| Interfaith Ceremony 1 |
| Minister - This evening we gather, in the presence of God and this company, to join (Groom) and (Bride) in Holy Matrimony. Reading Minister - The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a suitable partner for him.” So the Lord God formed out of the ground various wild animals and various birds of the air, and he brought them to the man to see what he would call them; whatever the man called each of them would be its name.. The man gave names to all the cattle , all the birds of the air, and all the wild animals; but none proved to be the suitable partner for the man. So the Lord God cast a deep sleep on the man, and while he was asleep, he took out one of his ribs and closed up the place with flesh. The Lord God then built up into a woman the rib that he had taken from the man. When he brought her to the man, the man said: “This one, at last, is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; This one shall be called woman, for out of her man this one has been taken.” That is why a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one body. -Genesis 2:18-24 The Circling Minister - (Bride), as (Groom)’s bride, you must forevermore surround him with a protective light that illuminates your household with understanding and love from within and protects it from harm from the outside. Because God created this universe in seven days, circling your groom seven times symbolizes that the two of you are about to create your own “new world” together and that (Groom) shall always be the head of your household and the center of your universe. Guests - Light candles for the circling ((Groom) and (Bride) face each other join hands, (Bride) bows to (Groom)). Dodi li, from “Song of Songs” (Bride) circles (Groom) seven times. Presentation of the Ketubah Minister - (Groom), you may unveil your bride and present her with your Ketubah. (Groom) - Be my spouse according to the traditions of Moses and teachings of Yeshua. I take you to be mine in love and friendship. I will nourish, respect, and support you with integrity and faithfulness. We stand under the chuppah before family and friends to make a mutual covenant, becoming partners in marriage - loving and supportive companions in life. Together we will build a home, guided by a reverence for the Divine and the laws, traditions, and ethics of our people. The symbols and rituals we cherish will forge a link to our past, a bond strengthened by learning, involvement, and acts of loving kindness. Because we are blessed to be raising children, we will give them a loving home, a safe haven, and a supportive environment in which to grow. We, as beloveds and friends, will develop our lives individually and together, responsible to and for each other. We will fill our lives with laughter and affection. We will encourage each other’s endeavors. Together, we will support each other’s intellectual, emotional, spiritual, and creative fulfillment. We declare that just as this is a permanent joining of our two lives, so it also constitutes a joining of material substance and worth. Through marriage we assume the responsibility to support each other and our family. We promise to always act with concern and compassion for the physical, economic, and emotional needs of each other and those whose lives are intertwined with ours. Joyfully we enter into this covenant of marriage and we solemnly accept its obligations. It is valid and binding. Acceptance of the Ketubah (Groom) - (After reading the Ketubah hands it to (Bride)’s father for approval) Minister - Who, as patriarch, has witnessed and accepts this Ketubah and gives this woman to be married to this man.? (Bride’s Father) - I do. (Hands the Ketubah to (Bride) - Kisses (Bride) on the cheek - (Bride) hands the Ketubah to (Maid of Honor). Sheva B’rachot Minister - Blessed are You, our God, Source of the universe, who created the fruit of the vine, symbol of joy. (Groom) - Drinks from the cup of wine. (Bride) - Drinks from the cup of wine. (Best Man) - Blessed are You, our God, Source of the universe, who has created all things to Your glory. (Maid of Honor) - Blessed are You, our God, Source of the universe, Creator of humankind. (Groom) - Blessed are You, our God, Source of the universe, who has made man in Your image after Your likeness, and has fashioned woman from man as his companion, that together they may perpetuate life. Blessed are You, our God, Creator of humankind. (Bride) - May Zion rejoice as her children are restored to her in joy. Blessed are You, our God, who causes Zion to rejoice at her children’s