Some sample ceremonies:

Ted and Elsa

Family and friends, 20 years ago today Edward and Elsa stood together in St Philips Church in Sydney and exchanged their vows in marriage. Shortly, they will renew their vows and once again exchange rings - the eternity rings that their son Taylor is now holding. Taylor will pass these rings amongst you, and as each guest holds them in their hands, we ask that you make your wishes for Edward and Elsa's future happiness.

Ted and Elsa met through work, it was a gradual process of getting to know each other, anticipating "accidentally" bumping into each other in the elevator - Ted has since revealed he spent a lot of time hovering in the foyer - and just happening to have their coffee breaks at the same time. Eventually Elsa took matters into her own hands - something she is known for - and invited Ted to a movie. It must have been a bad movie or an exceptional first date as neither can remember the title.

While it was a slow take off there was no stopping them from there. Edward's toothbrush and razor became a permanent fixture in Elsa's flat soon after. This arrangement continued for some time, Ted eventually moved his records in too, his only regret was having to leave his beloved beer fridge and football poster collection behind with his flatmates.

Two years later, on this spot, Edward proposed. The wedding remains a beautiful blur. There were concessions made to family wishes, both would have preferred a simple ceremony and Elsa also regrets her promise vow to "obey" and admits this is not a promise she has kept.

Today, Ted and Elsa are doing it their way and have invited you all to share this celebration. Today is obviously an important family affair and their sons Dylan and Taylor and daughter Kika are here. Only Dylan - at two months of age - managed to make it to the first ceremony so for the others this is quite new. Kika would now like to read this blessing which she has chosen for the occasion:

Wedding Prayer by Robert Louis Stevenson.  Lord, behold our family here assembled. We thank you for this place in which we dwell, for the love that unites us, for the peace accorded us this day, for the hope with which we expect the morrow, for the health, the work, the food, and the bright skies that make our lives delightful; for our friends in all parts of the earth.

and Dylan has chosen this reading: May God bless and keep you always, May your wishes all come true, May you always do for others, And let others do for you. May you build a ladder to the stars and climb on every rung, May you stay forever young, May you grow up to be righteous, May you grow up to be true, May you always know the truth and see the lights surrounding you. May you always be courageous, Stand upright and be strong, May you stay forever young, May your hands always be busy, May your feet always be swift, May you have a strong foundation When the winds of changes shift. May your heart always be joyful, May your song always be sung, May you stay forever young.

This is a very happy day, Ted and Elsa stand before us to declare and celebrate their love and their years of marriage. Their path, like most marriages has not always been easy. Nevertheless they value their commitment and happiness, and this renewal. They believe that they were meant for each other.

Edward, before your family and friends, do you affirm your love for Elsa and reaffirm your decision to take her as your wife? I do.

Elsa, before your family and friends, do you affirm your love for Edward,and reaffirm your decision to take her as your wife? I do

Facing each other, please hold hands and repeat: In the presence of family and friends I declare my love for you and seek blessings for our continued relationship. I will continue to love you, care for you and consider you before my own needs. I will trust you, be honest with you, in good times and in difficult times too, I will rejoice when you are happy and comfort you when you suffer, I will continue to share your hopes for the future and work with you to achieve them. in all this I promise, now and in all the days to come.

Edward, please place this eternity ring on Elsa's finger and repeat after me: I give you this ring, it comes with the blessings of our friends and is a token of my love and commitment to you. Wear it as a pledge of my love and a symbol of all we share.

Elsa, please place this eternity ring on Ted's finger and repeat after me: I give you this ring, it comes with the blessings of our friends and is a token of my love and commitment to you. Wear it as a pledge of my love and a symbol of all we share.

With these words you have set forth on the next phase of your lives. Move forward with the confidence that you do not travel alone. You have reaffirmed your commitment to each other, you have a life-long companion who knows you and accepts you as your are. This is one of life's greatest joys and compliments. You have reaffirmed your commitment to each other in marriage in the presence of those you love best. We wish you every happines, today and throughout the rest of your marriage. Edward, you may kiss your wife.

 

Suzy and Chris

We are gathered here today to celebrate with Suzy and Chris as they reunite in marriage. This is a joyous and momentous occasion because it acknowledges their commitment in deep friendship and love This is not a new union, but one that has been tested, matured, and evolved over time. With this knowing and understanding of each other, you have decided to reaffirm your commitment to spend your lives together.

This partnership has allowed you to grow and become aware of yourselves as unique individuals, united in love, and it is here today that we honor this - the beauty and strength of your love, that you each respect the individuality of the other, allowing the freedom that is necessary if we are truly to be ourselves.

How can you be married without losing your individuality? How can you maintain your individuality without distracting from this unity? The answer is to be found in the unconditional love, which you have found with each other. In love you surrender yourselves, each giving yourself to the other but you do not lose yourself in the other; you find yourself.

Suzy and Chris have chosen a reading from Elizabeth Bowen on the nature of lasting love, their daughter Justine will read it for us: Through the years we have learned a lot about each other, and we have grown together. We have learned about forgiveness; It takes two understanding people to accept one another's faults and still find it in their hearts to forgive each other and forget old arguments. We have learned about friendship; Friends stick together, they're always truthful to each other and always comfort one another in times of turmoil. Most of all, we have learned about love; It is something that takes time and after all our time together our love has never been stronger.

This loving relationship which you promise today to continue to nurture will be for you both, and for everyone whose lives you touch, a blessing. May the gifts of a happy life - the joy of love, the peace of truth, the wisdom and strength of spirit, be your constant companions. .. now and always.

Gary and Meg

Gary and Meg, today is your twenty-fifth wedding anniversary - your silver celebration. One of your major responsibilities during these years has been nurturing and raising your children and tonight, when you renew and reaffirm your marriage vows to each other, you can happily look back on the achievement of raising a family and anticipate all that this new era in your life will bring.

It will be a time when you can concentrate on developing your love for each other, freer than you have been from the struggle to become established in life. Tonight is a night when you reassure each other that your marriage has been built on deep loyalty and loving trust and demonstrate your belief in marriage and in the immense happiness to be discovered in the husband and wife relationship.

You have achieved much together, four happy children, three grandchildren, a successful business, a rewarding career, a home that is full of laughter and love. The stresses of the past have not weakened your love but have made your more determined to work together and now you will exchange your promises for the next 25 years - and beyond.

Gary: 25 years ago I Gary took you Meg to be my lawful wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health. This day I reaffirm that vow.

Meg: 25 years ago I Meg took you Gary to be my lawful husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health. This day I reaffirm that vow.

Gary: Meg, With this ring I reaffirm that we are wed. Take it and wear it as a pledge of my love, of all that we have shared in the past, and all that we will share in the days to come.

Meg's sister Tess will now read from Louis de Berniere's Captain Corelli's Mandolin on the nature of lasting love: 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 roots have so entwined together that it is 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 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.

Gary and Meg have declared, before me, before all of you, their family and friends, the people they love best, that they will continue to live together in marriage. They have made special promises to each other. These have been symbolised by the joining of hands, the taking of vows, and the presentation of a ring. I call upon all present here today to witness with me this reaffirmation. I declare that they have been, and will remain, husband and wife.