The Basic Plan
This is our most popular option with Bridal couples - suitable for simple ceremonies, vow renewals, and elopements
There are three ceremony openings to choose from, with options to customize other portions of the ceremony. The ceremony time frame averages between 8-15 minutes, depending on whether the Sand Ceremony and /or Shell Blessings options are included. Emails and phone calls are unlimited during weekdays, and there are no meetings beforehand. One of our Notaries or Ministers will perform the ceremony.
Officiation for a Sand Ceremony is available for an additional $35 - a keepsake heart shaped bottle is included if needed
Shell Blessings are available for family & guests to participate in, for an additional $35– shells included for up to 20 guests
An entrance fee will be included in billing if the ceremony takes place at a state park.
Travel fees apply to portions of the Florida Panhandle
Rehearsal time with an Officiant is $100 – please check for availability
You are welcome to create your own custom ceremony using any portion of the examples provided in this package. Just paste your addition into the comments box below and we will work it in. Limited changes or additions will be considered, as long as there are not many. Building a custom ceremony falls under the Custom Plan and is a different rate.
Grab a pencil and jot down your preferences as you read them and then fill in the info box at the bottom of the page with your choices.
AN OPENING PRAYER (optional - not required)
Good evening (afternoon,etc.) and welcome to the ceremony that will unite Groom and Bride in marriage. We are gathered (at this beautiful place) to celebrate the miracle of their love, and I’d like to start the ceremony by offering a prayer for the both of them.
Gracious Lord (Heavenly Father) our hearts are filled with great happiness on Groom and Bride’s wedding day, as they come before You to exchange their marriage vows, and affirm their faith and love for one another. Grant that they may always be true and loving. Temper their hearts with kindness and understanding. Help them to remember to be each other's sweetheart, helpmate, friend, and guide, so that they may meet the cares and problems of life together undivided. May they find great contentment in the rich joy of companionship with the passage of time. May the foundation and home they are establishing today truly be a place of love and harmony, where your Spirit is ever present. Bless this marriage, and walk beside Groom and Bride throughout all the days of their lives together. Amen
CEREMONY ONE: A Simple Ceremony
We have come together to unite Groom and Bride in marriage, which is commended to be honorable among all men; and therefore not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly – but reverently, discreetly, advisedly and solemnly. Marriage is perhaps the greatest and most challenging adventure of human relationships. No ceremony can create your marriage; only you can do that – through love and patience; through dedication and perseverance; through talking and listening, helping, supporting and believing in each other; through tenderness and laughter; through learning to forgive, learning to appreciate your differences, by learning to make the important things matter, and be able to let go of the rest. What this ceremony can do is to witness and affirm the choice you make to stand together as Lovers, Companions, and Friends. It is in this spirit that you have come here today to exchange your vows to each other.
CEREMONY TWO: The Water’s Edge
(This opening is used if the prayer is not chosen) Good evening (afternoon,etc ) , and welcome to the ceremony that will unite Groom and Bride in marriage. We are gathered at this beautiful place to celebrate the miracle of their love.
Today we meet by the sea (on the shore of the Gulf of Mexico, by Lake ____, etc.) , as the two of you become one. We are here where the earth meets this constant and unlimited force, and just like these waters, may the love you share be limitless, flowing, and ever-changing. May your love hold for you the very essence of life. In pledging your lives and love to one another you acknowledge the changes in your existence, and celebrate your commitment to a strong relationship. May your love touch and enrich all those with whom you come in contact, just as these great waters touch and transform the many shores of our planet.
The essence of this covenant is the acceptance of each other as Lover, Companion and Friend. It is therefore a decision which is not entered into lightly, but rather undertaken with great consideration and respect for each other. This ceremony can set the tone for your entire life together and represents the welding of two souls as one. It is a demonstration of the bonding which free each of you to grow in your own unique way, but also strengthens as you grow together. It is in this spirit that you have come here today to exchange your vows to each other.
