Order of Service 

The Gathering

Invocation

Greeting and Welcome

Homily

Song

Vows

Exchange of Rings

Reading from Scripture

Declaration of Marriage

Benediction

Embrace and Kiss

Introduction of the Couple

Dismissal 

The Ceremony 

The Gathering

When the guests have arrived, the minister may gather everyone by announcing that the ceremony will begin. Although some outdoor weddings are very formal, most are somewhat informal. Processional music can be offered by a live musician (guitar, flute, string quartet) or by tape or CD. The bride may process to where the minister and groom and attendants are waiting, or the wedding party may be convened at the minister's direction. 

Invocation

When all is ready, the minister says: Let us pray. Eternal and loving God, we are gathered in this beautiful location to celebrate the marriage of N. and N. We stand small in this display of your creative handiwork. It reminds us that we, too, are part of your grand design. We know the same God who brought these mountains into being, also desires to be present with these, your children, as they begin their life together. Grant us a renewed understanding of what it means to be in covenant with each other as N. and N. become husband and wife in the company of these friends, and in your holy presence. Amen.  

Greeting and Welcome

The minister says: In the beauty and splendor of this place, we gather as a community of friends. We experience ripples of excitement and tremors of joy as we come to celebrate the marriage of N. and N. God has created a world of harmony -- dazzling flowers, soaring birds, running deer and roaring oceans -- each unique, each in relationship and harmony with the others.  

God's first gift was breathing life into humans and turning us toward each other to live in equality and unity. N. and N. have come to affirm their love for each other and to enter into this sacred union. 

Homily

The minister says: N. and N., you have chosen a beautiful background for your wedding. Being outdoors makes this event particularly special. We have moved beyond the confines of walls, or mortar and timbers, to the expansive world of the outdoors, where God's creative work is more visible. 

This reminds us that you -- both of you -- are part of God's creative design. Your own uniqueness has attracted each of you to the other. That uniqueness is God's gift to you, and a gift you should cherish. 

As we look upon these beautiful surroundings, we remember that beauty is a creative process.  Marriage is a creative process as well. Although we like to say that today you are "getting married," as you leave this place, you will enter the process of "becoming married." For marriage to achieve its fullest, most unique and beautiful expression, takes time. It is a creative process. 

Thus, the key word for you today is "creativity." The human creature is tremendously resourceful. We are able to develop ideas, inventions and amazing new ways of doing things. When it comes to a marriage and relationships, however, many of us suddenly seem to go brain-dead. We are sometimes puzzled by the inevitable adjustments we must make in any relationship. 

N. and N., you are creative, intelligent people. Use that creativity to be spontaneous, unpredictable. Use it to nurture your love. Use creativity to strengthen your bond. Use creativity to solve problems that arise. Use creativity to release you from conventional thinking and free you to explore the road less travelled. Use creativity to deepen your love.  

As you do this, you will discover your marriage "becoming" something as beautiful as these mountains. You will find your marriage becoming strong, meaningful, beautiful and the absolutely most important component of your life. Amen. 

Song

"Wedding Song" ("There is Love") (Paul Stookey) Or substitute this reading:

      You are my beloved, I will always cherish you.

      You are my beloved, I see your great beauty.

      You are my beloved, I feel your great power.

      You are my beloved, I respect your great wisdom.

      You are my beloved, my home is with you.

      You are my beloved, I value your independence.

      You are my beloved, I am radiant in your love.

      I will always love you.

      I will always love you.

      I will always love you.

      I will always love you.

     -- Native American tradition 

Vows

The minister says (addressing the groom): Do you, N., take, N., to be your wife, and in doing so, give your life to her, and all that life entails, to take the good with the bad, to live with her through hardship and triumph, to live with her in the commitment of faith, the security of hope, and the joy of love. 

The groom says: I do.    

The minister says (addressing the bride): Do you, N., take N. to be your husband, and in doing so, give your life to him, and all that life entails, to take the good with the bad, to live with him through hardship and triumph, to live with him in the commitment of faith, the security of hope, and the joy of love?  

The bride says: I do. 

Exchange of Rings

The minister says: May I have the rings? The minister takes them from the best man or maid or matron of honor, or both, or unties them from the ring bearer's pillow. Holding the rings aloft, the minister says: These rings are an outward and visible sign of an inward and invisible grace, which unites two hearts in love, and they are of special significance because the circle of these rings is a symbol of the unending and enduring quality of the love which N. and N. are sharing today. 

The bride places the groom's ring on the fourth finger of his left hand and repeats after the minister: N., I give you this ring as a sign of my love and faithfulness.  

The groom places the bride's ring on the fourth finger of her left hand and repeats after the minister: N., I give you this ring as a sign of my love and faithfulness. 

The minister wraps his or her stole around the hands of the couple and prays: By these rings, O God, join N. and N. together, and bless these rings, O God, that those who wear them, who give and receive them, may be ever faithful to one another, remain in your peace, and live and grow old together in your love. Amen. 

Reading from Scripture

The minister or other designated person reads: I lift up my eyes to the hills -- from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keep; the Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore.  -- Psalm 121 

Declaration of Marriage

The minister says: N. and N., because you have declared your willingness and intention to enter into the state of marriage with each other, and have declared the same in the company of God and these witnesses, and have given these rings to each other as a symbol of this commitment, by virtue of the authority vested in me as a minister of the gospel, I pronounce you husband and wife, united in the pure and holy bonds of wedlock. What God has joined, let no man put asunder.  

Benediction

     May the road rise to meet you.

     May the wind be always at your back.

     May the sun shine warm upon your face.

     May the rains fall softly upon your fields until we meet again.

     May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.

     -- Old Gaelic Blessing 

Embrace and Kiss

The minister says (addressing the groom): N., you may kiss the bride. They embrace and kiss. 

Introduction of the Couple

The minister says: It is my pleasure to introduce for the first time, N. and N. N. 

Dismissal

The wedding party leaves as it was convened. If they followed a processional, the couple and attendants may recess. Otherwise, the couple may immediately begin greeting family and friends. They may proceed informally with post-ceremony plans.