Ealasaid and Anthony's Wedding Vows
May 12, 2007
(Guests gather in grove)
(Officiant enters and stands on dais next to table. Table has a box on it, which holds the cords for the handfasting)
(Attendants enter in pairs and arrange themselves next to officiant, gals stage right, guys stage left)
(Ealasaid and Anthony enter together and stand in front of but not on the dais, facing the officiant)
Officiant: We are gathered here today to celebrate the binding together of Anthony and Ealasaid in loving marriage. You all have been asked to bear witness and share the joy of this union.
Ealasaid and Anthony, know before you go further that although marriage brings with it great joys and comforts, it also brings great challenges and responsibilities. By taking vows today you offer each other the blessings of marriage and promise to strive together to weather its challenges. You also promise to stand fast in your responsibilities and not shirk them. Though no physical threat stands by to ensure that you keep these vows, should you break them, you will also break your honor, and without honor we are nothing.
Do you still seek to enter this ceremony?
Both: Yes, we seek to enter.
Officiant: Then step forward (they do, stepping up on the dais. as they do so, officiant takes the cords out of the box). I bid you take hands and look into each others' eyes.(they do)
Officiant: Ealasaid, I do not have the right to bind you to Anthony, only you have that right. If you wish to be bound to him in marriage, say so now.
Ealasaid: It is my wish.
Officiant: Anthony, I do not have the right to bind you to Ealasaid, only you have that right. If you wish to be bound to her in marriage, say so now.
Anthony: It is my wish.
Officiant: So be it.
Officiant: Ealasaid, will you share his laughter?
Ealasaid: Yes.
Officiant: Anthony, will you share her laughter?
Anthony: Yes.
Officiant: (To Both) Will both of you look for the brightness in life and the positive in each other?
Both: We will.
Officiant: And so the binding is made. (Drapes cords across the bride and groom's hands)
Officiant: Anthony, will you cause her pain?
Anthony: I may.
Officiant: Is that your intent?
Anthony: No.
Officiant: Ealasaid, will you cause him pain?
Ealasaid: I may.
Officiant: Is that your intent?
Ealasaid: No.
Officiant: (to both) Will you both share each other's pain and seek to ease it?
Both: We will.
Officiant: And so the binding is made. (Wraps cord around the bride and groom's hands)
Officiant: Ealasaid, will you seek his joy?
Ealasaid: Yes.
Officiant: Anthony, will you seek her joy?
Anthony: Yes.
Officiant: (To Both) Will both of you strive for joy in each other's lives and in your life
together?
Both: We will.
Officiant: And so the binding is made. (Wraps cord around the bride and groom's hands)
Officiant: Ealasaid, will you burden him?
Ealasaid: I may.
Officiant: Is that your intent?
Ealasaid: No.
Officiant: Anthony, will you burden her?
Anthony: I may.
Officiant: Is that your intent?
Anthony: No.
Officiant: (To Both) Will you share the burdens of each other that their time may pass quickly?
Both: We will.
Officiant: And so the binding is made. (Wraps cord around the bride and groom's hands)
Officiant: Ealasaid, will you be honest and forthcoming with him?
Ealasaid: Yes.
Officiant: Anthony, will you be honest and forthcoming with her?
Anthony: Yes.
Officiant: (To Both) Will you strive to hear one another's truth, that the bonds between you may
grow in strength?
Both: We will.
Officiant: And so the binding is made. (Wraps cord around the bride and groom's hands)
Officiant: Anthony, will you cause her anger?
Anthony: I may.
Officiant: Is that your intent?
Anthony: No.
Officiant: Ealasaid, will you cause him anger?
Ealasaid: I may.
Officiant: Is that your intent?
Ealasaid: No.
Officiant: (To Both) Will you both take the heat of anger and use it to temper the strength of this union?
Both: We will.
Officiant: And so the binding is made.(Wraps cord around the bride and groom's hands)
Officiant: Ealasaid, will you honor him?
Ealasaid: I will.
Officiant: Anthony, will you honor her?
Anthony: I will.
Officiant: (To Both) Will you both seek never to tarnish that honor?
Both: We will.
Officiant: And so the binding is made.(Wraps cord around the bride and groom's hands)
Officiant: (Ties cord together while saying:) The knots of this binding are not formed by these cords but by your vows. Either of you may drop the cords, for as always, you hold in your own hands the making and breaking of this union.
(Once cords are tied together they are removed and placed back in the box)
Officiant: Because two people cannot always be physically together, the state of marriage is often symbolized by a ring. Do you have rings you wish to exchange?
Both: We do. (they hold them up)
Officiant: May your love be endless, like the circles of these rings. May your union be strong as the metal which makes them. May you wear them proudly and with honor. Ealasaid, repeat after me:
Anthony, I give you this ring / as a symbol of our union. / With it I offer you / my love / my support / and my life. / Will you have it and me?
Anthony: I will. (she puts the ring on his finger)
Officiant: Anthony, repeat after me:
Ealasaid, I give you this ring / as a symbol of our union. / With it I offer you / my love / my support / and my life. / Will you have it and me?
Ealasaid: I will. (he puts the ring on her finger)
Officiant: I now pronounce you husband and wife. May your lives together be filled with lovingkindness and joy, and may you live long together in happiness!
(E&A kiss, general cheers)
Officiant: Now let's go celebrate!
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