Wedding Ceremony

Before we begin our ceremony today

I would like to greet you all with this beautiful word from Hawaii that has been a Gift to the world,

this word is ALOHA! (Group Replies back with ALOHA)

We must remind ourselves everyone that this word ALOHA means much more than Hello or Goodbye,

ALO in the word ALOHA means to be in the presence of or face-to-face

and HA meaning the exhale or the breath of life!

When we enter this world we breathe and when we leave this world we will breathe

and the wind that we feel is the breath of the world that is a gift so we may all breathe.

So saying ALOHA to someone is that recognition of that life breathe that you share,

you are telling them that they are a living being someone full of life and purpose

and they have relationship just like you do

And that you love them!

We are all so very fortunate today

because we have two very special people standing before us that love each other very much,

and what we would like them to do is to look at each other

say ALOHA and give a kiss on the cheek!

Now I would like everyone here to take a brief moment

to be present

to clear our minds so as to be here and appreciate the beauty of this momentous occasion.

And to be aware of and to receive the blessing that is this land of Hawaii.

The way that we do this is by engaging all of our senses

So take in all the sights, sounds and smells of this beautiful place

Feel the warmth of the Sun and the coolness of the gentle breeze, upon our skin.

Hear the birds singing in the trees

Sense the smells of the floral that’s around you

Hear the sounds, see the sights and sense the smells of the natural world that surrounds us and is ever present in our lives.

All of this is a gift, everything we experience is a gift of our heavenly father.

Now I ask for our full attentiveness this day

because this celebration of Love, this ceremony between (BRIDE) and (GROOM) is only a moment in the expanse of time.

And when this moment has passed, all we have left are the memories we create.

So I say to all of you, let us create beautiful memories this day

Because when we return to our own homes, and get back to our daily lives

Sometimes we forget what is most important and what’s important is happening at this very moment.

Family friends relationships and love.

So if you all agree with me and would like to make this a moment to be remembered,

in Hawaii we say “Ae” which means yes.

So on the count of three I would like to hear a loud “Ae” from everyone

1, 2, 3!

LEI EXCHANGE

So now that we are all in agreement have here for them these gifts of love.

Here in Hawaii we have many sayings one of them is E lei no au i ko ALOHA

which means I’ll cherish your love as a beautiful adornment.

Here in these islands respect, honor, ALOHA,

which means compassion empathy, love and grace is given to a person when placing a lei upon their shoulders.

This beautifully crafted lei with its hand picked flowers and twin is a symbol of that never ending love

but it is also a symbol of those things that are fragile and temporal.

For this lei will last for a day or two and then it is gone,

our lives are like these lei in the span of eternity so live with tender consideration for each other you two

Love one another with all of your hearts

and remember that when you exchange these lead you are weaving your own lei of love to last for all time

Does that sound good to you both?

(Give the GROOM the lei first, when he places it, then give the lei to the BRIDE)

OLI ALOHA

With that giving of gifts of love, I have my own gift to offer to you both

This gift is a chant called “OLI ALOHA”

in part what it says is that our family and friends who may not be here physically but are here in spirit

This prayer recognizes them and acknowledges their presence, it calls to them to be here with us.

Onaona i ka hala me ka lehua

He hale lehua no ia na ka noe

O ka’u no ia e ‘ano’i nei

E li’a nei ho’i o ka hiki mai

A hiki mai no ‘oukou

A hiki pu no me ke aloha

Aloha e…Aloha e…Aloha e

“As you two look into each other’s eyes”

There was a seeking of a loved one GROOM and she has been found in BRIDE.

A mate has been found someone to share the chills of winter with and the warmth of summer

a beloved companion to share in the beauties and the wonders of this world,

also in the triumphs over the challenges in life great journey.

Love has made a plea that the two of you shall be united here on Maui,

“And everyone, that plea is being answered

the dream is being realized at this very moment,

so give them a round of applause to congratulate them on getting married today!!”

Greetings:

Greetings and welcome.

Aloha (BRIDE), Aloha (GROOM).

We are all here to celebrate your marriage on this special day, the (4th of September)

here on the beautiful Island of Maui.

This day, is the special day that the two of you have chosen to affirm your love for one another.

Through the sharing of sacred vows and the giving of tokens of your love for one another; your wedding rings.

Every experience you have ever had,

everything that you have ever done,

every lesson that you have ever learned, has brought you to this moment.

As you stand before these witnesses you take each other as husband and wife,

you confront the future together,

promising to stand by each other’s side,

to face new experiences, new accomplishments and new lessons to be learned together.

Through your commitment to each other, you have grown and nurtured a love that makes both of you better people,

a love that continues to give you great joy,

and also a passion for living that provides you with all of the energy and all of the patience to face all that is placed before you.

(BRIDE) and (GROOM) you bring individual strengths and weaknesses to this marriage.

But as you stand together as a couple you will complement each other,

and be exactly what the other needs, as your love and commitment continues to deepen throughout your married life.

Today marks the beginning of your growth together.

As time continues may your love for each other grow, let it strengthen, and let it sound out to the world.

