Reverend Debby:

_________&____________, your gift to each other for your wedding today has been 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."   It is now my great privilege to be the first to address you as husband and wife and for your first gift, that gift will be a single rose bud. 

(Reverend Debby hands to each the bride and groom a rose)

 In the past, the rose was considered a symbol of love and a single rose always meant only 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 bud. Would you now please exchange your roses as your first gift as husband and wife.

(The bridal couple exchange roses)

Within these rose buds, if given proper loving care, is the potential for an even more beautiful expression of life and love in the form of the mature flower.  And so it is with your marriage.  At this point your marriage is like these rose buds – ready, with proper loving care – to unfold into a very beautiful expression of life. 

_________&____________, if there is anything you remember of this marriage ceremony, it is that it was love that brought you here today, it is only l9ve which can make it a glorious union, and it is by love which your marriage shall endure.  Whatever the situation, love, understanding, acceptance and forgiveness can make everything right.