Paul and Tomoe's Wedding Vows
Dec 7, 2005Short Procession
Paul approaches with his mother
Paul’s mother is seated
Tomoe approaches with her mother
Tomoe’s mother gives Tomoe’s hand to Paul
Tomoe’s mother is seated
Greeting & Transition
Minister
I want to thank you for gathering today. I want to also thank those
who could not be here in person but who we brought with us in our
hearts. We are privileged to witness and participate in a ceremony
celebrating the public acknowledgment of the love which Paul and Tomoe
have for each other.
People treat marriage as the end of a journey rather than the
beginning of one. Months are spent agonizing over colors, dresses,
flowers, the menu, guest-list and the countless details that go into a
spectacular and often expensive wedding. It serves as their grand
farewell to the single life but the most important aspect of marriage,
the long journey together yet to come, is too frequently forgotten in
the fracas.
Paul and Tomoe have chosen a different approach: they see their
wedding ceremony as an opportunity to put the emphasis on their future
together. They have invited those dear to them to join them in this
beautiful place to celebrate not the end, but the beginning. The
beginning of their new life together in which they are bound by the
strength of their mutual love, their respect for each other’s
differences, their delight in each other’s sense of humor, the spirit
of compromise and, one day, by the creation of a family of their
own.
Paul and Tomoe, you are well prepared for your journey together.
Vows
Paul and Tomoe face each other, hold hands together
Minister reads the vows with Groom repeating them
I, Paul, take you Tomoe, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this
day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in
sickness and in health, to love and respect; as long as we both shall
live.
Minister reads the vows with Bride repeating them
I, Tomoe, take you Paul, to be my husband, to have and to hold from
this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in
sickness and in health, to love and respect; as long as we both shall
live.
Ring Ceremony
Minister asks Mio (Tomoe’s sister) to present the rings
Groom, placing ring on Bride’s finger
Tomoe, I present this ring as a symbol of my love.
Bride, placing ring on Groom’s finger
Paul, I present this ring as a symbol of my love.
Closing
Minister asks couple to turn and face the congregation
Before we go, let us make a wish for this couple:
May they find happiness in their union. May their lives together be
blessed with joy, full of peace, knowing good health and marked by
long years.
Paul and Tomoe, I now pronounce you husband and wife.
Paul, you may kiss the Bride.