17 Aug 2015
//The First Ceremony I Ever Wrote
The First Ceremony I Ever Wrote
I love writing ceremonies. My favourites are the ones I write and officiate for friends and family. They also just happen to be the ones that give me the most stress. I put an enormous amount of pressure on my self to write the perfect wedding for that special ceremony.
Right now I am writing a wedding ceremony for my uncle and his soon to be wife. It is tough, but I love a challenge.
I took a break earlier and was looking over some of the ceremonies I wrote early on in my Celebrancy career for inspiration and it got me thinking. How did I start on this journey? What drew me to being a celebrant? What was the first ceremony I wrote?
Well after a furious 48hours digging through boxes I found it. The first ever ceremony I wrote, admittedly my lovely wife of almost 16 years, may have helped on this one.
This is where it all began, with my wedding ceremony.
WEDDING CEREMONY FOR MATTHEW & CATHERINE: 18.09.99.
Friends, I call upon everyone here to be a fellow witness with me in this marriage between Matthew & Catherine.
We are here, not only to witness their commitment to each other, but to wish them well & to wish them every happiness for their life together.
CANDLE CEREMONY
I now call upon Cindy & Alison who will each light a candle symbolising the two separate families. Using these candles they will light a single candle to show the joining of the families.
MARRIAGE DECLARATION
Matthew & Catherine, today you are surrounded by family & friends, all of whom are gathered here to witness your marriage ceremony & to share in the joy of this occasion which will be one of the most memorable & Happy days of your lives.
I Mary Wilcox, am duly authorised by law to solemnise marriages according to the law in this country.
Matthew & Catherine, before you are joined in marriage in my presence & in the presence of these witnesses, I am bound to remind you of the nature of the relationship Into which you are about to enter.
Marriage, according to the law of this country, is the union of a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others voluntarily entered into for life.
Today you stand before us, two mature & thoughtful people, who wish to express their true feelings & commitment to each other. From this day forward, you will be closer than ever before. Your love & support for each other will enable you to establish a home where through tolerance, patience & courage, that love & affection will develop into a deep lasting bond.
GIVING AWAY OF THE BRIDE
Who gives this woman to be married to this man?
Response: I do (Catherine’s father)
THE ASKING
Matthew, will you take Catherine to be your lawful wife, will you love her, comfort her, honour & keep her, in sickness & in health, & forsaking all others, keep only unto her, so long as you both shall live?
Matthew: I will.
Catherine, will you take Matthew to be your lawful husband, will you love him, comfort him, honour & keep him, in sickness & in health, & forsaking all others, keep only unto him, so long as you both shall live?
Catherine: I will.
The vows
(to be repeated after celebrant)
I, Matthew, take you Catherine, to be my lawful wedded wife, in equal love, to be the mother of our children, to be the companion of my heart, to honour & cherish you, in sickness & in health, to laugh with you in joy, to grieve with you in sorrow, to grow with you In love, from this day forward, as long as we both shall live. I will love you & only you. This is my solemn vow & promise to you.
(to be repeated after celebrant)
I, Catherine, take you Matthew, to be my lawful wedded husband, in equal love, to be the father of our children, to be the companion of my heart, to honour & cherish you, in sickness & in health, to laugh with you in joy, to grieve with you in sorrow, to grow with you In love, from this day forward, as long as we both shall live. I will love you & only you. This is my solemn vow & promise to you.
RING CEREMONY
Matthew, please take Catherine’s left hand & repeat after me…..
Catherine, I give you this ring as a sign that I chose you to love, to be your partner, today, tomorrow & always.
Please receive this ring as a promise of my love for you.
Catherine, please take Matthew’s left hand & repeat after me…..
Matthew, I give you this ring as a sign that I chose you to love, to be your partner today, tomorrow & always.
Please receive this ring as a promise of my love to you.
DECLARATION OF MARRIAGE
Now that Matthew & Catherine have pledged themselves to each other by solemn vows and with the giving & receiving of rings, it is with great pleasure I now pronounce them to be husband and wife.
SIGNING OF REGISTER & PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATE
PRESENTATION
Friends, I want to congratulate Matthew & Catherine, and especially for the very beautiful and appropriate ceremony which they put together for me to present to you day.
I wish for them a long & happy life, full of love, laughter, especially the laughter when love is tested,
And best of all, stay good friends, always.
I now present to you Mr & Mrs Constance.
So there you have it. The first ceremony I ever wrote. Let me know what you think in the comments below.
