We are totally open to your suggestions, additions, deletions, or as non-denominational ministers, we can add more spiritually-oriented references as desired. We want your ceremony to reflect your values, your deep-seated feelings about love and friendship and we'll happily tailor-make your ceremony for you. Above all, your vows must be meaningful to you.
Wedding Ceremony - Sample # 1 with Quote “On Friendship
Minister: Message of Welcome
Ano’ai me kealoha, ma ka inoa ka Makua, a me ka Keiki, a me ka Uhane Hemolele. Greetings of Aloha, we honor our parents and ancesters, we honor our children and we invoke the Holy Spirit.
Aloha ka kou. (Aloha to all) We are all gathered here on this beautiful island of Maui to share and to celebrate the union of GROOM/BRIDE, who come here to begin a new and exciting life together.
May the blessings of the spirit surround you: be within you to renew our hopes in one another, around you to preserve your trust for each other, before you to guide your path of love for one another, behind you to help you to honor each other, and above you to bless your love and faith in one another. Amen.
Exchange of Leis - In Hawaii, leis are presented at all ceremonial occasions. The old Hawaiians used the plant materials and flowers in their surroundings to express their appreciation and love for one another and for this precious earth. They represent for us the joy that comes in the present moment as we celebrate the union of these two beautiful people today.
Ceremony
It is a great joy to be gathered here in this magnificent splendor of Hawaii, to join and in Holy Matrimony. Love is a miraculous gift and it is your great love for one another that has brought you to this sacred moment to embrace one another as beloved companions and friends. Therefore, this sacred vow is entered into with much consideration, love, respect and joy. We who participate bind ourselves as witness to this vow of love that you state here today and, you are here today to declare openly through marriage the love and oneness you feel in your hearts. May you have patience to listen and to hear, the wisdom to understand, the capacity to support each other and the joy to laugh and celebrate your lives together. May your communication be loving and honest. May your commitment to seeing and nurturing the best in each other be unwavering. May you bask in the joy of giving. May the brightness of your love shine so as to dissolve all obstacles to loving. And may your love for one another insure and strengthen you both as individuals and as partners in life.
"On Friendship" by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
I love you, not only for what you are but for what I am with you.
I love you not only for what you have made of yourself, but what you are making of me. I love you for the part of me that you bring out. I love you for putting your hand on to my heart and choosing to see all the light and radiant things that dwell within me. You have done it without a touch, without a sign. You have done it by simply being yourself.
Minister: Now that you understand of what you are about to partake, are you ready to make the promises of marriage?
Couple: We are.
Minister: Do you, want to marry, to happily hold her above all others and have her as your wife?
Groom: I do.
Minister: Do you, want to marry, to happily hold him above all others and have him as your husband?
Bride: I do.
Minister: Please repeat after me:
Groom: From this day on, I choose you, my beloved, to be my wife, to love and to support you and to laugh with you; to be a joy to your heart; to bring out the best in you and to be loyal to you all the days of my life. Aloha (I love you).
Bride: From this day on, I choose you, my beloved, to be my husband, to love and to support you and to laugh with you; to be a joy to your heart; to bring out the best in you and to be loyal to you all the days of my life. Aloha (I love you).
Presentation of Rings:
Minister: These rings are a symbol of the love, unity and devotion that exists between you. May they always evoke gratitude for and appreciation of the commitment you make here today.
Groom: with this ring, I promise to grow with you and to build our love, to speak openly and honestly, to listen to you and to love and cherish you for all our days ahead. From this day forward, you shall not walk alone. My heart will be your shelter and my arms will be your home.
Bride: with this ring, I promise to grow with you and to build our love, to speak openly and honestly, to listen to you and to love and cherish you for all our days ahead. From this day forward, you shall not walk alone. My heart will be your shelter and my arms will be your home.
Minister: and, we know that your life together will continue to bring you peace of mind and constant, unbounded love. May you have the power, patience, passion, understanding, good humor, affection and courage to express and expand your love for one another and to all. May you nurture and strengthen one another in times of difficulty. When differences arise, may you be able to find in those differences deeper understanding of each other and therefore a greater love. In the face of challenges, may you have the courage to reveal your inner selves to one another, take responsibility for your own thoughts, words, actions and to call forth what is real and true. Namely this is that you love one another, this is very simple and mystic at the same time. May you support one another by turning sorrow to loving kindness and obstacles to creative opportunities. May you have fun and enjoy fully the miracle of life and the glory of marriage. and you have declared your sacred vows in the presence of those gathered here, with your eyes fully open. And now, with the powers vested in me by the state of Hawaii, it is my great pleasure to announce you as husband and wife.
