Wedding Music Processional Options 1) Amrita - (The Nectar of Immortality [or Joy]) by Swami Kriyananda MP3 2) O Master, Walk with Me - old Christian hymn that Mr. Black used to like MP3 3) Plaisir D'Amour (The Pleasure of Love) classical French Song from 1780 MP3 4) Andante by Mozart MP3 Ananda Wedding Ceremony for Richard and Angela NEEDED FOR CEREMONY: Roses: 1 red, 1 white; Materials for Ceremony of the Elements: Earth, Water, Incense, Candle; Rings; Rose Petals; Marriage License Recorded Instrumental Music before ceremony begins (while folks are getting seated) I can provide that. Processional Begins accompanied by recorded music. When bride enters everyone stands up. When the processional is complete Minister begins: Minister: Opening Prayer ALL BE SEATED: Chant: Door of My Heart accompanied by harmonium and guitars (2nd chant if you like, perhaps From joy I came, for Joy I live, in sacred joy I melt again). Meditation: Minister: Let us all now meditate. Close your eyes and relax. When you feel relaxed please pray mentally, “Beloved God, please come to us.” . . . then continue to pray mentally for divine grace on this couple as they seek blessings and guidance in their lives. Pray inwardly for them with all the love of your hearts. See them happy bathed in God’s loving light. Chant: Three-fold OM to end meditation Inspirational Talk (Minister greets everyone and gives a short talk on the Spiritual Meaning of Marriage.)
Exchange of Roses: (The groom holds the red rose to be offered to the bride, the bride holds the white rose to be offered to the groom.) Minister: (To the couple.) Take your roses and offer them on the altar, placing them crosswise, the red rose over the white. The roses symbolize the love of your hearts, which you have dedicated first to God. The white rose symbolizes purity, the red, the ardor of faithful devotion. By placing them in the shape of a cross you signify your willingness to accept all trails with joy and faith in God, and your resolution always to give each other the strength to love Him more deeply. (Give a short time for a silent prayer to be said at the altar.) Minister: Now retrieve your roses, facing each other. (To the groom:) Take your rose in your right hand and place it in her right hand, repeating after me: “Dear Beloved, I offer you this rose as a symbol of my love for you, a love inspired by God, and offered to you as a channel of His Love.” (The couple sits.) Ananda Group Sings: Where He Dwells Ceremony of the Elements Minister: In all things, see the hand of God; And seek, through them, His blessing on your union. From rocks and earth, Seek steadfastness in love. (He places a touch of earth on the forehead of each, at a point between the eyebrows.) From water and all liquid things, seek the grace to flow through life in harmony without attachment, In a spirit of acceptance and cooperation. (He sprinkles a little water on their heads.) From air and sweet fragrances, seek pure freedom from all thought of "I" and "mine." (He holds steadily before them a few sticks of burning incense.) And from rising fire, seek the understanding that human love must ever aspire toward the heights of perfect, divine love. (He lights a candle.) Holy Vows at Marriage Minister: (Asks the couple to kneel before the altar, the two of them holding hands. The first part of the vows are expressed to God.) Beloved Lord, We dedicate to Thee our lives, our service, and the love we share. May the communion we find with each other lead us to inner communion with Thee. May the service we render each other perfect in us our service of Thee. May we behold Thee always enshrined in each other's forms. May we always remember that it is above all Thee we love. In every test of love, may we see Thy loving hand. In any disagreement, may we see Thy hidden guidance. May our love not be confined by selfish needs, but give us strength ever to expand our hearts until we see all human beings, all creatures as our own. Teach us to love all beings equally, in Thee. (The couple now rises, and, standing, places their right hands together, while the ministers cover their joined hands with their right hands. This next portion of the vows are expressed to each other:) I will be true to you as I pray always to be true to God. I will love you without condition, as I would be loved by you – and as we are ever loved by God. I will never compete with you; I will cooperate for our own, and for all others' highest good. I will forgive you always, and under all circumstances. I will respect your right to see truth as you perceive it, and to be guided as you feel deeply within yourself. And I will work with you always, in freedom, to arrive at a common understanding. All that we do, may we do for God's glory. May we live and grow together in His love and joy. May our love grow ever deeper, purer, more expansive, until, in our perfected love, we find the perfect love of God. (Be seated) Ananda Group sings: Thy Light Within Us Shining. Exchange of Rings Minister: Now, please take your rings. (To the groom:) Repeat after me: “I, Richard ---, take thee, Angela Miller-Porter, as my wife, to love, serve with in joyful harmony, and honor all the days of my life.” (To the bride:) Repeat after me: “I, Angela Miller-Porter, take thee, Richard ---, as my husband, to love, serve with in joyful harmony, and honor all the days of my life.” Pronouncement: Minister: “In the name of God, Christ, and the great masters of our path, I pronounce you married in the eyes of man and God.” (The couple embrace and exchange a kiss.) Minister: May the blessings of God and great ones be with you all the days of your lives. Go also with the blessings of all of us here assembled. (He sprinkles them with rose petals, as symbols of divine blessings.) Recessional: All sing: “Joy, Joy, Joy, Ever new Joy.” (accompanied by guitars) Couple exits, followed by ministers and all. Recorded Instrumental Music as crowd begins milling about (or whatever is next, -- going back into the house?) |