Equality Officiating - Officiant Services for All - Equally in Shreveport / Bossier Louisiana and surrounding areas.

Typical Traditional Wedding Ceremony

The Procession
This is the part where everyone walks down the aisle and takes their places for the ceremony. You each make your way to the altar separately, symbolizing the fact that you're coming from different backgrounds. In a Christian procession, the bride is escorted by her father, while the groom waits for her up front. In a Jewish procession, both the groom's parents escort him down the aisle, and then the bride's mom and dad walk with her.

The Officiant's Opening Remarks
You've heard it a hundred times: "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today...."

The Charge to the Couple
Your Officiant may take this moment to emphasize the significance of the vows you're about to exchange. This may also include a reminder of your duties and roles in marriage.

The Exchange of Vows
Your vows are your promises to each other. You may repeat the familiar "to have and to hold, for better or for worse" vows, or recite ones you've written yourselves.

The Ring Exchange
As you exchange rings, you typically say, "With this ring, I thee wed."

The Pronouncement of Marriage
The Officiant makes it official ("I now pronounce you husband and wife").

The Kiss
And now the moment everyone's been waiting for: your first kiss as a married couple.

The Closing Remarks
Your Officiant wraps things up with a few last words and, for a religious wedding, a blessing.

The Recessional
Basically the reverse of the processional, you exit the ceremony together as husband and wife, followed by the wedding party.

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Traditional "I Do" Vows

Standard Traditional

[Spouse 1], do you take [Spouse 2] to be your wedded husband/wife, to
live together in marriage? Do you promise to love him/her, comfort him/her, honor
and keep him/her for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health,
and forsaking all others, be faithful only to him/her, for as long as you both shall live?

{I do.}

[Spouse 2], do you take [Spouse 1] to be your wedded husband/wife to live
together in marriage? Do you promise to love him/her, comfort him/her, honor and keep
him/her for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health and forsaking
all others, be faithful only to him/her so long as you both shall live?

{I do.}

Modified Traditional 1

Do you, [Spouse 1], take [Spouse 2] to be your husband/wife, to cherish in
friendship and love today, tomorrow, and for as long as the two of you live,
to trust and honor him/her, to love him/her faithfully, through the best and the worst,
whatever may come, and if you should ever doubt, to remember your love for each
other and the reason why you came together with him/her this day?

{I do.}

Do you, [Spouse 2], take [Spouse 1] to be your husband/wife, to cherish in
friendship and love today, tomorrow and for as long as the two of you live, to
trust and honor him/her, to love him/her faithfully, through the best and the worst, whatever
may come, and if you should ever doubt, to remember your love for each other and the
reason why you came together with him/her this day?

{I do.}

Modified Traditional 2

Do you, [Spouse 1], take [Spouse 2] to be your wedded husband/wife, to cherish in love and in
friendship, in strength and in weakness, in success and in disappointment, to love
him/her faithfully, today, tomorrow, and for as long as the two of you shall live?

{I do.}

Do you, [Spouse 2], take [Spouse 1] to be your wedded husband/wife, to cherish in love and
in friendship, in strength and in weakness, in success and in disappointment, to
love him/her faithfully, today, tomorrow, and for as long as the two of you shall live?

{I do.}

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Vows in Personalized Style

I love you, (Name). You are my best friend. Today I give myself to you in marriage. I promise to encourage and inspire you, to laugh with you, and to comfort you in times of sorrow and struggle. I promise to love you in good times and in bad, when life seems easy and when it seems hard, when our love is simple, and when it is an effort. I promise to cherish you, and to always hold you in highest regard. These things I give to you today, and all the days of our life.

From this day, on I (Name), choose you, my beloved (Name), to be my (husband/wife). To live with you, and laugh with you. To love you faithfully. To stand by your side, and sleep in your arms. To be joy to your heart, and food to your soul.

(Name), I pledge to you to be your loving friend and partner in marriage. To talk and to listen, to trust and appreciate you; to respect and cherish your uniqueness; and to support, comfort, and strengthen you through life's joys and sorrows. I promise to share hopes, thoughts, and dreams as we build our lives together. May our lives be ever intertwined, our love keeping us together. May we build a home that is compassionate to all, full of respect and honor for others and each other. And may our home forever be filled with peace, happiness, and love.

