Table of Contents
Acknowledgments 7
Introduction 8
Chapter 1 Vows
1 Traditional Religious Vows 14
Protestant Vows 14
Basic Protestant Vows 14
Lutheran Vows 14
Episcopal Vows 15
Methodist Vows 15
Presbyterian Vows 15
Baptist Vows 15
Roman Catholic Vows 16
Eastern Orthodox Vows 16
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Vows 16
Unitarian Vows 18
Jewish Vows 18
Reform 18
Conservative 19
Muslim Vows 19
Hindu Vows 20
Quaker Vows 20
Buddhist Vows 21
Interfaith and Nondenominational Vows 21
Ethical Humanist Vows 27
Civil Vows 27
Same-Sex Wedding Vows and Commitment Ceremonies 28
Writing Your Own Vows 29
Guidelines 29
Real Couples' Vows 32
Chapter 2 Readings
2 Becoming Well Read 42
What to Select? 42
Who Reads? 43
How's It Done? 44
Traditional Religious Readings 44
Scripture 44
Old Testament 45
New Testament 46
The Jewish Seven Blessings (Sheva B'rachot) 50
Buddhist Marriage Homily 51
Cultural Readings and Blessings 51
Poetry and Prose 54
Chapter 3 Rings and Other Rituals
3 Exchanging Rings 94
Protestant/Presbyterian 94
Lutheran 94
Episcopal 94
Methodist 94
Baptist 94
Catholic 94
Unitarian 95
Jewish 95
Nondenominational 95
Native American 96
More Exchanges 96
Triple Ring Exchange (Eastern Orthodox) 96
Crowning Ceremony (Eastern Orthodox) 97
Garland Exchange (Hindu and Hawaiian) 98
Kola Nuts (Nigeria) 99
Arras (Spanish and Latino) 99
Meher (Muslim) 99
Rose Ceremony (Nondenominational) 99
Giving Thanks 100
Libation Ceremony (Africa) 100
Homage to the Fire God, Agni (Hindu) 100
Tea or Sake Ceremony (China and Japan) 101
Unifying Rituals 101
Handfasting (Afrocentric) 101
Handfasting (Celtic) 101
Handfasting (Egypt) 103
Hasthagranthi (Hindu) 103
Circling the Table (Eastern Orthodox) 104
Circling (Jewish) 104
Lazo (Latino) 104
Symbolic Rituals 104
Seven Steps (Hindu) 104
Honey Ceremony (Multifaith) 105
Unity Candle (Catholic) 105
Candle Ceremony (Wiccan) 106
Candle Ceremony (Nondenominational) 107
Sand Ceremony (Hawaiian) 109
Crossing Sticks (African American) 109
Jumping the Broom (African American) 109
Tasting the Four Elements (Yoruba) 110
Mala Badol (Bangladesh) 110
Breaking the Glass (Jewish) 110
P'ye-Baek (Korea) 111
Gifts of Eggs (Muslim) 111
Honey and Walnuts (Greece) 111
Chapter 4 Programs and Quotes
4 Programming Notes 114
Meaningful and Famous Quotes 115
Chapter 5 Music and Dances
5 The Ceremony 128
Great Ceremony Selections 128
The Prelude 129
The Processional 132
Additional Ceremony Selections 133
The Recessional 134
The Reception 137
Reception Music Notes 137
First-Dance Songs 138
Parent Dances 152
Dinner Music 154
Dancing Music 155
Chapter 6 Speeches and Toasts
6 Talking Points 164
Traditional and Cultural Toasts 166
Blessings 169
Shakespearean Toasts and Blessings 170
Toasts from Members of the Wedding Party 171
Toasts from the Best Man 171
Toasts from the Maid of Honor 174
Toasts from Parents 179
Toasts from Siblings and/or Adult Children 184
Toasts from Partner to Partner 186
Toasts from Couple to Parents 195
Toasts from Couple to Guests 195
Source Biographies 197
Resources 204
Permissions 205
Photo Credits 211
Index 212