Greetings and Welcome

Welcome to Topsail Island.

Today we join with (Bride) and (Groom), to celebrate the love they have for each other and their desire to unite their lives in marriage.

Your presence here symbolizes the love and affection you have for (Bride) and (Groom).

They want you to know how grateful they are that you have traveled from near and far, to share and to celebrate this special day with them.

Know, that you here for a holy purpose, not only to witness, but to participate fully, with your thoughts & prayers, asking God to bless this couple & their married life.

As you participate in (Bride) and (Groom)’s life together in marriage, may your energies be positive and supportive.

May your words and actions bless and protect the holiness of this bond.

Let us take a moment to appreciate the beauty and wonder of all that is around us.

For Here, were the land meets the sea and the sea touches the sky, we witness a part of the creation of God; his Greatness, Power and Wisdom.

In this moment, let each of us, in our thoughts, in our own way, uplift (Bride) and (Groom), wishing for them, the goodness and blessing of life.

As you witness this ceremony, those who are married are invited to silently renew your vows; to recall and to relive the excitement of your wedding day.

Know that today, the place we are standing, this Chapel by the Sea, is sacred.

It is scared as the location of this wedding ceremony.

The place in which two people, in vows and with witness, express God’s gift of love for each other, through the Sanctity of Marriage.

It is here, (Bride) and (Groom) will share their commitment before God, family and friends; that from this day forward, these two shall live as one.

Let us pray.

Prayer

We thank and praise you Lord, for (Bride) and (Groom) and for the gift of love they share.

Bless this ceremony, Lord. In your grace, sanctify this marriage

Guide, Watch over and Nurture this love.

May their lives together, become an inspiration, a witness of your blessing, a testament to the goodness of life.

May we all receive your blessing, Lord, as we witness your gift of love, celebrated today in holy matrimony.

In your name, Heavenly Father, and in witness thereof.

Amen

Declaration of Marriage

(Bride) and (Groom), I congratulate you on the journey of your lives. I Welcome you to this day. For Today is your declaration of Marriage.

A Declaration of Marriage is the statement of your desire to enter into the closer relationship of Husband and Wife.

This ceremony provides the sanctifying, God’s Blessing, on the union of two souls, already one in spirit.

It acknowledgements your bond, marks the beginning of your union, and embodies the promise of a lifetime celebration.

The bond you share is a gift,

We call this gift, Love.

Blessing on the Marriage

Love is patient and kind;
Does not envy or boast;
Is not arrogant or rude.
Does not insist on its own way;
Is not irritable or resentful;
Does not rejoice at wrongdoing,
But rejoices in the truth.
Love bears all things,
Believes all things,
Hopes all things,
Endures all things.
Love never fails.

Homily

Foundation of Marriage

A vow is a sacred promise, never to be broken, always to be honored. It is the most important promise a person can make.

As a profession of their love for one another, (Bride) and (Groom) have chosen to share their most heartfelt promise to one another in the sight of God,

family and friends.

(Bride) and (Groom), you are taking into your care and keeping the happiness of the one with whom you love. This is a privilege, and a responsibility.

You are adding to your life the love and affection your heart desires.

The companionship of a lifetime together.

You are agreeing to be a light and a tower of strength to each other.

You are agreeing to carry a part of each other’s responsibilities.

You are entering the sanctity of marriage on an act of pure faith, trusting without reservation.

And upon this trust, based on love, You now declare the Vows of Your Marriage.

Vows

(Groom), please take (Bride)’s hands, holding them in such a fashion so you can see her palms.

As you look at her hands, know, these are the hands that will always love you. For (Bride) is God’s gift to you, but she is not a gift for you alone.

You are asked by God to so love this woman, that in your love she will find herself as God has created her

… so beautiful … so strong

that those who know her and those who will someday meet her,

are blessed by the presence of a woman with such radiance, confidence, charity and love.

(Groom), please repeat after me.

I, (Groom), Take You (Bride),
To be my Wife,
My Friend and Partner
My One True Love
To Have And To Hold
From This Day Forward,
Beside Me and Apart From Me,
In Laughter And In Tears,
In Conflict And Tranquility,
In Joy As Well As Sorrow.
I Promise To Love You Unconditionally,
To Honor And Respect You,
To Cherish You;
From This Day Forward
In All The Ways Life May Find Us.

