Opening Words - Spiritual

#1 Spiritual Traditional

Welcome, everyone, to_________ on a beautiful day for this wonderful, love-filled event. ___________and __________would like to thank each and every one of you who has traveled from near and far to be with them today as they celebrate their marriage and the creation of a brand new family. You are here because you are important in their lives, and your presence here today is a precious gift to these two people and their children. You are here to bestow upon them your blessings and love and to vow your support to them in their new union. Often marriage is viewed as the union of two individuals. In reality, however, marriage is much broader. As we give thanks to God for the love which brings ________ and ________ together, so, too, we recognize the merging of families taking place and the additional love and responsibility family and friends bring to this relationship.

Tributes: They would also like us not to forget that we are a part of everyone who has ever loved us, nurtured us and cared for us along life’s journey. We carry a part of their spirit within us. Please take a moment to pay tribute to_______’s grandmother, _______ and ___________’s grandfather,_________ his grandmother, ________________, and his/her uncle,_____.

#2 Spiritual #1

Today we have gathered in this place of natural beauty to be joyful, in celebration of the relationship of ____________ and ____________. By their commitment to marry each other, they are saying yes to love, yes to caring, yes to the family. May the spirit of God–which is in the blue sky, in the wind, and in the fresh smells of the Earth–enter your bodies, fill your hearts, and bless your lives.

Have you come here in the midst of these natural surroundings to affirm your commitment to each other?