the ceremony script / vows
written by Marty & Florence
Officiant (O): Welcome, everyone.
It is important to both Marty and Florence that so many of their friends and family are present to share in this celebration. There are others who could not be with us, though they are in our thoughts. We would like to remember Florence and Susan's mother, who would have been so proud to be here. Her daughters light this candle today to honor her memory and include her in Florence and Marty's growing family.
Florence and Susie light the candle for Mom.
Marty and Nate sing a surprise song, (Book of Love, by the Magnetic Fields), to Florence.
O: We are here to support Marty and Florence as they declare their love for one another. The love which unites them is a transforming love, one that challenges them to grow together emotionally and intellectually, one that grounds them in a fundamental respect for each other, and nurtures them. This love gives them the courage to change and the patience and understanding to accept each other as they are.
Addresses the bride and groom.
Florence and Marty, the universe has unfolded in a wonderful way for you. Please try to take a moment out of every day to look at one another and to listen. Don’t forget to say, “I love you,” and “Thank you.” Reach out to one another through all the hard times and misunderstandings, through all the joys and trials that your lives will bring.
Repeat after me:
I, Marty, promise to keep myself
open to you, Florence,
to live in truth with you,
to communicate fully and fearlessly.
I will be your willing student
and your patient teacher.
I will be your eager partner
in exploring
those things we have yet to
learn and places we have yet to go.
I will cherish you and be kind.
I bring to this marriage my
best and most complete self.
I accept and honor you as you
are,
loving what I know of you and
trusting what I do not yet know.
Know that I love you, and I
want to be with you always.
I, Florence, promise to keep
myself open to you,
to live in truth with you,
to communicate fully and fearlessly.
I will be your willing student
and your patient teacher.
I will be your eager partner
in exploring
those things we have yet to
learn and places we have yet to go.
I will cherish you and be kind.
I bring to this marriage my
best and most complete self.
I accept and honor you as you
are,
loving what I know of you and
trusting what I do not yet know.
Know that I love you, and I
want to be with you always.
I want you to feel deeply loved,
as I do every day.
O: Marty, do you take
Florence to be your beloved wife?
M: I do.
O: Florence, do you take
Marty to be your beloved husband?
F: I do.
O: Please present the rings.
Nate provides rings.
O: This ring is a small symbol of a love that is too big for words.
O: Marty, you may place the
ring on Florence's finger.
Marty places the ring.
O: Florence, please place the
ring on Marty's finger.
Florence places the ring.
O: No one but you can declare yourselves married. You have begun it here today in speaking your vows before this company, and you will do it again and again in the days to come, standing by each other, sharing all the sweet and the bitter of life. Each tender act, each loving word will be the declaration of what was marked here today.
Let your first married act be a kiss.
Kissing ensues!
O: You are now husband and
wife.