Handfasting-by-Design            

Entrance Music:

Rev. Helene’s Welcome and Opening Remarks

Welcome, one and all. How beautiful is the day that is touched by love! May this be a moment to be remembered and cherished!

Marriage is a very special spiritual connection of two people united for a common purpose, bringing love and trust together into single focus. We have come together in the presence of Love to witness and bless the joining of this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony. The bond and covenant of marriage was established by God in creation. The union of wife and husband in heart, body, and mind is intended by God for their mutual joy; for the help and comfort given one another in prosperity and adversity; and their nurture in the knowledge and love of God. Therefore marriage is not to be entered into lightly, but reverently, deliberately, and in accordance with the purposes for which it was instituted by God.

Into this holy union     and     now come to be joined. If any of you can show just cause why they may not lawfully be married, speak now; or forever hold your peace.

``What is the greatest Law that mankind must follow?'' It is that we must love God with all our hearts, and love our neighbors as our self.

Marriage is an act of faith and ever-deepening commitment, as well as a loving union between a man and a woman. It has been described as the best and the most important relationship that two people can share, the creation of a single growing energy of spiritual life. Marriage can be a lifelong unfolding of loving kindness, backed by the will to make it last. There is no limit to the knowing of another's soul, and when you learn to love one person, then, you grow in love for all of humanity.

Presentation of the Bride

Rev. Helene’s: Who gives this woman to be married to this man?

Father of the Bride: Her mother and I

Minister to Witnesses: Who stands with this couple to express the good wishes of their families and friends? And everyone says, "We do!"

All: "We do!"

Rev. Helene to all: You may be seated.

Relationship Thoughts from the Minister

Look at       face so radient, look and      standing there so happy so hopful. In    and     we begin to know that love is here and now, real and true, the most important thing in their lives. Love is the creator of favorite memories and is the foundation of the fondest dreams.      And     have found eachother, it is a wonderful miracle that their love exsist!

They have stood the test of time, a strong commitment and loving relationship.    And    do not enter into these vows lightly.    And     understand that without love, we merely exist. With love, we truly live!

For love is a promise that is always kept, a fortune that can never be spent, a seed that can flourish in even the most unlikely place? And this radiance that never fades, this mysterious and magical joy is the greatest treasure of all - one known only by those who truly love.

We are together as friends, relatives and family to recognize officially a new beginning which for     and     serves as a public affirmation of their friendship and their love.

Charge to the Couple

    And     , true marriage is the holiest of all earthly unions. It is to be entered into reverently, consciously and with full understanding of its significance.

To be complete, marriage must be spiritual as well as an earthly estate. When it is Spiritual in thought, purpose, plan and action, it becomes the harmonious, peaceful and happy union for man and woman.

The state of matrimony is true marriage only when it is based upon a deep, inner communion of two souls who find completion, each in the other.

Today, your separate lives, each with your individual memories, desires and hopes, merge into one life - a new dimension.

Rev. Helene Reading:

Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens. A good marriage must be created. In the art of marriage the little things are the big things.

• It is never being too old to hold hands.
• It is remembering to say, I love you" (out loud), at least once a day.
• It is never going to sleep angry.
• It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family.
• It is at no time taking the other for granted . . . for what you take for granted, disappears.
• It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in a spirit of joy.
• It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.
• It is having the capacity to forgive and not bring it up later.
• It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow.
• It is a common search for the good and the beautiful in each other.
• It is not expecting the husband to wear a halo or the wife to have the wings of an angel.
• It is not looking for perfection in each other. It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humor.
• It is not only marrying the right partner, it is BEING the right partner.

Marriage can be a great adventure when it is the outward expression of a great love; such a love is characterized by compassion, passion and courage.

It allows you to see through to your partner's essence, willing to be in total support of your partner's well-being, goals, purpose and spirit; and unwilling for your partner to be less than all he or she can be spiritually, mentally, and physically.

Such a love requires that you be totally honest with yourself and your mate, that you ask for what you want, take action even though you are afraid, share your feelings and listen but leave your partner free to be who they really are. In other words, always love your partner for who they are, not for who you think they should be.

Declaration of Consent

Rev. Helene:     and     will you release the past, bringing only those memories, desires and hopes which will belong to each other, into your future life together?

Both: We will.

Sand Ceremony

music

"Please note this empty glass. Glass, itself, is made from sand and the sands of time have come together, melting into one piece to make this vessel. The sands of time should remind us all of our eternal love and our mortality.  Will the mother of the bride, pour a representation of your family in the vessel? Will the mother of the groom, pour a representation of your family in the vessel.

Today     and     have chosen to represent their love to each other in a special sand ceremony.

 Please      and      take your separate glass of sand from your Mothers, and alternate the pouring of sand into this joining vessel and be united,

As these two sands blend together, so our lives join to become one. We met as individuals and so remain but strengthened as we have also become one. We look forward to the future knowing that we can face whatever it may hold because of our unity. May our love forever shine as a beacon to others."

VOWS:

Repeat after me

To Groom:         do you reach out in love to receive     and choose to share your life with her? Will you promise always to give to her your expression of your ever growing love; will you comfort her, be sensitive to her needs, express your feelings with her, listen to her, put your trust in her, and forsaking all others, be her intimate friend and honor her as your equal partner?

Groom: "I do"

Rev. Helene to Bride:       do you reach out in love to receive      and choose to share your life with him? Will you promise always to give to him your expression of your ever growing love; will you comfort him, be sensitive to his needs, express your feelings with him, listen to him, put your trust in him, and forsaking all others, be his intimate friend and honor him as your equal partner?

Bride: "I do"

Rev. Helene: These spoken commitments to each other are the alignment of your words, which speaks boldly of your intentions . . . and your actions, which speak louder than your words.

RINGS AS A SYMBOL

Rev. Helene: What symbols do you give in this marriage?

Bride and Groom: Rings.

Your rings are circles and a circle is the symbol of the sun, the earth, the universe, of wholeness, perfection, peace and unity. Like circles, your rings have no beginning and no end and in the sacred tradition of marriage rings have come to symbolize eternal love and the endless union of body, of mind, and spirit.

These rings will be worn by     and      to show to the world their love and commitment to one another. May the presence of these rings always remind you of the eternal love you have pledged and devotion you willingly share with one another from this moment on?

Rev. Helene to Groom:        , please repeat after me.

I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you, in the Name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

You may now place the ring on her finger.

Rev. Helene to Bride:       , please repeat after me.

I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you, in the Name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

You may now place the ring on his finger.

Pronouncement of Marriage

Now that        and       have given themselves to each other by solemn vows, with the joining of hands and the giving and receiving of a ring, I now pronounce you wife and husband, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Those, whom Love has joined together, let no one put asunder.

 •    •    •

Rev. Helene:  You may now Kiss your Bride!

Introduction of Couple

Rev. Helene: Ladies and Gentlemen: It is my pleasure to introduce to you, for the first time…

Mr. & Mrs.

Recessional:

Music

The Sand Ceramony is a perfect addition to an outside wedding, Especially a Beach wedding. It may replace the Unity Candle Ceramony.

Another good thing about including this Sand Ceramony is the Beautiful Keepsake that you create at your wedding!

We can face whatever it may hold because of our unity.

 If you would like a  wedding composed especially for you, please contact us here a

 Pocono Region Interfaith Ministries.

570-636-2410,

570-400-0733,

570-401-4987              

Many Blessings on your Wedding Day and along Life's Long Journey!

At your Serice...

Rev Elizabeth

Rev. Lynda

Rev. Helene

Rev. Dan