A Nice Interfaith Wedding Ceremony with traditions from both religious.
“A perfect blend of exactly what we wanted for our special day..“ Source: Tiffany – YELP
Opening
We are gathered here today to celebrate one of life’s greatest moments, the blending of two hearts, the joining of GROOM/BRIDE and GROOM/BRIDE in marriage.
Who escorts this woman/man to be married today? (Optional)
We have come together to witness the union of these two hearts. Out of the routine of ordinary life, the extraordinary has happened. GROOM/BRIDE and GROOM/BRIDE met, fell in love, and are celebrating as much with their wedding today.
GROOM/BRIDE and GROOM/BRIDE , life is given to each of us as individuals, and yet we must learn to live together. Love is given to us by our family and friends – we learn to love by being loved. Learning to love and living together is one of the greatest challenges of life; and it is the shared goal of a married life.
Bible Passage
First Corinthians
Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud. Love is never haughty or selfish or rude. Love does not demand it’s own way. Love is not irritable or touchy. Love does not hold grudges and will hardly notice when others do it wrong. Love is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out. If you love someone, you will be loyal to him or her no matter what the costs. You will always believe in them, always expect the best in them, and will always stand your ground in defending them.
Wine Blessing
In this glass are the fruits of God, humankind, and Mother Earth. The years of our lives are like a cup of wine that is poured out for the sake of labor, honor, and love. Many days you will sit at the same table and eat and drink together. Many are the experiences you will share.
Blessed art thou oh lord our god king of the universe who has created the fruit of the vine. (Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha’olam bo’re p’ri ha gafen.)
You may now drink from this fountain of love.
Vows (face each other and hold hands) (repeat after me)
I, GROOM/BRIDE take you GROOM/BRIDEto be my husband/wife, my partner in life, and my one true love. I will cherish our friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever.
I will trust you and honor you
I will laugh with you and cry with you.
I will love you faithfully
Through the best and the worst,
Through the difficult and the easy.
Whatever may come I will always be there.
As I have given you my hand to hold
So I give you my life to keep
So Help Me God
I, GROOM/BRIDE take you GROOM/BRIDE to be my husband/wife, my partner in life, and my one true love. I will cherish our friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever.
I will trust you and honor you
I will laugh with you and cry with you.
I will love you faithfully
Through the best and the worst,
Through the difficult and the easy.
Whatever may come I will always be there.
As I have given you my hand to hold
So I give you my life to keep
So Help Me God
I Do’s
Do you GROOM/BRIDE take GROOM/BRIDE to be your husband/wife? (“I do”). Do you promise to love, cherish and protect him/her, whether in good fortune or in adversity, and to seek with him/her a life hallowed by god (“I do”)
Do you GROOM/BRIDE take GROOM/BRIDE to be your husband/wife? (“I do”). Do you promise to love, cherish and protect him/her, whether in good fortune or in adversity, and to seek with him/her a life hallowed by god (“I do”)
Ring Exchange (who has the rings) (repeat after me)
The ring is a symbol of the unbroken circle of love. Love freely given has no beginning and no end, no giver and no receiver for each is the giver and each is the receiver. May these rings always remind you of the vows you have taken.
I GROOM/BRIDE , take thee, GROOM/BRIDE to be my husband/wife. To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, in joy and sorrow, and I promise my love to you. And with this ring, I take you as my husband/wife, for as long as we both shall live.
I GROOM/BRIDE, take thee, GROOM/BRIDE , to be my husband/wife. To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, in joy and sorrow, and I promise my love to you. And with this ring, I take you as my husband/wife, for as long as we both shall live.
7 Jewish Blessings Sheva B’rachot
We praise You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine.
We praise You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe, Creator of all things for Your glory.
We praise You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe, Creator of man and woman.
We praise You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe, who creates us to share with You in life’s everlasting renewal.
We praise You, Adonai our God, who causes Zion to rejoice in her children’s happy return.
We praise You, Adonai our God, who causes loving companions to rejoice. May these loving companions rejoice as have Your creatures since the days of Creation.
We praise You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe, Creator of joy and gladness, friends and lovers, love and kinship, peace and friendship. O God, may there always be heard in the cities of Israel and in the streets of Jerusalem: the sounds of joy and happiness, the voice of loving couples, the shouts of young people celebrating, and the songs of children at play. We praise you, Adonai our God, who causes lovers to rejoice together.
Closing Prayer
Bless their marriage, O God, as they begin their journey down the road of life together. We don’t know what lies ahead for the road turns and bends. But help them to make the best of whatever comes their way.
Help them to continue to enjoy each other as they did when they first met. Help them to realize that nothing nor no one is perfect and to look for the good in all things and all people including themselves.
Help them to respect each other’s likes and dislikes, opinions and beliefs, hopes and dreams and fears even though they may not always understand them.
Help them to learn from each other and to help each other to grow mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
Help them to realize that no matter what happens to them they will hold on to each other and know that things have a way of working out for the good.
Help them to create for their children a peaceful, stable home of love as a foundation on which they can build their lives.
But most of all, dear God, help them to keep lit the torch of love’ that they now share so that by their loving example they may pass on the light of love to their children and to their children’s children forever. Amen
Benediction
“May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift up his countenance unto to you, and give you peace. (“Amen”)
Glass Breaking
The final act of this ceremony is the shattering of the glass.
This old custom has many traditions, with many interpretations. At one time it was meant to scare off demons that frequent celebrations (or pesky wedding guests) Today, the fragility of the glass suggests the frailty of human relationships. Just as permanent and final as the breaking of this glass is unchangeable. The glass is broken to protect this marriage with the implied prayer. “May your bond of love be as difficult to break, as it would be to put back together these pieces of glass.”
Knowing that this marriage is permanent, GROOM/BRIDE and GROOM/BRIDE should strive every day to show each other love and respect and happiness.
After GROOM/BRIDE breaks the glass, I invite everyone to shout the Hebrew words “Mazel Tov,” meaning “Good Luck” and “Congratulations.”
I now pronounce you Husband/Wife and Husband/Wife.
The Kiss
You may kiss your Groom/Bride.
I would like to introduce the happy couple
