ERIC AND HARMONY
JULY 7, 2007
7PM

OPENING

Good evening, and welcome to the ceremony that will unite Eric and Harmony in marriage. We gather here today to celebrate their union, and to honor their commitment to not just gaze at one another, but to look outward together in the same direction.

May I ask who gives the bride away?

(fathers) We do, with her families blessings. (they then take their seats)

Today Eric and Harmony proclaim their love to the world, and we rejoice with and for them. In marriage, we give ourselves freely and generously into the hands of the one we love, and in doing so, each of us receives the love and trust of the other as our most precious gift. But even as that gift is shared by two people who are in love, it also touches the friends and family members who, in various ways, support and contribute to the relationship. All of you constitute Eric and Harmony’s community, and each of you has played some part in bringing them to this moment. This is why gathering as a community is such an important part of a wedding ceremony. Because Eric and Harmony are now taking a new form as a married couple, and in this form, they become part of their community in a new way.

Eric and Harmony, we are here to remember and rejoice with you and to recount with one another that it is love that guides us on our path, and to celebrate as you begin this journey together. It is in this spirit that you have come here to today to exchange these vows.

VOWS

Eric, repeat after me:
I Eric take you Harmony to be my wife
I promise above all else to live in truth with you
and to communicate fully and fearlessly
I give you my hand and my heart
as a sanctuary of warmth and peace
and pledge my love, devotion, faith and honor
as I join my life to yours.

Harmony, repeat after me:
I Harmony take you Eric to be my husband
I promise above all else to live in truth with you
and to communicate fully and fearlessly
I give you my hand and my heart
as a sanctuary of warmth and peace
and pledge my love, devotion, faith and honor
as I join my life to yours.

RINGS

For thousands of years, lovers have exchanged rings as a token of their vows. These simple bands are not of great value in themselves, but are made precious by your wearing of them.

Your rings say that even in your uniqueness you have chosen to be bound together. Let these rings also be a sign that love has substance as well as soul, a present as well as a past, and that, despite its occasional sorrows, love is a circle of happiness, wonder, and delight.

Eric, take Harmony’s ring and put it on her finger, and repeat after me:
Just as this circle is without end, my love for you is eternal
Just as it is made of indestructible substance
my commitment to you will never fail
With this ring I take you to be my trusted confidante
and partner for life.

Harmony, take Eric’s ring and put it on his finger, and repeat after me:
Just as this circle is without end, my love for you is eternal
Just as it is made of indestructible substance
my commitment to you will never fail
With this ring I take you to be my trusted confidante
and partner for life.

UNITY CANDLE
Couple and Priestess move to table where sits 6 candles. 1 pillar, 5 tapers. Priestess ask children to join them, and asks them to each light a candle.

These five candles are represent each of you. Each of you as a whole and complete human being.

Now, light the large candle, which represents you as family, but extinguish not the first five. For in marriage and family you do not lose yourself; you add something new, a relationship, the capacity to merge into one another without losing sight of your individual self.

CAKES AND ALE

(Priestess hands chalice to Eric) May you drink your fill from the cup of life. May you never thirst.

(Eric holds chalice to Harmony while she sips, then Harmony it to Eric while he sips. Returns chalice to Priestess)

(Priestess hands bread to Eric) May you eat your fill from the food of the earth. May you never hunger.

(Eric holds bread to Harmony. Harmony holds bread to Eric)

PRONOUNCEMENT

Eric and Harmony, although I’m officiating here today, it is not truly in my power to sanctify, legitimize or bless your relationship in any way, because the two of you have already done that in your hearts.

So, by joining hands right now and looking into each other’s eyes, let it be known that you are joined, body and soul in this lifetime, and that this bond is sacred and eternal.

And now that you have stood before me and exchanged these rings and these vows, and have agreed to be married according to the laws of the state of Ohio, it gives me great pleasure to pronounce you, Husband and Wife.

You may kiss the bride.

PRESENTATION

Ladies and gentlemen, it is my distinct honor to present to you for the first time as husband and wife, Mr. and Mrs. __________________

(after wedding party leaves…I will direct the guest as to what they are to do next.)