You may seal your vows with a kiss.
Sample #2 with Reading: A Wish for Both of You Today
Minister: O keia no ka la (This is the day)
Ka haku i hanai (That was created for us)
E Hauole Kakou (Let us be happy)
Ae lealea ilaila (and rejoice)
Na Mea Maikai loa (For all Good things)
Minister: Exchange of Leis - In Hawaii, leis are presented at all ceremonial occasions. The old Hawaiians used the plant materials and flowers in their surroundings to express their appreciation and love for one another and for this precious earth. They represent for us the joy that comes in the present moment as we celebrate the union of these two beautiful people today.
Minister to Groom: Please turn to your bride as you hold your lei and looking into her eyes, repeat after me: I give you this lei of love, my beloved, with all the Aloha in my heart. With this, I join my life with yours.
Minister to Bride: Please turn to your groom as you hold your lei and looking into his eyes, repeat after me: “I give you this lei of love, my beloved, with all the Aloha in my heart. With this, I join my life with yours.
It is a great joy to be gathered here in this magnificent splendor of Hawaii, to join and in Holy Matrimony. Love is a miraculous gift and it is your great love for one another that has brought you to this sacred moment to embrace one another as beloved companions and friends. Therefore, this sacred vow is entered into with much consideration, love, respect and joy. We who participate bind ourselves as witness to this vow of love that you state here today.
Minister or Special Guest Speaker: A Wish for Both of You Today
A wish for both of you today: That your marriage will bring much happiness and joy to each of you. Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens; a good marriage must be created. And it is created in the following ways:
It is never being too old to hold hands.
It is remembering to say "I love you" at least once a day.
It is at no time taking the other for granted.
It is having a mutual sense of values and common goals.
It is standing together facing life.
It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family.
It is doing for each other not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy.
It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude.
It is not looking for perfection in each other.
It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding, and a sense of humor.
It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.
It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow.
It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.
It is establishing a relationship in which independence is equal, dependence is mutual, and obligation reciprocal.
It is not only marrying the right partner, it is being the right partner.
Minister: Now that you understand of what you are about to partake, are you ready to make the promises of marriage?
Couple: Yes, we are.
Minister: Do you, want to marry, to happily hold her above all others and have her as your wife?
Groom: I do.
Minister: Do you, want to marry, to happily hold him above all others and have him as your husband?
Bride: I do.
Minister: Please repeat after me:
Groom: From this day on, I choose you, my beloved, to be my wife, to love and to support you and to laugh with you; to be a joy to your heart; to bring out the best in you and to be loyal to you all the days of my life.
Bride: From this day on, I choose you, my beloved, to be my husband, to love and to support you and to laugh with you; to be a joy to your heart; to bring out the best in you and to be loyal to you all the days of my life.
Presentation and Blessing of Rings:
Minister: These rings are a symbol of the love, unity and devotion that exists between you. May they always evoke gratitude for and appreciation of the commitment you make here today. When you look at these rings, please remember always the fullness in your hearts at this time and the beauty of this day on Maui.
Groom: with this ring, I promise to grow with you and to build our love, to speak openly and honestly, to listen to you and to love and cherish you for all our days ahead. From this day forward, you shall not walk alone. My heart will be your shelter and my arms will be your home.
Bride: with this ring, I promise to grow with you and to build our love, to speak openly and honestly, to listen to you and to love and cherish you for all our days ahead. From this day forward, you shall not walk alone. My heart will be your shelter and my arms will be your home.
Minister: and, we know that your life together brings you peace of mind and constant, unbounded love. May you have the power, patience, understanding, good humor, affection and courage to express and expand your love for one another and to all. May you nurture and strengthen one another in times of difficulty. When differences arise, may you be able to find in those differences deeper understanding of each other and greater love. In the face of challenges, may you have the courage to reveal your inner selves to one another and to call forth what is real and true. May you support one another by turning sorrow to loving kindness and problems to creative opportunities. May you have fun and enjoy fully the miracle of life and the glory of marriage.
The Pronouncement:
and, in the words of an old Hawaiian marriage chant, “This is the sight for which you have longed. Now that you have come, love has come with you.” “Mahalo”
The Final Blessing:
and, there is a wonderful life ahead of you. Live it fully. Love its changes and choices. Let life amaze you and bring you great joy.
