Ladies and Gentlemen, I welcome you here tonight, under a full moon and stars, to witness the marriage of Christopher and Daina. The couple are thrilled that you, their families and friends, are here to share this special time. This ceremony is a celebration of a commitment that has been made long ago in their hearts, and is now made publicly before you tonight. Christopher and Daina enter into this marriage with the humour, respect, patience and above all friendship that has seen their relationship flourish over time. In each other they find the love, support and understanding that they need. They know that life brings many ups and downs, successes and hardships. They are looking forward to enjoying all of life's experiences together. The couple's hopes for their married life together are reflected in the following passage:

Not Just Today
Not just today, but always, may you stand side by side
to show the world your love and commitment to each other.

Yesterday can no longer hurt you,
as from this day you plan your lives together.

You know that the road will not always be smooth.
There will be testing times and uneasy times, but, if you remain at each other's side,
you will overcome these and be stronger because of them.

Your love has brought new purpose to your lives, new warmth and happiness.

It has brought a rewarding joy of sharing with each other, caring for each other,
and above all, having faith in each other

Not just for today, but always.

Throughout the years, Christopher and Daina's families have provided them with the love and support to grow both as individuals and as a couple. At this point, the couple would like to invite their parents to share in their commitment to marriage.

John and Janice, Robin and Patricia, are you willing, now and always, to support and strengthen this marriage by upholding both Christopher and Daina with your love and support?

We are

With the blessing of those present today, I now ask Christopher and Daina to make their promises to each other.

Christopher, do you take Daina to be your wife? Will you love, respect and stand by her whatever may come so you may happily share your lives together?

I will

Daina, do you take Christopher to be your husband? Will you love, respect and stand by him whatever may come so you may happily share your lives together?

I will

Please state your vows to each other.

Chris: I Chris, take you, Daina, to be my wife. I promise to work hard to earn your love each and every day, and not just expect it. I promise to love you through tough times, good times, and all the times in between. I will challenge you, respect you, honour you and treat you not just as my lover, but as my equal. Who knows what the future will bring, but I will always look back at this moment and know that I love you with all my mind, my soul and my heart.

Daina: I Daina, take you, Christopher, to be my husband. Tonight, I make a promise, to you and to myself, to love, trust, encourage and respect you for the rest of my life. I promise to earn your love during each and every day that we share. I will cherish you in all that you are, and support you in all that you wish to be. I vow to love you completely and openly, today and always.

Do you have the rings?

Chris: Daina, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and commitment.

Daina: Christopher, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and commitment.

On behalf of you all, I offer this blessing:

May the sun bring you new strength by day,
May the moon softly restore you by night.
May the rain wash away your fears
And the breeze invigorate your being.
May your river, all the days of your life
Flow gently through the world and know its beauty

Christopher and Daina, you have shown your commitment to each other in the presence of those most important in your lives. You have both made special promises and symbolised your unending love for each other with the exchanging of rings. May your love for each other strengthen all that you do, and all that you are. I now pronounce you husband and wife.

Daina, you may kiss the groom!