Civil Ceremony III - Ralph's Regal Weddings

Conveniently located in Spokane, WA

near East 17th Avenue and South Ray Street.

Also serving Coeur d’Alene, ID and Post Falls, ID

and other areas within Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho

To contact us:

Phone or Text: 509-599-5632

E-mail: Info@RalphsRegalWeddings.com

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Civil Ceremony III

Prince of Wales Package

Officiant: Please stand.

(Bride processes down the aisle with her chosen escort.)

Presentation of the Bride: (Optional)

Officiant: Being assured that your choice of each other as lifelong companions has been ordained by your love for each other and that you have your families' blessing, I now ask: Who brings this woman to be married to this man?

Bride’s Father (or chosen escort): I do. (Or: Her mother and I.)

(Bride's escort places her hand in Groom's hand.)

(The Couple moves forward to stand in front of Officiant.)

(Bride’s escort moves behind Bride and is seated.)

(The Couple turns and faces each other.)

(If Bride’s gown has a train, Maid of Honor straightens it.)

Officiant: Please be seated.

Welcome and Marriage Reflections:

Officiant: We have been invited here today to celebrate one of life's greatest moments and to give recognition to the worth and beauty of love. We also add our best wishes and blessings to the words which shall unite ___(Groom)_____ and ___(Bride)_____ in marriage.

Officiant: Marriage is a promise, made in the hearts of two people who love each other, which takes a lifetime to fulfill. Within the circle of its love, marriage encompasses all of life's most important relationships; each becomes the other's lover, teacher, listener, critic, and best friend. Marriage provides a new environment for two people to share their lives together and to face life and the world, hand-in-hand.

Officiant: ___(Groom)_____ and ___(Bride)_____ in presenting yourselves here today to be joined in this union, you perform an act of faith. This faith can grow and mature and endure, but only if you are both determined to make it so. A lasting and growing love is never automatic, nor guaranteed by any ceremony. Devotion, joy and love can grow, only if you nurture them together. Stand fast in that hope and confidence, believing in your shared future just as strongly as you believe in yourselves and in each other today. Only in this spirit, can you create a partnership that will strengthen and sustain you all the days of your lives.

Rose Ceremony: (Optional)

(Choice of Rose Ceremony honoring the couple’s mothers or families. Click on “Rose Ceremonies” navigation menu link at left to see ceremonies. A musical selection may be played softly during ceremony.)

Reading: (Optional)

(Choose the Reading below or choose another from our website: click on “Poems & Readings” or “Prayers & Religious Readings” Navigation Menu link at left to see other options.)

Officiant: This is a poem called True Love by an Unknown Author

True love is a sacred flame

That burns eternally,

And none can dim its special glow

Or change its destiny.

True love speaks in tender tones

And hears with gentle ear,

True love gives with open heart

And true love conquers fear.

True love makes no harsh demands

It neither rules nor binds,

And true love holds with gentle hands

The hearts that it entwines.

Exchange of Vows: (Choice of the vows below or custom written vows.)

Officiant (To couple): Will you please join hands.

(Bride turns and gives her bouquet to Maid of Honor.)

Officiant: ___(Groom)_____ and ___(Bride)_____ as the two of you come into this marriage which will unite you forever, you affirm your faith and love for one another. Always remember to cherish each other as special and unique individuals. Respect the thoughts, ideas and suggestions of each other. Be able to forgive, do not hold grudges, and live each day with a joyful enthusiasm for the life you share together.

Officiant: Marriage is the closest relationship that exists between two people, and one of the most important obligations that two people can commit to. When deciding to join together in marriage, each individual should do so with a full realization of its obligations and responsibilities.

Officiant: ___(Groom)_____, it is your desire to become the husband of ___(Bride)_____, please recite your vows to her:

(Officiant hands Groom his vows card. Groom read his vows.)

Groom: I, ___(Groom)_____, take you, ___(Bride)_____, into my heart as my wife, my friend, my love, and my lifelong companion. I promise to support you through times of trouble, and rejoice with you in times of happiness. I accept you with all your faults and your strengths, even as I offer myself with all my faults and strengths. In this moment I promise before these witnesses to treat you with respect, love, and loyalty through all the trials and triumphs of our lives together and to love you and care for you all of our days. This commitment is made in love, kept in faith, lived in hope, and eternally made new.

(Groom hands his vows card back to Officiant.)

