New Zealand Weddings - Sample Ceremony 2

Celebrant:
"Friends and family of [Name of Bride] and [Name of Groom], welcome. We have come together to witness [Name of Bride] and [Name of Groom] give themselves in marriage. They see marriage as a sincere commitment between two people who love each other, who wish to share each others joys and sorrows, who respect and love each other as individuals, who give each other support and encouragement, and who will grow and change together in the years to come. This ceremony marks a starting point, a new beginning in a relationship that has already been established. [Name of Bride] and [Name of Groom] are declaring to each other, and to us as witnesses, their intention and commitment to the future of their relationship."

"Who supports this woman as she marries today?"

Parents:
"We do"

Reading:
"Love is long-suffering and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, does not get puffed up, does not behave indecently, does not look out for its own interests, does not become provoked. It does not keep account of the injury. It does not rejoice over unrighteousness but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things".

"Now, however, there remain faith, hope, love, these three: but the greatest of these is love." - 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, 13

The bride and the groom then each in turn repeat the following after the celebrant:
"I call upon these people here present to witness that I [Name of Groom] take you [Name of Bride] as my wife, to share with you a relationship of love and of tenderness and laughter. I will stand by you through all our tomorrows, respecting you as a person, your individuality, your needs, your changes, and enjoy your love throughout our lives".

"I call upon these people here present to witness that I [Name of Bride] take you [Name of Groom] as my husband, to share with you a relationship of love and of tenderness and laughter. I will stand by you through all our tomorrows, respecting you as a person, your individuality, your needs, your changes, and enjoy your love throughout our lives".

The exchange of rings is then prefaced by the celebrant saying:
"With the giving of these rings may [Name of Bride] and [Name of Groom] be ever faithful to each other".

The bride and groom place a ring on each other’s finger, saying:
"[Name of Bride], I give you this ring in token of the vow made between us and as a sign of my love and affection for you".

"[Name of Groom], I give you this ring in token of the vow made between us and as a sign of my love and affection for you".

Celebrant:
"[Name of Bride] and [Name of Groom], you have made promises to each other, and you have exchanged rings as a symbol of your love. I now pronounce you to be husband and wife. On behalf of all gathered here I extend to you our good wishes, our friendship and love in support of the commitment that you have made to each other. May your love deepen and grow through all the triumphs and trials that life has to offer to you".

The marriage documents are then signed and the celebrant ends with:
"Ladies and gentlemen, I would ask you now to join with me in asking for the blessings of happiness, peace, love and joy to surround [Name of Bride] and [Name of Groom] for all their days. May they always look at each other with the love we see today ... This concludes the formal part of the ceremony. I would ask you to raise your glasses and toast the Bride and Groom".