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WEDDING: ADDRESS TO THE COUPLE
Words spoken to the wedding couple
{Name 1} and {Name 2}, marriage today is a celebration of the mutuality and interdependence of all life. It is making visible the unseen bonds that already entwine and hold. Marriage is the choosing of one special person to walk beside throughout the journey of life. Marriage today is a choice - freely, openly, gladly made - of a life companion, partner, friend and fellow journeyer. Today you are publicly making that choice. You are choosing one
another to journey together as life-companions. In making that choice, and in living out that choice, remember that you are also gifts to one another - gifts of God, and gifts of life. It is God’s intention for you, and the prayer of those gathered here for you, that you will go forward from this day, cherishing each other and weaving your lives together in such a way as to create a new life that is richer, deeper and truly good. So may it be for you
{Name 1} and {Name 2}, out of the wild exuberance of creation, you two have appeared - each of you unique, distinctive, and wondrously human. You have chosen to journey together in the remaining moment of time that is yours. From this day forward, you are to become one unit of life. You are both called to a new existence. For the whole universe has come to you in the form of this particular person who has a unique love for you and is beloved by you.
What then is love? Love is sensing the other as a person. This must now be your mode of living. Love is receiving the feelings, thoughts, and intentions of the other into your own understanding. Love is faithfulness over the long haul. In life's day to day challenges, in the tension of differences, in the joy of being warmly human, in all the experiences of life, love must be faithful.
Love must share all the areas of life: body, mind, and spirit, until you are truly united with each other - one whole person united in joy with another whole person. Love is sharing together, talking together, listening together, until the harmonies of what it means to be fully human pulse also in you. In this love, let the giving love of God in Jesus be your example and strength.
{Name 1} and {Name 2}, you are an interfaith couple: we know that you come from two great religions which are neither contradictory or antagonistic because their aims are the same - compassion, kindness, respect and love of family and God. However, marriage need not be a melting pot in which differences cease to exist. As you become a married couple you bring together, in a mysterious yet happy way, two pasts, differing in traditions. Build on them, for the strength of any people lies in their spirituality, however this may be defined. With the support and encouragement each can give to the other, you will be able to develop new personal dimensions, adding new memories and new hopes to all those who are touched by your love.
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