Go forward in peace, recognizing that what you undertake together will bring you great joy, and that the love you share will strengthen you in all that you do. May you feel the love of each other forever.
and you have declared your sacred vows in the presence of those gathered here and in the presence of that which we know as God in Hawaii, Ke Akua. And now, with the powers vested in me by the state of Hawaii, it is my great pleasure to pronounce you both with eyes and hearts fully open to one another as husband and wife. Aloha e Aloha e Aloha e
Aloha pumehana e ho’omaika’i
Sample No.3: Wedding Ceremony with Quote from “The Prophet”
Aloha and welcome to you both. Now that you are here, I invite you to observe this lovely day, to look around you at this beautiful aina (this earth) and give thanks for all the life here and for the fact that you have found one another to love. Please think of the moment when you first met one another and deeply appreciate the significance and magic of that single moment.
We are gathered here today in the spirit of love, the spirit we know intimately in these islands as the spirit of Aloha. It is the same spirit that brought you <groom> and <bride> together. We celebrate this new and exciting moment in your lifes’ journey, and embrace now the wonders of creation surrounding us.
LEI EXCHANGE
We are gathered here to celebrate the union of and in Holy Matrimony. The union between a man and a woman can provide the harmony, peace, happiness and support each one needs to fulfill their highest potential.
and, this is a joyful day. A time of total recognition that can only be given in love. By bringing your total presence to this special moment, you can experience the fulfillment you represent for one another. This requires respect, mutuality, communication, passion, humor and a deep, abiding friendship.
What lies ahead is not certain. It never is. You are human beings and therefore the development of your lives is not wholly predictable. Today, however, you have reached a new time in your lives. A new beginning. It is a time for making vows that will enable you both to face life’s uncertainties and challenges with that which you are now certain about: Namely that you love one another.
From “The Prophet” on Love:
True love gives nothing but itself
And takes nothing from itself
Love does not possess nor would it be possessed
For love is sufficient unto love
Love has no other desire but to fulfill itself
to awake at dawn with a winged heart
and give thanks for another day of loving
This man and this woman have come together as individuals to become partners in life, to provide an environment in which growth can blossom.
Minister: Now that you understand of what you are to partake of are you ready to make the promises of marriage?
Couple: We are.
Minister: do you take, to be your lawful wedded wife, to love, respect and cherish her with your whole heart?
Groom: I do.
Minister: do you take, to be your lawful wedded husband, to love, respect and cherish him with your whole heart?
Bride: I do.
Minister: Repeat after me.
Groom: From this day on I choose you, to be my wife, to nurture and to support you, to live with you and laugh with you; to be a joy to your heart, to be faithful to you and to appreciate and honor you all the days of our life together.
Bride: From this day on I choose you, to be my husband, to nurture and to support you, to live with you and laugh with you; to be a joy to your heart, to be faithful to you and to appreciate and honor you all the days of our life together.
Blessing of the Rings :
Minister: These rings are the symbol of the love that exists between you and your devotion to one another. Let them always remind you of the commitments you make here today and the blessings of this special occasion.
Groom: with this ring, I promise to grow with you and to build our love, to speak openly and honestly, to listen to you and to love and cherish you for all our days ahead. From this day forward, you shall not walk alone. My heart will be your shelter and my arms will be your home.
Bride: with this ring, I promise to grow with you and to build our love, to speak openly and honestly, to listen to you and to love and cherish you for all our days ahead. From this day forward, you shall not walk alone. My heart will be your shelter and my arms will be your home.
Minister: and, we know that your life together will continue to bring you peace of mind and constant, unbounded love. May you have the power, patience, passion, understanding, good humor, affection and courage to express and expand your love for one another and to all. May you nurture and strengthen one another in times of difficulty. When differences arise, may you be able to find in those differences a deeper understanding of each other, and of yourselves as individuals, and therefore a greater love. In the face of challenges, may you have the courage to reveal your inner selves to one another and to call forth what is real and true, namely that you love one another. May you support one another by turning sorrow to loving kindness and problems to creative opportunities. May you have fun and enjoy fully the miracle of life and the glory of marriage.
and, you have declared your sacred vows in the presence of those gathered here. And now, with the powers vested in me by the State of Hawaii, it is my great pleasure to announce you as husband and wife.
You may seal your vows with a kiss.
**************************
Non Denominational Sample #4 – Cherish Each Other
We are gathered here today to celebrate one of life's greatest moments, to give recognition to the worth and beauty of love, and to add our best wishes to the words which shall unite_____________and _________________ in joyous marriage.
Exchanging of Leis:
In Hawaii, leis are presented at all ceremonial occasions. Hawaiians used the plant materials and flowers in their surroundings to express their appreciation and love for one another and for this precious earth. They represent for us the joy that comes in the present moment as we celebrate the union of these two beautiful people today.
