Celebrate Intimate Weddings

NOTE:  This ceremony has a touch of traditional with a few modern twists, a slight Spiritual tint (or not!) and an emphasis on lots of love and romance! Anything goes!

If you do not belong to a church, synagogue, mosque, or other religious organization, or if your family minister is not available for your wedding date, or is unwilling to travel to their wedding location call Larry James. He will do everything he can to make sure your own personal beliefs are represented in your wedding ceremomy. His wedding ceremony is spiritual, but not necessarily religious. In the final draft, it is ALWAYS what you want it to be.

Without any of the add-on ceremonies, such as the Blending of the Sands, or Unity Candle, etc., the normal length of the ceremony is usually about 20 to 22 minutes. Generally speaking - even with add-on ceremonies - the ceremony will be less than 30 minutes.

It is our most popular LBGT wedding ceremony, we use it only as a template for custom designing your ceremony! It is always customized to fit your specific needs. It's "your" day and you get to say what is in your ceremony!

Read more Rave Reviews!

Note: There are only two things that Larry James will not say in his ceremony. "Honor and obey, till death do us part" and "You may now kiss YOUR partner." The word "your" is possessive. The partner does not belong to the other. They are equal partners. "You may now seal your promises with a kiss," or "You may now kiss the bride/groom" is acceptable. Honor and obey has been replaced with "Honor and respect."  -  Larry James

When the bride/groom appears, ready to walk down the aisle. . .

Minister: Ladies and Gentlemen, please rise.

Presentation of the Bride/Groom

Minister: Who gives this woman/man to be married to this man/woman? . . . OR . . . Who supports this woman/man in her/his commitment to this woman/man?

The Father: Her mother and I ... OR... Our family does . . . OR . . . I do.

Minister to the Guests: Who stands with this couple to express the good wishes of their families and friends? And everyone says, "We do!" Together. . .

Guests: "We do!"

Minister: You may be seated.

(Optional) - A nice way to honor close relatives who have passed on or others who were not able to attend your wedding.

Minister: Join with me as we bow our heads to observe a moment of silence to honor the memory of those who are not with us today, but are here in spirit. (Pause briefly) Amen.

Minister's Welcome and Opening Remarks

Welcome, one and all. How beautiful is the day that is touched by love! May this be a moment to be remembered and cherished.

Having a commitment to each other is a very special spiritual connection of two people united for a common purpose, bringing love and trust together into single focus. We have come together in the presence of God (or Love) to witness and bless the joining of this couple.

The union of heart, body, and mind is intended by God for their mutual joy; for the help and comfort given one another in prosperity and adversity; and their nurture in the knowledge and love of God. Therefore this commitment is not to be entered into lightly, but reverently, deliberately, and in accordance with the purposes for which it was intended.

(Optional) - Into this holy union _____ and _____ now come to be joined. If any of you can show just cause why they may not lawfully be married, speak now; or forever hold your peace.

Relationship Thoughts from the Minister

Sooner or later we begin to understand that love is more than verses on valentines and romance in movies.

We begin to know that love is here and now, real and true, the most important thing in our lives. For love is the creator of our favorite memories and the foundation of our fondest dreams.

Without love, we merely exist. With love, we truly begin to live!

For love is a promise that is always kept, a fortune that can never be spent, a seed that can flourish in even the most unlikely place. And this radiance that never fades, this mysterious and magical joy is the greatest treasure of all - one known only by those who truly love.

We are together as friends, relatives and family to mark the end of one beginning and to recognize officially a new beginning which for _____ and _____ serves as a public affirmation of their friendship and their love.

Someone once said: The most wonderful of all things in life, is the discovery of another human being with whom one's relationship has a growing depth, beauty and joy as the years increase.

This inner progressiveness of love between two human beings is a most marvelous thing; it cannot be found by looking for it or by passionately wishing for it. It's a Divine destiny."

Ladies and gentlemen, they want this day to mean something special to you as guests. Those who are committed to each other may want to silently renew and reaffirm your vows today by gently taking the hand of your partner during this ceremony. Others may want to also join hands and think about what it means to be a friend, for commitment is built first on friendship.

There are no ties on earth so sweet, none so tender as those you are about to assume. There are no vows so solemn as those you are about to make. There is no institution of earth so sacred as that of the union you will form, for the true home is not only the place in which you will live, but is also the dwelling place where each lives in the heart and mind of the other.