return. (Bride’s maid) - Make this bride and groom into loving companions, just as you did the creatures in the Garden of Eden. Blessed art You, our God, who bestows lasting joy on groom and bride. Minister - Blessed are You, our God, Source of the universe, who has created joy and gladness, bride and groom, mirth and exultation, pleasure and delight, love and friendship, peace and fellowship. May we all see the day when the sounds of joy fill the streets of Jerusalem and echo throughout the world, as the voices of the groom and the bride, the jubilant voices of those joined in marriage under the bridal canopy, and of youths feasting and singing. Blessed are You, our God, who rejoices with the bride and groom. The Vows Minister - (Groom), will you have (Bride) to be your wife? Will you love her, honor her, comfort and keep her, and forsaking all others remain true to her as long as you both shall live? (Groom) - I will Minister - (Bride), will you have (Groom) to be your husband? Will you love him, honor him, comfort and keep him, and forsaking all others remain true to him as long as you both shall live? (Bride) - I will. ((Groom) and (Bride) turn and face each other) Minister - (Groom), please repeat after me. I, (Groom) take thee (Bride), To be my wedded wife, and I do promise and covenant, Before God and these witnesses, To be thy loving and faithful husband, In plenty and in want, In joy and in sorrow, In sickness and in health, As long as we both shall live. Minister - (Bride), please repeat after me. I, (Bride) take thee (Groom), To be my wedded husband, And I do promise and covenant, Before God and these witnesses, To be thy loving and faithful wife, In plenty and in want, In joy and in sorrow, In sickness and in health, As long as we both shall live. Minister - (Groom) and (Bride) have their own personal vows they wish to say to each other at this time. (Insert vows if needed) Ring Exchange Minister - Do we have a ring for the bride? (Best Man hands the ring to the minister- Minister hands the ring to (Groom)) (Groom), please repeat after me, while placing the ring on your bride’s hand. “Behold thou art consecrated unto me With this ring According to the law of Moses and the Messiah.” Minister - Do we have a ring for the groom? (Maid of Honor hands the ring to the minister - Minister hands the ring to (Bride)) (Bride), please repeat after me , while placing the ring on your groom’s hand. “Behold thou art consecrated unto me With this ring According to the law of Moses and the Messiah.” Lighting of the Unity Candle Minister - (Groom) and (Bride), the two separate candles symbolize your separate lives. I ask that each of you take one of the lit candles and that together you light the center candle. The individual candles represent your lives before today. Lighting the center candle represents that your two lives are now joined to one light, and represents the joining together of your two lives and families to one. Bride and Groom light Unity Candle. Minister - “May the blessing of light Be with you always, Light without and light within. And may the sun shine Upon you and warm your heart Until it glows Like a great fire So that others may feel The warmth of your love For one another.” Wine Blessing Minister - Blessed are You O Lord our God, King of the Universe who creates the fruit of the vine, the symbol of joy. Blessed are thou, O Lord, who has hallowed thy people by the blessing of the marriage canopy, the Chuppah, and the sacred covenant of marriage. (Groom) - Drinks from the cup of wine. (Bride) - Drinks from the cup of wine. The Pronouncement Minister - Ladies and gentlemen, as witnesses to the covenant of marriage according to the Law of Moses and the Law of the Messiah, I would like to pronounce to you Mr. and Mrs. (Groom), husband and wife. You may kiss the bride. The Birchat HaKohanim - Numbers 6:24-26 Minister - The Lord bless you, and keep you; The Lord make His face shine on you And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up his countenance on you, And give you peace. The Breaking of the Glass The traditional end to this wedding serves as a reminder of the fragility of life, even during the most joyous of celebrations. The breaking of the glass is also symbolic of the past. Forgiveness for the past is given to the Bride and Groom through the covenant of Marriage. As the Groom smashes the glass everyone will shout Mazel Tov! Which means Good Fortune, may your lives here on out not be shattered, but full of fortune and joy. (Groom) - Breaks the glass Guests - Shout “Mazel Tov!” |
| Hudson Valley Ceremonies |