I. Procession
We will be waiting in concentric circles. Cliff and I will be in the center. Sandy and her bridesmaids will walk into the center. Use Tibetan tinkshas or Celtic Bodrahn (frame drum) to call attention and begin.

II. Opening Words
Celebrant:
The minute I heard my first love story.
I started looking for you, not knowing
How blind that was.
Lovers don't finally meet somewhere.
They're in each other all along.

Welcome family and friends!
We have come together here in celebration of the joining together of Sandy and Cliff. There are many things to say about marriage. Much wisdom concerning the joining together of two souls has come our way through all paths of belief, and from many cultures. With each union, more knowledge is gained and more wisdom is gathered. Though we are unable to give all this knowledge to these two, who stand before us, we can hope to leave with them the knowledge of love and its strengths and the anticipation of the wisdom that comes with time. The law of life is love into all beings. Without love, life is nothing, without love, death has no redemption. If we learn no more in life, let it be this: Marriage is a bond to be entered into only after considerable thought and reflection. As with any aspect of life, it has its cycles, its ups and its downs, its trials and its triumphs. With full understanding of this, Sandy and Cliff have come here to be joined as one.

III. 1st Reading – Sonnet 116 – Shakespeare

IV. Celebrant’s address
Celebrant: Sandy and Cliff, you have been in each other all along… Rumi is correct. All it took was hours on the computer learning a game, hours playing it, hours on the telephone, and hours and hours traveling to Georgia and waiting hours and hours to finally meet!
I am sure that all of you are quite aware of how these two met and how they spent their very first date. If you haven’t, please make sure you get the website address where Sandy has so lovingly recreated their story.

The story is certainly about perseverance. That no matter what obstacle appears before you there certainly is a way around it! It may take longer and it is certainly not the easy road. However, it does build character and strength and wisdom. Love is always an important ingredient in a marriage. Yet, strength and perseverance is almost more important for they forge together with love and commitment to make a beautiful, enduring and everlasting marriage.

Sandy and Cliff, we all know that you have been tested and you have passed the test. We all are now wondering how many more tests there are to be in your lives?

Sandy and I spoke before the wedding about this pattern in their lives. We decided that we might as well plan for the worst-case scenario. If we didn’t, it may just happen and at the last minute we would be frantically searching for backup plans! How many people in Bucks County, PA have to make plans for Hurricanes? We certainly don’t live in Florida do we??

Sandy and Cliff, this is it. You have been brought together here today and you will join yourselves together heart, mind, body, and soul. There is nothing now that will take that away from you. Not now, not ever. For, it is truly up to the two of you to make the most of your marriage and you have certainly proven yourselves very worthy!

Sandy & Cliff, 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 stronger, more complete. Your love for each other becomes a gift unto this world and all who come into contact with you.

Sandy & Cliff, you are the result of the love of thousands. Today would not be possible without the love of your parents, your 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 yourself and into the future generations.

Your parents have given you immortal gifts. The light of this marriage would not be possible without them. 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 your parents on their success! They have brought forth life. They have brought forth love. It is most important on your children’s wedding day that we thank them and bless them.

V. Declaration of Intent
Celebrant: Since it is your intention to join in marriage, kindly join hands and with your hands your hearts.
The tender words you are about to say to one another are stored in the secret heart of heaven. One day like rain they will fall and spread, and your mystery will grow green over the world.

VI. Couple’s honoring of each other in their own words from the heart and from humour!
Celebrant: Before the vows, Sandy and Cliff have chosen this time to honor each other from their hearts.

VII. Ritual –handwrapping
Celebrant: In the ancient Celtic tradition of handwrapping, Sandy and Cliff will be tying the knot!
Your hands convey the warmth of your hearts, and your hands placed in an infinity symbol convey your two hearts in a marriage of strength and unity.

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.

VIII. Vows
Celebrant:
Here all seeking is over
the lost has been found
a mate has been found
to share the chills of winter-
now Love asks that you be united.
Here is a place to rest,
a place to sleep
a place in heaven
Now two are becoming one,
the black night is scattered
the eastern sky grows bright
at last the great day has come!
~Hawiian Song

Sandy: My hand is bound to yours in marriage
Cliff: And I have bound mine to yours.
Sandy: My hand is a symbol of my love, do you receive it?
Cliff: As I receive yours, do you receive mine?
Sandy: With this hand, I promise to hold you, cherish you and respect you always.
Cliff: With this hand, I promise to care for you, provide for you and to be your friend.
Sandy: As I hold your hand in mine, I feel your love.
Cliff: As I feel your love, I know that our love will last for a lifetime.
(Celebrant removes handwrapping)

IX. Rings
Celebrant: Rings are the ancient symbol, blessed and simple. Round like the sun, like the eye, like the arms that embrace, like our gathering here today. 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, that your love, like arms that embrace, is a grace upon this world.

Cliff/Sandy: This ring is round and hath no end and so is my love unto my friend.

X. 2nd Reading – Apache Song

XI. Blessing and Pronouncement
Celebrant: Please join hands and listen to that which I am about to say. Above you are the stars, below you are the stones, as time passes, remember…Like a stone your love will be firm, like a star your love will be constant. Let the strength of your wills bind you together, let the power of love and desire make you happy, and the strength of your dedication make you inseparable. Posses one another, yet be understanding. Have patience with one another, for storms will come, but they will pass quickly. Be free in giving affection and warmth. Have no fear and let not the ways of the unenlightened give you unease.

Sandy and Cliff, 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 absolute delight to pronounce you married.

XII. Kiss
Celebrant: The bride and groom kiss and all of creation sings for them.

XIII. Bubbles
Celebrant: Please find your bubbles and get ready to shower Sandy and Cliff with your blessings. As you inhale, think of a blessing you would like to bestow upon them. As you exhale, imagine your blessing has become one with the bubbles.

XIV. Recession