Ceremony

Viki Waid and Michael Gardner, I am very pleased to be here with you today, the day you two become Husband and Wife.  Marriage is a joyous occasion.  It is connected in our thoughts with the magic charm of home, and with all that is pleasant and attractive as being one of the most important events of our lives.  We recognize this occasion as one of life's greatest moments, and we want to add our best wishes and blessings to the words which shall unite you, in holy matrimony.

-This is a good day and the day you have been waiting for. 
-This is the day you give your hand to each other, to hold through all the years ahead.
-This is the day you become as one.
-This day is important.  It is, as you know, one of the major decisions of life.
-And today you make a promise to each other, giving your word to each other in a way you have never given your word before.

Today in marriage, you are taking into your care and trust the happiness of the one person in this world whom you love with all your heart.  You are agreeing to share life's deepest and richest experiences.  You are committing to your life not only the affection of each other, but also the companionship and blessing of mutual respect.

Shakespeare said, "They do not love who do not show their love."  True love is more than just a feeling.  Love is shown when a couple short on money share a coke or dinner.  Love is shown when you get up in the night to take care of someone sick.  Love is shown when a couple grieve together, over the loss of a loved one, or grieving together over the problems a child may be having.  True love is shown when both partners are willing to make themselves uncomfortable to meet the needs of the other and thereby improve their relationship.  When we care about one another and we display that care through concrete actions, we give the emotional side of love a chance to grow.

We need to remember to spend time with each other, to listen to each other, to say a kind word, to give a warm hug.  It is a treasure you give with your heart.  Remember to say "I Love You."  A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside you.  Remember to hold hands and to cherish the time you have together, because the day is coming, maybe sooner or maybe later, but it is coming, when that person will not be there.  We go down this road of life, and there is only one way down.  there is no turning around.  There is no going back.  This is it, so devote yourself completely to your Love, give time to love, to speak and to share the precious thoughts in your heart and mind.

If you will join hands.

Viki, this man whose hands you hold is to be your husband.  He will lean on you, your love and devotion for strength and inspiration.  He is going to look to you for encouragement, for cheerfulness and confidence.  no matter what the world may say or think, people may forget him, lose confidence in him, and turn their backs upon him, but you must not.  May your life and your love be the inspiration that will constantly lead him and encourage him to be all that he wants and is capable of being.

Michael, this woman whose hands you hold is to be your wife.  She has given you one of the most sacred things under heaven: a woman's life and a woman's love.  You may bring her great joy or cause her deep sorrow.  It is not what you bring her in a material way that will make true happiness--riches without love are nothing.  The gift without the giver is bare.  As a husband, practice those same virtues that you have shown her up to now, and they will keep her heart won to your heart.

So, let me now ask:

Do you, Michael, take Viki as your wedded wife, to live with her in the holy state of marriage all the days of your life?

Do you, Viki, take Michael as your wedded husband, to live with him in the holy state of marriage all the days of your life?

Before you say your vows, let me add one thing.

Remember this moment in time.  Before this moment you have been many things to one another, such as acquaintance, friend, companion, dancing partner, and even teacher, for you have learned much from one another in your time together up to now. 

But now you shall say a few words to take you across a threshold of life, and things will never be quite the same between you.  For after these vows, you shall say to the world, "This is my husband." And you will say, "This is my wife."

And long, long years from now, may you look at one another and be able to say, "Because of you, I have lived the life I always wanted to live--because of you I have become the person I longed to be."
 

Having declared your intention to be married, and there being no lawful reason why you shouldn't, I'll ask you to join right hands and to repeat after me.

I, Michael, take thee, Viki
To be my lawful and wedded wife
To have and to hold
In sickness and in health
In poverty or in wealth
To love, cherish and protect
Forsaking all others,
Cleave only to thee, from this day forward as long as we both shall live.

I, Viki, take thee, Michael
To be my lawful and wedded husband
To have and to hold
In sickness and in health
In poverty or in wealth
To love, cherish and protect
Forsaking all others,
Cleave only to thee, from this day forward as long as we both shall live.

It is a tradition that rings be exchanged.  The rings are given as a gift of affection to someone you love.  They also, in our world today, have become symbolic in that they say to all who see you wear them, that these promises have been made.

Place this ring on her finger and repeat after me:

Michael:  With this ring I thee wed, and I do promise, to be thy loving and faithful husband, and the world will know that I am yours and you are mine.

Viki:  With this ring I thee wed, and I do promise, to be thy loving and faithful wife, and the world will know that I am yours and you are mine.

I found a special poem for your wedding today:

I Love You

I Love you in the morning
I love you through the night
I love you even when I am mad
To Love you must be right

I love the way you make me smile
When feeling down and low
Three magic words, I LOVE YOU
And my heart is all aglow

I love the way you love me
And I love how I love you
Accepting all that we're about
Two hearts that love so true

I love the way you whisper my name
Your key to fan the flame
Your gentle touch sets fires ablaze
I'll never be the same

I've loved you from the day we met
Of this, I can't deny
I loved you then, I love you now
I'll love you till I die

And when my life is over
And my time on earth is through
My light of life will then go out
But I'll still be loving you.

Today, you have made special promises to each other, with the joining of hands, taking of vows and by the giving and receiving of rings.

As you have consented to be bound to one another in lawful marriage, and having witnessed your covenant to each other, I, by the authority granted to me by the State of Texas, as a minister ordained in 1979, pronounce you Husband and Wife.

Sir, you may kiss your bride.

Congratulations
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Gardner

by Ric Justiss, Minister
www.thepreacherman.com