Sharen and Michael

Roughlock Falls, Spearfish Canyon

Lawrence County, Savoy, South Dakota

Opening/Welcome

We are here today to celebrate the marriage of Michael and Sharen.  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.

Presentation of the Bride

Who gives this woman to be married to this man? Sharen’s son says: “I do”

Consent

Michael, do you here in the presence of family and friends, declare your love for and commitment to Sharen, 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.”

Sharen, do you here in the presence of family and friends, declare your love for and commitment to Michael, 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.”

Address

This is a new beginning for both of you and I’d like to offer some gentle reminders to ease your life-long task of living and growing together:

Be kind to each other. And, when you disagree, do it respectfully. Be gentle and forgiving with each other. When you forgive, your hearts grow a little bigger, a little more understanding and a little more compassionate. 

Be strong, but be flexible. When you compromise, you both win. A rigid branch will crack when the wind blows hard, so be strong enough to bend.

Communicate with each other. Share the joy that’s in your heart and the sorrow that burdens your soul.  Open your hearts to each other and find the love.

As you exchange your vows, which will start you on your journey together, know that the love and support of your friends and family will go with you.

Vows

I take you, Sharen this day as my wife, and I promise to walk by your side forever, as your best friend, your lover and your soul mate.  You are my beloved one and I am proud to marry you.  I promise to support your dreams and to be there for you for all our lives.

I take you, Michael this day as my husband, and I promise to walk by your side forever, as your best friend, your lover and your soul mate.  You are my beloved one and I am proud to marry you.  I promise to support your dreams and to be there for you for all our lives.

Exchanging of the Rings

Sharen, as the sign from my heart that I desire to live with you from this day forward as my wife, and that you may remember forever that I have chosen you above all others, I give you this ring as a sign of my love.

Michael, as the sign from my heart that I desire to live with you from this day forward as my husband, and that you may remember forever that I have chosen you above all others, I give you this ring as a sign of my love.

Marriage Pronouncement

Michael and Sharen 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.  Michael, you may kiss the bride.

Presentation of the Couple

And now, to all the friends and family who have come to celebrate this marriage, I would like to present, for the first time anywhere, Mr. and Mrs. Michael.