CEREMONY THREE: The Gift
Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here today in the presence of these witnesses, to join Groom and Bride in matrimony, which is commended to be honorable among all men; and therefore not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly – but reverently, discreetly, advisedly and solemnly. In marriage, we give ourselves freely and generously into the hands of the one we love. In doing so, each of us receives the love and trust of the other as our most precious gift. As that gift is shared by two people who are in love, it also touches the friends and family members who have in various ways supported and contributed to the relationship. All of you are part of their community, and each of you has played some part in bringing them to this moment. Groom and Bride are now taking a new form as a married couple, and in this form, they become part of their community in a new way. All those that are present here today ask that you go into the world and fulfill your lives. Hold fast to your ideals. Give to each other experiences of joy. Challenge each other that you may grow. May the love you hold for each other continue to mature… And may your life together be a source of strength and inspiration to others. It is in this spirit that you have come here today to exchange your vows to each other.
(Personal vows may go here. The lead in for the officiant would be: "Bride, would you please pass your flowers for the vows. And now at this time, Groom and Bride would like to exchange their personal vows with each other. " After the personal vows, the officiant steps in and asks to face each other and join hands, etc. )
Ceremonies One, Two and Three finish the same from this point
Bride, would you please pass your flowers for the vows. And now, if you would please face each other and join hands:
Please choose the vow statement that you prefer:
A. Do you, Groom take Bride to be your wife, to have and to hold, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish from this day forward, forsaking all others for as long as you both shall live? "I Do"
Do you, Bride take Groom to be your husband, to have and to hold, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish from this day forward, forsaking all others for as long as you both shall live? "I Do"
B. Do you, Groom take Bride to be your wife. Do you promise to love and to cherish her from this day forward, forsaking all others for as long as you both shall live? I Do
Do you, Bride take Groom to be your husband. Do you promise to loveand to cherish him from this day forward, forsaking all others for as long as you both shall live? I Do
C. Groom , will you receive Bride as your wife? Will you pledge to her your love, faith and tenderness, cherishing her with a husband's loyalty and devotion? "I do"
Bride, will you receive Groom as your husband? Will you pledge to him your love, faith and tenderness, cherishing him with a wife’s loyalty and devotion? "I do"
(You may choose to add a Sand Ceremony here)
May I have the rings please:
Please choose the officiant’s ring statement that you prefer:
A. By their very shape, your rings are symbols of eternal unity, without a beginning or an end. The rings are not of great value, but are made precious and priceless by the wearing of them. Your rings show that even in your uniqueness, you have chosen to be bound together. They represent the love and devotion to one another that exists between you. Let them always remind you of the commitments you make today.
B. The marriage ring seals the vows of marriage and represents a promise that unites two loyal hearts in endless and unconditional love. Let these rings which you are about to exchange, serve to remind us that a circle is a symbol of the sun, the earth, and the universe, of wholeness, peace and eternal unity. Your rings show that even in your uniqueness, you have chosen to be bound together. Let them always remind you of the commitments you make today.
C. The wedding ring is the outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual bond, which unites two loyal hearts in endless love. These circles are designed without an ending, so they speak of eternity. May the incorruptible substance of these rings represent a love glowing with increasing luster through the years. Remember these rings which you give to each other as the sign of your love, trust, faithfulness, respect and devotion.
D. The marriage ring seals the vows of marriage and represents a promise for eternal and everlasting love. It is a physical manifestation of the promises joining both Groom and Bride together. The wedding ring is placed on the fourth finger of the left hand because it was traditionally believed that this finger was a direct connection to the heart - the perfect place for a symbol representing eternal love and commitment.
E. Having this kind of love in your hearts, you have chosen to share rings as the sign and seal of the vows you are making today. Your rings are circles which have no beginning and no ending. They are tokens of this growing relationship you have come here today to celebrate and confirm, emblems of eternity which can never be tarnished, and which are without end, to show how imperishable is the faith that you have now mutually pledged before God.
Groom, please take the ring, place it on the ring finger of the left hand of Bride and repeat after me:
Please choose the ring exchange that you prefer:
A. Bride, with this ring… I promise to grow with you…. to build our love…. to speak openly and honestly…. to listen to you…. and to love and cherish you… for all the days ahead…. From this day forward… you shall not walk alone…. My heart will be your shelter… and my arms will be your home…. With this ring… I thee wed.
Bride, please take the ring, place it on the ring finger of the left hand of Groom and repeat after me:
Groom, with this ring… I promise to grow with you…. to build our love…. to speak openly and honestly…. to listen to you…. and to love and cherish you… for all the days ahead…. From this day forward… you shall not walk alone…. My heart will be your shelter… and my arms will be your home…. With this ring… I thee wed.
