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Renaissance Theme Wedding


Good afternoon m'lords and ladies. I am Reverend ___________, join with me as We call upon our Creator to look upon this solemn ceremony with us today.

We welcome all of you here today as we have gathered in the presence of God to unite in marriage Lord ____________ of (city name) _________________ and the Lady ________________ of (city name) ______________________.

This gathering is but the outward sign of an inward union of two hearts, minds, and spirits.

In marriage, husband and wife are called to a new way of life to live faithfully together in plenty and in want, in joy and in sorrow, in sickness and in health.

A true marriage is more than the joining of two persons. In its right eminence, it is the uniting of two souls already speaking and attuned to one another.

When such a true bond already exists between Lord and Lady, it is fitting that an outward celebration be made. This celebration is the purpose of this gathering and this solemn ceremony.

We, the loyal friends and blessed family, are here to bear witness to the bonding of Lord __________________ and Lady _________________ as husband and wife who are already one in the spirit of love.

Lord ___________________ and Lady _____________, This day thou has chosen to make a solemn vow of courage to support one another in holy wedlock.

It is a commitment of life, a promise to love one another, a promise of honesty, and a promise to always speak and listen to each other in love and never in anger. You both shall make this promise of understanding so thee may grow together in the years to come.

When a commitment this strong is made by two such courageous people, the force of that commitment, of that honesty, of that understanding, of that courage, reaches out and touches all of those around you, so that our lives are changed and we share a part of your love with you.

Like a stone dropped in a still and quiet pond, the ripples of thy love from this celebration extend and shall change the world we live in for ever more.

Angels and all good beings of this realm, join with us on this happy day and let this be a day of gladness, thanksgiving, possibility, bless us with good fortune for us all, we ask that you would grant special blessings unto everyone present here today, but especially for Lord _______________ and Lady ___________________.

Love is a miraculous gift, and a wedding is a celebration of that miracle. I ask you both; Lord ________________ and Lady _________________, as you stand in the presence of God, family and friends, both seen and unseen here today to remember that love and loyalty alone will avail as the foundation of a happy home.

If the solemn vow which you are about to make is kept, and if the two of you stead fastly endeavor to do the will of thy Heavenly Father, your life as one will be full of joy and the home which you are establishing will abide in peace. No other human ties are more tender, no other vows more sacred than those you now assume.

You are now taking into your care and keeping the happiness of the one person in all this realm whom you love best. With them by your side, you are adding to your life not only the affection of each other, but also the companionship and blessing of a deep trust as well. Are you agreeing this day to share strength, responsibilities, honesty and love with one another for ever more.

This service, however, is not magic. It will not create a relationship that did not already exist. It is time for tying a knot in the rope of days and saying, "We will not slip backwards, but will go forward together."

What greater thing is there for two human souls than to feel that they are joined for life; to strengthen each other in all labor, to rest upon the other in all sorrow, to minister to each other in all pain, to be one with each other in silent, unspeakable memories at the moment of the last parting?"

It is a time for one thing of which Lord ________________ and Lady ______________ are certain, their love for one another and their desire for that love to last forever.

Lord _______________ wilt thee have Lady ____________ to be thy wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honour, and keep her, in sickness and in health; and forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?

Lady _______________ wilt thee have Lord ______________ to be thy wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou obey him, and serve him, love, honour, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?

Who shall give Lady _______________ to Lord ________________ to be his wedded wife this day?

(Father, taking daughter's hand and placing it on top of groom's hand and says:) I, Lord _________________ from the shire of (city name) _________________, do hand over, my daughter, Lady _______________, to Lord ________________, to protect her through all the days of her life hence forth.

Lord ________________and Lady __________________, we, your friends and family wish for you a home, not a place of stone and wood, but an island of peace, a place from which you will receive strength and support that stays and carries with you throughout your daily lives. We wish for you a home of books, poetry and music. A home with all the things which represent the highest in both men, and women. A home full of friends and family and a love with which to share with one another.

