More Ceremonies | Tampa , Florida Weddings

This page offers you an opportunity to insert readings, scriptures, and unique alternatives, along with other distinctive touches. Couples can incorporate many of the items shown herein to create their own personalized wedding ceremonies. Additional ceremonies are also on this page. Be sure to review all the pages on this website. You will be very glad you did.

Locate the scriptures below in your bible or go to www.beliefnet.com

POPULAR READINGS (consider incorporating readings into your ceremony.)

Beatitudes

Corinthians 1: 13

Corinthians 13:1-13

Ecclesiastes 3: 1-9

Ephesians 3:14-19, 5:1-2

Genesis 1:26-28, 2:4-9, and 15-24

Hosea 2:19-21

Isaiah 61:101

John 4:7-16 , 15:9-12, and 17:22-24

Mark 10:6-9

Proverbs 31:10-31

Romans 12:1-2, 9-18

Ruth 1:16-17

Tobit 8:56--58

UNIQUE ALTERNATIVES

* Excerpts from "The Prophet" by Kahlil Gibran

* "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho

* "The Velveteen" by Margery Williams Bianco

* Poems by Pablo Neruda

* Shakespeare's Sonnets

* Song lyrics

* For a wishing tree, provide a small potted tree and a basket of small cards with a loop of ribbon or string. Guests write loving wishes on the cards and hang them on the tree, the bride and groom keep the wishes and plant the tree wherever they would like to have a special reminder of their wedding day.

THE ROSE CEREMONY

Looking for an elegant touch to your wedding ceremony? You might try a "Rose Ceremony." There are essentially two (2) different ways to incorporate a ROSE into a wedding. Here are some suggestions:

A Rose given to Mothers of the Bride and Groom is usually done at the beginning of the wedding ceremony. Either the bride and groom can offer a rose to each mother after the presentation of the bride, or they can give a rose at the beginning of the ceremony after prompting by the wedding officiant. The ceremony officiant could say:

"This wedding celebration is a joining of two unique families who stood separate until today. Today we unite these two families by the marriage of (insert Bride's name) and (insert Groom's Name) would each like to honor their families with the giving of a rose to their mothers. They would also like to acknowledge the love and sacrifice that each mother has made to make her children who they are today -- a man and woman who are ready to be in a committed, loving marriage of their own."

(Bride and Groom, together, present a rose to each mother) This ceremony is mostly kept a secret from the family until the moment the roses are presented.

A WEDDING ROSE CEREMONY

is a part of the wedding ceremony that takes place after the Wedding Vows. The Wedding Officiant or the Maid of Honor and Best Man can offer the rose to the Bride and Groom at the appropriate moment. Often, a rose ceremony can go like this:

Officiant: (after the Exchanging of Rings) ---- " A Single Red Rose Always Meant " I Love You ".

OFFICIANT: BRIDE and GROOM, in remembrance of this day, as an affirmation of your love and of the vows you have spoken here today, please give each other a single Red Rose each year on your anniversary. In the best of marriages, there are difficult times. There are times of hurtful words, times of neglect, times when we must wait patiently to be together again. Those may be times when the words you really need to speak are difficult. I ask that you remember this moment and that when words fail you, that you place a single rose on your spouse's pillow as a wy to say "I remember our vows" and "I love you." Let this exchanging of roses be the beginning of a lifelong tradition of unspoken love.

The Officiants Speaks These Words: (alternative words)

There may be times filled with happiness, sorrow, tears or laughter, whatever it may be, remember love has given you wings; your journey begins today; _____________ and _______________, if there is anything you remember of this marriage ceremony, remember the love that brought you here today, it is only love which can make your marriage a glorious union, and it is by love that your marriage will endure.

A TESTIMONIAL:

Dear Dr. Turcot,

"Our wedding was more than we ever could have dreamed it would be. You had a huge part in it all. We would not hesitate to recommend you to our friends." Thank you! Brittany & James Drury

A CHRISTIAN CEREMONY (can be used for all christian faiths)

There are 191 sects (denominations) included within the Protestant / Christian faith. Brides can use this lovely ceremony when marrying other members of the christian faith. An example would be Baptist to Lutheran, OR Methodists to Quaker, etc. However, since a Catholic (Roman or Orthodox) is also a christian, this service can be for joining a Catholic to any other member of the christian faith. If a bridal couple wishes to use this ceremony, BUT, wishes to use other vows or scriptures, that can easily be accomplished. Flexibility in such things are acceptable and welcome. The adding of the "Unity Candles" or "Unity Sand" ceremonies (as shown below) are also great and usually comes right after the Wedding Vows and the Exchange of Rings part. Be sure to discuss this with me at our consultation meeting. The following is that ceremony:

THE PROCESSIONAL (music begins)

(parents seated, then Officiant with groom, followed by wedding party, then the bride enters)

WELCOMING OF GUESTS / OPENING STATEMENT

Dearly beloved friends and family,

We are gathered together in the sight of God and in the presence of these witnesses to join together

(G)______________________ and (B)_______________________, in marriage, which is an honorable estate, instituted by God, and signifying unto us the mystical union which exists between Christ and his church; it is therefore not to be entered into unadvisedly, but reverently, discreetly, and in the fear of God. Into this Holy estate these two people come now to be joined.

QUESTION BY OFFICIANT: Who would present (B)_______________ to be married to (G)________________?