B. 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…With this ring I thee wed.
Bride, please take the ring, place it on the ring finger of the left hand of Groom and repeat after
me: 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…With this ring I thee wed.
C. Bride, I give you this ring… as a symbol of my vow… and with all that I am… and all that I have… I honor you… With this ring I thee wed.
Bride, please take the ring, place it on the ring finger of the left hand of Groom and repeat after me: Groom, I give you this ring… as a symbol of my vow… and with all that I am… and all that I have… I honor you… With this ring I thee wed.
Let these rings serve not as locks binding you together, but as keys unlocking the secrets of your hearts for each other to know.
(You may choose to add a Sand Ceremony here)
Groom and Bride , You have stood before me to vow your love to each other, exchanged rings, (shared in the sand ceremony, when applicable) and have agreed to be married according to the laws of the state of Florida, let it be known that you are joined, body and soul, and that this bond is sacred and eternal. And so now, by the power vested in me by the state of Florida, it is my great honor and privilege to pronounce you husband and wife, and you may now seal your vows with a kiss.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I am pleased to introduce to you for the very first time – Mr. and Mrs. ___________________
(You may choose to add Shell Blessings here)
You may custom tailor the Basic Plan with the following options:
SAND CEREMONY $35
includes heart shaped glass container- to be performed during the wedding ceremony
The procedure is as follows:
Individual containers are filled with on site beach sand , colors we have in stock, or custom colored sands that you provide. The sand is poured into a heart shaped bottle we supply, or a container that you provide. A small table is needed for this method, which you may supply or we provide a small one.
Our Officiant will begin the ceremony by pouring sand from the beach which represents the foundation of your marriage and the place where it started. You may leave the officiant out if you prefer only the participation of the couple or family.
At this time, I’d like invite the both of you to participate in a Sand Ceremony. Groom and Bride, you are making a life-long commitment to share the rest of your lives with each other. Your lives no longer represent two individuals, but one relationship. To symbolize this joining, I will start by pouring some of the sand from this special place, to represent the foundation of your marriage and the place where it began.
And now I ask that you each take turns to pour your sand into this container (heart shaped bottle we supply or container you supply). Today, this relationship is symbolized through the pouring of sand, one source representing you, Groom all that you were, all that you are, and all that you will ever be - and the other representing you, Bride, all that you were, all that you are, and all that you will ever be. As the sand is poured into the container, the individual sources will no longer exist, but will be joined together as one, as are your hearts, your bodies, and your souls in marriage. The life that each of you have experienced until now, individually, will hereafter be inseparably united. Just as these grains of sand can never separated back to their origins in the same way, so will your marriage be bonded - forming one heart and one love.
An example with Children: If you have children, this is a good time to include them in your wedding ceremony by letting them each add sand to the bottle, which represents family unity.
At this time, I’d like invite the both of you to participate in a Sand Ceremony. There are children / is a child who will share in this marriage. Child and Child represent a source of family unity, and will now come forward to help us with the Blending of the Sands.
Groom and Bride, you are making a life-long commitment to share the rest of your lives with each other and honor your children as well. The family relationship is symbolized through the pouring of sand into the vessel from different sources. I will start by pouring some of the sand from this special place, to represent the foundation of your marriage and the place where it began.
Child and Child, this couple loves you very much, and want you to know that you are and will always be a very important part of their lives. Will you please pour some sand into this glass container along with your good wishes? That would mean so much to them.
And now the bridal couple will join by pouring their sand. Groom, you represent a source of all that you were, all that you are, and all that you will ever be. Bride, you represent a source of all that you were, all that you are, and all that you will ever be. The gathering of this new family will have a deep influence upon these children / this child. We realize that in order for the home to be a happy one, it is essential that there be love and understanding between the children / this child and the adults being married. As the sand is poured into the container, the individual sources will no longer exist, but will be joined together as one, as are your hearts, your bodies, and your souls in marriage. The life that each of you have experienced until now, individually, will hereafter be inseparably united. Just as these grains of sand can never be separated back to their origins, so will your marriage and your family be bonded.
