Marriage and Civil Ceremonies

Choose Argyll Love Argyll

Readings and Poems – Most Popular

Hanging heart and flowers
Popular 1 – Chapter One of One Thousand

For two people this dawn brought on a magical day. Now husband and wife they head on their way. As a boat setting sail may their journey begin. With calmest of waters, most helpful of wind. And if they should stumble upon turbulent sea. May it pass them un-harming, leaving them be. For here are two people whom love has well bitten. Here opens their book which has yet to be written. As the first page unfolds and their life inks its path. May it write a true story where forever love lasts. Let their journey be happy till death do they part. Of one thousand chapters may this be the start.

Popular  2  – Union

You have known each other from the first glance of acquaintance to this point of commitment. At some point, you decided to marry. From that moment of yes to this moment of yes, indeed, you have been making commitments in an informal way.

All of those conversations that were held in a car, or over a meal, or during long walks – all those conversations that began with, ‘’When we’re married’’, and continued with ‘’I will’’ and ‘’you will’’ and ‘’we will’’ – all those late night talks that included ‘’someday’’ and ‘’somehow’’ and ‘’maybe’’- and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart.

All these common things and more are the real process of a wedding. The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, ‘’you know all those things that we’ve promised and hoped and dreamed- well, I meant it all, every word.’’ Look at one another and remember this moment in time. Before this moment you have been many things to one another – acquaintance, friend, companion, dancing partner, even teacher, for you have learned much from one another these past few years. Shortly you shall say a few words that will take you across a threshold of life and things between you will never quite be the same.

For after today you shall say to the world – This is my husband, This is my wife.

Popular 3 – In  Marriage Julia Escobar

Cherish each other. In big ways and in small ways,

And never forget the magic of those. Three little words:  “I love you”. In Marriage remember that it’s the little things that make the difference …

Don’t forget the birthdays and the anniversaries. An occasional note means a lot. Share each other’s life – even the small details – For too often we forget that day after day becomes year after year,

And then it’s gone. Give each other room to grow… We all need our time alone. Keep strong your faith in each other; Time has a funny way of testing us, And it’s faith that gets us through. Respect one another …. This world could always use more of that.

Speak your mind honestly, openly, But with kindness – for angry words are scars that may never heal.

Trust each other;  Let trust be your rock. Most of all, each day …. Be sure to hold each other And fall in love all over again.

Popular 4  – From Captain Corelli’s Mandolin

Love is a temporary madness; it erupts like volcanoes and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision.  You have to work out whether your root was so entwined together that is it inconceivable that you should ever part.  Because this is what love is.  Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion.  That is just being in love, which any fool can do.  Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident.  Those that truly love have roots that grow towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossoms have fallen from their branches, they find that they are one tree and not two.

Popular 5 – Yes, I’ll Marry You, My Dear by Pam Ayres

Yes, I’ll marry you, my dear, and here’s the reason why:

So I can push you out of bed when the baby starts to cry

And if we hear a knocking and it’s creepy and it’s late,

I hand you the torch you see and you investigate.

Yes, I’ll marry you, my dear, you may not apprehend it,

But when the tumble-drier goes it’s you that has to mend it,

You have to face the neighbour, should our dog attack him,

And if a drunkard fondles me, it’s you that has to whack him.

Yes, I’ll marry you, my dear, you’re virile and you’re lean,

My house is like a pigsty, you can help to keep it clean,

That little sexy dinner which you served by candlelight,

As I just do chipolatas, you can cook it every night!

It’s you that has to work the drill and put up curtain track,

And when I’ve got the PMT it’s you who gets the flak,

I do see great advantages, but none of them for you,

And so before you see the light, I do, I do, I do!

Popular 6 – The Art of a Good Marriage

A Good marriage must be created.

In marriage the little things are the big things…..

It is never being too old to hold hands.

It is remembering to say “I love you” at least once a day.

It is never going to sleep angry.

It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives.

It is standing together and facing the world.

It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family.

It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.

It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.

It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow.

It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.

It is not only marrying the right person,

It is being the right partner.

Popular 7 – I Will Be Here

If in the morning when you wake, The sun does not appear,

I will be here.

If in the dark we lose sight of love, Hold my hand and have no fear,

I will be here.

I will be here,

When you feel like being quiet, When you need to speak your mind I will listen, Through the winning, losing, and trying we’ll be together,

And I will be here.

If in the morning when you awake, The future is unclear,

I will be here.

As sure as seasons were made for change, Our lifetimes were made for years,

I will be here.

I will be here,

And you can cry on my shoulder, When the mirror tells us we’re older. I will hold you, to watch you grow in beauty, And tell you all the things you are to me, We’ll be together and I will be here. I will be true to the promises I’ve made, To you and to the one who gave you to me,

I will be here

Popular 8 – Extract from Les Miserables

You can give without loving, but you can never love without giving. The great acts of love are done by those who are habitually performing small acts of kindness. We pardon to the extent that we love. Love is knowing that even when you are alone, you will never be lonely again. And great happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved. Loved for ourselves. Loved in spite of ourselves.

 
Popular 9  – Marriage is More

Marriage is more than standing here side by side

Exchanging looks full of love, full of pride,

It’s more than the ceremony, which lasts just a while

It’s a promise that’s shared, It’s an intimate smile

It’s a personal bond that you know will not end

The knowledge that someone your love will defend

It’s a vow of commitment, special and true

It’s a hope and a dream of love endless for you

Popular 10 – Apache Blessing – 2

Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be the shelter for each other.

Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be the warmth for the other.

Now you are two persons, but there is only one life before you.

Go now to your dwelling place to enter into the days of your life together.

And may your days be good and long upon the earth.

Treat yourselves and each other with respect,

And remind yourselves often of what brought you together.

Give the highest priority to the tenderness, gentleness and kindness that your connection deserves.

When frustration, difficulty and fear assail your relationship – as they threaten all

relationships at one time or another –

Remember to focus on what is right between you, not only the part which seems wrong.

In this way, you can ride out the storms

When clouds hide the face of the sun in your lives –

Remembering that even if you lose sight of it for a moment,

The sun is still there.

And if each of you takes responsibility for the quality of your life together,

It will be marked by abundance and delight.

Popular 11 – Here’s to Right Now

You’re surrounded by your loved ones And all are wishing you well As you create a brand new chapter In the story that’s yours to tell We talk about the memories You have yet to make together And the moments you’ve already shared To be carried with you forever But take the time to live today As your marriage begins. Look around and soak it up The moment we are in For this is where the magic starts. When you both say your vows. You pledge to spend your lives as one. Because of the love you feel now. So yes here’s to a future that is bright and warm and clean. But more than that here’s to right now and what it means to be here.

Popular 12 – Dr Seuss

Congratulations! Today is your day.

You’re off to Great Places!

You’re off and away!

You have brains in your head.

You have feet in your shoes.

You can steer yourself any direction you choose.

You’re on your own.

And you know what you know.

And YOU are the couple who’ll decide where to go.

Popular 13 – I Carry You in My Heart 

I carry your heart with me (i carry it in
my heart) i am never without it (anywhere
i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing, my darling)
i fear no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet) i want
no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)
and it’s you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

Here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows
higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that’s keeping the stars apart, I carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)