Charge to the Couple

_____ and _____, true marriage is the holiest of all earthly unions. It is to be entered into reverently, consciously and with full understanding of its significance.

To be complete, marriage must be spiritual as well as an earthly estate. When it is Spiritual in thought, purpose, plan and action, it becomes the harmonious, peaceful and happy union.

A successful marriage only works when it is based upon a deep, inner communion of two souls who find completion, each in the other.

Today, your separate lives, each with your individual memories, desires and hopes, merge into one life - a new dimension.

Happiness is not something that just happens. A great partnership must be created. In the art of commitment the little things are the big things.

• It is never being too old to hold hands.
• It is remembering to say, I love you" (out loud), at least once a day.
• It is never going to sleep angry.
• It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family.
• It is at no time taking the other for granted. . . for what you take for granted, disappears.
• It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in a spirit of joy.
• It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.
• It is having the capacity to forgive and not bring it up later.
• It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow.
• It is a common search for the good and the beautiful in each other.
• It is not looking for perfection in each other. It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humor.
• It is not only marrying the right partner, it is BEING the right partner.

This commitment of marriage can be a great adventure when it is the outward expression of a great love; such a love is characterized by compassion, passion and courage.

It allows you to see through to your partner's essence, willing to be in total support of your partner's well-being, goals, purpose and spirit; and unwilling for your partner to be less than all he or she can be spiritually, mentally, and physically.

Such a love requires that you be totally honest with yourself and your mate, that you ask for what you want, take action even though you are afraid, share your feelings and listen but leave your partner free to be who they really are. In other words, always love your partner for who they are, not for who you think they should be.

Always remember, "Relationships are something that must be worked on all the time, not only when they are broken and need to be fixed. Never stop doing the things that brought you together in the first place."

We as your friends gathered here today, accept for you a love that brings out your magnificence, a love that gives you the courage to stand apart and the willingness to stand together. When times call for you to be apart, may you always return to your togetherness in the same spirit of love that you are feeling in this moment.

Most of all, we want that, at the end of your lives on this planet, you will look into each others eyes and be able to say:

"Because you have loved me, you have given me more faith in myself, and because I have faith in myself, I have loved my fellow man. My life with you has been complete."

(Optional) - Wedding Readings (Scriptural or Otherwise)/Music/Poetry by friends or family - Note: You may want to have a friend read the lyrics to your special song.

Declaration of Consent

Minister: _____ and _____, will you release the past, bringing only those memories, desires and hopes which will belong to each other, into your future life together?

Both: We will.

Minister: Please face each other, holding hands.

(Face each other and holds hands. Brides/Grooms hand their bouquet (if any) to the Maid or Matron of Honor or Best Men until after the ceremony. If no Maid, Matron of Honor or Best Men, hand the bouquet to the minister who will lay it on a table until after the ceremony.)

(Optional) - Bride/Groom Read Vows they have written (Personal Promises) to Each Other - (NOTE: Click on the "Personal Promises" link to read more about this option.)

Minister: At this time _____ and _____ would like to make some personal promises to each other.

Groom/Bride:

Groom/Bride:

NOTE: For ideas and assistance in writing your own personal promises (vows), ask Larry James. You may want to consider writing something together and have Larry James either read them for you or read a few words at a time as you repeat a few words at a time to each other.) For ideas and assistance in writing your own promises (vows), ask Larry James or click here.

Minister to Bride/Groom: _____, do you reach out in love to receive _____, and choose to share your life with her/him? Will you promise always to give to her/him your expression of your ever growing love, and in this deepest of human love will you comfort her/him, be sensitive to her/his needs, express your feelings with her/him, listen to her/him, put your trust in her/him, and forsaking all others, be her/his intimate friend and honor her/him as your equal partner?

Bride/Groom: "I do" ... OR ... "I will"

Minister to Bride/Groom: _____, do you reach out in love to receive _____, and choose to share your life with her/him? Will you promise always to give to her/him your expression of your ever growing love, and in this deepest of human love will you comfort her/him, be sensitive to her/his needs, express your feelings with her/him, listen to her/him, put your trust in her/him, and forsaking all others, be her/his intimate friend and honor her/him as your equal partner?

Bride: "I do" ... OR ... "I will"

Minister: Please repeat after me.

(Bride's and/or Groom's say the following at the same time to each other)

I give you my love my heart my hope my joy these I offer you freely. To delight in your soul to nourish your mind. To celebrate love with you to share my joy to console you in sorrow I choose to go with you always. I promise to listen to you to express my innermost feelings to labor with you to believe in you even when you doubt yourself to be the mirror of your highest value and to hold myself beside you for the rest of our days.

