Ceremony
We searched the internet, read traditional and non-traditional ceremony scripts, made notes of what we liked and what we hated, threw away most of it, and wrote our own. Our officiant, who is a good friend (and the boyfriend of one of my BMs) added to it as well. This is the final script, with both his portions and what we wrote, merged together.
Prelude
Music: Air by Bach
Seating of the grandmothers
Mammaw and Nannie, escorted by Pappaw (first row, left side)
Seating of the groom’s parents
Mom, escorted by her other sons & followed by Dad (first row, right side)
Seating of the bride’s mother
Mom, escorted by Dad, (first row, left side)
Seating of the grandmothers
Mammaw and Nannie, escorted by Pappaw (first row, left side)
Seating of the groom’s parents
Mom, escorted by her other sons & followed by Dad (first row, right side)
Seating of the bride’s mother
Mom, escorted by Dad, (first row, left side)
Processional
Music: Can’t Help Falling In Love With You (Vitamin String Quartet)
Bridesmaids:
M
E
S
Music: 1, 2, 3, 4 by the Plain White T's (instrumental performed by an Orchestra)
Mark steps down to the end of the first row
Bride: Beth, escorted by Dad
Stop at the end of the first row.
Beth and Mark step forward & turn to quasi face the guests.
Officiant steps down into the aisle.
Bridesmaids:
M
E
S
Music: 1, 2, 3, 4 by the Plain White T's (instrumental performed by an Orchestra)
Mark steps down to the end of the first row
Bride: Beth, escorted by Dad
Stop at the end of the first row.
Beth and Mark step forward & turn to quasi face the guests.
Officiant steps down into the aisle.
Welcome
Officiant: Good Evening everyone, please be seated. My name is ______ and I will be serving as the celebrant for this ceremony.
As some of you already know, I am a good friend of both Beth & Mark, and this is the first wedding I have officiated.
I grew up in (another country) and teach at the University of Louisville – I know, it's the Cards not the Cats. I still have a bit of an accent and, as (my girlfriend) found out to her utter surprise last year, tend to get all emotional and choked up during weddings – not a very good thing when you have a speaking role. I hope to make it through everything and you can understand me nevertheless.
After the ceremony, we will all meet for a cocktail hour to your left, just about 20 feet away.
Beth, Mark & I have worked together to create a ceremony that is both meaningful to them and celebrates the love and affection they share with all of you.
I would like to welcome all of you to beautiful Georgetown, Kentucky. To some of you, this is home, but to many it is your first time in Kentucky. Assembled here we have friends from across the country. Friendships forged during childhood, school, work, and military service. We have brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents – and dearest of all moms and dads.
Today we bring together not just two wonderful people, but also two great families.
As some of you already know, I am a good friend of both Beth & Mark, and this is the first wedding I have officiated.
I grew up in (another country) and teach at the University of Louisville – I know, it's the Cards not the Cats. I still have a bit of an accent and, as (my girlfriend) found out to her utter surprise last year, tend to get all emotional and choked up during weddings – not a very good thing when you have a speaking role. I hope to make it through everything and you can understand me nevertheless.
After the ceremony, we will all meet for a cocktail hour to your left, just about 20 feet away.
Beth, Mark & I have worked together to create a ceremony that is both meaningful to them and celebrates the love and affection they share with all of you.
I would like to welcome all of you to beautiful Georgetown, Kentucky. To some of you, this is home, but to many it is your first time in Kentucky. Assembled here we have friends from across the country. Friendships forged during childhood, school, work, and military service. We have brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents – and dearest of all moms and dads.
Today we bring together not just two wonderful people, but also two great families.
Definition of Marriage
Officiant: Different cultures have different histories when it comes to marriage. For a long time in Western society, marriage was not a personal matter at all but rather a business – sealing financial, economic, or political cooperation. There was very little room for romantic feelings.
