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Island Waves
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Reverend Debby: Dear Ones, We are here today to participate in a most joyous occasion, to celebrate one of life's greatest moments, by witnessing the marriage of groom and bride on this magical and romantic Island. Groom and bride, marriage is a sacred union, and not to be undertaken lightly. It is to be treated with reverence and respect. May the combined energies of love and joy from all of these witnesses lift you and bless you both, always. Silent Blessing Would everyone please bow your heads, and observe a moment of silence - a moment of quiet awareness - as we honor and welcome the memories of those who could not be here with us today in body, but are most certainly here in Spirit. Reverend Debby Speaks of Marriage.... As we stand beside the waters that constantly caress this island groom and bride, may your love always be as forever and unchanging as the never-ending waves, flowing endlessly from the depths of time. Let your love be an island for each other's heart; let your love be an island of comfort and refuge from the storms of life. Just as these waves come endlessly upon the sand, and just as there will never be a morning without the water's flow, may there never be a day without saying "I love you" to the other. On this day, you pledge your life and your heart to the other. Be mindful of those gifts, and the responsibility of caring for them. Every day, let the other know that your love will be as unchanging and dependable as the tide. As these waters nourish the earth and sustain life, may your constant love and devotion nourish and sustain you both until the end of time. Declaration and Consent of Marriage Reverend Debby: And now, in front of these witnesses, I ask you to declare: groom, do you take bride, to be your wedded wife? Do you promise, with your heart and your honor, to love her, honor her, cherish and respect her? Will you stay by her side for better or worse, richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, in sorrow and in joy, and keep yourself faithful only unto her for all the days of your life? groom responds, "I do". And bride, do you take groom, to be your wedded husband? Do you promise, with your heart and your honor, to love him, honor him, cherish and respect him? Will you stay by his side for better or worse, richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, in sorrow and in joy, and keep yourself faithful only unto him for all the days of your life? bride responds, "I do". Reverend Debby's Marriage Charge to the Couple Reverend Debby: Don't ever try to change each other; If you were to do that, you would lose those exact qualities you fell in love with. Never take the other for granted; have a mutual sense of values and common objectives. Stand together facing the world. Speak words of appreciation and demonstrate gratitude in thoughtful ways. Have the capacity to forgive and forget. Give each other an atmosphere in which each can grow. Find room for the things of the spirit. Maintain a common search for the good and the beautiful. Establish a relationship in which independence is equal, dependence is mutual and obligation is reciprocal. For a good marriage is not only about marrying the right partner, but it is even more so about being the right partner. I ask both of you, at this
time, to release all impediments to your joy. In this moment may you
forgive each other any past transgressions, so that you might enter this
marriage reborn. Allow the waters of forgiveness to wash you clean.
You are given the chance to begin your lives anew this day, as God grants
you radical renewal through the power of this commitment. You
commit to a compelling future for yourselves and to any part you might play in the healing of the
world. Receive fully God’s gifts on this day, as He receives so
fully the gift of your love for each other. May you rejoice in Him,
as He rejoices in you.
Wedding Vows and Exchange of Rings Reverend Debby: Is it your intention to symbolize this marriage with rings?" "Yes" (The rings are handed to Reverend Debby:) The wedding ring is a symbol of eternity as it has no beginning and no end. It represents eternity, it represents the circle of family, it is an outward sign of the inward union of two hearts united in love. (Reverend Debby turns to groom first...) "groom, please repeat after me:" I stand before you, bride, because you have won my heart through your graciousness. Today, I give myself to you in marriage. You are my life partner, the one I pledge my life and love to. From this day forward, I promise to love, respect, and honor you. I will listen to you, and cherish you, and always hold you in highest regard. I will be your trusted partner, and stand by you through good times and bad. I promise this now, and for all the days of my life. He places the ring on her finger. "bride, please repeat after me:" I stand before you, groom, because you have won my heart through your devotion. Today, I give myself to you in marriage. You are my life partner, the one I pledge my life and love to. From this day forward, I promise to love, respect, and honor you. I will listen to you, and cherish you, and always hold you in highest regard. I will be your trusted partner, and stand by you through good times and bad. I promise this now, and for all the days of my life. She places the ring on his finger. Reverend Debby:
groom and bride, do not expect perfection from each other as perfection
belongs solely to God. You need not minimize each other's weaknesses,
but always be swift to praise and magnify each other's points of
strength and compassion and see each other through kind and patient
eyes. God will lead you into such situations as will
bless you and develop your characters as you walk together. He will
give you enough tears to keep you tender, enough hurts to keep you
compassionate, enough of failure to keep your hands clenched tightly
in His, and enough success to make you sure you walk with Him. May you
never take each other's love for granted, but always experience that
wonder that exclaims "Out of all this world you have chosen me." When
life is done, may you be found then as now, hand in hand, still
thanking God for each other. May you ever serve Him happily,
faithfully, together until you return to glory or until at last one
shall lay the other into His arms.
Reverend Debby: Would everyone please bow their heads and join me in a final prayer of blessing for our couple? "Gracious, glorious God, May this couple be blessed throughout their marriage. We ask that abundance of life, family and love fill their hearts, spilling over and thereby blessing all others who are touched by them. Guide their path, always. Keep their hearts open to the joyous wonders you give us all, each and every day. Give them strength to withstand the storms that will pass through their days on occasion, and courage to face those storms together. May their love remain a bright and shining beacon to all, and may their joy bring a smile to everyone's lips, for in this reflection of joy, You are best served. And so it is. Amen."
And now, groom and bride, in as much as you have performed the rites and spoken the vows uniting your lives in marriage, it is now my deepest honor, profound joy and delight to pronounce, henceforth from this moment, husband and wife. groom, you may kiss your bride! Ladies and gentlemen, may I have the pleasure of announcing Mr. and Mrs.!
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