you have continually offered have inspired them to become who they are today, and they thank you, from the bottom of their hearts, for guiding them to this celebration of love here today.

Without you, this day would not be possible.

Salt unity

Now you shall make a Covenant of Salt together.
During ancient times agreements and promises
were sealed by a salt covenant.
Each person would take a pinch of salt from their
pouch and place it in the pouch of the other.
This agreement could not be broken unless an
individual could retrieve their own grains of salt.
But this, of course, is impossible.

Now you have chosen to create a salt covenant with
each other at the beginning of your new life together.

The egg shape symbolizes the full cycle of life,
and therefore encompasses all that you will enjoy,
create, and love in your life together.

Bride and Groom, please now combine your two bags
of salt together in this egg.
This is a bond that can not be broken and is a symbol
of an unbreakable promise of love.

Salt is a good preservative.
It will help you remember that your love for
one another should be preserved for all time.
Salt adds flavor.
We all need a little spice in our lives.
Salt melts ice.
When your heart begins to grow cold you can
melt one another again.
Salt is easily dissolved.
You can remember to dissolve your issues
and learn to work together.

Now use this salt in your cooking until it is gone,
and each time it needs refilled, refill it together.
It is a wonderful way to remember what your
marriage is about.

Unity Glass 

Before each of you is a container of glass crystals,

each represents your separate lives, your friends, your families.

I ask that you each pour the contents within your own vase into the middle vase together. 

As the glass from each individual vase is blended together

it symbolizes the joining of your separate lives, friends and family, into one union, 

the beginning of your journey as husband and wife.

This combined glass will be taken by an artist and blown into a beautiful vase,

never to be separated again, so may your marriage be.

Marriage and this beautiful vase are alike. 

Both are examples of what can happen when raw, unfinished elements come together. 

They can be two separate entities, fluid and independent of each other 

and can have an exquisiteness of their own, 

but join them together and the result can be stunning in its 

beauty, inspiring in its strength , humbling in its function. 

Continual flow....no beginning and no end.

As with your marriage.... this vase requires great care. 

Cherish it, polish it, protect it from any harm. 

Keep from it that which can break it, or chip away at it, and it will remain a thing of beauty.

Quaich Ceremony

The Quaich, a two handled loving cup, is an ancient Scottish tradition 

that seals the bond of two people, and marks the blending of two families.

It symbolizes the love and trust implied by the bond,

as the new couple shares the first drink of their marriage together. 

Groom & Bride, it is now time to complete your bond.

Hand Fasting Ceremony  

Groom and Bride please join your hands

(Then I place the ribbons around the hands and wrist to join the couple)

With these ribbons, I bind Groom and Bride to the vows they made to each other.

(I tie the ribbons together)

The knot of this binding are not formed by these ribbons, but by your vows.

You hold in your hands and hearts the making or breaking of this union.

May your marriage be blessed with patience and dedication, forgiveness,

respect, love and understanding.

Cord of 3 strands

(Officiant picks Up the Cord of three Strands)

Ecclesiastes 4:12  says, “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. 

Accord of three strands is not quickly broken”

This passage from illustrates the importance of 

Christian companionship.

Two Christian that are bound together in Christ are stronger than

the individuals themselves.

I believe that a Christian marriage is about more than a union 

of one man and one woman.

The Bible teaches us that God performs a miracle in our marriage,

Uniting us together in a covenant relationship with Him as one.

Groom and Bride the Cord of three strands that I am holding today 

will be a symbol of that sacred union created on your wedding day 

This cord of three strands will symbolize the joining of this man and this woman, 

and God into a marriage relationship.

Marriage takes three people, you (Groom, and you (Bride) and God.

It was God who taught us to love, and who gave you two love for one another.

By keeping Him at the center of your marriage, 

His love will continue to bind you together as one throughout your marriage.

Today, Groom and Bride have chosen to braid these three strands together

into a single cord.

Each strand has a significant meaning.

The Gold strand represents God at the center of the marriage.

The blue strand represents the groom and his life.

The white strand represents the bride and her life.

Groom please take hold of this gold ring, and Bride please start to braid

these three strands together. 

(As she is braiding the officiant reads Eccle 4:9-12)

9 Two are better than one,
      because they have a good return for their work:

10 If one falls down,
      his friend can help him up.
      But pity the man who falls
      and has no one to help him up!

11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
      But how can one keep warm alone?

12 Though one may be overpowered,
      two can defend themselves.
      A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

In braiding these three strands together, 

Groom and Bride have demonstrated that their marriage is more 

than a joining of two lives together.

It is a unity with God as well. 

They have chosen to allow God to be at the center of their marriage, 

woven into every aspect of it.

Salt unity

Now you shall make a Covenant of Salt together.
During ancient times agreements and promises
were sealed by a salt covenant.
Each person would take a pinch of salt from their
pouch and place it in the pouch of the other.
This agreement could not be broken unless an
individual could retrieve their own grains of salt.
But this, of course, is impossible.

Now you have chosen to create a salt covenant with
each other at the beginning of your new life together.

The egg shape symbolizes the full cycle of life,
and therefore encompasses all that you will enjoy,
create, and love in your life together.

Bride and Groom, please now combine your two bags
of salt together in this egg.
This is a bond that can not be broken and is a symbol
of an unbreakable promise of love.

Salt is a good preservative.
It will help you remember that your love for
one another should be preserved for all time.
Salt adds flavor.
We all need a little spice in our lives.
Salt melts ice.
When your heart begins to grow cold you can
melt one another again.
Salt is easily dissolved.
You can remember to dissolve your issues
and learn to work together.

Now use this salt in your cooking until it is gone,
and each time it needs refilled, refill it together.
It is a wonderful way to remember what your
marriage is about.

Unity Glass 

Before each of you is a container of glass crystals,

each represents your separate lives, your friends, your families.

I ask that you each pour the contents within your own vase into the middle vase together. 

As the glass from each individual vase is blended together

it symbolizes the joining of your separate lives, friends and family, into one union, 

the beginning of your journey as husband and wife.

This combined glass will be taken by an artist and blown into a beautiful vase,

never to be separated again, so may your marriage be.

Marriage and this beautiful vase are alike. 

Both are examples of what can happen when raw, unfinished elements come together. 

They can be two separate entities, fluid and independent of each other 

and can have an exquisiteness of their own, 

but join them together and the result can be stunning in its 

beauty, inspiring in its strength , humbling in its function. 

Continual flow....no beginning and no end.

As with your marriage.... this vase requires great care. 

Cherish it, polish it, protect it from any harm. 

Keep from it that which can break it, or chip away at it, and it will remain a thing of beauty.

Quaich Ceremony

The Quaich, a two handled loving cup, is an ancient Scottish tradition 

that seals the bond of two people, and marks the blending of two families.

It symbolizes the love and trust implied by the bond,

as the new couple shares the first drink of their marriage together. 

Groom & Bride, it is now time to complete your bond.

Hand Fasting Ceremony  

Groom and Bride please join your hands

(Then I place the ribbons around the hands and wrist to join the couple)

With these ribbons, I bind Groom and Bride to the vows they made to each other.

(I tie the ribbons together)

The knot of this binding are not formed by these ribbons, but by your vows.

You hold in your hands and hearts the making or breaking of this union.

May your marriage be blessed with patience and dedication, forgiveness,

respect, love and understanding.

Cord of 3 strands

(Officiant picks Up the Cord of three Strands)

Ecclesiastes 4:12  says, “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. 

Accord of three strands is not quickly broken”

This passage from illustrates the importance of 

Christian companionship.

Two Christian that are bound together in Christ are stronger than

the individuals themselves.

