"This is the day [Bride] and [Groom] have chosen to celebrate their union as husband and wife, as partners in life. They thank you, their families and friends, for joining them today to offer your love, support and to wish them all the happiness life can offer. They would also like to acknowledge those who are not able to be here, but whose thoughts and good wishes are present here today."
READING
My name is Jacqueline Gray, and I am authorised by law to solomnise marriages in Australia. Before you, [Bride] and [Groom] are joined together in marriage in my presence and in the presence of your family and friends, I am bound to remind you publicly of the solemn and binding nature of the relationship into which you are now about to enter. Marriage is the union of a man and a woman, to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life.
Many couples prefer to refer to this part of the ceremony as the 'Bringing Together of the Bride and Groom', rather than the Giving away of the Bride. This is a time when all parents (or all friends and family) of the couple are given the opportunity to offer their support and approval for the marriage. I therefore ask all parents [name each parent] "Who brings this woman [Bride] to be married to this man [Groom]?"
ALL "We do"
Are you willing now and always to support and uphold [Bride] and [Groom] with your love?
ALL "We are"
RING EXCHANGE AND VOWS
(Groom is invited to take the Bride’s ring and place it on her finger)
GROOM With this ring I marry my best friend, my one true love. I take you, [Bride’s name] with great pride, to be my wife, and I promise to always support your dreams, listen to your opinions and love you with all of my heart.
(Bride is invited to take the Groom’s ring and place it on his finger)
BRIDE With this ring I take you as my husband, my lifelong partner. I promise to love you, support you and tenderly care for you the only way I know how – completely and forever.
READING (optional)
On behalf of all those close at heart, both present and absent, I would like to wish you both a lifetime of happiness. May you always be able to talk things over, to confide in each other, to laugh together and to share the moments of peace and quiet when the day is done. May you have love and may you find it loving each other.
DECLARATION OF MARRIAGE
[Bride] and [Groom], you have declared before those of us present that you will live together in marriage. You have symbolised it by joining hands, exchanging rings, and have promised each other the joy of all your days. It is therefore with great pleasure that I declare you to be husband and wife.
You may now kiss the bride.
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