Thankfully, this has changed. Whatever your religion or upbringing, marriage today is something very special and it goes far beyond mere cooperation.
For Martin Luther it was an institution established by God. For Jews it is THE ideal state of being – otherwise a human is incomplete. For all of us, marriage is a true partnership, a bond between two people who love each other and care deeply about each other – and who want to show and declare their love and commitment publicly before their families and friends.
And, something else is very important. As Pope Nicholas I already stated in 866, "If consent be lacking in a marriage, all other celebrations are rendered void."
Thankfully, this has changed. Whatever your religion or upbringing, marriage today is something very special and it goes far beyond mere cooperation.
For Martin Luther it was an institution established by God. For Jews it is THE ideal state of being – otherwise a human is incomplete. For all of us, marriage is a true partnership, a bond between two people who love each other and care deeply about each other – and who want to show and declare their love and commitment publicly before their families and friends.
And, something else is very important. As Pope Nicholas I already stated in 866, "If consent be lacking in a marriage, all other celebrations are rendered void."
Declaration of Intent
Officiant: Thus, I ask, will you, Mark, take Beth to be your wife?
Mark: I will.
Officiant: Will you, Beth, take Mark to be your husband?
Beth: I will.
Mark: I will.
Officiant: Will you, Beth, take Mark to be your husband?
Beth: I will.
Reading 1
Officiant: We would like to begin with a reading selected by the Bride and Groom.
Mel: Written by Robert Fulgham, titled “Union.”
You have known each other from the first glance of acquaintance to this point of commitment. At some point, you decided to marry. From that moment of yes to this moment of yes, indeed, you have been making promises and agreements in an informal way. All those conversations that were held riding in a car or over a meal or during long walks - all those sentences that began with “When we’re married” and continued with “I will and you will and we will”- those late night talks that included “someday” and “somehow” and “maybe”- and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart. All these common things, and more, are the real process of a wedding. The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, “You know all those things we’ve promised and hoped and dreamed- well, I meant it all, every word.” Look at one another and remember this moment in time. Before this moment you have been many things to one another- acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, dancing partner, and even teacher, for you have learned much from one another in these last few years. Now you shall say a few words that take you across a threshold of life, and things will never quite be the same between you. For after these vows, you shall say to the world, this- is my husband, this- is my wife.
Mel: Written by Robert Fulgham, titled “Union.”
You have known each other from the first glance of acquaintance to this point of commitment. At some point, you decided to marry. From that moment of yes to this moment of yes, indeed, you have been making promises and agreements in an informal way. All those conversations that were held riding in a car or over a meal or during long walks - all those sentences that began with “When we’re married” and continued with “I will and you will and we will”- those late night talks that included “someday” and “somehow” and “maybe”- and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart. All these common things, and more, are the real process of a wedding. The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, “You know all those things we’ve promised and hoped and dreamed- well, I meant it all, every word.” Look at one another and remember this moment in time. Before this moment you have been many things to one another- acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, dancing partner, and even teacher, for you have learned much from one another in these last few years. Now you shall say a few words that take you across a threshold of life, and things will never quite be the same between you. For after these vows, you shall say to the world, this- is my husband, this- is my wife.
Vows
Officiant: Please hold hands – Mark, please repeat after me.
Officiant: I, Mark, take you Beth
Mark: I, Mark, take you Beth
Officiant: to be my wife,
Mark: to be my wife,
Officiant: my better half,
Mark: my better half,
Officiant: and my best friend.
Mark: and my best friend.
Officiant: I will cherish our friendship
Mark: I will cherish our friendship
Officiant: and love you today, tomorrow, and forever.
Mark: and love you today, tomorrow, and forever.
Officiant: I will always be open, honest, and faithful to you.
Mark: I will always be open, honest, and faithful to you.