"I say these words because I love you, and choose to live the rest of my life with you. This is my solemn vow." The Lizzy Dietrich and Jenna Lowy Wedding

Exchange of Vows

Minister to Bride/Groom: _____, please repeat after me.

In the name of God (or Love), I _____, choose you, _____, to be my life-partner, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to honor and respect, to love and to cherish. I say these words because I love you, and choose to live the rest of my life with you. This is my solemn vow.

Minister to Bride/Groom: _____, please repeat after me.

In the name of God (or Love), I _____, choose you, _____, to be my life-partner, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to honor and respect, to love and to cherish. I say these words because I love you, and choose to live the rest of my life with you. This is my solemn vow.

Minister: These spoken commitments to each other are the alignment of your words, which speaks boldly of your intentions... and your actions, which speak louder than your words.

(Optional) - Some couples ask Larry to add a brief prayer at this time.

Minister: What symbols do you give in this marriage?

Bride/Groom: Rings.

(Ring bearer(s) gives rings to the Minister)

Your rings are circles and a circle is the symbol of the sun, the earth, the universe, of wholeness, perfection, peace and unity. Like circles, your rings have no beginning and no end and in the sacred tradition of marriage rings have come to symbolize eternal love and the endless union of body, of mind, and spirit.

These rings will be worn by _____ and _____ to show to the world their love and commitment to one another. May the presence of these rings always remind you of the eternal love you have pledged and devotion you willingly share with one another from this moment on.

(Silent Prayer) - Let each of us in his own way, may it be prayer, may it be by a thought, whatever you and I would wish for this couple, let's pray or have our own thoughts as a blessing upon these rings. Let us pause at this time for these silent blessings. (pause, then Amen) These rings, now blessed are a symbol of love and faithfulness. They seal the vows of marriage and represent a promise of forever love.

Or... you may substitue a prayer from the minister for the silent prayer. Click here.

Minister to Groom/Bride: _____, please repeat after me.

I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow (Love), and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you.

(Optional) - in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.

You may now place the ring on his/her finger.

Minister to Groom/Bride: _____, please repeat after me.

I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow (Love), and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you.

(Optional) - in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.

(Optional)  The Blended Family Ceremony or. . .

(Optional)  The Blending of the Sands Ceremony with children - Most popular of the 2 choices.

Pronouncement of Marriage

Now that _____ and _____, have given themselves to each other by solemn vows, with the joining of hands and the giving and receiving of a ring, I now pronounce you, partners for life.

Those whom God (or Love) has joined together, let no one put asunder.

The Signing of the Marriage License

(Optional)  Have your Guests witness the signing of the Marriage License during the ceremony).

Minister: At this time _____ and _____ would like for you to witness the signing of the Marriage License. The witnesses, _____ and _____ (usually the Maid or Matron of Honor and the Best Man) will join us now to make this part of the ceremony official.

NOTE:  Although the signing of the license is usually done after the ceremony, this is a great way to allow the guests to see a part of the ceremony they rarely have the occasion to witness. It can also be signed at the reception. It also allows the photos to be taken immediately after the ceremony so you don't lose light.

(Optional)  The Unity Candle Ceremony - Not recommended for outdoor weddings.

(Optional)  The Blending of the Sands Ceremony - Bride & Groom only

(Optional)  Rose Ceremony

(For more options, click:  here)

(Optional)  The Last Kiss Before the First Kiss

Here's a clever idea to celebrate a special moment for the bride/bride and groom/groom and their mothers during the ceremony.

Minister:  You may now seal your promises with a kiss.  ... OR ... the traditional way. . .

You may now seal your promises with a kiss!

(Note: Larry James will not say "kiss YOUR partner." The word "your" is possessive. You don't "belong" to each other. You are equal partners.)

Introduction of Couple

Minister: Ladies and Gentlemen: It is my pleasure to introduce to you, _____ & _____. (How would you like to be introduced?)

OR if children are included in the ceremony...

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my pleasure to introduce to you, _____ & _____, and _____ (Child/Children's names)

Now, go in peace and forever Celebrate Love!

NOTE:  If there will be no receving line immediately after the ceremony and the Bride/Bride and Groom/Groom will be busy taking pictures, often I will be asked to make the following announcement: