Wedding Ceremonies
Let me assist you in creating a wedding ceremony tailored to reflect you and your spouse's unique lifestyle and beliefs. As an Interfaith Minister I can perform spiritual and non-spiritual wedding ceremonies that will be ideal for you and your guests. I can provide you with templates designed to your liking or we can do a traditional ceremony.
Consultations should be done in advance to ensure that the ceremony will be done to your specifications as you always dream it to be. However, in the event time is limited, we can also arranged for email or telephone conferences. It is advisable to really sit and discuss details, since the ceremony reflects, not just public promises made to each other, but the foundation of a life together.
Below is a sample ceremony that's traditional its design. Keep in mind you can alter any ceremony to be as long or as short as you and your partner desire. The idea behind a ceremony is to create an element of sacredness and a memory that marks the beginning of your martial relationship for years to come.
Sample Traditional Ceremony
A Ceremony to Celebrate the Marriage of
The Bride_________ and Groom________
Entrance: Music (couple‘s choice)
Introduction
Greetings, my name is Rev. Rosa Castro and I am a registered minister of the New Seminary. I am delighted to be here on behalf of ______________ and __________ to conduct their wedding ceremony.
It is my pleasure to welcome you all here to celebrate and bear witness to this ceremony of marriage. You are here today, because you each play a very special role in the lives of our couple. They both wish to share their joy and happiness with you all.
Marriage is one of the most important steps two people can take, therefore it is an honor and privilege to be here with them today as they take these steps together.
The ceremony is intended to be relaxed and informal so that we may all enjoy the experience and share these memories with our bride and groom to remember for the rest of their lives.
As the poet _______________ put it:
Insert poem of choice:
Statement about Spiritual beliefs
While it will not be religious, today’s ceremony is an inclusive occasion that those of you with religious beliefs and those who choose to live their lives without a specific religion will hopefully enjoy. ______________ and ______________ wanted to keep things balanced since they have family and friends from all walks of life. They see their marriage as a way of bringing together all of the people they care about laugh and to celebrate together.
General Words on Marriage
Before we can go forward, it is essential to reflect carefully on what is marriage. Today‘s celebration is an opportunity to help us all remember what marriage truly means. Marriage is more then just a legal contract and a sharing of a name. It represent a partnership of heart and soul that brings together to individual lives. Marriage is not perfection, but rather a boutique of flaws, strengthens, dreams and hopes shared. It is a blending of worlds bought together by the mere act of love and devotion. But keep in mind, regardless what I express or what vows are exchanged between the Bride and Groom together, the actions will define their love and commitment throughout the years to come. And with this understanding, let us stand witness to their vows and promises which will reflect the actions they will take as a couple.
Marriage Vows
__________and ________________, you stand before me, your family and friends today with love and hope in your hearts. I ask you now as, do you promise to do the work it takes to have a loving marriage, one in which you both allow each other the space to express your individuality and flourish, while supporting each other in happiness and sorrow, health and illness?
Bride and groom response: We will
Will you both seek to be as equal and respectful of each other, and to recognize and accept each others' strengths and weaknesses?
Bride and groom response: We will
Will you both seek to trust the ebbs and flows of your daily lives, to offer your love without conditions, having faith that it will always return, and understanding that its nature may change?
Bride and groom response: We will
Will you both seek to learn from your shared experiences, and to build from them a supportive and caring friendship based on trust and mutual respect?
They respond: We will
Legal Marriage Declarations
Groom, _______________ please repeat after me:
I solemnly and sincerely declare that I _______________accept you, _____________as my lawfully wedded wife.
Bride, _________________please repeat after me:
I solemnly and sincerely declare that I ___________accept you, _____________as my lawfully wedded husband.
Exchange of Rings
We have all witnessed the vows exchanged by the Groom and Bride. Now we they will exchange rings as symbols of their commitment to each other. Each ring will represent their endless love for each other. Each ring is to be worn always to symbolize their devotion and love for each other each and every day.
_______________ will you please place a ring on Bride’s finger as a symbol of your love and respect; will you please repeat after me:
I give you this ring as a token of the promise I have made today
Wear it and know that I love you
_____________ will you please place a ring on Groom’s finger as a symbol of your love and respect; will you please repeat after me:
I give you this ring as a token of the promise I have made today
Wear it and know that I love you
Legal Declaration
Following the declarations made before me and in the presence of these witnesses, it is now my duty, by the power given unto me as a minister and by the laws of New York state; I now pronounce that you are husband and wife!
You may kiss your bride!
Signing of the Certificate
Bride and Groom are now going to sign the Marriage certificate and this will be witnessed by (2 signatures are required)
Final words
I’m going to read a short poem for both Bride and Groom
Final Reading -Insert poem of choice:
Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you Mr and Mrs ______________and ___________
Music:
Keep in mind your wedding is "your" special day. Creating the right ceremony will allow you to create the foundation for an amazing memory to mark the beginning of a long term journey taken with the one you love. Therefore, focus early on your ceremony, make it one that reflects your style as a couple. Make it unique and make it as simple or as elaborate as your heart desires. This should be a magical day that you both enjoy from the minute your write your vows to the moment you have your first dance.
FEES:
The prices range from, $350 to $1000 depending on the details involved in the ceremony, in terms of duration and design. Though its easy to use a generic format, it can become impersonal and completely miss the essence of doing a ceremony. For complete details on prices contact me and we can work on a budget and payment arrangements as needed. All wedding ceremonies are unique and deserve special attention, so please make sure to ask a lot of questions and ask for guidance.
Ask about our NYC wedding getaway packages.
To contact Rev. Rosa Castro for a consultation email:
For details on obtaining marriage license click