(Bride), please take (Groom)’s hands in yours.

As you look at his hands, know, these are the hands that will always love you. For (Groom) is God’s gift to you, but he is not a gift for you alone.

It is God’s will, that in your love, this man will more closely understand who he is and achieve all he is meant to be.

See his goodness. Let your love sustain him and strengthen him.

(Bride), please repeat after me.

I, (Bride), Take You (Groom),
To be my Husband,
My Friend and Partner
My One True Love
To Have And To Hold
From This Day Forward,
Beside Me and Apart From Me,
In Laughter And In Tears,
In Conflict And Tranquility,
In Joy As Well As Sorrow.
I Promise To Love You Unconditionally,
To Honor And Respect You,
To Cherish You;
From This Day Forward
In All The Ways Life May Find Us.

Blessing of the Rings

The unbroken circle of the wedding ring symbolizes the eternity of God’s gift of love in your marriage.

The perfection of the circle represents the Faith, Hope and Love that is yours in marriage.

As the circle has no point of weakness, it is symbolic of the strength of your marriage.

As you wear these rings, they will represent to those close to you,

Your faithfulness to each other
The companionship you share with each other
The love you have for each other

May the presence of these rings remind you of the vows that you have made to each other today.

Exchange of the Rings

(Groom), take this ring. Place it on the ring finger of (Bride)’s left hand. Holding it there, repeat after me.

I give you this ring,
in token and pledge,
of my love and faithfulness to you.
With this ring I give you my heart
I have no greater gift to give
With this ring, I marry you,
and join my life with yours.
I will always be grateful to God
For your presence in my life

(Bride), take this ring. Place it on the ring finger of (Groom)’s left hand. Holding it there, repeat after me.

I give you this ring,
in token and pledge,
of my love and faithfulness to you.
With this ring I give you my heart
I have no greater gift to give
With this ring, I marry you,
and join my life with yours.
I will always be grateful to God
For your presence in my life

Sand Ceremony

(Bride) and (Groom), you came here as individuals from two different families. Today, you have entered into marriage and have begun a new life together.

In doing so, you have created something unique, Began something new, exclusive to you and your children alone; You have created a family. This is symbolized thru the pouring of the sand;

{Bride} and {Groom} step forward to the table on which the Sand Ceremony is set. {Bride} on stage Left, {Groom} on the stage right.

At this time, officiate will privately converse / instruct the sand ceremony steps with {Bride} and {Groom} …

“When I indicate to you, please pick up the sand in the vase in front of you. One at a time, one after the other, starting with {bride}, you will each pour a modest amount of sand in the vase, creating a layer of color. Pouring three times. Please reservre about a 1/4 to 1/3 of your sand for the final pouring.

Officiate turns and walking back to the guests, continues narration.

Narration of sand ceremony is conducted from aisle to provide guests with unobstructed view of (Bride) and (Groom) during "The Pouring of the Sand Ceremony".

As each color of sand is poured into the vase, the separate containers will no longer exist, and the sand will be joined as one.

The _______ sand represents you, (Bride).

All that you were,
All that you are,
And all you will ever be.

The _______ sand represents you, (Groom)

And all that you were,
All that you are,
And all you will ever be

Pouring of the Sand

Individual layers of Sand

(officiate continues narration from within the aisle)

(Bride) and (Groom) will each pour, one at a time, a portion of sand into the vase, creating individual layers of color.

The individual layers of color are a symbol of each member of this family. Each member of this family is unique, is special and contributes in their own way.

Blended Layer of Sand

(officiate continues narration from within the aisle)

(Bride) and (Groom) will now pour the final amount of sand into the vase at the same time, blending the colors.

{Bride} and {Groom} simultaneously pour the remainder of their sand into and overfilling the vase, blending the colors

The blending of the sand is to symbolize the unity of (Bride) and (Groom) “That these two shall now live together as one” in holy matrimony.

The position of the blended sand at the top of vase, represents the role of husband and wife in the leadership of the family; teaching, guiding, nurturing, providing and protecting.

As the blending of sand occurs, officate returns to front of ceremony, behind the table, oceanside

Just as these grains can never again be separated into their individual containers, so each of you will always be inseparable as a member of this family.