(Name), today I will marry you, my friend, the one I will live with, dream with, and love forever. I take you to be my (husband/wife). From this day forward I will cherish you. I will look with joy down the path of our tomorrows, knowing we will walk it together side by side, hand in hand, and heart to heart.

I, (Name), choose you (Name), as my (husband/wife), in friendship and in love, in strength and weakness, to share the good times and misfortune, in achievement and failure. I will cherish and respect you through all the changes of our lives, forever giving thanks that we found each other.

I (Name), in the Name of the spirit of God, that resides within us all, and the love that resides within my heart, take you (Name) to my hand, my heart, and my spirit, to be my chosen one. I promise to love you wholly and completely without restraint, in sickness and in health, in plenty and in poverty, in life and beyond, where we shall meet, remember and love again. I shall not seek to change you in any way. I shall respect you, your beliefs, your people, and your ways as I respect myself. This is my solemn vow.

(Name), this day, before our family and friends, with joy in my heart, I pledge myself to you as your (husband/wife), promising to love you, to cherish our moments together, for now and forever.

(Name), I take you to be my partner; to have and to hold, from this day forward. I give to you my unending love and devotion. I promise to be true to you, to cherish you, and to share my thoughts, hopes, and dreams with you. I look forward to spending the rest of my life with you, my best friend. I will love you forever.

I take you, (Name), to be my (husband/wife). I promise to be true to you, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, and I will love and honor you all the days of my life.

(Name), I promise to be there when you need me, to fill your days with sunshine, to comfort you and encourage you, to help you reach your goals, to be your best friend ever, and to love you all my life, with all my heart.

I, (Name), take (you/thee), (Name), to be my (husband/wife), knowing in my heart that you will be my constant friend, my faithful partner in life, and my one true love.

(Name), I offer you my Love. I offer you my strength. I offer you my weaknesses. I offer you my support. I offer you my loyalty. I offer you my faith, for as long as we both shall live.

(Name), I take you to be my (husband/wife), from this day forward; to join with you and to share all that is to come; to be your faithful (husband/wife); to give and to receive; to speak and to listen; to inspire and to respond; this commitment made to you in love, kept in faith, and continually made new.

(Name), all that I am, and all that I have, I offer to you, in love and in joy. From this day forward I will love and comfort you, hold you close, cherish you above all others, and remain faithful to you all the days of our lives.

(Name), I promise to give you the best of myself, and to ask of you no more than you can give. I promise to accept you the way you are. I fell in love with you for the unique qualities and abilities you have, and won't try to reshape you in a different image. I promise to respect you as a person with your own interests, desires, and needs, and to realize that those are sometimes different, but no less important than my own. I promise to keep myself open to you, to share my innermost fears and feelings, secrets, and dreams. I promise to grow along with you, to be willing to face changes together. And finally, I promise to love you in good times and in bad, with all I have to give, and all I feel inside, completely and forever.

In the presence of God and before these witnesses, I (Name), take you (Name), to be my partner in life. I will cherish our friendship, and love you today, tomorrow, and forever. I will trust you and honor you. I will love you faithfully through the best and the worst, through the difficult and the easy. Whatever may come I will always be there. As I have given you my hand to hold, so I give you my life to keep.

(Name), I promise to love you with all my heart and mind and strength. I vow to be your best friend and do everything in my power to make you as happy as I am today. I will trust you with my dreams and support you in fulfilling your dreams. I don't know what challenges lie ahead but I know that we will face them together.

(Name), I promise to love you with all my heart and mind and strength. I vow to be your best friend and do everything in my power to make you as happy as I am today. I will trust you with my dreams and support you in fulfilling yours. In sickness and in health, in failure and in triumph, I will cherish and respect you, comfort and encourage you, as long as we shall live. Before us lies an open road, filled with adventure and love. I choose to spend today, and all of my tomorrows, with you as my friend, my love (and the [mother/father] of our children).

