Rachel's and Ernie's Wedding

Ceremony Script

GREETING

Dale:

We gather here to unite these two people in marriage. Their decision to marry has not been entered into lightly and today they publicly declare their private devotion to each other. The essence of this commitment is the acceptance of each other in entirety, as lover, companion, and friend. A good and balanced relationship is one in which neither person is overpowered nor absorbed by the other, one in which neither person is possessive of the other, one in which both give their love freely and without jealousy. Marriage, ideally, is a sharing of responsibilities, hopes, and dreams. It takes a special effort to grow together, survive hard times, and be loving and unselfish.

PUBLIC VOWS

Dale:

Do you both pledge to share your lives openly with one another, and to speak the truth in love? Do you promise to honor and tenderly care for one another, cherish and encourage each other, stand together, through sorrows and joys, hardships and triumphs for all the days of your lives?

Rachel and Ernie:

We do.

Dale:

Do you pledge to share your love and the joys of your marriage with all those around you, so that they may learn from your love and be encouraged to grow in their own lives?

Rachel and Ernie:

We do.

PRIVATE VOWS AND EXCHANGE OF RINGS

Dale:

May these rings be blessed as a symbol of your union. As often as either of you look upon these rings, may you not only be reminded of this moment, but also of the vows you have made and the strength of your commitment to each other.

Ernie, please repeat after me ...

I Ernie, promise to love and support you Rachel and live each day with kindness, understanding, truth, humor, and passion. With this ring I thee wed.

Ernie: [takes Rachel's hand, repeats his vow, places ring on Rachel's finger]

Dale:

Rachel, please repeat after me ...

I Rachel, promise to love and support you Ernie and live each day with kindness, understanding, truth, humor, and passion. With this ring I thee wed.

Rachel: [takes Ernie's hand, repeats her vow, places ring on Ernie's finger]

Dale:

Duncan will also be a member of this new family created today. As a symbol of his special place in this joining, Rachel and Ernie have a ring for Duncan too. This ring is made of a precious stone, carnelian. It is said that this stone protects against rage, envy, and fear. It helps one banish sorrow. The message of carnelion is that since one is "love" there is nothing to do but offer that love and then the love you give returns to you. Duncan, please take this ring from Rachel and Ernie as a symbol of the special place you hold in their lives.

Rachel and Ernie: [give the carnelian ring to Duncan]

RELEASING OF THE DOVES

Dale:

It is an old European tradition to release white doves as a symbol of unity and love...

Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter to the other. Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to the other. Now you will feel no loneliness, for each of you will be companion to the other. Now you are two persons, but there is only one life before you.

Go now in peace and live in love, sharing the most precious gifts you have–the gifts of your lives. And may your days be long on this earth. I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss.

[Rachel and Ernie kiss]

[Rachel and Ernie perform the song ...]