Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Two are better than one,because they have a good return for their work:If one falls down,his friend can help him up.But pity the man who fallsand has no one to help him up!Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.But how can one keep warm alone?Though one may be overpowered,two can defend themselves.A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Proverbs 31:10-12 (New International Version, ©2010)
Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character
10 [a]A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.

(1 Corinthians Chapter 13)
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
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. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
The Wedding Ring, by Michael Rew
I hold you under sunlit curtains, shading stars with blue.You kiss me, all the stars our witness, underneath the moon.But if the sun and if the moon were wedded from the two,our love would never falter from the midnight to the noon.For we are parted now in life as are the moon and sun,but sunrise, sunset, wax and wane cannot keep us alone.Shall we forsake the dawn and dusk to live life two in one,to claim the earth our marriage bed, the heavens as our home?My gold, your silver, stars as diamonds forge the nuptial bandso we may lead around the world the sacred wedding dance.God sanctifies within Man's eyes, once we are hand in hand,the matrimony meant this day, confessing our romance.The heavens yield, the earth shall shield, and may our Savior singthe beauty, purity, and love sealed in the wedding ring.

Scottish Wedding Prayer
Lord help us to remember when We first met and the strong love that grew between us. To work that love into practical things so that nothing can divide us. We ask for words both kind and loving and hearts always ready to ask forgiveness as well as to forgive. Dear Lord, we put our marriage into your hands
Gracious God, Richly Bless...
Gracious God, richly bless and in the promises that they have made to each other.Grant that the courtesies, the thoughtfulness,and the self giving which alreadyhave laid the foundation for their love,build the home which is raised on it.May they be loyal and engaging companions to each other,.and may they be loving and wise parents.And in this worldwhere there is much disillusion and disappointment...where love brings delightand also wounding in the fraility of our ways...make them a visible symbol of the love that does not wane whenthe evening comes but is fresh with each new day.And as you bless this special couple this day,bless each union represented here.Forgive us where we have not been good newsand glad days for each other.Perfect our imperfect love with the joy that comes from above,and may we grow ourselves and grow in affirmation of the other.May the Lord bless you and take care of you:May the Lord be kind and gracious to you:May the Lord look on you with favour and give you peace.


Irish Blessing

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.
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.
May the road rise to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the warm rays of sun fall upon your home
And may the hand of a friend always be near.
May green be the grass you walk on,
May blue be the skies above you,
May pure be the joys that surround you,
May true be the hearts that love you.

Believe Me, If All Those Endearing Young Charms by Thomas Moore

Believe me, if all those endearing young charms,
Which I gaze on so fondly to-day,
Were to change by to-morrow, and fleet in my arms,
Live fairy-gifts fading away,
Thou wouldst still be adored, as this moment thou art,
Let thy loveliness fade as it will,
And around the dear ruin each wish of my heart
Would entwine itself verdantly still.

It is not while beauty and youth are thine own,
And thy cheeks unprofaned by a tear,
That the fervor and faith of a soul may be known,
To which time will but make thee more dear!
No, the heart that has truly loved never forgets,
But as truly loves on to the close,
As the sunflower turns on her god when he sets
The same look which she turned when he rose!

The One

When the one whose hand you're holding
Is the one one who holds your heart
When the one whose eyes you gaze into
Gives your hopes and dreams their start,
When the one you think of first and last
Is the one who holds you tight,
And the things you plan together
Make the whole world seem just right,
When the one whom you believe in
puts their faith and trust in you,
You've found the one and only love
You'll share your whole life through.

An Apache Blessing By Anonymous

Now you will feel no rain,
for each of you will be a shelter to 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 a comfort to the other.
Now you are two persons,
but there is only one life before you.
Go now to your dwelling place,
to enter into the days of your togetherness.
And may your days be good
and long upon the earth.

"the secret of a beautiful marraige"

When you can love each other through the sunshine and the storm and keep the flame of true devotion glowing bright and warm; When you can give each other room to grow and change and learn, yet hold one another close in mutual concern;
When you can be both lovers and the very best of friends and face together, hand in hand, the challenges life sends;

When you can offer patience, comfort, and real understanding, encourage one another's efforts, yet be undemanding;

When you can show true love and faith in everything you do, then married life will surely hold much joy for both of you.

The Day
Author Unknown

May this be the start of a happy new life
That’s full of special moments to share
May this be the first of your dreams come true
And of hope that will always be there…
May this be the start of a lifetime of trust
And of caring that’s just now begun…
May today be a day that you’ll always remember
The day when your hearts become one…

On your wedding Day
Author Unknown

Today is a day you will always remember
The greatest in anyone’s life
You’ll start off the day just two people in love
And end it as Husband and Wife
It’s a brand new beginning the start of a journey
With moments to cherish and treasure
And although there’ll be time when you both disagree
These will surely be outweighed by pleasure
You’ll have heard many words of advice in the past
When the secrets of marriage were spoken
But you know that the answers lie hidden inside
Where the bond of tru love lies unbroken
So live happy forever as lovers and friends
It’s the dawn of a new life for you
As you stand there together with love in your eyes
From the moment you whisper ‘I do’
And with luck, all your hopes, and your dreams can be real
May success find its way to your hearts
Tomorrow can bring you the greatest of joys
But today is the day it all starts.
True love (poem) - Author Unknown
Truelove is a sacred flame
That burns eternally,
And none can dim its special glow
Or change its destiny.
True love speaks in tender tones
And hears with gentle ear,
True love gives with open heart
And true love conquers fear.
True love makes no harsh demands
It neither rules nor binds,
And true love holds with gentle hands
The hearts that it entwines

Traditional wedding vows

Declaratory Words
I do solemnly declare that I know not of any lawful impediment why I, (your full name), may not be joined in matrimony to (your partner's full name).

Contracting Words
I call upon these persons here present to witness that I, (your full name), do take thee, (your partner's full name), to be my lawful wedded wife (or husband).

Optional wedding vows

Declaratory Words
"I declare that I know of no legal reason why I (your full name) may not be joined in marriage to (your partners full name)"
or by replying "I am" to the question "Are you (your full name) free lawfully to marry (your partners full name)?"

Contracting words
"I (your full name) take you (your partners full name) to be my wedded husband/wife"
"I (your full name) take thee (your partners full name) to be my wedded husband/wife".