Special Event Network / Finger Lakes Weddings & Events

Now you will feel no rain,
for each of you will be shelter for the other.

Now you will feel no cold,
for each of you will be warmth to the other.

Now there will be no loneliness,
for each of you will be companion to the other.

Now you are two persons,
but there is only one life before you.

May beauty surround you both in the
journey ahead and through all the years.

May happiness be your companion and your days
together be good and long upon the earth.

(You may wish to add the following):
"_______________and____________, remember to treat both yourself and each other with respect, and remind yourselves often of what brought you together.

Give the highest priority to the tenderness, gentleness and kindness that your connection deserves.

When frustration, difficulty or fear assail your relationship - as they threaten all relationships at one time or another remember to focus on what is right between you, not only the part which seems wrong.

In this way, you can ride out the storms when clouds hide the face of the sun in your lives - remembering that even if you lose sight of it for a moment, the sun is still there.

And if each of you takes responsibility for the quality of your lives together, it will be marked by abundance and delight."

(The Apache Blessing can be used near the end of the ceremony and can be exchanged with the Cherokee Prayer).

Cherokee Prayer

God in heaven above please protect the ones we love.

We honor all you created as we pledge our hearts and lives together.

We honor mother-earth - and ask for our marriage to be abundant and grow stronger through the seasons;

We honor fire - and ask that our union be warm and glowing with love in our hearts;

We honor wind - and ask we that sail through life safe and calm as in our father's arms;

We honor water - to clean and soothe our relationship - that it may never thirst for love;

With all the forces of the universe you created, we pray for harmony and true happiness as we forever grow young together. Amen

(The Cherokee Prayer can be used near the end of the ceremony and can be exchanged with either of the Apache Wedding Blessings).

You are my husband (wife)
My feet shall run because of you
My feet shall dance because of you
My heart shall beat because of you
My eyes see because of you
My mind thinks because of you
And I shall love because of you.
Author Unknown

Eskimo Love Poem (based on the Eskimo Love Song)

My feet dance more lightly because of you
My heart beats more strongly because of you
My eyes see more clearly because of you
My mouth smiles more easily because of you
And I will love you always because you are you

Hebrew Seven Blessings

The heart of the Jewish ceremony is the traditional reading of The Hebrew Seven Blessings, "We praise you, Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine." The bridal couple sip wine after each blessing, a symbol of the sanctification in which God is praised.

Blessed are you, Holy One of the Earth, who creates the fruit of the vine...

Blessed are you, Holy One of the Universe. You created all things for your Glory...

Blessed are you, Holy One of the World. Through you mankind lives...

Blessed are you, Holy One of the World. You made man and woman in your image, after your likeness, that they might perpetuate life...

Blessed are you, Holy One of all Nature, who makes Zion rejuice with her children...

Blessed are you, Holy One of the Cosmos, who makes the bridegroom and bride to rejoice...

Blessed are you, Holy One of All, who created joy and gladness, bride and bridegroom, mirth and song, pleasure and delight, love, friendship, peace and friendship...

May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields.

And, until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

Irish Wedding Blessing #2

May God be with you and bless you.
May you see your children's children.
May you be poor in misfortune, rich in blessings.
May you know nothing but happiness from this day forward.

Irish Wedding Blessing (long version)

May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon the fields.

May the light of friendship guide your paths together.
May the laughter of children grace the halls of your home.
May the joy of living for one another
trip a smile from your lips,
a twinkle from your eye.

And when eternity beckons,
at the end of a life heaped high with love,
May the good Lord embrace you
with the arms that have nurtured you
the whole length of your joy-filled days.

May the gracious God hold you both
in the palms of His hands.
And, today, may the Spirit of Love
find a dwelling place in your hearts.
Amen

Navajo Wedding Blessing

Now you have lit a fire and that fire should not go out.
The two of you have a fire that represents
love, understanding and a philosophy of life.
It will give you heat, food, warmth and happiness.
The new fire represents a new beginning......
a new life and a new family.
The fire should keep burning; you should stay together.
You have lit the fire for life, until old age separates you.

The Navajo Wedding Blessing above is also used to follow the Unity Candle Lighting Ceremony after the following while the couple is lighting the Unity Candle,
"Yesterday, you were as two candles, burning alone in the night.
Today, you bring your flames together to light a larger flame to show the world the Light of Love"