Wedding Ceremony Options in Australia
By: Tim Addison | Posted: 21st March 2006
Designing Your Wedding Ceremony
by
Tim Addison
Civil Marriage Celebrant
http://www.marriages.net.au
Wedding ceremonies in Australia can be fantastic as the only words that are required to be said by law are those that appear in ITALICS and the rest of the ceremony can be made up to suit the couples individual circumstances or desires.
Whilst for many couples designing your own personal wedding ceremony can be an exciting and memorable occasion, it is normally best to just tweak the Standard Ceremony wording a little and add in one or two readings/poems to suite your own particular individual desires.
The standard ceremony has been used for years; it flows nicely and is well received by guests. It lasts for about 15 minutes and the balance of the time is then made up of your chosen reading/s and the signing of the Certificates of Marriage.
When readings/poems are added to the ceremony and read by family members or guests this has always been a winner. Background music, maybe a single violin or the like, playing whilst the ceremony takes place can also be a winner. You can also add a theme like a Rose Ceremony etc. It is very nice where the couple design their own wedding vows and read them themselves (not repeating after me).
When considering your ceremony options, bare in mind how long you want your ceremony to last for. The best way to check the length is to open a new word page and then cut and paste sections into it, under the headers that have been set out below in the Standard Ceremony. Read it back to yourself slowly whilst timing it. Remember to repeat the vows, as they will be repeated by you in the ceremony, and remember to allow time for the exchanging of ring/s. The signing the Certificates of Marriage after the ceremony can last 5-10 minutes (as guests take photographs) so if you want your ceremony to last for say 25 minutes in total, you would put together wording that lasts for about 15-20 minutes.
If you want to make changes to the Standard Wedding Ceremony, please e-mail me your final wedding ceremony wording, as a word document, at least 10 days before the date of your wedding. If I do not receive it by then I will use the Standard Ceremony, plus a couple of readings of my choice.
Right, so now you're ready to get started – below is the Standard Ceremony
Good Luck and Have Fun!
Tim Addison
TIM'S STANDARD WEDDING CEREMONY
WELCOME
Family and Friends, on behalf of GROOM and BRIDE I would like to welcome you all here today and I call upon you to be fellow witnesses with me in their marriage.
We are not here to only witness their commitment to each other, but also to wish them well and every happiness in their life together.
My name is Tim Addison and I am authorized by law to solemnize marriages according to law.
GROOM and BRIDE believe that marriage is founded on the sort of sincerity and understanding, that leads to tolerance, confidence and trust.
They also believe that those qualities that have attracted them to each other can best be developed during a life spent together.
We celebrate with them the love they have discovered in each other, and we support their decision to commit themselves to one another for the rest of their lives.
A happy marriage will enable them to establish a home where there will be love and stability, where you, their family and their friends, will find welcome, peace and support, and which will be a base from which the influence of their life can extend.
SPECIAL MENTIONS
GROOM and BRIDE have asked me to make a special mention of thanks to…………………… who have ……………………
Insert details of people who have assisted with putting the wedding together, travelled long distances to attend, etc.
You may also want to mention loved ones who could not make it to the wedding or who have passed on.
MARRIAGE DECLARATION
Now GROOM and BRIDE…
Before you are joined in marriage in my presence and in the presence of these witnesses, I am to remind you of the solemn and binding nature of the relationship into which you are now about to enter.
Marriage, according to law in Australia, is the union of a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life.
If anyone here present knows of any legal reason as to why these two persons may not be joined together in marriage, let them speak now or forever hold their peace………..
READING BY TIM
GROOM and BRIDE….
Love is patient; love is kind.
Love is not envious or boastful
or arrogant or rude.
It does not insist on its own way:
it is not irritable or resentful;
it does not rejoice in wrong doing,
but rejoices in truth.
Love bears all things,
believes all things,
hopes all things, endures all things
And now faith, hope, and love abide,
and the greatest of these is love.
