We extend a special invitation to God almighty to join us today and bless this event as we come together here in celebration of the joining together of Angel and David.

There are many things to say about marriage. Much wisdom concerning the joining together of two souls has come our way through all paths of belief and from many cultures. With each union, more knowledge is gained and more wisdom gathered.  Though we are unable to give all this knowledge to these two who stand before us, we can hope to leave with them the knowledge of love and its strengths, and the wisdom that comes with time.

Wisdom that allows you to share new interests and adventures, while allowing each other freedom to grow as individuals. Wisdom that allows you to always provide a safe place for each other, a place of stability amidst the world's changes... of comfort and acceptance despite life's pressures... that your faith won't be shaken by occasional feelings of hurt or disappointment. 

Wisdom that allows you to find in each disagreement the patience to listen, the courage to trust, and the strength to forgive. Wisdom that allows you to always inspire the best in each other, applauding successes, nurturing strengths, believing in each other's dreams, and working as one to make them come true. Wisdom that allows your lives be forever blessed with the richest of meaning, the greatest of joy, and the deepest of love. For the law of life is love. Without love, life is nothing. The epitome of love is marriage.

Marriage is a bond that is entered into only after considerable thought and reflection. As with any aspect of life, it has its cycles, its ups and its downs, its trials and its triumphs. With full understanding of this, Angel and David have come here today to be joined as one in marriage. Others might ask, at this time, who gives the bride in marriage, but, as a woman is not property to be bought and sold, given and taken, I ask simply if she comes of her own will and if she has her family's blessing.

With whom do you come and whose blessings accompany you.

Please join hands with your betrothed and listen to that which I am about to say.

Above you are the stars. Below you are the stones. As time doth pass, remember...

Like a stone should your love be firm. Like a star should your love be constant.

Like a flame should your union be warm and glowing with love in your hearts.

Like the earth should your marriage grow stronger through the seasons.

Like the wind may you sail through life safe and calm as in our Father's arms.

Like water should your relationship remain clean and soothing, that it may never thirst for love.

Let the powers of the mind and of the intellect guide you in your marriage.

Let the strength of your wills bind you together.

Let the power of love and desire make you happy,

and the strength of your dedication make you inseparable.

Be close, but not too close. Possess one another, yet be understanding.

Have patience with one another, for storms will come, but they will pass quickly.

Have no fear and let not the ways of the unenlightened give you unease, for God is with you always.

David and Angel, you alone have the right to bind yourselves to each other in marriage. Have you come here freely and without reservation to bind your hearts together?

Since it is your intention to enter into marriage, join your right hands and declare your consent before God:

May you drink your fill from the cup of love.

Angel and David, you will now break this bread and share it with each other as the Lord smiles down upon you so that while you walk in the light of God you shall never feel the pains of hunger.

We are now reminded of two very important aspects of marriage. The bride and groom - and everyone here - should consider these marriage vows irrevocable - just as permanent and final as the breaking of glass is unchangeable. But the breaking of glass is also a warning of the frailty of marriage. Sometimes a single thoughtless act or breech of trust can damage a marriage in ways that are very difficult to undo - just as it would be so difficult to undo the breaking of this glass. Knowing that, the bride and groom should always strive to show each other love and respect. The bride and groom will now acknowledge the permanence of this marriage.

May your love so endure. By the power vested in me by God and the State, I now pronounce you husband and wife. David, you may kiss the bride.

We will now take a few minutes for the sign of peace.

CELEBRANT: Your last gift to each other as single individuals was your wedding rings - which shall always be an outward demonstration of your vows of love and respect; and a public showing of your commitment to each other. You now have what remains the most honorable title which may exist between a man and a woman - the title of "husband" and "wife." You now will make your first gift as husband and wife.

In the past, the rose was considered a symbol of love and a single rose always meant one thing - it meant the words "I love you." So it is appropriate that for your first gift - as husband and wife - that gift would be a single rose. Please exchange your first gift.

In some ways it seems like you have not done anything at all. Just a moment ago you were holding one small rose - and now you are holding one small rose. In some ways, a marriage ceremony is like this.

Tomorrow may seem no different than yesterday. But in fact today, just now, you both have given and received one of the most valuable and precious gifts of life - one I hope you always remember - the gift of true and abiding love within the devotion of marriage.

Angel and David, In every marriage there are times when it is difficult to find the right words. It is easiest to hurt who we most love. It is easiest to be most hurt by who we most love. It might be difficult some time to say the words "I am sorry" or "I forgive you"; "I need you" or "I am hurting."

If this should happen, if you simply can not find these words, leave a rose at that spot which both of you have selected - for that rose then says what matters most of all and should overpower all other things and all other words. That rose says the words: "I still love you."

The other should accept this rose for the words which can not be found, and remember the love and hope that you both share today. Angel and David, if there is anything you remember of this marriage ceremony, it is that it was love that brought you here today, it is only love which can make it a glorious union, and it is by love which your marriage shall endure.

Angel and David, May the Lord protect you. May the peace of Christ live always in your hearts and in your home. May you have true friends to stand by you, both in joy and in sorrow. May you be ready and willing to help and comfort all who come to you in need.

And may the blessings promised to the compassionate be yours in abundance. May you find happiness and satisfaction in your work. May daily problems never cause you undue anxiety, nor the desire for earthly possessions dominate your lives.

But may your first love always be God Almighty and the good things waiting for you behind the veil. May the Lord bless you with many happy years together, so that you may enjoy the rewards of a good life. And after you have served Him loyally in His kingdom on earth, may He welcome you to His eternal Kingdom in heaven.

And may Almighty God bless you all. Go in Peace!