Wedding of Susan and Peter
August 8, 2008 3:00pm

Items needed:
Table cord
Table Cloth
Bell

Greeting:

Priestess: Welcome family and friends! We have come together here in celebration of the joining together of Susan and Peter. 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 beings. 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, Peter and Susan have come here today to be joined as one in marriage.

Giving Away the Bride:
Priestess: Others would ask, at this time, who gives the bride in marriage, but, as a woman is not property to be bought and sold, given and taken, I ask simply if she comes of her own will and if she has her family’s blessing. Susan, is it true that you come of your own free will?

Bride: Yes, it is true.

Priestess: With whom do you come and whose blessings accompany you?

Bride’s Children: She comes with us, her children, and is accompanied by all of her family’s blessings.

Priestess: Thank you
(children take their seats)

Speak to Couple:
Priestess: Please join hands with your love and listen to that which I am about to say. Above you are the stars, below you are the stones, as time passes, remember… Like a stone should your love be firm like a star should your love be constant. Let the powers of the mind and of the intellect guide you in your marriage, let the strength of your wills bind you together, let the power of love and desire make you happy, and 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 God is with you always.
Exchange of Rings:
Priestess: Peter, I have not the right to bind you to Susan, only you have this right. If it be your wish, say so at this time and place your ring in her hand
Groom: It is my wish.

Priestess: Susan, if it is your wish for Peter to be bound to you, place the ring on his finger. (places ring on Groom’s left ring finger) Susan, I have not the right to bind you to Peter only you have this right. If it be your wish, say so at this time and place your ring in his hand.

Bride: It is my wish

Priestess: Peter, if it is your wish for Susan to be bound to you, place the ring on her finger.(places ring on Bride’s left ring finger)

Vows:
Priestess: (to Groom) Repeat after me: I, Peter, 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 you Susan, to my hand, my heart, and my spirit, to be my chosen one. To desire you and be desired by you, to possess you, and be possessed by you, without sin or shame, for naught can exist in the purity of my love for you. I promise to love you 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 you in any way. I shall respect you, your beliefs, your people, and your ways as I respect myself.
(to Bride) I Susan, 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 you Peter, to my hand, my heart, and my spirit, to be my chosen one. To desire you and be desired by you, to possess you, and be possessed by you, without sin or shame, for naught can exist in the purity of my love for you. I promise to love you 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 you in any way. I shall respect you, your beliefs, your people, and your ways as I respect myself.
Unity Candle:Unity Candle
(Couple and Officiant move to table where sits 3 candles. Bride and Groom each light a taper).

Priestess These two candles are yourselves. Each of you is a whole and complete human being.
Together, light the third candle, but extinguish not the first two. For in marriage 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.

Handfasting:
Priestess: Susan, please face Peter and hold his hands, palm up, so you may see the blessing that they are to you.
(Bride and groom should be facing each other, his upturned hands resting in hers.)
“With this cord, I bind you to the vows that you each have made.” (Wrap the cords loosely around both arms) “May you be blessed with health and prosperity. For remember what one may not provide, the other may. So are you bound, each to the other, unto all of your days.”

Pronouncement:
Priestess: By the power vested in me by Spirit 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.
Presentation:
Priestess: I would like to present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Peter.

(signing of license will take place after the ceremony)