Ceremony:
____________________ and ____________, I would ask that you both remember to treat yourself and each other with respect, and remind yourself often of what brought you together today. Give the highest priority to the tenderness, gentleness and kindness that your marriage deserves. When frustration and difficulty assail your marriage - as they do to every relationship at one time or another - focus on what still seems right between you, not only the part that seems wrong. This way, when clouds of trouble hide the sun in your lives and you lose sight of it for a moment, you can remember that the sun is still there. And if each of you will take responsibility for the quality of your life together, it will be marked by abundance and delight.
Reading:
"For one human being to love another human being; this is perhaps the most challenging and rewarding task that has been entrusted to us – the ultimate task, the final test and proof, the work for which all other work is merely preparation. Loving at first means merger, surrender and uniting with another person. Love is a high inducement for the individual to ripen, to become something in ourselves, to become a world in ourselves for the sake of another person. Love is a great, demanding claim on us, something that chooses us and calls us to vast distances."
Now that you understand of what you are about to partake are you ready to make the promises of marriage?
Declaration:
Minister to Groom: ________________, do you take _______________ to be your Wife? ("I do") Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect her and to be loyal to her for as long as you both shall live? I do.
Minister to Bride: ________________, do you take __________________ to be your Husband? ("I do") Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect him and to be loyal to him for as long as you both shall live? I do.
Presentation and Blessing of the Rings: Wedding rings are an outward and visible sign of an inward spiritual grace and the unbroken circle of love, signifying to all the union of this man and this woman in marriage." All Blessings upon their rings and their marriage. May they live long and in great happiness and harmony together. Amen.
(Groom) With this Ring, I _____________, take thee, ________________ to be my 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 unconditionally.
(Bride ) With this Ring, _________________, take thee ______________, to be my Husband. 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 conditionally.
_________________and _________________ as the two of you come into this marriage uniting you as husband and wife, and as you this day affirm your faith and love for one another, I would ask that you always remember to cherish each other as special and unique individuals, that you respect the thoughts, ideas and suggestions of one another. Be able to forgive, do not hold grudges, and live each day that you may share it together - as from this day forward you shall be each other's home, comfort and refuge, your marriage strengthened by your love and respect for each other.
Just as two threads woven in opposite directions will form a most beautiful tapestry, so too can your two lives merged together make a beautiful marriage. To make your relationship work will take love. This is the core of your marriage and why you are here today. It will take trust , to know in your hearts that you truly want the best for each other. It will take dedication, to stay open to one another - and to learn and grow together. It will take faith, to go forward together without knowing exactly what the future brings. And it will take commitment, to hold true to the journey you both pledge today to share together.
We wish you all happiness and joy on this your beautiful wedding day. May you enjoy fully the miracle of life and the glory of marriage together.
Pronouncement:
_________________and _________________________, in so much as the two of you have agreed to live together in Matrimony and have promised your love for each other by these vows, the joining of your hands and the giving of these rings, I now, with the powers vested in me by the beautiful state of Hawaii, declare you both to be Husband and Wife.
Congratulations, you may kiss your bride.
It is my privilege to present to you Mr. & Mrs. _______________________________
This may be inserted rather than the “Friendship Section” or Quote from
the Prophet on other vows. You may also feel free to insert quotations
you prefer or lines of scripture or something you've composed. We're
happy to include it in your ceremony
The Heart’s Vow
(The couple place their left hands on one another’s hearts and look
into one another’s eyes as the minister reads the passage below)
Here in this moment, made sacred by our promises, I put my hand onto
your heart. Dear one, feel my soul now as I look into your eyes. I come to you with all that I have knowing that I am a whole person, that I stand alone and yet I am joined to you like the branches of trees that entwine when trees stand close. Hold me safely in your heart and let trust flow between us as a river flows
between two banks. Here, in this beautiful place where we have come
to pledge ourselves to one another let us become one heart with pure intention:
wherever life takes us, I will always be your friend.
Hawaii’s Legend
If you were to walk along the beaches of Hawaii you will find some small,
green bushes with little white flowers (Ocean Naupaka). If you look more
closely you will see that only half of each flower is there. Now, if you pick
one of those flowers and take it with you, climbing up into the mountains,
you will find another similar shrub also with white, half flowers (Mountain
Nupaka). In Hawaiian legend these two flowers represent two lovers. When
you put the two half flowers together you will see that they become one
beautiful flower. They belong with each other day just as you belong with each other. As sweet and natural as breathing. Joyful sharing in the present moment. Aloha