GIVING AWAY BRIDE
Who brings this Woman to be married to this Man?
Person giving away says "I Do", places BRIDE's hand into GROOM's hand and then he returns to the other guests.
CHEROKEE PRAYERCan be done as a Reading or as a Prayer
God in heaven above please protect the ones we love.
We honour all you created as we pledge our hearts and lives together.
We honour mother-earth - and ask for this marriage to be abundant and grow stronger through the seasons;
We honour fire - and ask that their union be warm and glowing with love in their hearts;
We honour wind - and ask they sail though life safe and calm as in their father's arms;
We honour water - to clean and soothe their relationship - that it may never thirst for love;
With all the forces of the universe you created, we pray for harmony and true happiness as they forever grow young together.
THE ASKING
Tim to GROOM:
GROOM do you take BRIDE to be your lawfully wedded wife,
will you love her, comfort her, honour and keep her, in sickness and in health and forsaking all others keep only unto her, so long as you both shall live?
GROOM Replies – "I DO"
Tim to BRIDE:
BRIDE will you take GROOM to be your lawfully wedded husband,
will you love him, comfort him, honour and keep him, in sickness and in health and forsaking all others keep only unto him, so long as you both shall live?
BRIDE Replies – "I DO"
GROOM and BRIDE as the two of you come into this marriage uniting you as husband and wife, and as you this day affirm your faith and love for one another, I would ask that you always remember to cherish each other as special and unique individuals, that you respect the thoughts, ideas and suggestions of one another. Be able to forgive, do not hold grudges, and live each day that you may share it together - as from this day forward you shall be each other's home, comfort and refuge, your marriage strengthened by your love and respect for each other.
VOWS – Whilst the purple words below cannot be changed, the words in black can. See options below and then copy and paste your chosen vows or write your own.
GROOM, Please repeat after me.
I call upon the persons here present
to witness that I, GROOM,
take thee, BRIDE,
to be my lawful wedded Wife.
To have and to hold,
from this day forward,
for better or for worse,
for richer or for poorer,
in sickness and in health,
while we both shall live.
And, BRIDE, will you now also please repeat after me.
I call upon the persons here present
to witness that I, BRIDE,
take thee, GROOM,
to be my lawful wedded Husband
To have and to hold,
from this day forward,
for better or for worse,
for richer or for poorer,
in sickness and in health,
while we both shall live.
POEM READ BY TIMMay your mornings bring joy and your evenings bring peace.May your troubles grow few as your blessings increase.May the saddest day of your futureBe no worse than the happiest day of your past.May your hands be forever held in friendshipAnd your hearts joined forever in love.
RING CEREMONY
GROOM and BRIDE, what token of your love do you offer? Pause for rings to be given to Tim
Would you place the rings in my hand?
Ring Blessing
May these rings represent your love for one another. These two lives are now joined in one unbroken circle. Wherever they go – may they always return to one another. May these two find in each other the love for which all men and women yearn. May they grow in understanding and in compassion. May the home which they establish together be such a place that many will find there a friend. May these rings on their fingers symbolise their love.
Rings are then handed back to the ring bearer/s
GROOM, please place your ring on BRIDES finger and repeat after me.
BRIDE, with this ring, I thee wed
Take it and wear it
as a token of my love
and as a symbol of all we share
BRIDE, please place your ring on GROOMS finger and repeat after me.
GROOM, with this ring, I thee wed
Take it and wear it
as a token of my love
and as a symbol of all we share
The vows that have been exchanged by GROOM and BRIDE have been offered in our hearing, but words are fleeting and the sound of them are soon gone. Therefore the wedding ring becomes an enduring symbol of the promises that have been made.
May these wedding rings be a reminder to GROOM and BRIDE of the vows they have shared today and a witness to all the world of their commitment in marriage.
