[Bride walks down the aisle with Dad and Brad and stand
before officiant. Mothers stay standing.]
Welcome family, friends and loved ones. We are gathered
here today to celebrate one of life's greatest moments, to
give recognition to the worth and beauty of love, and to
add our best wishes to the ceremony which shall unite
Devin and Cheriese in marriage.
The tradition of the father giving away his daughter began
as a symbol of his blessing of the marriage. Dad and Brad,
you have had the honor, responsibility and privilege to
watch Cheriese grow into a beautiful woman and loving
mother. Today, Cheriese will become a wife and each of you
will welcome Devin as your son into your family and trust
in him with the responsibility once yours. So I ask now
for the declaration of this trust and blessing,
Who gives this woman to this man?
Her mother and I. [Brad kisses Cheriese, shakes Devin's
hand and waits to be seated]
Her step-mother and I. [Dad kisses Cheriese shakes Devin's
hand and waits to be seated]
[Fathers seated]
Life is given to each of us as individuals. Love is shown
to us by our family and our friends. Our heart is meant to
be shared.
We go through life dreaming, believing and searching for
the one whom we can trust to share our heart, our love,
our life. The one to love completely, regardless of flaws,
faults, or imperfections. The one who returns this love.
We dream, believe and search... and suddenly, we find it.
Our heart opens to the one it has waited for. And it is
the greatest beauty of all time. There is no greater joy
in life than to love, and to be loved. It is a priceless
gift, never to be returned, always cherished, held on to
and celebrated.
Devin, you stand today announcing your search complete.
You have found the one to love, honor, cherish and
protect. To share your joys and worries, your successes
and your struggles. I ask you now, before the community of
family and friends with whom you have lived and loved, do
you take Cheriese to be your wedded wife, friend and
companion for all the days of your life? [I do]
If you will please take Cheriese's hands in yours, and
repeat the vows of your love and devotion after me:
"Cheriese, today, I give myself to you." [repeat]
"I give you my heart and my soul." [repeat]
"I thank you for accepting me for who I am, [repeat]
for never asking me to change." [repeat]
----
"Today, I promise to love you in good times, [repeat]
to comfort you in bad times." [repeat]
----
"I will always be proud to call you my wife." [repeat]
"You are my rock and my best friend." [repeat]
"With you, I have found the perfect love, [repeat]
The woman I want to grow old with." repeat]
"You are the future I dreamed of." [repeat]
---
"Today and all the days to come, [repeat]
I will love you unconditionally." [repeat]
Cheriese, you stand today announcing your search complete.
You have found the one to love, honor, cherish and
protect. To share your joys and worries, your successes
and your struggles. I ask you now, before the community of
family and friends with whom you have lived and loved, do
you take Devin to be your wedded husband, friend and
companion for all the days of your life? [I do]
If you will please repeat the vows of your love and
devotion after me:
"Devin, today, I give myself to you." [repeat]
"I give you my heart and my soul." [repeat]
"I thank you for accepting me for who I am, [repeat]
for never asking me to change." [repeat]
----
"Today, I promise to love you in good times, [repeat]
to comfort you in bad times." [repeat]
----
"I will always be proud to call you my husband."
[repeat]
"You are my rock and my best friend." [repeat]
"With you, I have found the perfect love, [repeat]
The man I want to grow old with." [repeat]
"You are the future I dreamed of." [repeat]
---
"Today and all the days to come, [repeat]
I will love you unconditionally." [repeat]
Devin, do you have a ring for your bride? [I do]
Place the ring, an eternal symbol of your love, on
Cheriese's finger, and repeat after me, "With this ring I
take you to be my friend, my lover, my wife for as long as
we both shall live."
Cheriese, do you have a ring for your groom? [I do]
Place the ring, an eternal symbol of your love, on Devin's
finger, and repeat after me, "With this ring I take you to
be my friend, my lover, my wife for as long as we both
shall live."
Through the unity of bringing the two of you together as
partners, Cheriese you also bring your daughter, Tristan.
Devin, will you honor, respect and empower Tristan? Will
you mentor as a responsible and loving role model? Will
you listen, play and provide security and safety? [I will]
Tristan, will you accept Devin's love for you as your
friend and parent, and allow him love you, listen to you,
and guide you through your life? [Yes, I will.]
Devin: I give you this necklace / bracelet as a reminder
that I love you and will always be here when you need a
hug!
Devin, Cheriese and Tristan, the sealing of this marriage
also seals the union of you as a family. In good times and
bad, always remember the vows and promises each of you
made today... for your word is and will always be, the
most important thing you will ever have.
Devin and Cheriese as the two of you come into this
marriage uniting as husband and wife, I would ask that you
always remember to cherish each other as special and
unique individuals, that you respect the thoughts, ideas
and suggestions of one another. Be able to forgive, do not
hold grudges, and live each day shared together as a
family.
***
Love letter Ceremony