I take you (Name) to be my wedded (wife/husband). I pledge that I will love you and tenderly care for you in sickness and in health, when life is peaceful and when it is in disorder. I will honor your goals and your dreams, and help you to realize them. And I vow to share my life with you through the best and worst of what is to come.

I, (Name) promise to love and cherish you, (Name), to give you my strength, to help you in good times and bad, to respect our individuality, to make our home one of love and understanding. I give you all of my trust, all of my tomorrows, all of my life.

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Short & Sweet Vow Exchange

Short & Sweet 1

I, _____________, choose you _____________,
To be no other than yourself,
Loving what I know of you, trusting what I do not yet know.
I will respect you as an individual, a partner, and an equal.
I promise to laugh with you when times are good, and endure with you
when they are bad.
I will always adore, honor and encourage you.
You are my best friend, and I will love you always.

Short & Sweet 2

I, [name], take you, [name], to be my [husband/wife], in equal
love, as a mirror for my true Self, as a partner on my path, to
honor and to cherish in sorrow and in joy, till death do us part.

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The Unity Candle

Example 1: Sample Short Ceremony (tapers can be lit by moms or couple )

The taper candles represent not only [spouse 1] and [spouse 2], but also their families; for it is their families who, through love and support, helped shaped who they are. The center candle represents their marriage- the joining of two friends with the added roles of husband/wife/spouse.. It is the light of love and the light of new beginnings. From this day onward, may you bask in the beauty of the light of your love, May its light shine bright and steady upon your path together and may its heat keep you warm through all the days of your lives and beyond.

Example 2: Tapers are lit by Moms

Now we shall celebrate this union as it is symbolized through the lighting of the unity candle. [Spouse 1] and [Spouse 2] come from two different families, two different heritages. We are especially grateful for the values which have flowed into them from those who have loved and nurtured them along life's way.

The heritage each brings to this marriage will continue to be an important element in their lives, but now will be shared between them. Out of these two families, a new family will be created.

At this time I'd like the mothers to come forward to assist us in starting the Unity Candle Ceremony, a ceremony of spiritual symbolism. The candles the moms are lighting represent not only [Spouse 1] and [Spouse 2], but also their families, for it is their families who, through love and support, helped shape who they are (at this point the mothers light the candle and then take their seats).

The center candle represents their marriage - the joining of two friends with the added roles of husband and wife/spouses. It is the light of love and the light of new beginnings. Its fire is magical because it represents the light of two people in love. This candle before you is a candle of commitment because it takes two people working together to keep it aflame. This candle is also a candle of unity because both must come together, giving spark of themselves to create the new light.

Please take the two taper candles, representing your individual selves and light the center candle representing your marriage. (Together, spouses take their tapered candles and light the unity candle) As you light this candle today, may the brightness of the flame shine throughout your lives. May it give you courage and reassurance in darkness, warmth and safety in the cold, and strength and joy in your bodies, minds and spirits. May your union be forever blessed.

Example 3: Tapers are lit by Spouses

Now we shall celebrate this union as it is symbolized through the lighting of the Unity Candle.

[Spouse 1] and [Spouse 2] please light the two taper candles. These candles represent your individual spirits, your individual connection with God/other, all that you are and, all that you have been, and all that you will become.

The center candle represents your relationship. It is the symbol of your marriage, the symbol of the joining of two spirits, two lives, two souls. Now you will take the tapers and light the center candle. As you do so, keep in mind the pledge you made to each other today. It is the pledge of the truth and purity of your every breath. The constant friendship of your hearts. The passion and fire of your spirits and the deepest love your souls have to give. It is the pledge of all that is within you. The only true pledge that one heart can offer to another.

You are now as husband/wife/spouse and husband/wife/spouse offering yourselves, and all that has come to pass unto each other, towards the creation of your future, and to all that is yet to come. The candle of your marriage shall burn brightly, but the two tapers of yourselves are not diminished. You do not disappear in marriage. You remain you. But in joining, both lights are brighter, each supports the other and miracles can happen. True love shines brightly and today is but a beautiful beginning of the miracles to come.

