Rose Ceremony

PARENTS’ ROSE CEREMONIES

#1

BLENDING FAMILIES (Couple—Parents)

This wedding is also a family celebration.  It is the blending of two families, separate to this moment, but united from this day forward.  (Bride) and (Groom) wish to honor this blending of families by presenting a rose to their mothers in symbol of their appreciation for the foundational, unconditional love, support and wisdom both mother and father provided so freely throughout their lives to this juncture.

Bride and groom exchange hugs with her parents and present a rose to the bride’s mother.
Bride and groom exchange hugs with his parents and present a rose to the grooms mother.

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#2

BLENDING TRADITIONS (Couple—Parents)

This wedding is also a celebration of family.  It is the blending of two families, separate up to this moment, but united from this day forward…blending different traditions, strengthening the family tree.  Parents plant so their children may harvest.  Mom’s and Dad’s cry when their children hurt, and welcome the pain and burden of bringing sons and daughters to life and maturity.

(Bride) and (Groom) wish to honor this blending of the families by presenting a rose to their mothers in appreciation of their parents for the many selfless sacrifices they have made and for their unconditional love so freely given.

Bride and groom exchange hugs with her parents and present a rose to the bride’s mother.
Bride and groom exchange hugs with his parents and present a rose to the groom’s mother.

#3

FATHER’S / MOTHER’S COUNSEL (Mom/Dad—daughter/son)

(Bride), it is my hope that from me you learned some important things, like things that are central to life — commitment, love, loyalty, “being there”.  I tried my best to teach, by example, that life is very complex, that there are no final solutions, there is only commitment to the search for quality and genuineness.

I sought to instill in you the value human relationships, to run from bigotry and expose it when you find it, to believe in the value of books, to respect education and learning and to admire goodness, integrity and wisdom. And let’s not forget humor. As well, despite myself, I demonstrated above all, that a thoughtful and examined life requires difficult choices; that instant fixes rarely fix anything. It is determination to persistently pursue quality in character and faithfulness to those who trust us stimulates a life of optimism and hopefulness.

We live in a society which sells trivial answers for every complex human dilemma. It has always been my hope that you would draw from deep wells of strength to enable perpetual grow in your life and relationships.

These are the things that I have aspired to and sought to instill in your life. May you walk in these virtues in your personal, married and family life through all of the years God grants you to enjoy those you love. May you continue becoming more and more the kind of woman I dreamed of raising.

#4

FOR MOM AND DAD (Couple—Parents)

(The Ceremony Table is directly behind Officiant.  On the Ceremony Table there is a rose (usually red) for each parent.  A musical selection may play softly during the following:)

At this time the Bride and Groom wish to honor their parents.

Today, as ___(Groom)_____ and ___(Bride)_____ embrace their commitment to one another, so they also embrace their families. The couple would like to acknowledge the love and sacrifice that each of their parents has made and to thank them for everything they have instilled in them.

This wedding is also a celebration of family.  It is the blending of two families, separate up to this moment, but united from this day forward.  It is only out of families that new families emerge; blending their different traditions and strengthening the family tree.

___(Groom)_____ and ___(Bride)_____ wish to honor this blending of families and to thank them for their wisdom, support, and unconditional love that has been so freely given to them throughout their lives.

(Officiant picks up the roses from the Ceremony Table.)

Please take these flowers, symbols of your separate lives and that of your individual families, and present them to your parents as a reminder that they will always be in your hearts.

(The volume of the music may be turned up as Bride and Groom take the roses from Officiant and, together, present them to Groom’s parents and Bride’s parents, offering them kisses if they wish.)

(The music fades and stops as Couple returns to their previous place in front of Officiant.)

 #5

FROM SEED TO FLOWER (Couple—Parents)

(The Ceremony Table is directly behind Officiant.  On the Ceremony Table there is a rose (usually red) for each parent.  A musical selection may play softly during the following:)

At this time the Bride and Groom wish to honor their parents.

The love that _(Groom)_ and _(Bride)_ feel for one another is the flowering of a seed their parents planted in their hearts many years ago.  When their parents welcomed them into this world, they also welcomed the obligations and demands that caring for a child would bring.  The love they each had for their child brought them great happiness and great challenges, and this love did not diminish as they met these challenges.