Like a stone dropped into a small pond,

let the ripple of love from this celebration expand outward and change the world that you live in.

When a commitment this strong is made between two people,

the force of that commitment, of that love, of that courage,

reaches out and affects all that is around them.

This is the most significant moment

the moment you will give yourselves to each other and you will have been made complete.

Marriage is not only a bond between two individuals but also a commitment to life,

to the best that two people can find and bring out of each other.

Marriage deepens and enriches every facet of life.

From this day on you will be a teacher, a listener, a lover, a confidant, and a best friend for the other.

When two people pledge to love and care for each other they have created a spirit unique to themselves,

a physical as well as an emotional joining made in their hearts that will last a lifetime.

Marriage is love.

We know that love is here and now,

it is real and it is true,

the most important thing in our lives.

For love is the creator of our favorite memories

and is the foundation of our fondest dreams.

Let everyone here today family and friends continue to witness and to support their growth, love and happiness

as they continue on their journey to fulfill their shared destinies.

Declaration of Consent:

(GROOM) do you give yourself to (BRIDE) this day

with complete joy and love as a partner in this life’s journey,

and to be a true, faithful (Husband).

Do you promise to be a companion to comfort (her), respect (her), cherish (her), love (her)

for all the days together on this earth? If so say “I DO”

(BRIDE) do you give yourself to (GROOM) this day

with complete joy and love as a partner in this life’s journey, and to be a true, faithful (wife).

Do you promise to be a companion to comfort (him), respect (him), cherish (him), love (him)

for all the days together on this earth? If so say “I DO”

Wedding Vows:

I (GROOM) choose you (BRIDE) for my wedded (Wife)

to be your companion, equal in love,

to be faithful and honest,

to help and support you,

through loss and success.

I shall seek through kindness and understanding

to achieve with you the life we have envisioned.

I will be there to laugh with you and to cry with you,

loving you faithfully through all we may face together.

I love you with all of my heart.

I promise to love you unconditionally,

to cherish you entirely,

to care for you sincerely,

to shelter and hold your love

as the most precious gift

as we make this life’s journey together.

I (BRIDE) choose you (GROOM) for my wedded (Husband)

to be your companion, equal in love,

to be faithful and honest,

to help and support you,

through loss and success.

I shall seek through kindness and understanding

to achieve with you the life we have envisioned.

I will be there to laugh with you and to cry with you,

loving you faithfully through all we may face together.

I love you with all of my heart.

I promise to love you unconditionally,

to cherish you entirely,

to care for you sincerely,

to shelter and hold your love

as the most precious gift

as we make this life’s journey together.

Ring Ceremony:

As long as time can be remembered,

the ring has been symbolic, of the completed bond.

The ring is without beginning and it is without end.

The ring goes on forever. Circles of Life, Circles of Love,

These rings are given and received as tokens of never ending Aloha.

Always see the best in each other everyday that you are together

and when you look at the beauty of these rings

be reminded of that love and of the sacred vows you have declared to each other this day.

Let us remember that rings are an outward symbol of an inward Spiritual Love and commitment.

Blessing of the Rings:

Now (GROOM) repeat these words after me as you place this ring on your (Bride).

This ring is my sacred gift to you,

a symbol of my Love,

a sign that from this day forward and always,

my love will surround you,

I give myself to you to be your (Husband)

and from this day forward you will never walk alone.

I feel so honored to have you as my (Wife).

I love you with all of my heart.

All that I have

and all that I have said

I seal it with this ring.

Now (BRIDE) repeat these words after me as you place this ring on your (Groom).

This ring is my sacred gift to you,

a symbol of my Love,

a sign that from this day forward and always,

my love will surround you,

I give myself to you to be your (Wife)

and from this day forward you will never walk alone.

I feel so honored to have you as my (Husband).

I love you with all of my heart.

All that I have

and all that I have said

I seal it with this ring.

Closing:

(GROOM) and (BRIDE), may you be a comfort to each other,

share each other’s joys,

console each other in sorrows,

help each other in all of life.

Care for each other truly and deeply,

putting this commitment before all else.

Live for your love

and your love will live forever.

May you trust each other,

trust in life and to not be afraid,

and always share with each other the gifts that love offers.

Be one in heart and always beautiful of mind.

Now you are two persons,

but there is only one life before you for you have been united as one.

May beauty surround you both in the journey ahead and through all the years to come,

may happiness be your companion

and may your days together be good and long upon this earth.

I would like you to now hold each other’s hands

and look into one another’s eyes as we give thanks

to our heavenly father, to our ancestors,

to our families our ohana and our friends, who are near and far,

a thanks to each other, and thanks to this beautiful land of Hawaii.

Mahalo Nui Loa

May Peace and Unconditional love surround you and remain with you now and forevermore.

And so by the power vested in me by The State of Hawaii

I now pronounce you Husband and Wife.

You may seal your vows with a kiss.

“LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IT IS MY HONOR AND PRIVILEGE TO PRESENT TO YOU MR AND MRS (LAST NAME)!”