Examples

Poems

Below are some example poems that you may use in your ceremony.

The Gift by Pam Brown

In you are flowers and firelight stars and songbirds, the scent of summer, the stillness just before dawn.

I love you today, dressed in glory.

I will love you always- dancing, singing, reading, making, planning, arguing.

I will love you cantankerous, and tired, courageous and in terror, joyful, fearful and triumphant.

I will love you through all weathers and all change.

For all you are is precious to me.

And every day I live with you

These I Can Promise by Mark Twain

I cannot promise you a life of sunshine; I cannot promise riches, wealth, or gold;

I cannot promise you an easy pathway that leads away from change or growing old.

But I can promise all my heart’s devotion;

A smile to chase away your tears of sorrow;

A love that’s ever true and ever growing;

A hand to hold in yours through each tomorrow.

In One Another’s Souls by Rumi

The moment I heard my first love story I started looking for you, not knowing how useless that was.
Lovers don’t meet somewhere along the way.

They’re in one another’s souls all along.

Examples

Readings

Below are some example readings that you may use in your ceremony.

From Beginning to End by Robert Fulghum

The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, “You know all those things we’ve promised and hoped and dreamed—well, I meant it all, every word.” Look at one another and remember this moment in time. Before this moment you have been many things to one another—acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, dancing partner, and even teacher, for you have learned much from one another in these last few years. Now you shall say a few words that take you across a threshold of life, and things will never quite be the same between you. For after these vows, you shall say to the world, this—is my husband, this—is my wife.

The Art of Marriage by Wilferd A. Peterson

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 at no time taking the other for granted; the courtship should not end with the honeymoon, it should continue through all the years. It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways. It is not expecting the husband to wear a halo or the wife to have wings of an angel. It is not looking for perfection in each other. It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humor. It is having the capacity to forgive and forget. It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow. It is finding room for the things of the spirit. It is a common search for the good and the beautiful. It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, dependence is mutual and the obligation is reciprocal. It is not only marrying the right partner, it is being the right partner.

Examples

Songs

Below are some example songs that you may play at your ceremony.

Country

Islands In The Stream by Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers

When I Say I Do by Clint Black

Making Memories Of Us by Keith Urban

 

Modern

You Are So Beautiful by Joe Cocker

Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sherran

God Only Knows by The Beach Boys

Traditional

Today and Tomorrow by Lori True

Ave Maria

The Wedding Song

 

Sentimental

That’s How Strong My Love Is by Otis Redding

All of Me by John Legend

A Thousand Years by Christina Perri

Examples

Rituals

Below are some example rituals that you may want at your ceremony.

Love Letter and Wine Box Ritual

Like a personal time capsule, the couple write a letter describing what they particularly love and appreciate about each other, and why they chose them as their life partner. The letters are sealed in a wooden box, either with hammer and nails, or sealing wax, along with a bottle of fine wine at a time during the ceremony. The couple keep the sealed box as a reminder of the promises made, with the goal to open the box on their 5th Wedding Anniversary, to read the letters and share the bottle of wine.

Hand Fasting

Hand-fasting is an ancient Celtic tradition but has become popular in recent years as couples look for ways to add a symbol of togetherness and personalise to the ceremony.

Butterfly Release

The mass releasing of butterflies creates a magical, elegant and joyful touch to any event The butterfly has long been symbolic of freedom, love and new life or the beginning of a new journey.

 

Resource

Relationship Education

Relationship education is a fun and informative way of understanding what to expect when entering a marriage, what you have to do when changing your name, how to deal with opposition or conflict and any other issues that may arise during the course of your relationship.

If you require any assistance or additional information, there is a lot of help out there for you. Below is a few local relationship education specialists that you can contact.

https://www.interrelate.org.au/ located in Gosford and Tuggerah
https://www.relationshipsnsw.org.au/ located in Berkely Vale
https://www.i-do.com.au/ located in Newcastle
https://www.mmnlp.com/ locate in Long Jetty (new relationship workshop February 2023. Call 1300 800 356 to book now)