SHELL BLESSINGS $35
Includes up to 25 shells harvested locally / performed directly after the wedding ceremony
Ladies and Gentlemen, at this time the newlywed couple would like to invite you to join them at the waters edge for a Shell Blessing Ceremony.
(Officiant gives each person in the wedding party a shell as they make their way to the water’s edge.)
A perfect shell is a gift from the sea, as beautiful and unique as love is meant to be.
Each of you have been given a shell to hold. Groom and Bride ask that you take a moment to make a personal heartfelt blessing as part of this celebration of their love.
(You may have a reading at this time by the Officiant, keep it simple and skip a reading, or provide one of your choice… please, not too lengthy. We have included an example of a choice that we offer.)
D. The Elements of Love
May your Love be like the earth
Rich, natural, and deeply rooted
Strong as rock yet soft as sand
May your Love be like fire
Passionate, intense, and energetic
A flame that never dies
May your Love be like water
Moving, constantly changing
As vast as the ocean
May your Love be like air
The sharing of dreams, thoughts, and emotions
Always fragrant, always carefree
May your Love be like all four elements
physically, emotionally, mentally & spiritually intertwined
To create the perfect balance,
For to bind these two hearts
Into one
The shells have now been infused with your love and blessings to protect this couple with their journey in life ahead. Upon casting the shells, the ripples that are made represent your good wishes and feelings. As the ripples touch and intertwine in these waters, may the love that has been shared here also touch and intertwine to spread to all those around us!
On the count of three, we will cast our blessings into the Gulf Of Mexico
One, Two, Three!
(We have listed examples for consideration to customize the Shell Blessings, or will read one of your choice… please, not too lengthy)
A. A Simple Blessing
All of us present ask that you go into the world and fulfill your lives. Hold fast to your ideals. Give to each other experiences of joy. Challenge each other that you may grow.
May the love you hold for each other now sealed in marriage continue to mature, that your life together may be a source of strength and inspiration to others.
B. Excerpt from “The Art of a Good Marriage” by Wilferd Arlan Peterson
I’d like to share a portion of “The Art of a Good Marriage” which states:
"A good marriage must be created.
In marriage the "little" things are the big things.
It is never being too old to hold hands.
It is remembering to say ”I love you" at least once a day.
It is never going to sleep angry.
It is having a mutual sense of values, and common objectives.
It is standing together and facing the world.
It is forming a circle that gathers in the whole family.
It is speaking words of appreciation, and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.
It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.
It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow.
It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.
It is not only marrying the right person -- it is being the right partner."
C. Excerpt from “Corinthians”
A marriage ceremony represents one of life's greatest commitments, but also is a declaration of love. I wish to read to you what Paul wrote of love in a letter to the Corinthians which states: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”
D. The Elements – shown as the example
JUMPING THE BROOM
It is becoming more and more popular for couples to draw on their cultural and ethnic backgrounds and to include those traditions and customs into their weddings. This holds true for couples and families of Irish/ Celtic decent, for there is a rich cultural heritage upon which to draw and elements which add color and flavor to a wedding, making it truly a special event. Some African-Americans reject it as a vestige of their slave past. Others embrace it as a unique and greatly revered cultural tradition in many modern African-American weddings; providing that even bondage couldn't deny the importance of the marriage commitment. Today, what the ceremony symbolizes is largely a personal choice, as is the inclusion of it in a wedding. It can represent sweeping out the old and welcoming the new, or a jump into a new life, or the beginning of a new life in which domestic issues are important, or done as an act of remembrance and to honor the ancestors of the past.
Florida Nuptials will include this unique tradition, along with a complimentary use of a decorated broom at no additional expense. Wording may include one of the following:
A. Today we honor and celebrate the transition from two separate lives into one life united by love.
B. May the new, united life of this couple be filled with joy and blessings.
C. This broom symbolizes the entrance of the couple into a new life together.
D. The newlywed couple have chosen to conclude their ceremony with the African-American tradition of jumping the broom. As they jump, they physically and spiritually cross the threshold into the land of matrimony. It marks the beginning of their making a home together. It symbolizes the sweeping away of the old and the welcoming of the new. It is also a call of support for the marriage from the entire community of family and friends. The couple will now begin their new life together with a clean sweep!
