I. Procession -- Traditional

II. Opening Words
Celebrant: Welcome family and friends!
There are moments in our lives that are ruled not so much by time but by the heart. This is such a moment for Marci and Joseph. These two people have fallen in love – so deeply, so completely – that today they make a bond, a sacred covenant whereby their hearts, their bodies, and their souls shall be united as one in marriage for the rest of their days.
Today, before all of you, their most cherished family and friends, they will say the most powerful, the most loving words two people can say to each other. They will take their wedding vows. And it is our honor and privilege to stand witness. For this blessed act is magnificent and so tender to behold.

III. Presenting of the Bride
Celebrant: Who presents the bride in marriage?
Bride’s Father: Her mother and I

IV. 1st Reading by Lou Ann and George (sister and brother-in-law of Joseph)– ”Marriage Is a Promise of Love” (Edmund O’Neill)

Marriage is a commitment to life, the best that two people can find and bring out in each other. It offers opportunities for sharing and growth that no other relationship can equal. It is a physical and an emotional joining that is promised for a lifetime.

Within the circle of its love, marriage encompasses all of life's most important relationships. A wife and a husband are each other's best friend, confidant, lover, teacher, listener, and critic. And there may come times when one partner is heartbroken or ailing, and the love of the other may resemble the tender caring of a parent or child.

Marriage deepens and enriches every facet of life. Happiness is fuller, memories are fresher, commitment is stronger, even anger is felt more strongly, and passes away more quickly.

Marriage understands and forgives the mistakes life is unable to avoid. It encourages and nurtures new life, new experiences, new ways of expressing a love that is deeper than life.
When two people pledge their love and care for each other in marriage, they create a spirit unique unto themselves which binds them closer than any spoken or written words. Marriage is a promise, a potential made in the hearts of two people who love each other and takes a lifetime to fulfill.

V. Celebrant’s address
Marci and Joseph, in a few moments something magical will occur. You will experience a transformation that will profoundly affect you wherever you go and wherever you are. In the words of the Apache Wedding Song,

You will feel no rain,
For each of you will be a shelter to the other.

You will feel no cold,
For each of you will be warmth to the other.

Now there is no loneliness for you,
Now there is no more loneliness.

You are two bodies,
But there is only one life before you.

Up until the time that you met, you lived two very separate lives. You were surrounded by family and friends in a nurturing, supportive environment. Your parents were your single, biggest influences in your life. You are a product of your families and they have contributed greatly to your success as individuals.

From this moment on, the single, biggest influence on your life will be each other. You will carry each other deep inside, wherever you may go, as family for all to see. This is quite something! It is the beauty and power of marriage and it is also difficult. It is upon the strength of the foundation of this nuclear family that you shall build the temple of the rest of your life. You are the architects of your marriage. Let it be magnificent to behold! Let all who come into your home benefit from the warmth of its radiance.

You have a perfect blend of all that is needed in a relationship. You support each other, listen to each other and respect each other. You both understand that the other is a gift, a precious gift. Yet, this gift is not yours alone but one that is shared with the entire world. In your love for each other, may you find yourselves becoming more than what either of you could be alone. In your support, the other becomes stronger, more complete. In your listening, the other is so fully heard that there is peacefulness. And in your respect, the other is so fully appreciated that they shine so brightly. Your love for each other becomes a gift unto this world and all who come into contact with you.

Here’s what each of you said about the other and your relationship together. “I can be myself with Marci not like anyone else I have ever known. She is my best friend and I trust in her always.” “It was a gradual realization that Joe was my best friend and that I felt 100% comfortable around him and could be myself. He does so many little things for me to make my day easier or put a smile on my face.”

Here’s what your family and friends said about the two of you. “ They both seem to realize what the other is looking for.” “They have found a partner who will satisfy the need for intimacy yet allow room to exercise their independence.” “I’ve known Joe my whole life and you knew that Marci was for him.” “They balance each other. Joe slows Marci down to count the roses and look at the big picture. Marci keeps things moving and helps Joe make decisions timely.” “They are really in tune with each other.”

Marci and Joseph, you are the result of the love of thousands. Today would not be possible without the love of your parents, grandparents, siblings, extended family and friends. Today we witness the circle of life. All that was extended to both of you; stability, love, support and nourishment, will now be extended beyond yourselves and into the world.

