Wedding Ceremonies
by Rev. Scott Awbrey

Non-Denominational Wedding Ceremony

This wedding service is suitable for couples who want a spiritual wedding ceremony, but wish to not have it tied to a specific religion.

Some passages from the Non-Denominational Ceremony:

"There are no obligations on earth more sweet nor tender than those you are about to assume. There are no vows more solemn than those you are about to make, and there is no human institution more sacred than that of the home you are about to form."

A reading from the author, Kahlil Gibran: "Love one another but make not a bond of love. Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls...."

Christian Wedding Ceremony

This wedding ceremony is provided for the bride and groom who share a Christian background.

Some passages from the Christian Ceremony:

"God gave us marriage so that husband and wife may help and comfort one another. God gave us marriage for the full expression of the love between two people. God gave us marriage as a holy mystery in which a man and woman are joined together and become one, just as Christ is one with the church."

"I proclaim that you are now husband and wife. Blessed be the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit now and forever. May the Lord bless you and keep you, be kind and gracious to you, and look upon you with favor and give you peace. Amen."

Interfaith Wedding Ceremony

Upon request, I will blend the rites and meanings of different backgrounds and traditions in occasions of interfaith marriages. In a Catholic-Jewish wedding, for example, the Catholic ceremony includes Old Testament readings, the marriage rites, the nuptial blessing, and concluding prayers. The Jewish ceremony is made up of three elements: the wedding contract, a gift of value, and the giving of the rings. We can include elements from each faith in one ceremony. I have also utilized ceremonies from other religions such as Buddhism, Hinduism, and from Celtic and Native American traditions.

Civil Wedding Ceremony

A civil wedding ceremony may be presented for couples who desire a non-religious wedding.

Some passages from the Civil Ceremony:

"Today, as you join yourselves in marriage for the possibilities and potential of your married life are great. We wish for you a love that makes both of you better people, a home that will be an island of serenity, and a place that enocmpasses the beauty of nature and gives you the peace within to generate and uphold your feelings about how to live life."

Custom Wedding Ceremonies

Couples will sometimes request unique or custom ceremonies with which I am happy to assist. I have worked with many brides and grooms to create a wedding that matches their wishes and beliefs.

Supplemental Rites and Passages

The following supplemental ceremonies usually don't stand alone, but may be embodied in the main ceremony to enhance the wedding or express a particular feeling.

Unity Candle
A favorite of wedding couples, this ceremony invites the bride and groom to light a central candle from two other candles, signifying that their previous pathways are uniting and honoring the light of love which forever bless, inspire, and guide them.

Uniting the Family
For couples who have children from a previous marriage, this ceremony honors the children and the creation of a new family.

Rose Ceremony
This rite occurs at the end of the ceremony after the couple is pronounced "husband and wife." It is a sweet ceremony that invites the bride and groom to exchange roses as their first gift to each other as a married couple. The bride and groom are also invited to celebrate their wedding anniversary each year by placing a rose at an appointed place to signify a restatement of their vows and a renewal of their love.

If you would like additional information about these or other ceremonies, or if I may be of help in any way, please contact me, Rev. Scott Awbrey, at scott@wholelifeoregon.org, or by phone,
503-697-1620.