This is our most popular option with Bridal couples - suitable for simple ceremonies, vow renewals, and elopements
There are three ceremony openings to choose from, with options to customize other portions of the ceremony. The ceremony time frame averages between 8-15 minutes, depending on whether the Sand Ceremony and /or Shell Blessings options are included. Emails and phone calls are unlimited during weekdays, and there are no meetings beforehand. One of our Notaries or Ministers will perform the ceremony.
Officiation for a Sand Ceremony is available for an additional $35 - a keepsake heart shaped bottle is included if needed
Shell Blessings are available for family & guests to participate in, for an additional $35– shells included for up to 20 guests
An entrance fee will be included in billing if the ceremony takes place at a state park.
Travel fees apply to portions of the Florida Panhandle
Rehearsal time with an Officiant is $100 – please check for availability
You are welcome to create your own custom ceremony using any portion of the examples provided in this package. Just paste your addition into the comments box below and we will work it in. Limited changes or additions will be considered, as long as there are not many. Building a custom ceremony falls under the Custom Plan and is a different rate.
Grab a pencil and jot down your preferences as you read them and then fill in the info box at the bottom of the page with your choices.
AN OPENING PRAYER (optional - not required)
Good evening (afternoon,etc.) and welcome to the ceremony that will unite Groom and Bride in marriage. We are gathered (at this beautiful place) to celebrate the miracle of their love, and I’d like to start the ceremony by offering a prayer for the both of them.
Gracious Lord (Heavenly Father) our hearts are filled with great happiness on Groom and Bride’s wedding day, as they come before You to exchange their marriage vows, and affirm their faith and love for one another. Grant that they may always be true and loving. Temper their hearts with kindness and understanding. Help them to remember to be each other's sweetheart, helpmate, friend, and guide, so that they may meet the cares and problems of life together undivided. May they find great contentment in the rich joy of companionship with the passage of time. May the foundation and home they are establishing today truly be a place of love and harmony, where your Spirit is ever present. Bless this marriage, and walk beside Groom and Bride throughout all the days of their lives together. Amen
CEREMONY ONE: A Simple Ceremony
We have come together to unite Groom and Bride in marriage, which is commended to be honorable among all men; and therefore not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly – but reverently, discreetly, advisedly and solemnly. Marriage is perhaps the greatest and most challenging adventure of human relationships. No ceremony can create your marriage; only you can do that – through love and patience; through dedication and perseverance; through talking and listening, helping, supporting and believing in each other; through tenderness and laughter; through learning to forgive, learning to appreciate your differences, by learning to make the important things matter, and be able to let go of the rest. What this ceremony can do is to witness and affirm the choice you make to stand together as Lovers, Companions, and Friends. It is in this spirit that you have come here today to exchange your vows to each other.
CEREMONY TWO: The Water’s Edge
(This opening is used if the prayer is not chosen) Good evening (afternoon,etc ) , and welcome to the ceremony that will unite Groom and Bride in marriage. We are gathered at this beautiful place to celebrate the miracle of their love.
Today we meet by the sea (on the shore of the Gulf of Mexico, by Lake ____, etc.) , as the two of you become one. We are here where the earth meets this constant and unlimited force, and just like these waters, may the love you share be limitless, flowing, and ever-changing. May your love hold for you the very essence of life. In pledging your lives and love to one another you acknowledge the changes in your existence, and celebrate your commitment to a strong relationship. May your love touch and enrich all those with whom you come in contact, just as these great waters touch and transform the many shores of our planet.
The essence of this covenant is the acceptance of each other as Lover, Companion and Friend. It is therefore a decision which is not entered into lightly, but rather undertaken with great consideration and respect for each other. This ceremony can set the tone for your entire life together and represents the welding of two souls as one. It is a demonstration of the bonding which free each of you to grow in your own unique way, but also strengthens as you grow together. It is in this spirit that you have come here today to exchange your vows to each other.