BLESSING THE MARRIAGE
(Apache Blessing)
Now you will fell no rain, for each of you will the shelter for the other. Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be the warmth to the other. Now you are two persons, but there is only one life before you. Go now to your dwelling, to enter into the days of your life together, and may your days be good and long upon the earth.
Treat yourselves and each other with respect, and remind yourselves often of what brought you together. Give the highest priority to the tenderness, gentleness and kindness that your connection deserves. When frustration, difficult and fear assail your relationship - as they threaten all relationships at one time or another - remember to focus on what is right between you, not only the part which seems wrong. In this way, you can ride out the storms when clouds hide the face of the sun in your lives - remembering that even if you lose sight of it for a moment, the sun is still there. And if each of you takes responsibility for the quality of your life together, it will be marked by abundance and delight
DECLARATION OF MARRIAGE
Family and Friends…
GROOM and BRIDE have declared before all of us that they will live together in marriage. Marriage is an act of faith and a personal commitment as well as a moral and physical union between two people. Marriage has been described as the best and most important relationship that can exist between them. It is a moral commitment that requires and deserves daily attention.
GROOM and BRIDE have made special promises to each other. They have symbolised them by joining hands, taking vows and by the giving and receiving of rings.
So therefore by the authority vested in me, it is my great honour and privilege to declare them to be husband and wife.
GROOM, You may now kiss your wife.
PRONOUNCEMENT
Ladies and Gentlemen…… GROOM and BRIDE, husband and wife!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Complete Ceremonies
Standard Christian Ceremony
Traditional Christian Ceremony
Pagan Ceremony
Brief Elopement Ceremony
Civil Ceremony
Contemporary Non Religious Ceremony
Religious Ceremony
Short Ceremony
Short Ceremony1
Short Ceremony2
Jewish Ceremony
Medieval Ceremony
Renewal of Vows
Jewish & Christian Interfaith Ceremony
Rituals
Rose Ceremony
Jewish Break Glass
Hand Fasting Ceremony
Sand Ceremony
Unity Candle1
Unity Candle2
Unity Candle3
Unity Candle4
Unity Candle5
Unity Candle6
Humanist Unity Candle
Alternative Vows
Baptist
Catholic
Lutheran
Methodist
Presbyterian
Celtic
Hindu
Jewish
Non Denominational Traditional
Non Denominational Contemporary
Renewal Vows
Non traditional Vows1
Non traditional Vows2
Non traditional Vows3
Vows in Unison
Religious Readings
Colossians 3:12-14
Corinthians 13:4-8a
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Ephesians
Genesis 1:26-31
Genesis 2:28-24
Mark 10:6-9
Psalm 128:1-4
Matthew 18:20
Song of Solomon 7: 10-12
Song of Solomon 8: 6-7
The Jerusalem Bible, Song Of Songs
The Seven Blessings
The Prayer By St. Francis Of Assisi
Wedding Prayer By Robert Louis Stevenson
Special Readings
Short Readings
Love is a priority
The Prophet
Apache Blessing
Cherokee Prayer
Irish Blessing
Jewish Seven Blessings
Union of Love
Oath to you
Celebration of Marriage
Circle of Love
Till Death Do Us Part
Shakespeare
Verses
Verse 1
Verse 2
Verse 3
Verse 4
Verse 5
Quotes
Love
Marriage
Friendship
Standard Christian Wedding Ceremony
We are gathered here today to celebrate one of life's greatest moments, to give recognition to the worth and beauty of love, and to add our best wishes to the words which shall unite GROOM and BRIDE in marriage.
Should there be anyone who has cause why this couple should not be united in marriage, they must speak now or forever hold their peace.
(If BRIDE is escorted forward)
Who is it that brings this woman to this man?
(The father, children, relative etc. may give BRIDE away. He/they answer "I do", "I do on behalf of her family and friends" etc., This person then steps back and GROOM takes the BRIDE's hand.)
GROOM and BRIDE, life is given to each of us as individuals, and yet we must learn to live together. Love is given to us by our family or by our friends. We learn to love by being loved. Learning to love and living together is one of the greatest challenges of life - and is the shared goal of a married life.
