“A Celtic Ceremony”
Wedding Vows
Circle Casting
OFFICIAL:
A circle symbolizes the continuity of life, the never-ending nature of the universe and the constancy of this couple’s love for one another. A circle is a sacred place. Within our circle here is perfect love and trust.
Welcome
OFFICIAL:
Good evening family, friends and loved ones and welcome all. This nondenominational wedding ceremony may look slightly different than most other weddings you have attended but it is exactly the same in concept, purpose and legality as any other.
You will recognize much of it, and we ask that you participate with an open mind and an open heart. Lend your energy and support to this couple, that both your lives and theirs may be enriched by our presence here today.
Before the creation of the world, God knew the needs of creation. He created all that is in the world and saw that it was good. Why? To be an expression of Himself in His totality. Man and woman were created in the image of God to be an expression of Himself to God Himself.
Marriage is a sacred covenant of physical, emotional, intellectual, material and spiritual joining. It is the sharing of a couple’s feelings of love and commitment with friends, family and loved ones. We have all come together at this time and to this place, to witness, acknowledge and support their commitment to share their lives together. GROOM’S NAME andBRIDE’S NAME have chosen this day to begin their new life together as this day is the day of the new moon symbolizing new beginnings.
They will make special promises and vows to one another today in your presence. Listen carefully, lest you be called upon in the future to bear witness to these vows and promises.
Processional of Bride and Groom
OFFICIAL:
Please bow your head in a moment of silence for the Bride and Groom
Bride and Groom enter the circle
OFFICIAL:
As male and female love is necessary for the act of creating life and as this love continues year after year in the cycles of life and the mysteries of life and love, so share they combine their lives together this day in the embodiment of GROOM’S NAME and BRIDE’S NAME.
The Family and Friend’s Commitment
I ask all of you to support and encourage this couple in keeping their commitment, promises and vows. If you so agree, I ask that you repeat after me “I so support”.
GUEST’S RESPONSE:
I so support.
The Commitment
OFFICIAL:
GROOM’S NAME, as the man, you are the essence of all men. You are the maker of life, the son, the lover, the father, the wise old man, and the warrior. Will you promise to be the man, the adventurous young son, the father of your children, the lover of your woman, her advisor, supporter and protector when need be? If you come to this union with open eyes and open heart, of your own free will, say “I will”.
GROOM:
I will.
OFFICIAL:
BRIDE’S NAME, as the woman, you are the essence of all women. You are the giver of life, the daughter, the lover, the mother and the wise old crone. Will you promise to be the woman, the curious young girl, the mother of your children, the lover of your man, his adviser, his supporter and his lawgiver when need be? If you come to this union with open eyes and open heart, of your own free will, say “I will”.
BRIDE:
I will.
Exchange of Vows
The Ribbons
OFFICIAL:
The couple will now make promises and vows to one another. Let these promises hold them fast when life is rough and rocky; (displaying the 5 colored ribbons) let these ribbons bind their hearts, hands and lives together.
OFFICIAL:
Presents the Green ribbon to the Bride and Groom to tie on each other’s wrists
The color Green symbolizes earth, representing the physical and material. As you tie the green ribbon onto the other’s wrist, please repeat together after me:
“With this Green ribbon I promise to live with you always, to share all in the material world I have with you. We are partners in life and love, and we will always work together for the best of our lives together.”
OFFICIAL:
Presents the Yellow ribbon to the Bride and Groom to tie on each other’s wrists
The color Yellow symbolizes air, representing all that is intellectual and mental. As you tie the yellow ribbon onto the other’s wrist, please repeat together after me:
“With this Yellow ribbon I promise to communicate as clearly as I am able, to share my thoughts with you, to share my hopes and dreams, as well as my fears and insecurities. I promise to be open to hear you whether the words be good news or bad. I promise to always look for the good in your words.”
OFFICIAL:
Presents the Red ribbon to the Bride and Groom to tie on each other’s wrists
The color Red symbolizes fire, representing the power and passion in your relationship. As you tie the red ribbon onto the other’s wrist, please repeat together after me:
“With this Red ribbon I promise to always feed the fire of our physical passion, to never take you for granted and to always remember who you are, to treat you as my lover, to always be open to your expression of your love, and to share myself totally with you.
OFFICIAL:
Presents the Blue ribbon to the Bride and Groom to tie on each other’s wrists
The Blue ribbon symbolizes water, representing the emotional and love. As you tie the blue ribbon onto the other’s wrist, please repeat together after me:
“With this Blue ribbon I promise my heart will always be open to you, to love and respect you, to always put you first in my life, to always consider your feelings when making decisions and to put our relationship as the first priority before all else.
OFFICIAL:
Presents the White ribbon to the Bride and Groom to tie on each other’s wrists
The White ribbon symbolizes Spirit, representing the spiritual and philosophical in life. As you tie the white ribbon onto the other’s wrist, please repeat together after me:
“As everything in life is a circle, so is our love. There is no beginning and no end. We have been here before, and someday we will return. We are two, and we are the same. Today and forever, with this White ribbon I promise this will never change.”
Exchange of Wedding Rings
OFFICIAL:
Displays rings
These rings symbolize all the circles we dance in through our lives. These rings will be given and received as a symbol of the promises made and the union created here today. Blessed be these rings, may they ever inspire your lives, passions and dedication to one another. May you wear them gladly to represent your promises and vows to one another, and may the union that they exemplify always yield the ultimate in joy, serenity, love, and passion.
OFFICIAL:
GROOM’S NAME, take this ring and place it on BRIDE’S NAME finger and repeat after me:
“With these hands I give you my heart and crown it with my love. You are my love for the rest of my life. Please wear this ring as a loving reminder of this sacred commitment we are making to one another today. I, GROOM’S NAME, take BRIDE’S NAME to be my lawful wedded wife.
OFFICIAL:
BRIDE’S NAME, take this ring and place it on GROOM’S NAME finger and repeat after me:
“With these hands I give you my heart and crown it with my love. You are my love for the rest of my life. Please wear this ring as a loving reminder of this sacred commitment we are making to one antoher today. I, BRIDE’S NAME, take GROOM’S NAME to be my lawful wedding husband.
Pronouncement
OFFICIAL:
And now, by the power vested in me by the State of _______, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the Bride.
Introduction
OFFICIAL:
It is with great pleasure that I introduce to you for the first time ________________________, husband and wife.