As Kahlil Gibran says in The Prophet:

"True love gives nothing but itself and takes nothing but from itself. Love does not possess, nor would it be possessed for love is sufficient unto love."

The ancient Hawaiians in their wisdom and perception of our universe put the act of finding a mate and the joining of two persons in marriage into a beautiful and simple mele or chant.

There was a seeking of the lost, now it is found. A mate is found. One to share the chills of winter. Love has made a plea that you two become united. Here is a perch, a perch in heaven. You two are now one. For the day is here at last. You are wedded. The prayer has gone its way.

What can I say to you to tell you how I feel? Can I do justice to the feelings inside my heart when you say my name, or speak to me in your magical voice, or when I see the love shining in your eyes? I am just one person, but with you, I am more, so much more. I am a lover, a friend, a confident, one who shares in the building of the cornerstones of our lives. It seems just yesterday that I walked through that golden door of fate, and met a golden nugget in your frame. And walked on air, singing out the magic in your name. For the sun does not set, nor does it rise, without this one refrain, that in my love for you I am greater than the sum of one and in your love for me, I elevate myself higher than before. Night blends in to day, and day falls back into night, with our love a beacon that shines on the travels of our lives. I know that rainbows do appear, though sometimes covered by a cloud. But I know they are there just the same. All of this I give to you, all of this you give to me. All of what I feel and share from and for you, is the love I share, feel and know when I think of, or say your name.

Being in love, being together in marriage is a commitment that requires and deserves daily attention. Marriage is an act of faith and of personal commitment. Marriage should be a life-long consecration to the ideal of loving kindness, backed by the will to make it last. When two people, in the presence of God, pledge to love and care for each other in marriage, they create a spiritual bond that brings them closer together, more than any written or spoken word ever could. Marriage is a promise, a potential made in the hearts of two people who love, which takes a lifetime to fulfill. Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens. A good marriage must be created. In the art of 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 at no times taking the other for granted; the courtship should not end with the honeymoon, it should continue through the years.

*It is doing things for each other, no in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy.

*It is not expecting the husband to wear a halo or the wife to have the wings of an angel. It is not looking for perfection in each other. It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding, and a sense of humor.

*It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.

*It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow in a relationship in which independence is equal, the dependence is mutual, and the obligation is reciprocal.

*It is not only marrying the right partner, it is being the right partner.

On this day of your marriage, as we stand here together surrounded by God’s wonder and beauty, my you find in each other the love for which all men and women yearn. May your home be a center of love, joy and affection sending out an invitation of friendship and understanding to all who enter into your presence. We pray with each passing day, that your love and your devotion towards each other will be the banner for the rest of your lives. May you always love one another in sickness and in health, for better or for worse.

In the sacredness of this occasion, to bless and sanctify this union, with our prayers and best wishes for the present and future, we will recite the Kiddish, the blessing over the wine which is traditional for all special occasions. Blessed are thou, O Lord our god, King of the universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine (Hebrew & English)

(Groom) Repeat after me
Harai at me-ku-desh-et lee b’ta-ba-at zoh k’dat moshes v’yiisreal. You are consecrated to me as my wife in accordance with the Law of Moses and the people of Israel. I, (Groom), with all that I am and with all that I have, will love, honor, and cherish you. I will protect and support you. I will share my love openly with you speaking the truth to you in love and I will faithfully care for your needs as your devoted husband.

(Bride) Repeat after me
Harai atah me-ku-desh-et lee b’ta-ba-at zoh k’dat moshes v’yiisreal. I pledge to you my husband, my love , and devotion. I, (Bride), with all that I am and with all that I have, will love, honor, and cherish you. I will protect and support you. I will share my love openly with you speaking the truth to you in love and I will faithfully care for your needs as your devoted wife.

Read Ketubay (if one is used – hand-calligraphied ketubay to match vows & service is available)

2^nd Kiddish Blessed are thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine (Hebrew & English)

4… Praised are you,, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who created man and woman in your image, that together they might perpetuate life. Praised are you, O Lord, Creator of man.

5…May Zion rejoice as her children are restored to her in joy. Praise to God who causes to rejoice at her children’s return.

6…Grant perfect joy to these loving companions, as You did to the first man and woman in the Garden of Eden. Praised are You, O Lord, who grants the joy of bride and groom.

7…Praised are You, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who created joy and gladness, bride and groom mirth, song, delight and rejoicing, love and harmony, peace and companionship. O Lord our God, may there ever be heard voices of joy and gladness, voices of bride and groom, the jubilant voices of those joined in marriage under the bridal canopy, the voices of young people feasting and singing. Praised are You, O Lord, who causes the groom to rejoice with his bride.

You continue to be blessed with joy and gladness, with vigor of body and spirit, with love and harmony, with companionship and peace.

**Not used with 7 Blessing***

May you be blessing and a comfort to each other, comforter of each other’s sorrows, sharers of each other’s joy, helpers to each other through your love and friendship for one another in all the changes in your lives.

May you communicate openly and fully, never evading issues, or hiding truths that will stifle and hinder your love and feelings for one another while trusting each other and life without fear of what the future may be.

May you unfold the adventure of marriage; exploring the world together, loving fearlessly, feeling how real and present your union is from moment to moment, living your dreams, loving unconditionally, being fully aware of your power and sensitivities, and being happy by creating a life full of promise, success, adventure, excitement, joy, passion, commitment, and consciousness, full of commitment to the love and understanding of yesterday, today and tomorrow. And may the worst day of your future be better than the best day of your past.

Benediction (Hebrew & English)

May the Lord bless you and keep you;

May the Lord’s light shine brightly upon you and be gracious unto you whether in joy or sadness. May the Lord grant you everlasting peace, health, abundance, and prosperity, no and forever, Amen.

*Additional Benediction, if you choose

As the Apache benediction says:

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

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

Now there is no more loneliness for you, now there is no more loneliness.

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

Go now to your dwelling place, to enter into your days of your togetherness.

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

I am about to pronounce (Groom) and (Bride) husband and wife. After the pronouncement, we will perform the symbolic act of breaking the glass. This ancient Jewish wedding tradition has numerous symbolic interpretations: 1. It recalls the destruction of the ancient holy Temple in Jerusalem destroyed by the Romans. 2. It is a metaphor for the world which requires mending. 3. It is a reminder that there are those in the world who still suffer. 4. It is an irrevocable act, so too, should marriage be unchangeable and permanent. 5. It serves as a warning to (Bride) and (Groom) regarding the frailty and transitory nature of life. 6. It reminds us that the world and our relationships are fragile and require our constant attention and commitment. 7. Finally, the loud noise announces that we have concluded the ceremony and the time to celebrate has come.

Since both of you have joined voluntarily in this ceremony which unites you together in marriage, (Groom) and (Bride) with the blessing of those who are present here today and the blessing of those who are absent but thinking of your, in the spirit of the traditional of Moses and Israel, and most of all, by the power of your love for each other, I pronounce you husband and wife.

Mazel Tov!

*NOTE: This is a religious wedding that has all the elements found in a traditional conservative wedding. It can be modified and customized to be more romantic, more spiritual, less religious, etc…