Vows
GROOM, do you take BRIDE to he your Wife? ("I do") Do you promise to love, honour, cherish and protect her, forsaking all others and holding only unto her? ("I do")
BRIDE, do you take GROOM to be your Husband? ("I do") Do you promise to love, honour, cherish and protect him, forsaking all others and holding only unto him? ("I do")
Exchange of rings
"Wedding rings are an outward and visible sign of an inward spiritual grace and the unbroken circle of love, signifying to all the union of this man and this woman in marriage."
I, GROOM, take thee , BRIDE to be my Wife- to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, and I promise my love to you forevermore.
I, BRIDE, take thee GROOM, to be my Husband. To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, and I promise My love to you forevermore.
GROOM and BRIDE as the two of you come into this marriage uniting you as husband and wife, and as you this day affirm your faith and love for one another, I would ask that you always remember to cherish each other as special and unique individuals, that you respect the thoughts, ideas and suggestions of one another. Be able to forgive, do not hold grudges, and live each day that you may share it together - as from this day forward you shall be each other's home, comfort and refuge, your marriage strengthened by your love and respect for each other.
Corinthians
"A marriage ceremony represents one of life's greatest commitments. But it also is a declaration of love. I wish to read to you what Paul wrote of love in a letter to the Corinthians. I believe it is a true model of love and it is a model of love I hope you pursue in your marriage:
"Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud.
Love is never haughty or selfish or rude.
Love does not demand it's own way. Love is not irritable or touchy. Love does not hold grudges and will hardly notice when others do it wrong.
Love is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out.
If you love someone, you will be loyal to them no matter what the costs. You will always believe in them, always expect the best in them, and will always stand your ground in defending them."
Prayer
(PRAYER if desired. You may alter this or replace it with another. Some couples will ask a family member to say a prayer.)
Dear Heavenly Father, (or "Oh Lord") our hearts are filled with great happiness on GROOM and BRIDE's wedding day, as they come before You pledging their hearts and lives to one another. Grant that they may ever be true and loving, living together in such a way as to never bring shame or heartbreak into their marriage. Temper their hearts with kindness and understanding, rid them of all pretence or jealousy. Help them to remember to be each other's sweetheart, helpmate, best friend and guide, so that together they may meet the cares and problems of life more bravely. And with the passage of time, may they find great contentment in the rich joy of senior companionship. May the home they are creating today truly be a place of love and harmony, where Your Spirit is always present. Bless this marriage we pray and walk beside GROOM and BRIDE throughout all of their lives together. We ask these things in Jesus name; Amen.
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Traditional Christian Wedding Ceremony
We are gathered here today in the sight of God and angels, and the presence of friends and loved ones, to celebrate one of life's greatest moments, to give recognition to the worth and beauty of love, and to add our best wishes and blessings to the words which shall unite GROOM and BRIDE in holy matrimony
Marriage is a most honourable estate, created and Instituted by God, signifying unto us the mystical union, which also exists between Christ and the Church; so too may this marriage be adorned by true and abiding love.
Should there be anyone who has cause why this couple should not be united in marriage, they must speak now or forever hold their peace. (You may delete this if you wish)
(If BRIDE is escorted forward)
Who is it that brings this woman to this man? (If the father, he may answer "her mother and I", "her father on behalf of the family" or simply "I do". He will place BRIDE's hand with GROOM's and steps back.
GROOM and BRIDE life is given to each of us as individuals, and yet we must learn to live together. Love is give to us by our family and friends. We learn to love by being loved. Learning to love and living together is one of life's greatest challenges and is the shared goal of a married life.
But a husband and wife should not confuse love of worldly measures for even if worldly success is found, only love will maintain a marriage. Mankind did not create love; love is created by God. The measure of true love is a love both freely given and freely accepted, just as God's love of us is unconditional and free.
