Welcome to the section on wedding ceremonies. Below you will find a variety of ceremonies submitted by our ministers. Some of the material is general use, but I believe most of it was written specifically by our ULC ministers. At the Universal Life Church Seminary, we try to share as much with our ministers as possible to make you the best minister you can be.
If you'd like to share a ceremony of any kind that you've written, please send it to amy@ulcseminary.org and let me know that you'd like it posted. We offer wedding ceremonies, funeral sermons, Pagan material and more at this site and it's here for your free use. The generosity of our ministers is unsurpassed and we hope you will give back to the Seminary by sending us one of your ceremonies or perhaps a story of your experiences to share with others.
Wedding Ceremony Book - This is the Ultimate Wedding & Ceremony Workbook for the Planning-Impaired. It is filled with planning material for the brides and grooms, information for you to know about weddings (to look like a professional), and all the words you'll need to make the best day of their lives, even better.
Wedding Stories - This is a small collection of stories about people's weddings. Some of the stories are funny, some are heart-warming and uplifting, and some can serve as examples of things to be wary of at your weddings.
Wedding Training -If you want to learn the ins and outs of performing a wedding, this is the page for you. There's an informative video, as well as a lot of helpful hints and tips for performing wedding ceremonies.
Funeral Words: If you are looking for just the right words to say at a funeral, we have what you need here. There are some available for free and others available in the Weddings, Funerals and Rites book and it's sequel.
Pagan Ceremonies - Pagans of all types, especially Wiccans have a variety of different types of ceremonies and there are many of them posted here for your use. If you would like to share some ceremonies, please feel free to email amy@ulcseminary.org and I'd be delighted to post yours.
Other Ceremonies - There are many types of ceremonies that people do for a variety of reasons. This page has a selection of ceremonies of unusual and interesting kinds. You may find some useful words to use and you are welcome to submit your own ceremony to be added here.
If you're getting married and you want to share your humorous side, you might consider using some funny wedding vows. For example, perhaps you could use the traditional vows, but include a line such as "I promise to always make your "favorite banana milkshake," or "I vow to split the difference on the thermostat," as Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston did when they married. Or, if you really want to make your guests laugh, consider writing a complete set of funny wedding vows, such as these inspired by Dr. Seuss. Marty Blase, the author of these vows, writes: "My fiancee and I agreed a long time ago that we wanted to write our own wedding vows, and as a spur-of-the-moment idea, I suggested the following. To my disappointment, she didn't quite go for it..." Pastor: Will you answer me right now These questions, as your wedding vow? Groom: Yes, I will answer right now Your questions as my wedding vow. Pastor: Will you take her as your wife? Will you love her all your life? Gro
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Seven BlessingsWe would like to credit and thank the Swedenborgian Church of San Francisco for this collection of readings. It is a beautiful place to be married, and welcomes all faith traditions.Person One: May the power of your love bring you health and well-being throughout your lives. (Amen)Person Two: May you have wisdom in the ordering of your common life that you may each be to the other a strength in need, a counselor in perplexity, and a companion in joy. (Amen)Person Three: May you have the grace, when you hurt each other, to recognize your faults, and to seek each other's forgiveness. (Amen)Person Four: May your life together be a vessel of divine love and a symbol of peace to our struggling world, that unity may overcome estrangement, forgiveness heal guild, and joy conquer despair. (Amen)Person Five: May you be ever thoughtful and gentle, patient and forbearing, regardful of each other's feelings and opinions, and lenient to each other's infirmities. (Amen)Perso
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Welcome and Call to the CelebrationWelcome, you have all come today to witness and celebrate the drawing together of two separate lives. This may be the first ceremony of this type you have participated in or witnessed, or it may not, but its purpose and its heart is quite simple even as it is profound. We have come to that ________ and ________ may celebrate and consecrate their spiritual union. It is by their love and that of their Higher Power that they will be united here today. And they wish to celebrate this passage in the presence of your love and support and to share their joy in each other with you, their family and their friends.The VisionLove is perhaps the most profound experience that we can have. The sensual part of love is one of life's greatest joys, and when this is combined with real friendship, both are infinitely enhanced. The day-to-day companionship, the pleasure in doing things together, or in doing separate things but delighting to exchange experi
Friday, March 25, 2011