CEREMONY THREE: The Gift
Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here today in the presence of these witnesses, to join Groom and Bride in matrimony, which is commended to be honorable among all men; and therefore not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly – but reverently, discreetly, advisedly and solemnly. In marriage, we give ourselves freely and generously into the hands of the one we love. In doing so, each of us receives the love and trust of the other as our most precious gift. As that gift is shared by two people who are in love, it also touches the friends and family members who have in various ways supported and contributed to the relationship. All of you are part of their community, and each of you has played some part in bringing them to this moment. Groom and Bride are now taking a new form as a married couple, and in this form, they become part of their community in a new way. All those that are present here today ask that you go into the world and fulfill your lives. Hold fast to your ideals. Give to each other experiences of joy. Challenge each other that you may grow. May the love you hold for each other continue to mature… And may your life together be a source of strength and inspiration to others. It is in this spirit that you have come here today to exchange your vows to each other.
(Personal vows may go here. The lead in for the officiant would be: "Bride, would you please pass your flowers for the vows. And now at this time, Groom and Bride would like to exchange their personal vows with each other. " After the personal vows, the officiant steps in and asks to face each other and join hands, etc. )
Ceremonies One, Two and Three finish the same from this point
Bride, would you please pass your flowers for the vows. And now, if you would please face each other and join hands:
Please choose the vow statement that you prefer:
A. Do you, Groom take Bride to be your wife, to have and to hold, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish from this day forward, forsaking all others for as long as you both shall live? "I Do"
Do you, Bride take Groom to be your husband, to have and to hold, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish from this day forward, forsaking all others for as long as you both shall live? "I Do"
B. Do you, Groom take Bride to be your wife. Do you promise to love and to cherish her from this day forward, forsaking all others for as long as you both shall live? I Do
Do you, Bride take Groom to be your husband. Do you promise to loveand to cherish him from this day forward, forsaking all others for as long as you both shall live? I Do
C. Groom , will you receive Bride as your wife? Will you pledge to her your love, faith and tenderness, cherishing her with a husband's loyalty and devotion? "I do"
Bride, will you receive Groom as your husband? Will you pledge to him your love, faith and tenderness, cherishing him with a wife’s loyalty and devotion? "I do"
(You may choose to add a Sand Ceremony here)
May I have the rings please:
Please choose the officiant’s ring statement that you prefer:
A. By their very shape, your rings are symbols of eternal unity, without a beginning or an end. The rings are not of great value, but are made precious and priceless by the wearing of them. Your rings show that even in your uniqueness, you have chosen to be bound together. They represent the love and devotion to one another that exists between you. Let them always remind you of the commitments you make today.
B. The marriage ring seals the vows of marriage and represents a promise that unites two loyal hearts in endless and unconditional love. Let these rings which you are about to exchange, serve to remind us that a circle is a symbol of the sun, the earth, and the universe, of wholeness, peace and eternal unity. Your rings show that even in your uniqueness, you have chosen to be bound together. Let them always remind you of the commitments you make today.
C. The wedding ring is the outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual bond, which unites two loyal hearts in endless love. These circles are designed without an ending, so they speak of eternity. May the incorruptible substance of these rings represent a love glowing with increasing luster through the years. Remember these rings which you give to each other as the sign of your love, trust, faithfulness, respect and devotion.
D. The marriage ring seals the vows of marriage and represents a promise for eternal and everlasting love. It is a physical manifestation of the promises joining both Groom and Bride together. The wedding ring is placed on the fourth finger of the left hand because it was traditionally believed that this finger was a direct connection to the heart - the perfect place for a symbol representing eternal love and commitment.
E. Having this kind of love in your hearts, you have chosen to share rings as the sign and seal of the vows you are making today. Your rings are circles which have no beginning and no ending. They are tokens of this growing relationship you have come here today to celebrate and confirm, emblems of eternity which can never be tarnished, and which are without end, to show how imperishable is the faith that you have now mutually pledged before God.
Groom, please take the ring, place it on the ring finger of the left hand of Bride and repeat after me:
Please choose the ring exchange that you prefer:
A. Bride, with this ring… I promise to grow with you…. to build our love…. to speak openly and honestly…. to listen to you…. and to love and cherish you… for all the days ahead…. From this day forward… you shall not walk alone…. My heart will be your shelter… and my arms will be your home…. With this ring… I thee wed.
Bride, please take the ring, place it on the ring finger of the left hand of Groom and repeat after me:
Groom, with this ring… I promise to grow with you…. to build our love…. to speak openly and honestly…. to listen to you…. and to love and cherish you… for all the days ahead…. From this day forward… you shall not walk alone…. My heart will be your shelter… and my arms will be your home…. With this ring… I thee wed.