Today truly is a glorious day the Lord hath made - as today both of you are blessed with God's greatest of all gifts - the gift of abiding love and devotion between a man and a woman. All present here today - and those here in heart - wish both of you all the joy, happiness and success and the world has to offer.
As you travel through life together, I caution you to remember that the true measure of success, the true avenue to joy and peace, is to be found within the love you hold in your hearts. I would ask that you hold the key to your heart very tightly.
Within the Bible, nothing is of more importance that love. We are told the crystalline and beautiful truth: "God is Love". We are assured that "Love conquers all". It is love, which brings you here today, the union of two hearts and two spirits. As your lives continue to interweave as one pattern, remember that it was love that brought you here today, it is love that will make this a glorious union, and it is love which will cause this union to endure.
Vows
Would you please face each other and join hands.
GROOM do you take BRIDE to be your wife?
Do you promise to love, honour, cherish and protect her, forsaking all others and holding only to her forevermore?("I do")
BRIDE do you take GROOM to be your Husband?
Do you promise to love, honour, cherish and protect him, forsaking all others and holding only to him forevermore?("I do")
Reading from Corinthians
A marriage ceremony represents one of life's greatest commitments, but also is a declaration of love. I wish to read to you what Paul wrote of love in a letter to the Corinthians a long time ago. I believe this is a true model of love, and it is a model of love I would hope you both would pursue in your marriage:
" Though I speak with the tongues of men and angels - but do not have love, I am only sounding brass or tinkling cymbals. Though I have the gift of prophecy and understanding all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith so that I could remove mountains – but do not have love, I am nothing. Though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned but do not have love, it profits me nothing.
Love endures and is kind. Love is not envious or jealous. Love wants not itself, is not puffed up, does not behave itself unseemly, seeks not its own, it is not easily provoked, and thinks no evil. Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness - but in the truth.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Love never fails.
Where there are prophecies, they shall fail, where there be tongues, they shall cease, where there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when that which is perfect is come, that which is part shall be done away with.
When I was a child I used to talk as a child, think as a child, reason as a child. When I became an adult, I put aside childish things. At present we see indistinctly - as in a mirror - but then we shall see face to face. At present I know partially, then I shall know fully, as I am fully known. So faith, hope, love remain- these three- but the greatest of these is love.
Vows to be repeated
I, GROOM take thee BRIDE, to be my wife. To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, and I promise my love to you forevermore.
I, BRIDE take thee GROOM to be my Husband. To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, and I promise my love to you forevermore
Exchange of Rings
Wedding rings are an outward and visible sign of an inward spiritual grace, signifying to all the uniting of this man and this woman in marriage.
(GROOM and BRIDE will repeat these vows as they place the ring on the other's finger:)
"With this ring, I thee wed. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."
(If a song is being sung, it is often added at this point)
Reading from Ephesians
In Ephesians, the relationship between husband and wife is compared to between Christ and the church:
" Submit yourselves one to another as the fear of God. Wives, show reverence for your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church and He is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own Husbands in everything.
Husbands, love your wife, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it; that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word; that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkles or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own body; He that loves his wife loves himself.
For no man ever yet hateth his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord the church. For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
For this cause shall man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is a profound one and I am saying this as it refers to Christ and the Church; however, let husband love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respect her husband."
Charge to the Couple
GROOM and BRIDE as the two of you come into this marriage uniting you as husband and wife, and as you this day affirm your faith and love for one another, I would ask that you always remember to cherish each other as special and unique individuals, that you respect the thoughts, ideas and suggestions of one another. Be able to forgive, do not hold grudges, and live each day that you may share it together - as from this day forward you shall be each other's home, comfort and refuge, your marriage strengthened by your love and respect.
