Words To
"The Rose Ceremony"

Your gift to each other for your wedding today has been your wedding rings - which shall always be an outward demonstration of your vows of love and respect; and a public showing of your commitment to each other.

You now have what remains the most honorable title which may exist between a man and a woman- the title of "husband" and "wife". For your first gift as husband and wife, that gift shall be a single rose.

In the past, the rose was considered a symbol of love; and a single rose always meant only one thing - it meant the words "I love you". So, it is appropriate that your first gift - as husband and wife - that gift would be a single rose. Please exchange your first gift as husband and wife.

(Sometimes the couple will play a special song at this point)

Vicky and Dennis, I would ask that where ever you make your home in the future - wheter it be a large and elegant home - or a small and graceful one - that you both pick one very special location for roses; so that on each anniversary of the truly wonderful occasion you both may take a rose to that spot as a recommitment to your marriage - as a recommitment that THIS will be a marriage based upon love.

In every marriage there are times when it is difficult to find the right words.

It is easiest to hurt who we love the most. It is easiest to be most hurt by who we most love.

It might be difficult some time to find the words to say "I am sorry" or " I forgive you", "I need you", or "I am hurting". If this should happen, if you simply cannot find these words; leave a rose at that spot which both of you have selected - for that rose that says what matters most of all should overpower all other things and all other words.

That rose says the words: "I still love you."

The other should accept this rose for the words which cannot be found, and remember the love and hope that you both share today.

Vicky and Dennis, if there is anything you remember of this marriage ceremony, it is that it was love that brought you here today, it is only love which can make it a glorious union, and it is by love which your marriage shall endure."