Raymond & Kathryn, 10-09-11, Lighthouse, Kennewick, WA

Rev. Stacey K. Miles Officiating

The Ceremony:

Welcome, family, friends and loved ones. We are here today to participate in a most joyous occasion, to celebrate one of life's greatest moments, the wedding of Ray and Kathryn. Ray and Kathryn thank you for your presence  today and ask for your blessing, encouragement and lifelong support.

Let us bow our heads and begin with a blessing for this union,

"Our hearts are filled with great happiness
on this the wedding day of Ray and Kathryn.
They have come before you,
pledging their lives and their hearts to one another.
Grant that they may be ever true and loving,
living together in a way that shall ever nurture
the soul of their marriage.
Temper their hearts with kindness
and help them to be sweethearts, helpmates,
friend and guide,
So that together, may they meet the cares
and problems of life more bravely.
May their home truly be a place of love and harmony
where your Spirit is ever present.
Bless their wedding day, we pray,
and walk beside them, through all their life together.
Amen"

Ray and Kathryn, today you present yourself before your family and friends to become husband and wife. Before this company, you wish to share your commitment to the one you have found the deepest love, formed the deepest bonds, given the deepest trust.

Marriage is perhaps the greatest and most challenging adventure. It must be built from love and patience, dedication and perseverance, talking and listening. Helping, supporting and believing in each other. Through tenderness and laughter, learning to forgive and to appreciate differences. By learning to make the important things matter, and to let go of the rest.

 No ceremony can create a marriage. What a ceremony can do is witness and affirm the choice to stand together as life mates and partners. So, I ask now,

Ray, do you take Kathryn to be your lawful wedded wife?

Today I give myself to you, I give you my heart and soul.
I thank you for accepting me for who I am.
I will always be proud to call you my husband.
You are my rock and my best friend.
From today and all the days to come, I will love you unconditionally for as long as we both shall live.

Do you have a ring for your bride? May this ring be blessed as the symbol of this unity and forever symbolize the love in your heart.  Place this ring on Kathryn’s finger and say your forever promise to her:

Kathryn, do you take Ray to be your lawful wedded husband?

If you will please repeat your vows after me,

“Today I give myself to you, I give you my heart and soul.
I thank you for accepting me for who I am.
I will always be proud to call you my husband.
You are my rock and my best friend.
From today and all the days to come, I will love you unconditionally for as long as we both shall live.

Do you have a ring for your groom? May this ring be blessed as the symbol of this unity and forever symbolize the love in your heart.  Place this ring on Ray’s finger and say your forever promise to him:

Ray and Place this ring on Kathryn’s finger and say your forever promise to her:

With children present, marriage is more than the union of two people. It is the proclaiming of a new family and a lifetime of caring for one another.  Would the children please come forward so Ray may share his promise with you?

It is with great honor and by the power of your love to now declare you joined in matrimony. You may now call yourselves by those old and respected names, husband and wife. May you strive always to meet this commitment with the same spirit you have on this day, your wedding day. May God bless your union.

Ray, you may kiss your bride.