Short-Light Religious Ceremony
            that can be altered to non-religious by choosing two poems about marriage.
                                                                  This ceremony lasts only about 10 minutes.
                                                                                                                                              
 There are only two prayers and a couple of religious references in this example.  I would be happy to add more religious content if you prefer.

It is an INTER-DENOMINATIONAL ceremony. That means that any Christian religious organization should be happy with it including Catholic. 
                                                                                                                          
This ceremony only has reference to "God" so most religions are happy with it including Jewish.  This is good when there is a "mixed-religion" match.

 
   Clerical Collar  & black suit. 
  (with or without white stole)

Welcome:

On behalf of BRIDE and GROOM, I would like to welcome all of you here today. Each of you has given something of yourself into their lives, and they want you to know that they will always treasure your love, your encouragement, and your support. And, because you are all so special to them, they feel that it is important that you be here with them today as they begin this new chapter in their lives. 
       
 Black Tie w/whiute shirt & black suit. 
       (with or without white stole)

                                               Presentation: (if this applies):

                                 Who presents this woman to be married to this man? 
                                          Father or escort of BRIDE replies: "I do!"

We are gathered together today in the sight of God to witness and to bless the marriage of GROOM and BRIDE.   It’s appropriate that we begin with a prayer.

Prayer:

Let’s pray: O Lord, this is a happy day for all of us because this is the wedding day of GROOM and BRIDE. They have come now before You, pledging their lives and their hearts to one another. We ask that they always be as true and loving as they are at this moment ant that You fill their hearts with kindness and understanding. May their home be a place of love and harmony and bless this day, their wedding day, and walk beside them forever. Amen 

Message:  

    Today I'd like to talk  about the union that you are both entering into today.  To symbolize this union, I'd like for both of you to join hands as you face one another.

These are the hands that will give you
     strength when you need strength
     comfort when you seek comfort
     tenderness when you long for tenderness.
These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes
     tears of sorrow and tears of joy.
These are the hands that will hold all of those who you love.
These are the hands of your best friend
     holding your hands on your wedding day
     as you promise to love one another and work together to build your future

GROOM and BRIDE, you've gathered your friends and family together to celebrate this special day with you.  And, I can tell just from their faces that they love you both very much - and that's important.  We need the love, encouragement, and the support of our friends and our relatives.  But I think that a minister should say a few words and I do have some advice I'd like to share.  But What I'd like to say today is more than just “common sense” and more than just “my experience” because what I’d like to share with you today is Biblical.

As important as this ceremony is for many reasons, we would not be here today if you two did not already love one another. You would not be about to pledge your lives to one another, if you did not already love one another. So, I think it’s important that I say a few words about what love is -- and there is no better definition of Love than that which is found, once again, in the Bible where it says something like this:

                         Love is gentleness
                             Love is kindness
                                Love understands and love forgives.
                                    It is loyal through good and bad
                        
                         Love hopes for the future
                           Love is everlasting.
                              Love makes up for things that you may not have.
                      
                          Without love, no matter what you do have it is never enough.
                             So, search for love.
                               Share your love.
                                  But most of all enjoy your love.

So, a marriage that lasts is not just two people living together; and it’s much more than just signing names to a piece of paper (which, of course, you will do). No, a marriage that lasts is MUCH more that this. It’s an agreement between two people who have pledged to love each other, to trust each other, and to face all that life has to offer, together.

And though marriage is a moral commitment – it is not intended to give one person possession or ownership in any way over the other, but just the opposite – to allow freedom for both of you as your merge your two lives and personalities together. It is built on the basic elements of who you are in no way subtracting from who you are – but adding each of you to a new union which becomes more than the sum of the two parts.

VOWS:

And so, with this thought in mind, I'd like to ask you this question:

GROOM, are you ready to say your marriage vows to BRIDE?  (If "yes" continue.)

GROOM do you take BRIDE to be your wife; to live together in holy marriage, to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others be faithful to her for as long as you both shall live? 
(The correct answer is: "I do".)


BRIDE are you ready to say your marriage vows to GROOM?  (If "yes" continue."

BRIDE do you take GROOM to be your husband; to live together in holy marriage, to love him, comfort him, honer and keep him, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others be faithful to him for as long as you both shall live?
(The correct answer is: "I do.")

GROOM, are you ready to give your wedding vows to BRIDE?
Then please repeat these words to her:

I, GROOM, take you BRIDE to be my wife.  To have and to hold from this day forward, I promise to be your true and loving husband, and to love and honor you always. I do this because I love you today I will love you tomorrow and I will love you forever.

BRIDE, are you ready to give your wedding vows to GROOM?
Then please repeat these words to him.

I, BRIDE, take you GROOM to be my husband. To have and to hold from this day forward. I promise to be your true and loving wife. and to love and honor you always. I do this because I love you today I will love you tomorrow and I will love you forever.

Rings:
 
Throughout time, the ring has been a symbol of unending love, because like time, the ring has no beginning and no end. It is a circle -- the emblem of eternity. Wedding rings are made oaf precious metals, the purest metal, and the type that is least tarnished and most enduring; to show how lasting and imperishable is the faith which is now mutually pledged.

GROOM, do you have such a symbol of you love for BRIDE?  (Groom answers, "Yes.")
BRIDE, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and as a reminder that I have chosen you to be the one to share my life.

BRIDE, do you have such a symbol of your love for GROOM?  (Bride answers, "Yes.")
GROOM, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and as a reminder that I have chosen you to be the one to share my life Show rings to guests:

Prayer:

We ask you, Lord, to bless this couple whose lives are now joined in an unbroken circle, much like these rings that now encircle their fingers. I ask that they may find in one another, the love that all men and all women hunger to find. May they continue to grow in their understanding of this love, their understanding of one another, and their understanding of You too, Lord, for the rest of their lives. May these rings on their fingers symbolize the touch of Your spirit of love in their hearts forever. Amen

Pronouncement:

GROOM and BRIDE, you have made your vows before each other; and, you have sealed your vows with the giving and receiving of these rings. So now, by the power vested in me by the State of California, I pronounce you HUSBAND AND WIFE.

                                                   You may kiss the bride. 


Benediction and Introduction: 
May the joy and peace which only God can give, and which cannot be taken away by anything in this world, be yours today and in all life's tomorrows.

                         

                                        Bride and Groom facing guests:

                                           Ladies and gentlemen: 
                                It gives me great pleasure to introduce: 
                         MR. AND MRS. GROOM AND BRIDE + (LAST NAME)