Your gift to each other for your wedding today

Has been your wedding rings

Which shall always be an outward demonstration

of your vows of love and respect;

and a public showing of your commitment to each other.

You now have what remains the most honorable title

Which may exist between a man and a woman –

The title of “husband” and “wife.”

For your first gift as husband and wife,

That gift will be a single rose.

In the past, the rose was considered a symbol of love

And a single rose always meant only one thing -

It meant the words “I love you.”

So it is appropriate

That for your first gift – as husband and wife –

That gift would be a single rose.

Please exchange your first gift

As husband and wife.

In some ways,

Tomorrow is going to seem no different than yesterday.

But in fact, today,

Just now,

You both have given and received

One of the most valuable and precious gifts of life –

One I hope you always remember –

The gift of truth and abiding love

Within the devotion of marriage.

​

GROOM and BRIDE,

I would ask

that where ever you make your home in the future –

whether it be a large and elegant home –

or a small and graceful one –

that you both pick one very special location for roses;

so that on each anniversary

of this truly wonderful occasion

you both may take a rose to that spot

both as a recommitment to your marriage

and a recommitment that

THIS will be a marriage based upon love.

In every marriage

There are times where it is difficult to find the right words.

It is easiest to hurt

Who we most love.

It is easiest to be most hurt

By who we most love.

It might be difficult some time

To find the words to say “I’m sorry” or “I forgive you”;

“I need you” or “I am hurting”.

If this should happen,

If you simply cannot find these words,

Leave a rose at that spot

Which both of you have selected –

For that rose then says what matters most of all

And should overpower all other things

And all other words.

That rose says the words:  “I still love you.”

The other should accept this rose

For the words which cannot be found,

And remember the love and hope

That you both share today.

​

GROOM and BRIDE,

If there is anything you remember of this marriage ceremony,

It is that it was love that brought you here today,

It is love which can make it a glorious union,

And it is by love which your marriage shall endure.