Prayer
"Dear heavenly Father (or "Oh Lord"), our hearts are filled with great happiness on GROOM and BRIDE's wedding day, as they come before You pledging their hearts and lives to one another. Grant that they may be ever true and loving, living together is such a way as to never bring shame or heartbreak into their marriage. Temper their hearts with kindness and understanding, rid them of all pretence of jealousy. Help them to remember to be each other's sweetheart, helpmate, friend and guide, so that together they may meet the cares and problems of life more bravely. And with the passage of time, may the home they are creating today, truly be a place of love and harmony, where your spirit is ever present.
Bless this union we pray, and walk beside GROOM and BRIDE throughout all their lives together. We ask these things in Jesus name; AMEN
Unity Candle
"GROOM and BRIDE the two lighted candies symbolise your separate lives, your separate families and your separate sets of friends. I ask that you each take one candle and that together you light the centre candle.
The individual candies represent your individual lives before today. Lighting the centre candle represents that your two lives are now joined to one light, and represents the joining together of your two families and sets of friends to one."
Pronouncement as Husband & Wife
GROOM and BRIDE in so much as the two of you have agreed to live together in Matrimony, have promised your love for each other by these vows, the giving of these rings and the joining of your hands, I now declare you to be husband and wife.
Benediction
May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift up his countenance unto you, and give you peace.
Congratulations, you may kiss your BRIDE.
I present to you Mr. and Mrs. ____________________________.
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Pagan Marriage Ceremony
[We have come together here in celebration of the joining together of GROOM and BRIDE. There are many things to say about marriage. Much wisdom concerning the joining together of two souls, has come our way through all paths of belief, and from many cultures. With each union, more knowledge is gained and more wisdom gathered. Though we are unable to give all this knowledge to these two, who stand before us, we can hope to leave with them the knowledge of love and its strengths and the anticipation of the wisdom that comes with time.
The law of life is love unto all beings. Without love, life is nothing, without love, death has no redemption. Love is anterior to Life, posterior to Death, initial of Creation and the exponent of Earth. If we learn no more in life, let it be this.
Marriage is a bond to be entered into only after considerable thought and reflection. As with any aspect of life, it has its cycles, its ups and its downs, its trials and its triumphs. With full understanding of this, GROOM and BRIDE have come here today to be joined as one in marriage. Others would ask, at this time, who gives the BRIDE in marriage, but, as a woman is not property to be bought and sold, given and taken, I ask simply if she comes of her own will and if she has her family's blessing.
BRIDE, is it true that you come of your own free will and accord?
[BRIDE] Yes, it is true.
[TIM] With whom do you come and whose blessings accompany you.
[FATHER] She comes with me, her father, and is accompanied by all of her family's blessings.
[TIM] Please join hands with your betrothed and listen to that which I am about to say. Above you are the stars, below you are the stones, as time doth pass, remember...
Like a stone should your love be firm like a star should your love be constant. Let the powers of the mind and of the intellect guide you in your marriage, let the strength of your wills bind you together, let the power of love and desire make you happy, and the strength of your dedication make you inseparable. Be close, but not too close. Possess one another, yet be understanding. Have patience with one another, for storms will come, but they will pass quickly.
Be free in giving affection and warmth. Have no fear and let not the ways of the unenlightened give you unease, for God is with you always.
GROOM, I have not the right to bind thee to BRIDE, only you have this right. If it be your wish, say so at this time and place your ring in her hand.
[GROOM] It is my wish.
[TIM] BRIDE, if it be your wish for GROOM to be bound to you, place the ring on his finger. (places ring on GROOM's left ring finger) BRIDE I have not the right to bind thee to GROOM only you have this right. If it be your wish, say so at this time and place your ring in his hand.
[BRIDE] It is my wish.
[TIM] GROOM, if it be your wish for BRIDE to be bound to you, place the ring on her finger.(places ring on BRIDE's left ring finger) (to GROOM) Repeat after me:
I, (GROOM's full name), in the name of the spirit of God that resides within us all, by the life that courses within my blood and the love that resides within my heart, take thee (BRIDE's full name) to my hand
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