I believe that a Christian marriage is about more than a union 

of one man and one woman.

The Bible teaches us that God performs a miracle in our marriage,

Uniting us together in a covenant relationship with Him as one.

Groom and Bride the Cord of three strands that I am holding today 

will be a symbol of that sacred union created on your wedding day 

This cord of three strands will symbolize the joining of this man and this woman, 

and God into a marriage relationship.

Marriage takes three people, you (Groom, and you (Bride) and God.

It was God who taught us to love, and who gave you two love for one another.

By keeping Him at the center of your marriage, 

His love will continue to bind you together as one throughout your marriage.

Today, Groom and Bride have chosen to braid these three strands together

into a single cord.

Each strand has a significant meaning.

The Gold strand represents God at the center of the marriage.

The blue strand represents the groom and his life.

The white strand represents the bride and her life.

Groom please take hold of this gold ring, and Bride please start to braid

these three strands together. 

(As she is braiding the officiant reads Eccle 4:9-12)

9 Two are better than one,
      because they have a good return for their work:

10 If one falls down,
      his friend can help him up.
      But pity the man who falls
      and has no one to help him up!

11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
      But how can one keep warm alone?

12 Though one may be overpowered,
      two can defend themselves.
      A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

In braiding these three strands together, 

Groom and Bride have demonstrated that their marriage is more 

than a joining of two lives together.

It is a unity with God as well. 

They have chosen to allow God to be at the center of their marriage, 

woven into every aspect of it.

These Hands

  These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, 

that are holding yours on your wedding day as you promise to love each other

today, tomorrow and forever.

These are the hands that will work along side yours as together you build your future.

These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch will comfort you like no other.

These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief temporarily comes your way.

These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes,

tears of sorrow and tears of joy.

These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children.

These are the hands that will give you support and encouragement to

chase down your dreams.

These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times.

These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it.

These are the hands that will lift your chin and brush your cheek as they raise your face to look into eyes that are filled with overwhelming love for you.

And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.

Optional

Our prayer for you today is that both of you will use these hands to build a marriage and a home full of love and that will be a safe haven to you and your children.

You are not Perfect

Bride, Groom is not perfect. You aren’t either, 

and the two of you will never be perfect.

But if Groom, if Bride can make you laugh at least once, 

causes you to think twice, 

and if she admits to being human and making mistakes, 

hold onto her and give her the most you can.

Bride, Groom isn’t going to quote poetry, 

he’s not thinking about you every moment, 

but he will give you a part of him that he knows you could break. 

Groom don’t hurt her, Bride don’t change him, 

and don’t expect for more than you can give one another. 

Don’t analyze each other. 

Bride, smile when he makes you happy, 

Groom, laugh when she makes you mad, 

and miss her when she’s not there. 

Groom and Bride, Love hard when there is love to be had. 

Because perfect couples don’t exist, 

but there’s always one person that is perfect for you.”

ENOUGH

You ask how much I love you,

“Enough” is my reply.

Enough to hold you tightly,

Enough to never lie.

Enough to love you madly,

Enough to wipe your tears,

Enough to break my habits,

Enough to drown your fears.

Enough to share my life with,

Enough to keep me true,

Enough to love you always,

Enough to die with you.

Enough to  watch you sleeping,

Enough to sell my soul,

Enough to wait forever,

Enough to make me whole.

Enough to love you blindly,

Enough to never stray,

Enough to give my heart to,

Enough to find a way.

Enough to keep me going,

Enough to make my cry,

Enough will last forever,

Enough until I die.

1 Corinthians 13 (Shorter Version/ modified)

A marriage ceremony represents one of life’s greatest commitments.

But it also is a declaration of love. 

I wish to read to you what Paul wrote of love in a letter to the Corinthians.

“Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud.

Love is never haughty or selfish or rude.

Love does not demand its own way. 

Love is not irritable or touchy. 

Love does not hold grudges and will hardly notice when others do it wrong.