B. 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…With this ring I thee wed.
Bride, please take the ring, place it on the ring finger of the left hand of Groom and repeat after
me: 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…With this ring I thee wed.
C. Bride, I give you this ring… as a symbol of my vow… and with all that I am… and all that I have… I honor you… With this ring I thee wed.
Bride, please take the ring, place it on the ring finger of the left hand of Groom and repeat after me: Groom, I give you this ring… as a symbol of my vow… and with all that I am… and all that I have… I honor you… With this ring I thee wed.
Let these rings serve not as locks binding you together, but as keys unlocking the secrets of your hearts for each other to know.
(You may choose to add a Sand Ceremony here)
Groom and Bride , You have stood before me to vow your love to each other, exchanged rings, (shared in the sand ceremony, when applicable) and have agreed to be married according to the laws of the state of Florida, let it be known that you are joined, body and soul, and that this bond is sacred and eternal. And so now, by the power vested in me by the state of Florida, it is my great honor and privilege to pronounce you husband and wife, and you may now seal your vows with a kiss.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I am pleased to introduce to you for the very first time – Mr. and Mrs. ___________________
(You may choose to add Shell Blessings here)
You may custom tailor the Basic Plan with the following options:
SAND CEREMONY $35
includes heart shaped glass container- to be performed during the wedding ceremony
The procedure is as follows:
Individual containers are filled with on site beach sand , colors we have in stock, or custom colored sands that you provide. The sand is poured into a heart shaped bottle we supply, or a container that you provide. A small table is needed for this method, which you may supply or we provide a small one.
Our Officiant will begin the ceremony by pouring sand from the beach which represents the foundation of your marriage and the place where it started. You may leave the officiant out if you prefer only the participation of the couple or family.
At this time, I’d like invite the both of you to participate in a Sand Ceremony. Groom and Bride, you are making a life-long commitment to share the rest of your lives with each other. Your lives no longer represent two individuals, but one relationship. To symbolize this joining, I will start by pouring some of the sand from this special place, to represent the foundation of your marriage and the place where it began.
And now I ask that you each take turns to pour your sand into this container (heart shaped bottle we supply or container you supply). Today, this relationship is symbolized through the pouring of sand, one source representing you, Groom all that you were, all that you are, and all that you will ever be - and the other representing you, Bride, all that you were, all that you are, and all that you will ever be. As the sand is poured into the container, the individual sources will no longer exist, but will be joined together as one, as are your hearts, your bodies, and your souls in marriage. The life that each of you have experienced until now, individually, will hereafter be inseparably united. Just as these grains of sand can never separated back to their origins in the same way, so will your marriage be bonded - forming one heart and one love.
An example with Children: If you have children, this is a good time to include them in your wedding ceremony by letting them each add sand to the bottle, which represents family unity.
At this time, I’d like invite the both of you to participate in a Sand Ceremony. There are children / is a child who will share in this marriage. Child and Child represent a source of family unity, and will now come forward to help us with the Blending of the Sands.
Groom and Bride, you are making a life-long commitment to share the rest of your lives with each other and honor your children as well. The family relationship is symbolized through the pouring of sand into the vessel from different sources. I will start by pouring some of the sand from this special place, to represent the foundation of your marriage and the place where it began.
Child and Child, this couple loves you very much, and want you to know that you are and will always be a very important part of their lives. Will you please pour some sand into this glass container along with your good wishes? That would mean so much to them.
And now the bridal couple will join by pouring their sand. Groom, you represent a source of all that you were, all that you are, and all that you will ever be. Bride, you represent a source of all that you were, all that you are, and all that you will ever be. The gathering of this new family will have a deep influence upon these children / this child. We realize that in order for the home to be a happy one, it is essential that there be love and understanding between the children / this child and the adults being married. As the sand is poured into the container, the individual sources will no longer exist, but will be joined together as one, as are your hearts, your bodies, and your souls in marriage. The life that each of you have experienced until now, individually, will hereafter be inseparably united. Just as these grains of sand can never be separated back to their origins, so will your marriage and your family be bonded.