Lord ______________ and Lady ____________ , to show the binding love in their hearts, shalt now be handfasted.

Lord _______________ and Lady _______________, know now before you goest further, that since your lives have crossed in this life, you have formed eternal and sacred bonds. As you seek to enter this state of matrimony you should strive to make real the ideals that to you, give meaning this ceremony and to the institution of marriage.

With full awareness, know that within this circle you are not only declaring your intent to be handfasted before your friends and family, but you speak that intent also to your Creator in Heaven. The promises made today and the ties that are bound here greatly strengthen your union and will cross the years and lives of each soul's growth.

Do you still seek to enter this ceremony? (Yes)

Lord _______________ and Lady _______________, I bid you look into each others eyes.

Will you honor and respect one another, and seek to never break that honor? (We will)

[The first cord is draped over the couples' hands] {And so the first binding is made.}

Will you share each other's pain and seek to ease it? (We will)

[Second cord is draped over the hands] {And so the binding is made}

Will you share the burdens of each so that you may grow in this union? (We will)

[Third cord is draped over the couples' hands] {And so the binding is made.}

Will you share each other's laughter, and look for the brightness in life and the positive in each other? (We will.)

[Fourth cord is draped over the couples' hands] {And so the binding is made.}

And now yea shalt be bound in marriage, tie the knot. [Tie cords together]

Lord _______________ and Lady ___________, as your hands are bound together now, so your lives and spirits are joined in a union of love and trust. Above you are the stars and below you is the earth. Like the stars you love should be a constant source of light, and like the earth, a firm foundation from which to grow.

From this day forward, you both shall be together even in the silent memory of God. But let there be spaces in your togetherness, and let the wind of the heavens dance between you. Love one another, but make ye not a bond of love. Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.

Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each of you be alone even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver the same music. Give of your hearts but not into each others keeping, for only the hand of life can contain your hearts.

Stand together yet not too near each other, for the pillars of the temple stand apart, and the oak and the cypress tree grow not into each others shadow. Stand together to complement one another as you hold your heads high so all may see the love you share.

At the end of this ceremony, thou shall be husband and wife legally. Know thee hence forth, thou must still decide each and every sunrise that stretches before thee, that thou does still want to be wed. Make such a decision and keep on making it for the most important thing in life is to love and be loved.(The cords are removed)

Lord ________________, I have not the right to bind thee to Lady ________________, 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.

Lady _______________, if it be your wish for Lord _____________ to be bound to you, place the ring on his finger. (She places ring on groom's left ring finger)

Lady ______________, I have not the right to bind thee to Lord __________________ 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.

Lord ________________, if it be your wish for Lady _____________ to be bound to you, place the ring on her finger.(He places ring on bride's left ring finger)

Lord __________________, repeat after me:

I, (grooms full name) ________________,
in the name of the spirit of God
that resides within us all,
by the life that courses within my blood
and the love that resides within my heart,
take thee (bride's full name) __________________
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,
or 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,
thy beliefs,
thy people,
and thy ways
as I respect myself.

Lady _________________, repeat after me:

I (bride's full name) __________________,
in the name of the spirit of God
that resides within us all,
by the life that courses within my blood,
and the love that resides within my heart,
take thee, (Groom's full name) ___________________
to my hand,
my heart,
and my spirit
to be my chosen one.
To desire
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,
thy beliefs,
thy people,
and thy ways
as I respect myself.

Lord ____________ and Lady ______________, may you always need one another, not so much to fill the emptiness as to help each other know your fullness. May you want one another, but not out of lack.

May you embrace one another, but not encircle one another. May you succeed in all important ways with each other and not fail in the little graces. Look for things to praise and often say "I love you." to one another and take no notice of the small faults less they bind thy spirits. May you have happiness and may you find it in making one another happy. May you have love, and may you find it in loving one another.

And now, be the powers from above and the State of __________, I now pronounce you, husband and wife. You may embrace and kiss.

Everyone, please stand and greet Lord and Lady ___________________________.

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