We wish to take a moment now to honor all those who could not be with us here today. There are those who could not make the trip. Some have left us long ago. Please bring to mind any and all of your loved ones. With our thoughts, we can add them to our gathering.

Marci’s stepmother, Charlie, influenced her life in many ways and in ways that are also indescribable. We honor her memory and all her contributions to her family and friends.
MarySue, Frank, Edward, Joseph Sr, and Delores, you have given your children immortal gifts. The light of this marriage would not be possible without you. Emerson defined success in this way: It is to leave the world a better place, by virtue of a redeemed social condition, a patch of a garden or by way of a child. We congratulate you on your success! You have brought forth life. You have brought forth love. It is most important on your children’s wedding day that we thank you and bless you.

Marci and Joseph, put your relationship on the altar of your lives and dedicate yourselves to it. Remember, as long as you have this, you have everything. Beauty and youth fade away, money comes and goes, but your love is irreplaceable. Love is eternal.

VI. 2nd Reading by Marc (brother of Marci) – excerpt from "Union" (Robert Fulghum)
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.

VII. Declaration of Intent
Celebrant: Since it is your intention to join in marriage, kindly join hands and with your hands your hearts.

VIII. Ritual – Handwrapping
Celebrant: We will now do the ancient Celtic tradition of wrapping of the hands. This is where we will actually “tie the knot” in the marriage ceremony. The hands convey the warmth of the heart, and the hands placed in an infinity symbol conveys 'forever'. The wrapping of your hands also symbolizes the bringing together of your two hearts in a marriage of strength and unity. Marci and Joseph have chosen the color blue for their cloth. Blue is a traditional color and today it symbolizes loyalty, fidelity, sanctity, and friendship.
Please place your right palms together, then place your left palms over them. This creates a figure eight, or infinity symbol.
(lay cloth across clasped hands and bring the ends up over each other, also creating a figure eight.)

This cloth represents that something within yourselves yet infinitely greater than yourselves has joined you together. As your hands are bound, so are your hearts, minds, bodies, and souls.

Bless these bound hands. May they always be held by one another. Give them the strength to hold on during the storms of stress and the dark of disillusionment. Keep them tender and gentle as they nurture each other in their wondrous love. Help these hands to continue building a relationship founded in grace, rich in caring, and devoted in reaching for spirit. May Marci and Joseph see their four hands as healer, protector, shelter and guide in the name of the Lord, Amen.

Marci and Joseph have asked all of you to bring to mind a blessing you wish them to receive. Please bow your heads and silently offer your blessings as we take a moment before Marci and Joseph exchange their vows.

IX. Vows
[All vows to be prompted by Celebrant]
I [MARCI/JOSEPH], take you, [JOSEPH/MARCI] to be my [HUSBAND/WIFE].
I will be faithful to you;
I will open my heart to you with honesty;
I will respect, trust, and care for you;
I will grow with you, stand by your side, love and cherish you through the best and the worst of what is to come.
I stand before you, and before all gathered here, and vow to be your loving friend and partner, now and forever. I love you.
(Celebrant removes handwrapping)

X. Rings
Rings are the ancient symbol, blessed and simple. Round like the sun, like the eye, like arms that embrace. Circles, for love that is given comes back round again and again. Therefore, may these symbols remind you that your love, like the sun, illumines; that your love, like the eye, must see clearly; and that your love, like arms that embrace, is a grace upon this world.
Marci/Joseph: I give you this ring, and with it, all that I have and all that I am.

XI. Closing Blessing (using stole over shoulders)
Celebrant: May Almighty God unite your hearts in the never-ending bond of pure love. May your family bring you happiness, and may your generous love for them be returned many times over. May peace live always in your hearts and in your home. May you have true friends to stand by you, both in joy and in sorrow. May you be ready and willing to help and comfort those who come to you in need. May daily problems never cause you undue anxiety. May your hearts’ first desire be always toward good things. And may god bless you with many happy years together.

XII. Pronouncement
Celebrant: Marci and Joseph, you have been brought together by love and commitment. You have exchanged solemn and sacred vows. By this integrity and truth, in the beloved company of family and friends, it is my honor - and with absolute delight – that I now pronounce you husband and wife.

XIII. Kiss
Celebrant: It is said that an entire universe exists in the hold of a kiss. You may now kiss the bride.

XIV. Recession