Rain or Shine
This ceremony was written for a Pagan and an ex-Catholic. The ceremony was supposed to be outside under massive metal arches. A thunderstorm had threatened to overtake the wedding site, lightning included. As the guests were arriving the rain subsided. By the time the bride arrived and we started the ceremony, the storm had abated completely.
Officiant: Welcome all to the handfasting of Bride and Groom. We have gathered here on this beautiful day, to witness this sacred union, with our hearts and minds full of love and support for Bride and Groom.
Bride, do you come here of your own accord, to be joined to Groom, in the holy bonds of matrimony?
Bride: I do.
Officiant: Groom, do you come here of your own accord, to be joined to Bride, in the holy bonds of matrimony?
Groom: I do.
Officiant: May I have the rings? (hold rings between Bride and Groom) The ring is a circle that represents the unending love that binds Bride and Groom together and the love they share. It is a symbol of the everlasting promises made here today.
Please repeat after me.
Bride: *I wish to join… my life with yours.
To stand by your side… and sleep in your arms.
To be joy to your heart… and food to your soul.
To work as partners… and live as a family… while we grow old together.
I vow to love… honor and respect you.
To hold you to my heart… but not bind you to my will.
I promise to listen carefully… and to speak the truth… to stay with you through struggles...
and pleasures... all the days of my life
Will you accept me… and all that I am?*
Groom: I will.
Officiant: Bride, please take this ring, place it on Groom’s finger, and repeat after me.
Bride: With this ring… I, Bride… promise to love you, Groom… all my life
Through all the joys… and challenges… that we will face together.
Today, I bind… my heart and soul… body and mind… to you.
Groom: *I wish to join… my life with yours.
To stand by your side… and sleep in your arms.
To be joy to your heart… and food to your soul.
To work as partners… and live as a family… while we grow old together.
I vow to love… honor and respect you.
To hold you to my heart… but not bind you to my will.
I promise to listen carefully… and to speak the truth… to stay with you through struggles…
and pleasures... all the days of my life
Will you accept me… and all that I am?*
Bride: I will.
Officiant: Groom, please take this ring, place it on Bride’s finger, and repeat after me.
Groom: With this ring… I, Groom… promise to love you, Bride… all my life.
Through all the joys… and challenges… that we will face together.
Today, I bind… my heart and soul… body and mind… to you.
Officiant: Please join your hands (ties hands together with cord)
This cord forms the infinity knot. Just like this knot, the love of Groom and Bride goes on forever and binds them together. But, it is just a symbol.
Bride, do you accept the commitment that this cord symbolizes? To be bound to Groom, til the end of your days?
Bride: I do.
Officiant: Groom, do you accept the commitment that this cord symbolizes? To be bound to Bride, til the end of your days?
Groom: I do.
Officiant: I ask that the blessings of all that is Divine and Holy be upon you, Bride and Groom, as you go forth in this life. May joy, health, love, honor, and prosperity shine upon you always.
(tie the knot)
Today, we have been chosen to bear witness to the union of Groom and Bride. I charge all of you gathered here to not take that duty lightly, but to love and support, Bride and Groom, throughout their life together.
By the power vested in me, by the State of New York, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.
It is my great honor to introduce to you, Mr. and Mrs. Groom.
*…* This excerpt is called the “heart-binding vows” (pg. 63) from Raven Kaldera and Tannin Schwartzstein’s book Inviting Hera’s Blessing: Handfasting and Wedding Rituals (Llewellyn Publications; St. Paul, Minnesota; © 2003) and used with the author’s permission (pg. 2).
Officiant: Welcome all to the handfasting of Bride and Groom. We have gathered here on this beautiful day, to witness this sacred union, with our hearts and minds full of love and support for Bride and Groom.
Bride, do you come here of your own accord, to be joined to Groom, in the holy bonds of matrimony?
Bride: I do.
Officiant: Groom, do you come here of your own accord, to be joined to Bride, in the holy bonds of matrimony?
Groom: I do.
Officiant: May I have the rings? (hold rings between Bride and Groom) The ring is a circle that represents the unending love that binds Bride and Groom together and the love they share. It is a symbol of the everlasting promises made here today.
Please repeat after me.
Bride: *I wish to join… my life with yours.
To stand by your side… and sleep in your arms.
To be joy to your heart… and food to your soul.
To work as partners… and live as a family… while we grow old together.
I vow to love… honor and respect you.
To hold you to my heart… but not bind you to my will.
I promise to listen carefully… and to speak the truth… to stay with you through struggles...
and pleasures... all the days of my life
Will you accept me… and all that I am?*
Groom: I will.
Officiant: Bride, please take this ring, place it on Groom’s finger, and repeat after me.
Bride: With this ring… I, Bride… promise to love you, Groom… all my life
Through all the joys… and challenges… that we will face together.
Today, I bind… my heart and soul… body and mind… to you.
Groom: *I wish to join… my life with yours.
To stand by your side… and sleep in your arms.
To be joy to your heart… and food to your soul.
To work as partners… and live as a family… while we grow old together.
I vow to love… honor and respect you.
To hold you to my heart… but not bind you to my will.
I promise to listen carefully… and to speak the truth… to stay with you through struggles…
and pleasures... all the days of my life
Will you accept me… and all that I am?*
Bride: I will.
Officiant: Groom, please take this ring, place it on Bride’s finger, and repeat after me.
Groom: With this ring… I, Groom… promise to love you, Bride… all my life.
Through all the joys… and challenges… that we will face together.
Today, I bind… my heart and soul… body and mind… to you.
Officiant: Please join your hands (ties hands together with cord)
This cord forms the infinity knot. Just like this knot, the love of Groom and Bride goes on forever and binds them together. But, it is just a symbol.
Bride, do you accept the commitment that this cord symbolizes? To be bound to Groom, til the end of your days?
Bride: I do.
Officiant: Groom, do you accept the commitment that this cord symbolizes? To be bound to Bride, til the end of your days?
Groom: I do.
Officiant: I ask that the blessings of all that is Divine and Holy be upon you, Bride and Groom, as you go forth in this life. May joy, health, love, honor, and prosperity shine upon you always.
(tie the knot)
Today, we have been chosen to bear witness to the union of Groom and Bride. I charge all of you gathered here to not take that duty lightly, but to love and support, Bride and Groom, throughout their life together.
By the power vested in me, by the State of New York, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.
It is my great honor to introduce to you, Mr. and Mrs. Groom.
*…* This excerpt is called the “heart-binding vows” (pg. 63) from Raven Kaldera and Tannin Schwartzstein’s book Inviting Hera’s Blessing: Handfasting and Wedding Rituals (Llewellyn Publications; St. Paul, Minnesota; © 2003) and used with the author’s permission (pg. 2).