Examples

Amy & Kendal, Do you both seek to enter into this ceremony where you will make the commitment to each other to live together as marriage partners? Couple: Yes, We Seek to Enter. I bid you to look into each other’s eyes, and join your hands, left to left, symbolizing your heart-to-heart union. In joining hands in this moment, you are taking the final step of offering yourselves to one another. These are the hands that will love and cherish you through the years. These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times and will give you support and encourage you to chase your dreams. Back in earlier years, the hands would be bound with whatever was available – vines, colorful cords, or scarf. Today we will use colored cords chosen by those here to symbolize the binding, of promises For the first promise - the (YELLOW) cord, chosen by KENDAL Kendal, do you take this woman whose hand you hold as your wife and soulmate? Kendal says, “I do.” Amy & Kendal - do you vow to choose each other and your love for all your days to come? Amy and Kendal say, “We will.” The (YELLOW) cord is draped across Amy and Kendal’s hands And so the first binding is made. For the SECOND promise - - the (GREEN ) cord, chosen by AMY Amy, do you take this man whose hand you hold as your husband and soulmate? Amy says, “I do.” Amy & Kendal - will you honor and respect one another, and seek to never break that honor? Amy and Kendal say, “We will.” The (GREEN) cord is draped across Amy and Kendal’s hands by Amy And so the Second binding is made. For the THIRD promise - - the (YELLOW ) cord, chosen by (Kole) (Child comes up and drapes the cord over your hands) Amy, do you promise to love Kendal without reservation? Amy says, “I will.” Kendal, do you promise to love Amy without reservation? Kendal says, “I will.” And when you falter, will you have the courage and commitment to remember these promises and take a step back towards one another with an open heart? Amy and Kendal say, “We will.” The YELLOW cord is draped across Amy and Kendal’s hands by Kole And so the THIRD binding is made. For the FOURTH promise - the (LAVENDER ) cord, chosen by (Zoe) Amy, will you share in Kendal's happiness and laughter, bringing light into your union? Amy says, “I will.” Kendal, will you share in Amy's happiness and laughter, bringing light into your union? Kendal says, “I will.” Will both of you look for the brightness in life and the positive in each other? Amy and Kendal say, “We will.” The (Lavender)cord is draped across Amy and Kendal’s hands by (Zoe) And so the FOURTH binding is made. For the FIFTH promise - the (PURPLE ) cord, chosen by (Millie) Amy, will you share in Kendal’s burdens so that your spirits may grow in this union? Amy says, “I will.” Kendal, will you share in Amy’s burdens so that your spirits may grow in this union? Kendal says, “I will.” Will you both seek to remember, that you are stronger when you stand together in the face of adversity? Amy and Kendal say, “We will.” The (PURPLE) cord is draped across Amy and Kendal’s hands by (MILLIE) And so the FIFTH binding is made. For the SIXTH promise - the (PINK ) cord, chosen by (Macklin) Amy, do you promise to walk side by side with Kendal throughout life, from this day forward? Amy says, “I do.” Kendel, do you promise to walk side by side with Amy throughout life, from this day forward? Kendal says, “I do.” Will you be each other’s constant friends and one true love? Amy and Kendal say, “We will.” The (PINK)cord is draped across Amy and Kendal’s hands by (MACKLIN) and so the SIXTH binding is made. For the SEVENTH promise - the (RED ) cord, chosen by (FINLEY) Amy, will you share in Kendal’s dreams, and work with him to fulfill them? Amy says, “I will.” Kendal, will you share in Amy’s dreams, and work with her to fulfill them? Kendal says, “I will.” Will you dream together to create new realities and hopes for your marriage and family? Amy and Kendal say, “We will.” The (RED)cord is draped across Amy and Kendal’s hands by (FINLEY) and so the SEVENTH binding is made. Will you who have witnessed these promises do all in your power to uphold these two persons in their marriage? If so, answer “we will.” Binding of all promises Woven into these cords, into the very fibers, are all the hopes of your friends and family, and of yourselves, for your new life together. (Jenn place hand over couples hands) Destiny has made your paths to cross. Today as your hands are bound by these cords, you will continue your journey together; Two entwined in love, bound body, mind, and soul by commitment and fear, sadness and joy, hardship and victory. All of which brings strength to this union. (make the first part of the tie) (that lays on top of hands) Kendal and Amy, as your hands are bound together now, so your lives and spirits are joined in a union of love and trust. - and you take your hands out, each grabbing one side of the cords. These cords symbolize so much. It is your life, your love, and the eternal connection that the two of you have found with one another. Yet the knots of this binding are not formed by these chords- but instead by your vows. Either of you may drop the chords, for as always, you hold in your own hands the making or breaking of this union. Hold tight to one another through both the good times and bad and watch as your strength grows. As this knot is tied, so are your lives now bound. You each pull the cords, and “tie the knot” (I take the cords) Your lives and spirits are now bound in a union of love and trust. Above you are the stars and below you is the earth. Like the stars your love should be a constant source of light and like the earth, a firm foundation from which to grow. Your two hearts now beating as one, your two souls now deeply joined anew - walk forward together, forever hand in hand, May your marriage be a lifelong celebration of love!