Love is never glad about injustice, 

but rejoices whenever truth wins out.”

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

So faith, hope, love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

(Optional)

If you love someone, you will be loyal to them no matter what the cost. 

You will always believe in them, always expect the best in them, 

and will always stand your ground in defending them

I believe this scripture is a true model of love

and a model of love I hope you two pursue in your marriage.

Ruth 1:16

16 But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.

Traditional Celtic Wedding Vow 1 

Ye are Blood of my Blood, and Bone of my Bone.  I give ye my Body, that we Two might be One.  I give ye my Spirit, 'til our Life shall be Done.  You cannot possess me for I belong to myself  But while we both wish it, I give you that which is mine to give  You cannon command me, for I am a free person  But I shall serve you in those ways you require  and the honeycomb will taste sweeter coming from my hand. 

I do not claim to be the original author of this script. I am sharing it like this to make it easier for anyone to use. 

Traditional Celtic Wedding Vow Option 2 

I, groom, in the name of the spirit of God that resides within us all, by the life that courses within my blood and the love that resides within my heart, take thee (bride's full name) to my hand, my heart, and my spirit, to be my chosen one. To desire thee and be desired by thee, to possess thee, and be possessed by thee, without sin or shame, for naught can exist in the purity of my love for thee. I promise to love thee wholly and completely without restraint, in sickness, and in health, in plenty and in poverty, in life and beyond, where we shall meet, remember, and love again. I shall not seek to change thee in any way. I shall respect thee, thy beliefs, thy people, and thy ways as I respect myself.  I bride, in the name of the spirit of God that resides within us all, by the life that courses within my blood, and the love that resides within my heart, take thee, (Groom's full name) to my hand, my heart, and my spirit to be my chosen one. To desire and be desired by thee, to possess thee, and be possessed by thee, without sin or shame, for naught can exist in the purity of my love for thee. I promise to love thee wholly and completely without restraint, in sickness, and in health, in plenty and in poverty, in life and beyond, where we shall meet, remember, and love again. I shall not seek to change thee in any way. I shall respect thee, thy beliefs, thy people, and thy ways as I respect myself. 

I do not claim to be the original author of this script. I am sharing it like this to make it easier for anyone to use. 

Celtic Wedding Song 

There they stand, hand in hand, and exchange wedding bands.  Today is the day of all their dreams and plans.  And all of their loved ones are here to say,  God bless this couple who marry today.  In good times and bad times, in sickness and health,  May they know that riches aren't needed for wealth.  Help them face problems they'll meet on their way -  God bless this couple who marry today.  May they find peace of mind comes to all who are kind,  May the rough times ahead become triumphs in time,  May their children be happy each day -  God bless this family who started today.  As they go, may they know every love that was shown,  And as life it gets shorter may their feelings grow.  Wherever they travel, wherever they stay,  God bless this couple who marry today. 

I do not claim to be the original author of this script. I am sharing it like this to make it easier for anyone to use. 

Celtic Wedding Blessing 

 Happy is the bride that rain falls on  May your mornings bring joy and your evenings bring peace.  May your troubles grow few as your blessings increase.  May the saddest day of your future  Be no worse than the happiest day of your past.  May your hands be forever clasped in friendship  And your hearts joined forever in love.  Your lives are very special,  God has touched you in many ways.  May his blessings rest upon you  And fill all your coming days.  We swear by peace and love to stand,  Heart to heart and hand to hand.  Hark, O Spirit, and hear us now,  Confirming this our Sacred Vow. 

I do not claim to be the original author of this script. I am sharing it like this to make it easier for anyone to use. 

Scottish Wedding Prayer

 Lord help us to remember when  We first met and the strong  love that grew between us.  To work that love into  practical things so that nothing  can divide us.  We ask for words both kind  and loving and hearts always  ready to ask forgiveness  as well as to forgive.  Dear Lord, we put our  marriage into your hands. 