Officiant: ___(Bride)_____, it is your desire to become the wife of ___(Groom)_____, please recite your vows to him:

(Officiant hands Bride her vows card. Bride reads her vows.)

Bride: I, ___(Bride)_____, take you, ___(Groom)_____, into my heart as my husband, my friend, my love, and my lifelong companion. I promise to support you through times of trouble, and rejoice with you in times of happiness. I accept you with all your faults and your strengths, even as I offer myself with all my faults and strengths. In this moment I promise before these witnesses to treat you with respect, love, and loyalty through all the trials and triumphs of our lives together and to love you and care for you all of our days. This commitment is made in love, kept in faith, lived in hope, and eternally made new.

(Bride hands her vows card back to Officiant.)

Prelude to Ring Exchange:

Officiant: May I have the rings, please?

(Best Man (and Maid Of Honor) gives rings to Officiant. Officiant holds up the rings.)

Officiant: The wedding ring is a visible representation of the unbroken circle of a couple’s love, symbolizing that wherever they go, they may always return to their shared life together. It has also been a symbol of the sincerity and permanence of a couple's love for one another and their regard for their marriage.

Officiant: ___(Groom)_____ and ___(Bride)_____ wedding rings are made precious by our wearing them. Your rings say that even in your uniqueness you have chosen to be bound together. Let these rings also be a sign that love has substance as well as soul, a present as well as a past, and that, despite its occasional sorrows, love is a circle of happiness, wonder, and delight. As the circle can begin anew at any point, so a good marriage can pick any point to renew itself. May these rings remind you always to keep your marriage fresh, your life together joyful, and your respect for each other steady. As you gaze on these rings that we now bless, may you be reminded of the vows you have taken here today.

The Exchange of Rings:

Officiant: Please join your left hands together.

(The Couple joins their left hands with the Bride’s hand on top.)

(Officiant gives Groom the ring for Bride.)

Officiant: ____(Groom)_____, repeat after me: ____(Bride)_____, I give you this ring, as a token of my love and devotion, as I pledge to you all that I am and all that I will ever be. Let this ring be a symbol of my promises to you and a reminder of my devotion to you as I join my life to yours.

(Groom repeats and places ring on Bride’s finger.)

(The Couple turns their left hands over together, with the Groom’s hand on top.)

(Officiant gives Bride the ring for Groom.)

Officiant: ____(Bride)_____, repeat after me: ____(Groom)_____, I give you this ring, as a token of my love and devotion, as I pledge to you all that I am and all that I will ever be. Let this ring be a symbol of my promises to you and a reminder of my devotion to you as I join my life to yours.

(Bride repeats and places ring on Groom’s finger.)

Unity Ceremony: (Optional)

(Choice of Unity Candle, Sand, Wine or other Specialty Ceremony. Click on “Unity Ceremonies” or “Specialty Ceremonies” navigation menu link at left to see ceremonies. A musical selection may be played softly during ceremony.)

Final Blessing:

Officiant: ___(Bride)_____ and ___(Groom)_____ as you travel through life together, 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. Marriage will expand you as individuals, define you as a couple, and deepen your love for one another. To be successful you will need strength, courage, patience and a really good sense of humor.

Officiant: ___(Bride)_____ and ___(Groom)_____ I wish you the strength to be true to the vows you have made here today. May you always have the wisdom to cherish the precious love you share. May you always nurture yourselves and this marriage with acceptance, understanding, cooperation, and loving.

Officiant: May the life you share be peaceful, healthy and filled with blessings and joy.

Pronouncement and Kiss:

Officiant: Forasmuch as ___(Groom)_____ and ___(Bride)_____ have consented together to join their lives in the bonds of matrimony, and in as much as they have exchanged vows, and have given and received rings in the presence of these witnesses; I now pronounce, by the authority vested in me, and in accordance with the laws of the State of ___(State)_____, that they are now married.

Officiant: ____(Groom)_______ , you may now kiss your bride.

(Officiant steps to the side while the Couple kisses.)

Optional Announcement: (Couple may have the Officiant make an announcement regarding the reception, family pictures, etc.)

(Officiant steps back to previous position.)

(Couple turns to face guests.) (Maid of Honor hands the bouquet back to the Bride.)

Introduction of the Couple:

Officiant: It is now my pleasure to present Mr. and Mrs. ___________.

(Couple recesses out followed by the wedding party.)