Officiant: I take you for my wife
Mark: I take you for my wife
Officiant: to have and to hold from this day forward,
Mark: to have and to hold from this day forward,
Officiant: for better, for worse,
Mark: for better, for worse,
Officiant: for richer, for poorer,
Mark: for richer, for poorer,
Officiant: in sickness and in health,
Mark: in sickness and in health,
Officiant: to love and to cherish
Mark: to love and to cherish
Officiant: for all the days of my life."
Mark: for all the days of my life."
Officiant: Beth, please repeat after me.
Officiant: I, Beth, take you Mark
Beth: I, Beth, take you Mark
Officiant: to be my husband,
Beth: to be my husband,
Officiant: my better half,
Beth: my better half,
Officiant: and my best friend.
Beth: and my best friend.
Officiant: I will cherish our friendship
Beth: I will cherish our friendship
Officiant: and love you today, tomorrow, and forever.
Beth: and love you today, tomorrow, and forever.
Officiant: I will always be open, honest, and faithful to you.
Beth: I will always be open, honest, and faithful to you.
Officiant: I take you for my husband
Beth: I take you for my husband
Officiant: to have and to hold from this day forward,
Beth: to have and to hold from this day forward,
Officiant: for better, for worse,
Beth: for better, for worse,
Officiant: for richer, for poorer,
Beth: for richer, for poorer,
Officiant: in sickness and in health,
Beth: in sickness and in health,
Officiant: to love and to cherish
Beth: to love and to cherish
Officiant: for all the days of my life.
Beth: for all the days of my life.
Officiant: I, Mark, take you Beth
Mark: I, Mark, take you Beth
Officiant: to be my wife,
Mark: to be my wife,
Officiant: my better half,
Mark: my better half,
Officiant: and my best friend.
Mark: and my best friend.
Officiant: I will cherish our friendship
Mark: I will cherish our friendship
Officiant: and love you today, tomorrow, and forever.
Mark: and love you today, tomorrow, and forever.
Officiant: I will always be open, honest, and faithful to you.
Mark: I will always be open, honest, and faithful to you.
Officiant: I take you for my wife
Mark: I take you for my wife
Officiant: to have and to hold from this day forward,
Mark: to have and to hold from this day forward,
Officiant: for better, for worse,
Mark: for better, for worse,
Officiant: for richer, for poorer,
Mark: for richer, for poorer,
Officiant: in sickness and in health,
Mark: in sickness and in health,
Officiant: to love and to cherish
Mark: to love and to cherish
Officiant: for all the days of my life."
Mark: for all the days of my life."
Officiant: Beth, please repeat after me.
Officiant: I, Beth, take you Mark
Beth: I, Beth, take you Mark
Officiant: to be my husband,
Beth: to be my husband,
Officiant: my better half,
Beth: my better half,
Officiant: and my best friend.
Beth: and my best friend.
Officiant: I will cherish our friendship
Beth: I will cherish our friendship
Officiant: and love you today, tomorrow, and forever.
Beth: and love you today, tomorrow, and forever.
Officiant: I will always be open, honest, and faithful to you.
Beth: I will always be open, honest, and faithful to you.
Officiant: I take you for my husband
Beth: I take you for my husband
Officiant: to have and to hold from this day forward,
Beth: to have and to hold from this day forward,
Officiant: for better, for worse,
Beth: for better, for worse,
Officiant: for richer, for poorer,
Beth: for richer, for poorer,
Officiant: in sickness and in health,
Beth: in sickness and in health,
Officiant: to love and to cherish
Beth: to love and to cherish
Officiant: for all the days of my life.
Beth: for all the days of my life.
Reading 2
Nate: Falling in Love is Like Owning A Dog by Taylor Mali.
First of all, it's a big responsibility, especially in a city like Boston. So think long and hard before deciding on love. On the other hand, love gives you a sense of security: When you're walking down the street late at night and you have love, no one is going to mess with you. Because crooks and muggers think love is unpredictable. Who knows what love could do in its own defense?
