We are gathered here today to celebrate one of life's greatest moments, to recognize the worth and beauty of love, and to cherish the words which shall unite ____________ and ____________ in marriage.

Friends and relatives, we have come here today at the invitation of __________ and __________ to share in the joy of their wedding. This outward celebration is an expression of the inner love and devotion they have in their hearts toward one another.

Good evening to all friends and family. ________ and ______have asked me to thank you all for coming from distances both near and far to be a part of this special day.

With the horizon our only walls, the sky our only ceiling and the earth our floor, we meet here in nature to affirm the love of ______ and _____.

Sample Openings that include God or a Higher Power:

 

_____________and ___________have asked me to formally welcome you to the celebration of their love on this wedding day. It is their hope that this day will help bring us all closer together. Those who chose can use this ceremony as an opportunity to renew their own commitment to their partnership or marriage.  We welcome the Divine as the source of all Love

 

Dearly Beloved: We are gathered here, in the presence of God and of this company, that ______ and ______ may be united in holy matrimony. We ask God’s blessing on this commitment, both today and in the days to come.

 

Thank you for joining us today to celebrate the marriage of ___________and ___________. The family and close friends who are present have supported and blessed them along the way. This ceremony was created by _____and _____ to express their love and commitment for each other and to thank you and God for always being there for them.

 

Good evening to all friends and family. ________ and ______have asked me to thank you all for coming from distances both near and far to be a part of this special day. Let us open this sacred event with a prayer (prayer of your choice)

 

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Optional prayer examples: Choose one of these or any traditional or non traditional prayer of your choice.  

 

God, who gives us the longing for, and capability of loving, we give you thanks for ___ and _____, for their open hearts and willing spirits, and for the example of love that they embody here in our presence. Be with them on this joyous occasion of showing their love and making their vows; and be with us, their witnesses, that we may all be changed by what is said and witnessed here.
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“Wedding Gifts” by Katherine Murphy
     Grant us O Lord, the gift of words, Kind and loving words that communicate and encourage, words of wisdom from you.
     Grant us O Lord, the gift of attention, rapt listening to the needs of one another and the casting aside of all focus on ourselves.
     Grant us O Lord, the gift of acceptance, the ability to recognize our differences and see in one another the unique person you created.
     Grant us O Lord, the gift of patience, not only with each other as we grow and change but to know that all good things come in your time.
     Grant us O Lord, the greatest of all the gifts, Love – on this day and always – as we join together in the sacred union of marriage.

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"A Wedding Prayer" by Robert Lewis Stevenson
Lord, behold our families here assembled.  

We thank you for the place where we dwell. 

For the love that unites us, 

For the peace accorded us this day. 

For the hope with which we greet the morrow, 

For the health, the work, the food. 

For the bright skies that make our lives delightful;
And for our friends in all parts of the earth. 

Amen

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A Wedding Prayer of Love by Rabbi Rami M. Shapiro.
Dear God, You have brought this couple together that they might risk the joys and sorrows of love. They have said “yes” to You and to each other. We now ask that You bless them with love and compassion, righteousness and truth. Guide them in the ways of deep and loving friendship that they may forever cherish, honor, uphold and sustain each other and the divine image that is our deepest self.

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A Translation of "Our Father" directly from the Aramaic into English (rather than from Aramaic to Greek to Latin to English)
      O cosmic Birther of all radiance and vibration! Soften the ground of our being and carve out a space within us where your Presence can abide. Fill us with your creativity so that we may be empowered to bear the fruit of your mission. Let each of our actions bear fruit in accordance with our desire. Endow us with the wisdom to produce and share what each being needs to grow and flourish. Untie the tangled threads of destiny that bind us, as we release others from the entanglement of past mistakes. Do not let us be seduced by that which would divert us from our true purpose, but illuminate the opportunities of the present moment. For you are the ground and the fruitful vision, the birth-power and fulfillment, as all is gathered and made whole once again.

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A Blessing for The Journey (Buddhist Prayer) 

Let us vow to bear witness to the wholeness of life, realizing the completeness of each and every thing.  Embracing our differences, I shall know myself as you, and you as myself. May we serve each other for all our days, here, there, and everywhere. 

 

Let us vow to open ourselves to the abundance of life. Freely giving and receiving, I shall care for you, for the trees and stars, as treasures of my very own. May we be grateful for all our days, here, there, and everywhere.

 

Let us vow to forgive all hurt,caused by ourselves and others, and to never condone hurtful ways. Being responsible for my actions, I shall free myself and you. Will you free me, too? May we be kind for all our days, here, there, and everywhere. 

 

Let us vow to remember that all that appears will disappear. In the midst of uncertainty, I shall sow love.

Here! Now! I call to you: Let us together live The Great Peace that we are. May we give no fear for all our days, here, there, and everywhere.

 -- Sensei Wendy Egyoku Nakao

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Invocation of the Elements 

May the gentle breeze bear witness to this ceremony, and carry its message to all lands

May the sun warm their hearts, and its ever-burning fire fuel their desire for each other

May the lake provide for them from its bounty, and comfort their souls with their sounds

May the earth lend its strength, and reveal its mysteries.

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 Including/honoring those who have passed in the opening:

 

_________and ________ have asked me to thank you all for coming from distances both near and far to be a part of this special day. They would also like to acknowledge those loved ones who have passed, who are present in spirit, blessing this ceremony.  or  They would also like to acknowledge those loved ones who have passed, who are always close in their hearts.

 

Sometimes couples choose to have the departed mentioned by name or in their program. Others have a memory table with candles and photos. (Candles are either already lit or lit as part of the opening and acknowledged.) Some place a rose on the empty seat where the deceased would have sat. Others include their favorite poem or verse as a reading..