Minister Comments, Advice, Wishes & Unity Ceremony Wording
___ and __, it is my wish for you both, that you have many long years to delight in each other’s company.
That you always find gratitude for having found love in one another,
And that you continue to grow together, with a love that renews every single day.
___ and ___, the best advice I can give to you, is to choose to love each other even in those moments when you struggle to like each other, because your love is a commitment, not just a feeling.
Surround yourself with friends who will strengthen your marriage and remove yourself from people who may tempt you to compromise your character.
In every argument, remember that there won’t be a “winner” and a “loser.” You are partners in everything so you’ll either win together or lose together. Work together to find a solution.
Remember that a strong marriage rarely has two strong people at the same time. It’s usually a husband and wife taking turns being strong for each other in the moments when the other feels weak.
Remember that marriage isn’t 50-50, divorce is 50-50. Marriage has to be 100-100. It’s not splitting everything in half, but both partners giving everything they’ve got!
I’d like to share some words on marriage by Chag-dud Rim-poh-SHAY:
“Everything in our experience is impermanent. This universe that we inhabit wasn’t here at one time, and one day it will again be reduced to nothing. Once, our own physical body wasn’t here and someday it will again be gone. Of the many people who lived on this earth one hundred years ago, how many are here now? And of those, how many will be here in one hundred years? If you understand impermanence, you will know the importance of using your time together well.
Marriage means making a commitment from this time forward, for the rest of your lives, to live together in harmony, with joy, love and affection, and with the intention to benefit each other as much as possible. This means aspiring day by day to place the happiness of your partner before your own. To resolve to meet each other’s needs and contribute to each other’s growth. The genuine and selfless love you express for each other will lead to happiness in this life.”
I’d like to share one of my fondest memories with all of you. It was a family vacation to the Grand Canyon. The experience was truly spiritual, absolutely breath-taking. One of the things that amazed me most, was that right on top of some of the large mountain boulders, plants grew. There was little to no soil, and way too much sun, but life, like love, finds a way, and it is spectacular, and an honor to witness.
__ and __, your miracle lies in the path you have chosen together. Enter into this marriage knowing that the true magic of love is not to avoid changes but to navigate them successfully together.
SAND CEREMONY
Before each of you is a container of sand, which represents you — all that you have been, all that you are, and all that you will ever be. Today, you are combining all of you and your uniqueness into the final vessel.
Just as these grains can no longer be separated into individual containers, so shall your lives forever be intertwined
JUMPING THE BROOM
I’ve prepared a broom for you both to jump, as you physically and spiritually cross the threshold into matrimony.
Let it symbolize sweeping away the old and welcoming of the new;
Removing all negative energy, and making way for positivity and blessings.
Jumping the broom is a gesture of dedication. It is your promise to not only care for one another, but to take care of one another, for the rest of your days.
Latoya and Deric on the count of 3, you will begin your new life together with a clean sweep!
Everyone:
1
2
3
JUMP!
TREE PLANTING
The seeds of love were planted the day — and — met at ____. The continued growth of their love is much like this tree that will be planted today. With strong roots, they will support each other and their children. Broad arms will branch out to hold and protect. This tree, like their love, will stand tall during the harsh winds and rains and storms. It will weather the challenges of daily life and the passage of time.
Just as — and — will provide soil, and water for this tree, let us acknowledge their commitment to also nurture and nourish their children, — and —.
— and —, you have all the ingredients needed for a strong marriage.
Let us symbolize your unity by planting this tree.
HANDFASTING WITH REPEATED RESPONSE
We swear by peace and love to stand (couple repeats)
Heart to heart and hand to hand (couple repeats)
Mark, O Spirit, and hear us now (couple repeats)
Confirming this our sacred vow (couple repeats)
HANDFASTING
As your hands are now bound together, so shall your lives be bound as one. Keep this cord as a visible reminder of your promises to one another, and let no one unbind it as long as you both shall live.
CLEVER THINGS TO SAY WHEN…
A baby is crying; “I LOVE IT WHEN PEOPLE CRY AT MY WEDDINGS.”
Something goes wrong; “JUST LIKE WE PRACTICED!”
“THE ONLY RINGS WE WANT TODAY ARE THE WEDDING BANDS!”