Love doesn't like being left alone for long. But come home and love is always happy to see you. It may break a few things accidentally in its passion for life, but you can never be mad at love for long.
Love makes messes. Love leaves you little surprises here and there. Love needs lots of cleaning up after. Love occasionally destroys your shoes. Sometimes your clothes. Maybe even a chair. But love makes you smile, and laugh, and maybe even forget.
Love is an excellent snuggler. It shares your bed, your covers, even your pillow. It wakes you up at night, soothes you back to sleep, And demands your attention all the time.
It runs you around the block and leaves you panting. Love pulls you in several different directions at once, or winds around and around you until you're all wound up and can't move. On cold winter nights, love is warm. It lies between you and lives and breaths and makes funny noises. Love needs to be fed so it will grow and stay healthy. But most of all, love needs love, lots of it. And in return, love loves you and never stops.
First of all, it's a big responsibility, especially in a city like Boston. So think long and hard before deciding on love. On the other hand, love gives you a sense of security: When you're walking down the street late at night and you have love, no one is going to mess with you. Because crooks and muggers think love is unpredictable. Who knows what love could do in its own defense?
Love doesn't like being left alone for long. But come home and love is always happy to see you. It may break a few things accidentally in its passion for life, but you can never be mad at love for long.
Love makes messes. Love leaves you little surprises here and there. Love needs lots of cleaning up after. Love occasionally destroys your shoes. Sometimes your clothes. Maybe even a chair. But love makes you smile, and laugh, and maybe even forget.
Love is an excellent snuggler. It shares your bed, your covers, even your pillow. It wakes you up at night, soothes you back to sleep, And demands your attention all the time.
It runs you around the block and leaves you panting. Love pulls you in several different directions at once, or winds around and around you until you're all wound up and can't move. On cold winter nights, love is warm. It lies between you and lives and breaths and makes funny noises. Love needs to be fed so it will grow and stay healthy. But most of all, love needs love, lots of it. And in return, love loves you and never stops.
Exchange of Rings
Officiant: Shared almost universally around the globe, the most important symbol for the enduring bond formed in a wedding is the ring. The ring is a circle and it was the symbol of eternity already for Ancient Egyptians and many other cultures, past and present. A ring has no beginning and no end, like time. A ring returns to itself, like life. Wearing a ring, then, symbolizes a union that is to last forever.
Mark, please repeat after me.
Beth, take this ring
Mark: Beth, take this ring
Officiant: as a token of my love
Mark: as a token of my love
Officiant: which is true and ever-lasting.
Mark: which is true and ever-lasting.
Officiant: Beth, please repeat after me.
Mark, take this ring
Beth: Mark, take this ring
Officiant: as a token of my love
Beth: as a token of my love
Officiant: which is true and ever-lasting.
Beth: which is true and ever-lasting.
Mark, please repeat after me.
Beth, take this ring
Mark: Beth, take this ring
Officiant: as a token of my love
Mark: as a token of my love
Officiant: which is true and ever-lasting.
Mark: which is true and ever-lasting.
Officiant: Beth, please repeat after me.
Mark, take this ring
Beth: Mark, take this ring
Officiant: as a token of my love
Beth: as a token of my love
Officiant: which is true and ever-lasting.
Beth: which is true and ever-lasting.
Pronouncement
Officiant: In the presence of your family & friends you have made your vows, and exchanged rings. You will now continue your lives together not as two people, but as one loving family.
I now pronounce you husband and wife – And you may kiss the bride.
Ladies and gentlemen, I am happy to introduce and present to you, for the first time, as a married couple, Captain and Mrs. Mark _____.
I now pronounce you husband and wife – And you may kiss the bride.
Ladies and gentlemen, I am happy to introduce and present to you, for the first time, as a married couple, Captain and Mrs. Mark _____.
Recessional
Music: Beautiful Day, U2
Beth & Mark
S & J
E & M
M & Officiant
Beth & Mark
S & J
E & M
M & Officiant