Example 4: Couple Only - Short and Sweet

The Unity Candle ceremony is a beautiful symbolic representation of your joining in marriage. Please take the two taper candles, representing your individual selves and light the center candle representing your marriage. Notice that the flame burns brightest when both candles are participating, cooperating and present. A marriage is like that. Be forever present for one another, shining light and beauty.

From this day onward, may you bask in the beauty of the light of your love, may its light shine bring and steady upon your path together and may its heart keep you warm through all the days of your lives and beyond.

Example 5: Combination of 1 and 4

The Unity Candle ceremony is a beautiful symbolic representation of a couple's joining in marriage.

The taper candles represent not only [Spouse 1] and [Spouse 2], but also their families; for it is their families who, through love and support, helped shape who they are. The center candle represents their marriage - the joining of two friends with the added roles of husband/spouse and wife/spouse. It is the light of love and the light of new beginnings.

Example 6: Non-Religious

Officiant:
This candle you are about to light is a candle of Marriage. Its fire is magical because it represents the light of two people in love. This candle before you is a candle of commitment because it takes two people working together to keep it aflame. This candle is also a candle of Unity because both must come together, giving a spark of themselves, to create the new light. As you light this candle today, may the brightness of the flame shine throughout your lives. May it give you courage and reassurance in darkness, warmth and safety in the cold, and strength and joy in your bodies, minds, and spirits. May your union forever be blessed.

Example 7: Alternate Traditional

Officiant:

Now we shall celebrate this union as it is symbolized through the lighting of the Unity Candle.

From every human being there rises a light. When two souls destined for each other, find one another, their streams of light flow together and a single brighter light goes forth from the united being. These two candles are symbolic of separate people in their own right. They symbolize your individual spirits, your individual connections with God, all that you are, all that you have been, and all that you will become.

Please take the two taper candles and light the center candle representing your marriage.

As the candle of your marriage burns brightly, remember that the two tapers of yourselves are not diminished. You do not disappear in marriage. You remain you. However, in joining, both lights are brighter, each supports the other and miracles can happen.

From this day onward, may you bask in the beauty of the light of your love, may its light shine bright and steady upon your path together and may its heat keep you warm through all the days of your lives and beyond.

Example 8: Including Children

Officiant:

Light is the essence of our existence. Each one of us possesses an inner glow that represents our hopes, our dreams and our aspirations in life.

This center candle symbolizes the union of your lives, families, and friends, as well as your shining commitment to each other.

The lighting of the center candle represents not only this Union of [Spouse 1] and [Spouse 2] in marriage, but the unity formed in this new family in which your lives will now shine as one family - [Spouse 1], [Spouse 2]. [Child 1], [Child 2], etc.

Each candles flame represents your lives before this day, individual, unique and special. Please take the candle symbolizing your life before today and together light the center candle to symbolize the union of your individual lives. Each flame will help make the family even brighter and stronger.

(As the spouses and children light the unity candle the Officiant will say:)

As you light this candle today, may the brightness of the flames shine throughout your lives. May it give you courage and reassurance in darkness, warmth and safety in the cold, and strength and joy in your bodies, minds, and spirits, May your union be forever blessed.

(Everyone will move back to their place)

Other Choices of wording to be said during the lighting of the Unity Candle
Some couples may choose to have a special poem recited by a friend or loved one during the lighting. Others may choose to have music played instead of having the Officiant speak.

Example Poem by Harold Douglas that is frequently recited by the Officiant while the spouses light the Unity Candle.
Soft mists embrace two golden flames,
Alone they sear the night.
Two souls adrift in dreams of love,
They seek to claim the light.
The path is long from which they came,
But sure they are it's right.
Two flames embrace in dreams of love,
Two Souls - Two Hearts Unite.

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Hand Blessing Ceremony

In the hand ceremony, the couple is invited to view each other's hands has gifts - as an expression of hearts that are joined together in love. In any tradition, a hand blessing is a ritual that is meant to draw you closer to one another. Hands are a connection to the heart and a hand blessing symbolically brings two hearts together. Typically the couple are asked to face each other and first join right palms and then left palms. This forms an infinity symbol with your hands, which symbolizes a love that will go on forever. There are many variations of the Hand Blessing Ceremony. Here I will include a few examples.

