Wedding Ceremony for Jenny and Pat
Sylvan Lake, Custer State Park
Custer SD
Opening/Welcome:
We are here today to celebrate the marriage of Pat and Jenny. We share with them their delight in finding love with each other and support their decision to be together from now until the end of time.
Blessing:
Please receive the Blessing: May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, the rains fall soft upon the fields. May the light of friendship guide your paths together. May the laughter of children grace the halls of your home. May the joy of living for one another trip a smile from your lips, a twinkle from your eye. May the gracious God hold you both in the palm of His hands. And, today, may the Spirit of Love find a dwelling place in your hearts. Amen.
Consent:
Pat, do you here in the presence of family and friends, declare your love for and commitment to Jenny, choosing her as your partner for life and soul mate? Do you promise to accept her as she is, sharing with her and supporting her through the experiences of your lives, be they easy or difficult, happy or sad, challenging or mundane, letting friendship and love reign forever? “I do.”
Jenny, do you here in the presence of family and friends, declare your love for and commitment to Pat, choosing him as your partner for life and soul mate? Do you promise to accept him just as he is, sharing with him and supporting him through the experiences of your lives, be they easy or difficult, happy or sad, challenging or mundane, letting friendship and love reign forever? “I do.”
Vows:
Pat and Jenny, please share your vows at this time.
Exchange of Rings:
Introduction to Ring Exchange:
Pat and Jenny have chosen the Claddagh Ring to represent the love they share and their commitment to each other. The ring consists of 2 hands holding between them a heart. Over the heart is a design representing a crown or fleur de lis. The phrase that accompanies the Claddagh Ring is “let love and friendship reign.”
Claddagh Story:
The story of the Claddagh is one of the most
beautiful sentiments to come from the Irish culture. The story began about 5
centuries ago in the fishing village of Claddagh, just outside the city of
Galway. Many of them from the village would each day go to the sea, just as
they do today, to catch food for their families and others in the village. It
was dangerous to go out into the bay, some days the sea was high. Other days the
current was strong. But worst of all, some days, there were pirates. One fateful
day, a young man was at sea with other men from his family in their small boat
when suddenly a Spanish pirate ship appeared. The men knew they were doomed. The
pirates captured the men from Claddagh and brought them to the far off North
Coast of Africa and sold them into slavery for what would surely be the rest of
their lives.
But the story can't end there...
Richard, the youngest of those captured, was the most distraught. All of the men
had left loved ones behind, however, Richard had only just come to know what
true love was, and now, to have it stolen away! Well, the years passed. Some of
the men died. Others accepted their fate. But young Richard yearned each day as
he toiled in slavery to return to his village and his beloved far away. Each day
he stole a small speck of gold from his wretched Masters goldsmith shop where he
was forced to tend the fires. And after a number of years, he was finally able
to fashion a ring. He hoped and prayed that someday he would be able to bring
the ring to his true love. It is not really known now whether young Richard
escaped or earned his release from slavery. In any case, the day finally came
and Richard began his long journey to the island in the North Atlantic known to
us as Ireland and to Richard as home. When Richard finally completed his
journey he was overjoyed to learn that love was true and that his Colleen had
prayed and waited faithfully for his return. It was on this day that he
presented her with the ring that now is known in every corner of the world as
the Claddagh Ring, for there is no sentiment more beautiful than the one Richard
carried home with him in his heart and we celebrate in jewelry of all types.
The heart symbolized the love he yearned to
share... the crown his undying loyalty... and the hands, friendship because it
is the foundation of love and loyalty and holds the two together.
From that young man's life we all can take comfort that the goodness in one's
heart can always conquer the evil of others. Evil is no match for the powers of
love, loyalty and friendship. Pirates no longer sail the seas around Richard's
island, but every day men leave the shores to fish knowing that they will, if
the sea is not high and the currents not too strong, return to the ones who love
them.
Actual exchange of rings:
These rings represent the vows and promises you’ve willingly exchanged. They reflect the commitment those words inspire and all your hopes and dreams for the future.
Pat, as you place the ring on Jenny’s finger, please repeat after me: “With this ring, I wed thee and bind my life to yours. It is a symbol of my eternal love, my everlasting friendship and the promise of all tomorrows.”
Jenny, as you place the ring on Pat’s finger, please repeat after me: “With this ring, I wed thee and bind my life to yours. It is a symbol of my eternal love, my everlasting friendship and the promise of all tomorrows.”
May the vows and promises you have made today be ever-present in your hearts as these rings are on your fingers.
Benediction:
May you be poor in misfortune, rich in blessings, slow to make enemies, quick to make friends. But rich or poor, quick or slow, may you know nothing but happiness from this day forward.
Marriage Pronouncement:
Pat and Jenny you have chosen to be joined in marriage today. In the presence of your family and friends, you have exchanged vows and made promises. You have opened your hearts to one another, declared your love and have united yourself with the exchanging of rings. It is my honor and pleasure to pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the Bride.
Presentation:
I now present to you, their family and friends, Mr. and Mrs. Pat and Jenny.