Grant them happiness and contentment as they establish their new home, create a new family and explore the depths of their love for one another and for you.

Bless their families and friends and the relationships, which have supported, strengthened and sustained them throughout their lives.

Bless their home as a place of love and of peace.

And if times grow hard and tempers grow short, help them to look into their hearts and remember the love that brought them here today

This element gives others the opportunity to give their approval or blessing on the ceremony that is about to take place. Traditionally the father or the parents of the Bride answer “I do” or “We do” to a question asked by the Officiate.

This element is a kiss shared between the couple and symbolically represents the sealing of the promises made. The words spoken at this time instruct the couple to kiss.

Throughout history, and even today, families arranged marriages for couples. Most couples didn't marry because they were in love but for economic liaisons. The people involved didn't then and don't today have much to say about the decision.

Even today some marriages are by proxy , some involve a dowry(bride's family giving money or presents to the groom or his family), some require a bride price (the groom or his family giving money or a present to the bride's family), few may have any sort of courtship or dating, but most have deep-rooted traditions.