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Universalist Marriage

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Processional
~ Introductory Music ~
Welcome Statement
Minister: Dearly beloved, we are gathered here on this beautiful day to witness the union of bride and groom in holy matrimony. This is a day of great celebration and reverence, on which we come together before before the Universe to recognize and commemorate the sacred love and dedication shared between these two people. It is wonderful to have family and friends here to join us today.
The bride and groom would like to thank their guests for being here, and would like you to know that each of you were invited here on this day because you have played an integral part in their intertwining lives.
Marriage is, truly, a magical gift. As Mark Twain noted, "Marriage makes of two fractional lives a whole, and it gives to two purposeless lives a work [...] it gives to two questioning natures a reason for living, and something to live for; it will give a new gladness to the sunshine, a new fragrance to the flowers, a new beauty to the earth, a new mystery to life."
In the time that groom and bride have spent together, they've built the sturdy foundation for a lifelong relationship. After a great deal of thoughtful consideration, they have decided to bind themselves to one another for the rest of their lives.
May you all remember and cherish this sacred ceremony, for on this day, with love, we will forever bind groom and bride together.
Family Blessing
Minister: Who gives this bride today?
Bridal Companion: I do.
Speak Now
Minister: If there is anyone in attendance who has cause to believe that this couple should not be joined in marriage, you may speak now or forever hold your peace.
Universal Life Church
Wedding Sermon
Minister: (Addressing guests) Marriage is a sacred ceremony. Today we observe the union of these two people with the respect the occasion warrants. What we honor with reverence, however, we also celebrate with great joy! For married life – a shared life – is a tremendous blessing. Now, as groom and bride embark on this journey together, they will be able to nurture a love that makes each of them better versions of themselves. Marriage is, indeed, the perfect garden from which to sow and harvest personal growth.
(Addressing couple) groom and bride, learn to work together, to laugh together, and to love together. Don't get caught up in worldly things that will draw you apart. Instead, focus on your shared devotion and turn inward. As your relationship strengthens you will find that you come to share a remarkable love; a love that is both abundantly given and freely accepted.
The joy you'll find as you pursue your shared lives will fuel you to face head-on the challenges you'll encounter on this Earth. On your journeys together, keep your spouse in the space of highest priority in your heart. The love you share must be guarded and cherished, it is your most valuable treasure. Consecration
Minister: I solemnly consecrate these matrimonial proceedings and the sacred covenant you shall both enter into on this day.
Marriage is an ancient rite. As you enter into this union, you are choosing to take part in a historical human establishment and are pledging your commitment before the witnesses present here today to enter into that tradition with honor.
Love, it has been noted, is the reason we live. As Carl Sagan wisely deduced, "The world is so exquisite with so much love and moral depth. We should remain grateful every day for the brief but magnificent opportunity that life provides. The sum of all our evolution, our thinking and our accomplishments is love."
Exchange of Vows
Minister: groom and bride, the sacred vows that you make to one another today present you with the opportunity to express your love in your own words. I would at this time invite you to publically declare these vows: groom, you may begin.
Universal Life Church groom: I, groom, take you, bride, for my lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life, until death do us part. This is my solemn vow.
Minister: bride, you may now make your promise. bride: I, bride, take you, groom, for my lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life, until death do us part. This is my solemn vow.
Declaration of Intent
Minister: bride and groom please face one another and join hands. bride, do you take groom to be your lawfully wedded husband? By making this commitment, you are joining in the sacred covenant of marriage.
Do you promise to honor him in love, to be sensitive to his needs, to comfort him in difficulty, and to put your full and complete trust in him, so long as you both shall live? bride: I do.
Minister: groom, do you take bride to be your lawfully wedded wife? By making this commitment, you are joining in the covenant of marriage.
Do you promise to honor her in love, to be sensitive to her needs, to comfort her in difficulty, and to put your full and complete trust in her, so long as you both shall live? groom: I do.
Minister: Very well.
Jumping the Broom Ceremony groom and bride, while the words you have spoken have sealed your union, it is in jumping over this broom that you truly transition into your new combined lives together.
As she/he speaks the words above, the minister should display the ceremonial broom to those gathered, setting it down before the Bride and Groom after she/he has finished.
Take a moment to recall every magical moment in your life that led you to this point. All the smiles and tears endured, all the meticulous plans that went awry and the happy accidents that got you
Universal Life Church back on course. Everything that has ever happened has led you to this miraculous moment, right here. When you’re ready, take the hand of your betrothed and leap over the broom together, entering your destiny. groom and bride should join hands, jumping over the broom together.
Exchange of Rings
Minister: To commemorate this union, you may now exchange rings. The circle formed by each ring symbolizes your eternal love and commitment to one another. Let these rings remind you always of that love, and of the promises you have made here on this day.
Will each of you please repeat after me as you place the ring on your loved ones hand? bride: I, bride, give you groom this ring as a symbol of my love and commitment. With this ring, I thee wed. groom: I, groom, give you bride this ring as a symbol of my love and commitment. With this ring,
I thee wed.
Pronouncement
Minister: By the power vested in me, by the Universal Life Church and by the state of Georgia, I pronounce you, bride and groom as wife and husband, lawfully wedded before the Universe.
Kiss
Minister: groom, you may now kiss the bride, forever sealing your union.
Presentation
Minister: Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to present to you Mr. and Mrs. groom and bride couple!
Universal Life Church
Recessional
~ Exit Music ~

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