SHELL BLESSINGS $35
Includes up to 25 shells harvested locally / performed directly after the wedding ceremony
Ladies and Gentlemen, at this time the newlywed couple would like to invite you to join them at the waters edge for a Shell Blessing Ceremony.
(Officiant gives each person in the wedding party a shell as they make their way to the water’s edge.)
A perfect shell is a gift from the sea, as beautiful and unique as love is meant to be.
Each of you have been given a shell to hold. Groom and Bride ask that you take a moment to make a personal heartfelt blessing as part of this celebration of their love.
(You may have a reading at this time by the Officiant, keep it simple and skip a reading, or provide one of your choice… please, not too lengthy. We have included an example of a choice that we offer.)
D. The Elements of Love
May your Love be like the earth
Rich, natural, and deeply rooted
Strong as rock yet soft as sand
May your Love be like fire
Passionate, intense, and energetic
A flame that never dies
May your Love be like water
Moving, constantly changing
As vast as the ocean
May your Love be like air
The sharing of dreams, thoughts, and emotions
Always fragrant, always carefree
May your Love be like all four elements
physically, emotionally, mentally & spiritually intertwined
To create the perfect balance,
For to bind these two hearts
Into one
The shells have now been infused with your love and blessings to protect this couple with their journey in life ahead. Upon casting the shells, the ripples that are made represent your good wishes and feelings. As the ripples touch and intertwine in these waters, may the love that has been shared here also touch and intertwine to spread to all those around us!
On the count of three, we will cast our blessings into the Gulf Of Mexico
One, Two, Three!
(We have listed examples for consideration to customize the Shell Blessings, or will read one of your choice… please, not too lengthy)
A. A Simple Blessing
All of us present ask that you go into the world and fulfill your lives. Hold fast to your ideals. Give to each other experiences of joy. Challenge each other that you may grow.
May the love you hold for each other now sealed in marriage continue to mature, that your life together may be a source of strength and inspiration to others.
B. Excerpt from “The Art of a Good Marriage” by Wilferd Arlan Peterson
I’d like to share a portion of “The Art of a Good Marriage” which states:
"A good marriage must be created.
In marriage the "little" things are the big things.
It is never being too old to hold hands.
It is remembering to say ”I love you" at least once a day.
It is never going to sleep angry.
It is having a mutual sense of values, and common objectives.
It is standing together and facing the world.
It is forming a circle that gathers in the whole family.
It is speaking words of appreciation, and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.
It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.
It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow.
It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.
It is not only marrying the right person -- it is being the right partner."
C. Excerpt from “Corinthians”
A marriage ceremony represents one of life's greatest commitments, but also is a declaration of love. I wish to read to you what Paul wrote of love in a letter to the Corinthians which states: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”
D. The Elements – shown as the example
JUMPING THE BROOM
It is becoming more and more popular for couples to draw on their cultural and ethnic backgrounds and to include those traditions and customs into their weddings. This holds true for couples and families of Irish/ Celtic decent, for there is a rich cultural heritage upon which to draw and elements which add color and flavor to a wedding, making it truly a special event. Some African-Americans reject it as a vestige of their slave past. Others embrace it as a unique and greatly revered cultural tradition in many modern African-American weddings; providing that even bondage couldn't deny the importance of the marriage commitment. Today, what the ceremony symbolizes is largely a personal choice, as is the inclusion of it in a wedding. It can represent sweeping out the old and welcoming the new, or a jump into a new life, or the beginning of a new life in which domestic issues are important, or done as an act of remembrance and to honor the ancestors of the past.
Florida Nuptials will include this unique tradition, along with a complimentary use of a decorated broom at no additional expense. Wording may include one of the following:
A. Today we honor and celebrate the transition from two separate lives into one life united by love.
B. May the new, united life of this couple be filled with joy and blessings.
C. This broom symbolizes the entrance of the couple into a new life together.
D. The newlywed couple have chosen to conclude their ceremony with the African-American tradition of jumping the broom. As they jump, they physically and spiritually cross the threshold into the land of matrimony. It marks the beginning of their making a home together. It symbolizes the sweeping away of the old and the welcoming of the new. It is also a call of support for the marriage from the entire community of family and friends. The couple will now begin their new life together with a clean sweep!