I do not claim to be the original author of this script. I am sharing it like this to make it easier for anyone to use. 

Scottish Wedding Blessing 

A thousand welcomes to you with your marriage.  May you be healthy all your days.  May you be blessed with long life and peace,  may you grow old with goodness, and with riches.

 I do not claim to be the original author of this script. I am sharing it like this to make it easier for anyone to use. 

Celtic Giving of Rings Verse

 I take you my heart  At the rising of the moon  And the setting of the stars.  To love and to honor  Through all that may come.  Through all our lives together  In all our lives,  May we be reborn  That we may meet and know  And love again,  And remember 

I do not claim to be the original author of this script. I am sharing it like this to make it easier for anyone to use. 

Handfast Ceremony Blessing 

  Blessed be this union with the gifts of the East.  Communication of the heart, mind, and body  Fresh beginnings with the rising of each Sun.  The knowledge of the growth found in the sharing of silences.  Blessed be this union with the gifts of the South.  Warmth of hearth and home  The heat of the heart's passion  The light created by both to illuminate the darkest of times.  Blessed be this union with the gifts of the West.  The deep commitments of the lake The swift excitement of the river  The refreshing cleansing of the rain  The all encompassing passion of the sea.  Blessed be this union with the gifts of the North  Firm foundation on which to build  Fertility of the fields to enrich your lives 

I do not claim to be the original author of this script. I am sharing it like this to make it easier for anyone to use. 

Handfast Ceremony Blessing 

 Now you are bound one to the other  With a tie not easy to break.  Take the time of binding  Before the final vows are made  To learn what you need to know -  To grow in wisdom and love.  That your marriage will be strong  That your love will last  In this life and beyond. 

I do not claim to be the original author of this script. I am sharing it like this to make it easier for anyone to use. 

Groom: I (name), take you (name) as my wife, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, till death us do part. (Or: all the days of our life.)

Bride: Repeats this with alternate names and titles.

Priest: What God joins together man must not separate. May the Lord confirm the consent that you have given, and enrich you with his blessings.

The couple then exchange rings.

Priest: Lord, bless (name) and (name) and consecrate their married life. May these rings be a symbol of their faith in each other and a reminder to them of their love. Through Christ our Lord.

The couple then recites the following prayer, and the ceremony is complete;

Bride and Groom: We thank you, Lord, and we praise you for bringing us to this happy day. You have given us to each other. Now, together, we give ourselves to you. We ask you Lord: make us one in our love: keep us one in your peace. Protect our marriage. Bless our home. Make us gentle. Keep us faithful. And when life is over unite us again where parting is no more in the kingdom of your love. There we will praise you in the happiness and peace of our eternal home. Amen.

“May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be always at your back, May the sun shine warm upon your face, The rains fall soft upon your fields. May the light of friendship guide your paths together, May the laughter of children grace the halls of your home. May the joy of living for each other trip a smile from your lips, a twinkle from your eye. And when eternity beckons, at the end of the life heaped high with love, May the good Lord embrace you with the arms that have nurtured you the whole length of your joy-filled days. 

May the gracious God hold you both in the palm of His hands.

And, today, may the Spirit of Love find a dwelling place in your hearts.” “May joy and peace surround you both, Contentment latch your door, And happiness be with you now And God Bless you Evermore. May you live you life with trust, And nurture lifelong affection, May your lifelong dreams come true for you, Move ever that direction.” “Happy is the bride that rain falls on. May your mornings bring joy and your evenings bring peace. May your troubles grow few as your blessings increase. May the saddest day of your future be no worse than the happiest day of your past.

May your hands be forever clasped in friendship and your hearts joined forever in love. Your lives are very special, God has touched you in many ways. May his blessings rest upon you And fill all your coming days.” “May you feel no rain, for each of you will be a shelter to the other. May you feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth for the other. May there be no loneliness for you; Though you are two persons, but there is one life before you. May you go to your dwelling place to enter into the days of your togetherness, And may your days be good and long together.” “May the raindrops fall lightly on your brow, May the soft winds freshen your spirit.