Example 1:

These are the hands of your best friend. They are holding yours on your wedding day as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow and forever.

These are the hands that will work alongside yours as together you build your future.

These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch will comfort you like no other.

These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief wracks your mind.

These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it.

May these hands always reach out with love, tenderness and respect.

May these hands continue to build a loving relationship that lasts a lifetime.

With eyes locked, and hands linked, this ritual is a beautiful symbol of the union of two hearts, two lives, and two souls.

Example 2:

As an expression that your hearts are joined together in love - will you please face each other and hold hands, so you may feel the gift that you are to one another.

These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever.

These are the hands that will work alongside yours as together you build your future.

These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch will comfort you like no other.

These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children.

These are the hands that will help you to hold your family as one.

And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.

Example 3:

I asked you to join hands as a symbol of the union that you are making here today.

I'd like you to think about the hands that you are holding.

These are the hands of your best friend holding your hands on your wedding day

Promising to love you and to work together as you build your future together.

These are the hands that will give you Strength when you need strength,

tenderness when you need tenderness and love when you need love.

These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes

Tears of sorrow but also tears of joy.

These are the hands that will hold all those whom you love.

These are the hands that years from now will still be searching for your hands,

still seeking the love, encouragement and support that each of you seeks from the other.

Example 4:

These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow and forever.

These are the hands that will work along side yours as together you build your future.

These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch will comfort you like no other.

These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief temporarily comes your way.

These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes, tears of sorrow and tears of joy.

These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children.

These are the hands that will give you support and encouragement to chase down your dreams.

These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times.

These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it.

These are the hands that will lift your chin and brush your cheek as they raise your face to look into eyes that are filled with overwhelming love for you.

And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.

Example 5:

These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and vibrant with love, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other all the days of his life.

These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future, as you laugh and cry, as you share your innermost secrets and dreams.

These are the hands that will work long hours for you and your new family.

These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness.

These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow and tears of joy.

These are the hands that will hold each child in tender love, soothing them through illness and hurt, supporting and encouraging them along the way, and knowing when it is time to let go.

These are the hands that will massage tension from your neck and back in the evenings after you've both had a long hard day.

These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times.

These are the hands that will comfort you when you are sick, or console you when you are grieving.

May they always be held by each of you.

May they have the strength to hold on during the storms of stress and the dark of disillusionment.

Keep them tender and gentle as they nurture you in your wondrous love.

May these hands continue to build a relationship rich in caring and devotion in reaching for your perfection.

May you [Spouse 1] and you [Spouse 2] see your four hands together as healer, protector, shelter and guide.

Example 6:

THESE are the hands of your best friend, loving, caring that are holding yours on your wedding day, as each of you pledges your love and commitment to one another all the days of your life.

THESE are the hands that will work along side yours as you build your future together, as you laugh and cry, as you share your innermost secrets and dreams.

THESE are the hands that will welcome you home after a very long day.

THESE are the hands that will wipe the tears from your eyes, tears of sorrow and tears of Joy!

THESE are the hands that will hold you tight when you struggle through difficult times.

THESE are the hands that will comfort you when you are sick and console you when you are grieving.

THESE are the hands that will love you and cherish you throughout the years for a lifetime of happiness.

THESE are the hands that will give you support knowing that together as a team everything you wish for can be realized.

May your hands always be held by one another.

May they have the strength to hold on during the storms of stress and the darkness of disillusionment.

Keep them tender and other in wondrous love.

Example 7:

Now join your hands, and with your hands, your hearts.

These are the hands of the one you love and adore.

On this day, you promise to love and honor one another for all your days.

Reaching out to the one you love, may you find strength.

Standing side by side, may you find partnership.

Sharing responsibilities and chores, may you find equality and ease.

Helping each other in daily life and works, may you find fulfillment.

Loving each other through dark and light times, may you find power.

Look deeply into one another's eyes, now, and promise to always see one another through the eyes of love.

As you hold hands, may you warmly hold one another's hearts.

Our wish for you is that you build an extraordinary life together.

May your marriage be all you two would choose it to be!

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