Release of the Doves

All who are here in witness of the Vows you have spoken, The promises you have made, The exchange of rings you now wear, celebrate in our hearts the blessing of the love you share.

This love is symbolized in the image of a dove.

Officate walks from behind the sand ceremony table, continuing narration, while {Bride} and {Groom} remain on each side of the table

This symbolic tradition dates from the days of Greek culture. It is evident in the era of the Roman Empire, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, throughout American History and in modern times.

As narration continues, handler approaches with one dove and places the dove in her hands

In celebration of their marriage, (Bride) and (Groom) continue this ageless tradition as they each release together, 2 white doves.

It is appropriate that the Dove symbolize the love shared between husband and wife.

(Handler returns and places second dove in grooms hands)

The Dove has one mate.

The Dove will coo in attracting and calling for it’s mate.

They mate for life.

Doves express affection through nuzzling and the gentle stroking of the other.

The male dove selects the location of the nest, the female dove approves.

The male dove gathers the building materials for the nest. The female dove builds the nest.

Both the male and female dove participate in the incubation of the eggs. The male during the day, the female at night.

They share in the responsibility of feeding and caring of the young.

Doves always return home to the nest.

{Bride} and {Groom} begin to slowly walk to the edge of the ocean, each with a white dove cradled in their hands.

Upon release, the doves will fly above and circle twice, from which they learn the direction to return home to the nest.

This behavior, this ability is not something trained or taught. It is, as is love, given to them. It is a gift.

At the beach edge, waiting just a moment, each holding a Dove, raise arms upward, at the same time, the doves are released

{Bride} and {Groom} wait a moment at the beach, watching the doves fly. They then turn around facing the guests, walk, hand in hand, to the original position in front of the officiate

Ministers Blessing

(Bride) and (Groom), It is not coincidence that brought you together. It is not of chance that your declaration of marriage is proclaimed.

It is God’s design that you are together. In this union you are made stronger. Claim today, Cherish your love; how real it is, how powerful it has become.

For in your marriage you are no longer I but we. What you alone want your marriage to be, it will not. Where you alone want your marriage to go, it will not.

It will go were the two of you, together, decide to take it. You do not know the road, but you know the way.

You could not have chosen a more appropriate place for your wedding. The ocean is alive, it is beautiful. It is, at times, peaceful, and, at times, filled with turmoil.

Your marriage will provide;

Strength in times of challenge.
Joy in times of achievement.
Faith to believe in each other and
grace to trust in the love the other reserves only for you.

Be willing to accept the blessings, Our Heavenly Father so wants you to have. Ask for them … often.

We bring to the children who will, one day, gather unto you, and in the spirit of today, we ask for God’s future blessing upon them.

May you have;

Enough happiness to keep you sweet,
Enough hope to keep you healthy,
Enough success to keep you eager,
Enough friends to give you support and
Enough determination to make each day Better than the last.

May you have the strength to nurture and support each other through all things, and to sweetly keep the vows that you have made to one another today.

Benediction

The Light of God Surround You
The Love of God Enfold You
The Power of God Protect You
The Presence of God watch over you

Wherever you are… God Is… And all is well

May God bless and watch over you all the days of your lives.

Pronouncement of Marriage

For as much as you have openly declared your desire to be united in marriage

In the presence of God and witness
have pledged love to each other
Confirmed the same by the giving
and receiving a ring

By the authority vested in me as an ordained minister of the Gospel and by the laws of the Sovereign State of North Carolina, it is my privilege and honor to pronounce that you are now and forever will be husband and wife.

KISS

Sir, you may kiss your Bride.

Presentation of Family

Ladies and Gentlemen,
it is my pleasure to present to you,
for the first time in marriage,
Mr. and Mrs. (Formal Presentation)

Seashell Ceremony

Ladies and Gentlemen, May I have your attention please.

It is a tradition here on the island, and is asked as a request of (Groom) and (Bride), that we exit the ceremony, in my direction, to the front, walking to the ocean.

As you pass by me, please take a seashell from this basket. We will gather then, at the edge of the sea, were we will be joined by the married couple and the wedding party,

Together, we will return these seashells to the ocean, and in our hearts, wish for them the finest of Joy and Happiness as they begin their life together in marriage.