May the sunshine brighten your heart, May the burdens of the day rest lightly upon you. And may God enfold you in the mantle of His love.” "May the longtime sun shine on you, All love surround you, And pure light within you, Guide you on your way." "There they stand, hand in hand, and exchange wedding bands. Today is the day of all their dreams and plans. And all of their loved ones are here to say, God bless this couple who marry today." “In good times and bad times, in sickness and health, May they know that riches aren't needed for wealth. Help them face problems they'll meet on their way -- God bless this couple who marry today. May they find peace of mind comes to all who are kind, May the rough times ahead become triumphs in time, May their children be happy each day -- God bless this family who started today.

As they go, may they know every love that was shown, And as life it gets shorter may their feelings grow. Wherever they travel, wherever they stay, God bless this couple who marry today.”

This is a common Irish blessing bestowed on the couple by the priest before leaving the church:

“May the meaning of this hour be fulfilled through the days and years to come. May the love of this man and this woman, their unity of spirit, grow deeper and stronger in the uncertainties and changes of life they will share.

Loving each other, may they love all persons. Trusting each other, may they learn to trust life. May their love reach out to the love of all, that their lives may bless all whose lives they touch. May they find comfort together in shared hours of shadow, as well as in the bright sunshine of joy.

May they be to each other both strong and gentle. May all who follow their lives with interest and affection have cause to rejoice not alone in their happiness, but in their brave and generous living which makes life beautiful and significant.”

And finally, for anyone who wants to attempt to say your vows in Irish, here is a similar version of the traditional Irish wedding ceremony vows above;

“Chun grá a thabhairt dá chéile go dílis, más fearr sinn, más measa, más saibhir, más bocht, más tinn nó más slán go scara an bás sinn (nó gach lá dár saol.)”

This translates to the 'love each other faithfully, for richer or poorer' section of the ceremony, i.e the vows proper.

“A Thiarna, beannaigh na fáinní seo. Deonaigh go mbeidh siad seo a chaithfidh iad dílis dá chéile i gcónaí. Go ndéana siad do thoilse agus go gcaithe siad a saol faoi shíocháin leatsa agus i ngrá lena chéile. Trí Chríost ár dTiarna.”

This is the translation of the priest's blessing of the rings, i.e “Lord, bless these rings and let them be a reminder of their love for one another”... etc.

A few weeks ago Xx and Yy, took some time to write each other a letter. In it they expressed their thoughts about one another and the good qualities that they found in each other. The reasons for falling in love with each other and their hopes and dreams for the future. In other words, They wrote a "love letter" to each other and they placed their love letter to one another in separate sealed envelope. Neither one has read what the other has written, nor have I or anyone else. Today I will take these love letters and place them in this wine box along with a bottle of wine. This will be like a time capsule that is not meant to be opened until their 1st wedding anniversary.

They hand me the letters

Xx and Yy if there should come a time when you hit a bumpy road in your marriage, before you give up or make any foolish decisions, 

I ask that you two open this Wine Box and Sit down together,

unseal the envelopes that contain the letters 

that you wrote to one another before your wedding, 

go to separate rooms and quietly read the love letter.

Even if you are not seeing eye-to-eye at that very moment,

it will remind you of all the reasons you choose this person as your partner 

and all the things that helped shape the life that you two have created together. 

Never take your blessings of being together for granted.

The romantic sentiments you wrote, the declaration of love, 

the clear thoughts about why you chose this person as your life partner 

will help put you back on even ground. 

This is the perfect ritual to remind you of your wedding day 

and your intention to love and cherish each other in good times and bad 

for as long as you both shall live.

Once again the hope is that there will never be a reason 

to have to open the box except on your anniversary!