ANSWER BY BRIDE'S ESCORT: "I DO" "Her Mother and I DO" "Her Family and I DO" (choose one answer)

CHARGE TO THE BRIDE AND GROOM (By Officiant)

I require and charge you both that the vows you take this day are sacred above words, and that your lives hereafter shall be bound together unbreakably. You are about to enter into a union which is most sacred and most serious, because marriage was established by God Himself, most serious because it will bind you together for life, in a relationship so close and intimate that it will profoundly influence your whole future. That future, with its hopes and disappointments, its successes and failures, its pleasures and its pain, its joys and its sorrows, is hidden from your eyes. You know that these elements are mingled in every life, and are to be expected in your own. And so, not knowing what is before you, you take each other for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in helth, for as long as you both shall live. Truly then, these words are most serious. It is a beautiful tribute to your undoubted faith in each other, that recognizing their full meaning and importance, you are never the less willing and ready to pronounce them. And so, you begin your married life by the voluntary and complete surrender of your individual lives in the interest of that deeper and wider life which you are to have in common.

DECLARATION OF CONSENT:

Will you (G)____________ have (B)____________ to be your lawful wife...will you love her, honor her, comfort and keep her, and forsaking all others remain true to her for as long as you both shall live? ANSWER: "I DO."

Will you (B)___________ have (G)_____________ to be your lawful husband...will you love him, honor him, comfort and keep him, forsaking all others remain true to him for as long as you both shall live? ANSWER: "I DO."

REMEMBERANCES & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: (optional)

(G)____________ & (B)____________ have asked that we take a moment to honor the memory of those loved ones who could only be here in spirit. List names & relqationships:___________________________________________________

A Poem or Reading can be inserted here: (optional)

LET US PRAY (Prayer By Officiant - chosen by bridal couple)

Eternal God,

Creator and preserver of all life, author of salvation and giver of all grace; look with favor upon the world you have made and redeemed, and especially upon (G)_______________ and (B)______________.

Give them the wisdom and devotion in their common life, that each may be to the other a strengh in need, a counselor in perplexity, a comfort in sorrow, and a companion in joy. Grant that their wills may be so knit together in your will, and their spirits in your spirit, that they may grow in love and peace with you and each other, all the days of their life. Give them grace, when they hurt each other, to recognize and confess their fault, and to seek each other's forgiveness and yours. Give them such fulfillment of their mutual love that they reach out in concern for others. Grant that all who have witnessed these vows today may find their lives strengthened, And that all who are married may depart with their own promises renewed.

THE EXCHANGE OF WEDDING VOWS: ( bridal couple will join their right hands)

(G)___________, do you receive (B)________________ to be your wife, do you vow to protect her and to love her? If so, ANSWER: "I DO." (G)_______________facing your bride, make your declaration of your faith. I, (G)_________,

have made a choice to love and cherish you. You are my life, my love, and from this moment on we shall be as one. OFFICIANT: (B)_______________ do you give yourself to (G)_______________ and make a declaration of your faith? If so, ANSWER: "I DO." I, (B)______________, according to the word of God and faith in that word, I trust and submit to you. (G)______________ I love you. Our dreams and our desires begin this very day, from this moment forward, we shall be as one.

EXCHANGE OF RINGS WITH RING VOWS

Officiant: The wedding ring is a circle symbolizing the sun, the earth, and the universe. It is a symbol of wholeness, perfection, and peace. As you enter into the circle of your shared love, may you be blessed through your devotion to this union. May your journey as husband and wife be filled with peace, love and joy.

RING VOWS: The Groom places the bride's ring on her left hand ring finger and (repeats after the officiant)

I, (G)_______________ give you this ring as a symbol of my pledge, and of our constant faith and abiding love.

The bride repeats exaxtly as the Groom, repeating after the Officiant, in four word increments.

INSERT THE UNITY CANDLES OR UNITY SAND CEREMONY HERE! (optional)

INSERT A READING OR SCRIPTURE HERE ! (optional)

INSERT FAMILY MEDALLION CEREMONY! (if applicable)

For as much as (G)_____________ and (B)_______________ have consented together in Holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and their friends and family, and have each pledged their faith to the other, and have declared the same by the joining of hands and by the giving and receiving of rings, ....by virtue of the authority vested in me by God's Holy Ordnance and the State of Florida, I pronounce that they are now husband and wife, + in the name of the Father and of the sun and of the Holy Spirit.

THE NUPTIAL KISS

(Officiant states) "You may seal your vows with the nuptial kiss."

THE BENEDICTION (optional)

INTRODUCTION OF THE BRIDAL COUPLE:

(Officiant) Ladies & Gentlemen, it is my pleasure to introduce for the first time anywhere,

Mr. & Mrs. _______________________________.

THE RECESSIONAL BEGINS AS THE BRIDAL COUPLE AND THE WEDDING PARTY EXIT.

Additional Information:

My Prayer For You

is that as you live these vows over the years, offering freely your time and your love to one another, the meaning of these words will deepen, and the happy times of your life will be twice as joyous, because you will be sharing them with someone you love. And when life gets tough, it will only be half as difficult, because there will be someone at your side to help carry the burden. For those times when life presents all of us with challenges, I would like to offer you this simple prayer to remember:

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

MEANINGFUL WEDDING VOWS

If your going the increasingly popular route of personalizing your own wedding vows, you're probably looking for some tips to make your vows as special, meaningful, and elequent as you can. This is something that will take time beforehand so that you prepare yourself and become completely comfortable with what you're saying. Remember, you're not just saying pretty words, you're stating your wedding vows --- words from the heart that aim to express if only a fraction of how important this bond of love is to you.