"I promise to make your favorite fruit smoothies on Sundays."~~~~~~As Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston promised each other, "I vow to split the difference on the thermostat."~~~~~~Groom: I, (Name), choose you, (Name), to be my wife. In front of our friends and family gathered here I promise to love and cherish you throughout the good times and bad times. I promise to try to remember to put put my dirty clothes in the hamper and to replace the toilet paper roll when it's empty. I promise to remember this day with love and roses. I will love you always.Bride: I, (Name), choose you, (Name), to by my husband. In front of our friends and family, I promise to love and cherish you through every obstacle that may come into our path. I promise to learn how to check the oil in my car and how to roll up a garden hose. I will comfort you when your team loses and drink beer with you when they win. I will love you always. ~~~~~~*******************************The Universal Life
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
The Universal Life Church was founded during 1959, in Modesto, CA by Kirby Hensley. In order for the freedom of religion to stay protected, Kirby felt it must be asserted. Kirby promised to ordain all who asked, free of charge, no questions asked.There have always been those of much more traditional Big Dog churches, who complained incessantly that to become a reverend, 1 must have years of training, be approved by a committee as well as comply with strict doctrinal standards. Naturally, those same people had no response after it was brought to their attention that Peter and Paul and the rest of the disciples received no seminary training. What is conveniently ignored by the same group are the increasing headlines regarding approved and trained priests who've been caught in acts of unbelievable abuse to children under their pastoral care. Due to such roadblocks, many good people have stayed away from their ministry. Leaving love to faith doesn't always bring the results
Thursday, February 24, 2011
The Coin CeremonyThe groom gives the bride 13 coins, or arrhae, blessed by the Minister, as a sign of his dedication to his wife's well being and the welfare of their future children. Either an attendant or an especially designated extra member of the wedding party carries the coins. After the ring exchange, the Groom is given the coins, which he then gives to the Bride. The Bride gives them in turn to her Maid of Honor. The symbolism, which may be explained by the wedding celebrant, is that the Groom recognizes his responsibility as a provider. ******************** The Universal Life Church offers handfasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training. As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials. I've been ordained with the Universal Life Chur
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
The Perfect Love, The Perfect Friend - Renee DuvallBecause you are my love... I know the joy that comes from feeling closer to someone than I've ever felt before. Because you are my love... I know the passion of wanting to share everything I have, everything I am with you and only you. Because you are my friend... I know that I can count on you to hold my hand through the rough times and to be there to share the good times too. Because you are my friend... I'll always have someone to make me smile just when I need it most, and to encourage me when I'm feeling confused or doubtful. I know that I must be one of the luckiest people in the world to have someone like you. The perfect love, the perfect friend.******************** The Universal Life Church offers handfasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training. As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminar
Saturday, December 18, 2010
There are no hard and fast rules for conducting a Buddhist wedding. Some things, however, are often practiced, but Buddha wanted this to be a social event, with the happenings decided by those who were celebrating . For example, some in Japan it choose to have a Western-style wedding, complete with a minister regardless of what religion the young couple might practice.Keep this in mind if you are helping plan a Buddhist wedding: the ceremony is decided by the preferences of couple and their families. Since Buddhism is so widely practiced throughout the world, there are many styles of Buddhist weddings, each with its own cultural significance and standards. The following are general guidelines and commonly practiced traditions, which may or may not be followed by the parties involved.Wedding DressSince this is a non-religious affair, the bride and groom's attire is determined mostly by their region: silk gowns in China and much of south Asia, saris in India, and yukatas
Monday, December 13, 2010
Irish Blessing (Traditional)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 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 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.******************** The Universal Life Church offers handfasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training. As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials. I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have l
Wednesday, December 08, 2010
The Veil and the Cord/Lasso Ceremony The Veil and and the Cord/Lasso are both associated with a wedding prayer during the ceremony. Special additional members of the wedding party are in charge of draping a white veil over the bride's head and the groom's shoulders. Then the yugal (a decorative silk cord) in a figure-eight shape--to symbolize everlasting fidelity--is placed over the shoulders of the kneeling Bride and Groom. Thus symbolically tied together and clothed as one, the couple remains kneeling for the prayer. After the prayer and before either attempt to rise, the same people who put it on remove the the Cord/ Lasso and then the Veil******************** The Universal Life Church offers handfasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training. As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministe
Thursday, December 02, 2010
Wedding Stories
