Wedding of –
Adam and Lori
August 20, 2005

Mothers are led to the unity candles and each light a taper representing their families. They are then led back to their seats. (by who needs to be decided)

Father walks bride down the aisle. Stopping in front of the Priestess (father leaves you
With Adam, and goes to his seat)

*GREETING*

[PRIESTESS]
We have come together here in celebration of the joining together of Adam and Lori. 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 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 unto all being. Without love, life is nothing. 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, Adam and Lori have come here today to be joined as one in marriage.

Who gives this bride in marriage?

[BRIDES FATHER]
(Father stands) Her mother and I do. (Father sits back down)

[PRIESTESS]
Thank you (nods to the father)

[PRIESTESS TO COUPLE]
Please join hands.

Above you are the stars, below you are the stones. As time passes, remember…Like a stone should your love be firm and like a star should your love be constant. Let the powers of your mind and of your intellect guide you in your marriage. Let the strength of your dedication make you inseparable. Be close, but not too close. Possess 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, for Spirit is with you always.

*POETRY READING*

*RINGS*

[PRIESTESS]
Circles represent eternity, and though our lives are finite, love – the creative force that binds us together, the force that gives new life – is everlasting.

[PRIESTESS TO ADAM]
Adam, if it be your wish to be united with Lori, say so at this time and place your ring on Lori’s finger. (Adam places ring on Lori’s finger)

[PRIESTESS TO LORI]
Lori, if it be your wish to be united with Adam, say so at this time and place your ring on Adam’s finger. (Lori places ring on Adam’s finger)

*VOWS*

[PRIESTESS TO COUPLE]
Please join hands once again.

[PRIESTESS TO ADAM]
Adam, please repeat after me:

I, Adam, in the name of the Spirit that resides within us all, by the life that courses within my blood and the love that resides within my heart, take thee Lori to my hand, my heart, and my spirit, to be my chosen one. To desire thee and be desired by thee, to possess thee, and be possessed by thee, without sin or shame, for naught can exist in the purity of my love for thee. I promise to love thee wholly and completely without restraint, in sickness and in health, in plenty and in poverty, in life and beyond, where we shall meet, remember, and love again. I shall not seek to change thee in any way. I shall respect thee, they beliefs, they people, and they ways as I respect myself.

[PRIESTESS TO LORI]
Lori, please repeat after me:

I, Lori, in the name of the Spirit that resides within us all, by the life that courses within my blood and the love that resides within my heart, take thee Adam to my hand, my heart, and my spirit, to be my chosen one. To desire thee and be desired by thee, to possess thee, and be possessed by thee, without sin or shame, for naught can exist in the purity of my love for thee. I promise to love thee wholly and completely without restraint, in sickness and in health, in plenty and in poverty, in life and beyond, where we shall meet, remember, and love again. I shall not seek to change thee in any way. I shall respect thee, they beliefs, they people, and they ways as I respect myself.

(pause and then lead couple to candles) (what are we going to place the candles on? I have a small oak dining tray with white lace if needed)

*UNITY CANDLE*

Each of you please take a candle that has been lit by your mothers, representing your individual selves and families.

Let them meet and unite here at the center. Now extinguish your singular candles, and rejoice in the combining of the families as you are united in marriage.

*CAKES AND ALE*

[PRIESTESS TO COUPLE]
(hands chalice to groom, saying): May you drink your fill from the cup of love. May you never thirst.

(Adam holds cup while Lori sips. Lori holds cup while Adam sips….hand chalice back to Priestess)

[PRIESTESS TO COUPLE]
May you eat your fill from the food of the earth. May you never hunger.

(Priestess hands plate of bread/cakes to Adam. Adam feeds Lori, Lori feeds Adam…hand plate back to Priestess)

By the power vested in me by God and the State of Ohio, I now pronounce you husband and wife. May your love so endure that its flame remains a guiding light unto you.

You may kiss the bride.

*INTRODUCTION OF THE COUPLE*

[PRIESTESS TO GUESTS]
I would like to present to you for the first time ….Mr. and Mrs. Adam ______________.