Today, as _(Groom)_ and _(Bride)_  embrace their commitment to one another, they also embrace their parents who have come here to celebrate this happy occasion.  The couple now wishes to thank their parents for everything they have instilled in them, and want them to know that they are forever grateful for their support.

(Officiant picks up the roses from the Ceremony Table.)

Please take these flowers, symbols of your appreciation, love, respect, and admiration, and present them to your parents.

(The volume of the music may be turned up as Bride and Groom take the roses from Officiant and, together, present them to Groom’s parents and Bride’s parents, offering them kisses if they wish.)

(The music fades and stops as Couple returns to their previous place in front of Officiant.)

 MOTHER’S ROSE CEREMONIES

 #6
HONOUR TO MOTHER (Couple—Mothers)

Marriage is a coming together of two lives, and a celebration of the love of two people. But it is more. The love that you feel for one another is the flowering of a seed your mothers planted in your hearts many years ago. When you were first born, you were a bundle of diapers and tears, and your mothers lost sleep caring for you. Their love for you has brought them great happiness and great challenges, and their love did not diminish as they met these challenges. That is the great lesson you can bring into your marriage. As you embrace one another in your love, so too do you embrace the families which have been brought together on this happy occasion. As a token of your gratitude for your families, I would like to ask you to offer these symbols of eternal love, these roses, to your mothers. (Both bride and groom can hand the roses to each mother together, offering the mothers kisses if they wish.)

#13
A MOTHER’S SACRIFICE

(The Ceremony Table is directly behind Officiant.  On the Ceremony Table there is a rose (usually red) for each mother.  A musical selection may play softly during the following:)

At this time the Bride and Groom wish to honor their mothers.

The couple would like to honor the love and sacrifice that each of their mothers has made.  This love and sacrifice has made their children into who they are today; a man and woman who are both ready to be in a committed, loving marriage of their own.  They wish to acknowledge their mothers for the many sacrifices they have made and for the unconditional love so freely given to their children.

This wedding is also a celebration of family.  It is a blending of two families, separate up to this moment, but united from this day forward.  Today we unite these families by the marriage of _(Groom)_ and _(Bride)_.

(Officiant picks up the roses from the Ceremony Table.)

The couple now wishes to thank their mothers and to honor this blending of their families, by presenting a rose to each of their mothers.

(The volume of the music may be turned up as Bride and Groom take the roses from Officiant and, together, present them to each mother, offering the mothers kisses if they wish.)

(The music fades and stops as Couple returns to their previous place in front of Officiant.)

#7
FOR MOM (Couple—Mother)

(The Ceremony Table is directly behind Officiant.  On the Ceremony Table there is a rose (usually red) for each mother.  A musical selection may play softly during the following:)

At this time the Bride and Groom wish to honor their mothers.

Marriage is a coming together of two lives and a celebration of the love of two people. But it is more. The love that ___(Groom)_ and ___(Bride)_____ feel for one another is the flowering of a seed that their mothers planted in their hearts years ago. Mothers plant so that their children may harvest and share this unconditional love that has been so freely given to them.

The couple now wishes to thank their mothers for everything they have instilled in them, and want them to know that their love and support is very much appreciated.

(Officiant picks up the roses from the Ceremony Table.)

As a sign of their love, ___(Groom)_____ and ___(Bride)_____ would like to offer these roses to their mothers as a reminder that they are always in their hearts.

(The volume of the music may be turned up as Bride and Groom take the roses from Officiant and, together, present them to each mother, offering the mothers kisses if they wish.)

(The music fades and stops as Couple returns to their previous place in front of Officiant.)

COUPLE’S ROSE CEREMONIES

#8
ELEGANT LANGUAGE (Bride—Groom)

This ceremony is between bride and groom, and is usually placed near the end of the ceremony, just before you are pronounced husband and wife.

In the elegant language of flowers, red roses symbolize love, for this reason it is fitting that the first gift you exchange as husband and wife be a single red rose.

Groom takes one of the roses and presents it to the bride, saying…
“Take this rose as a symbol of my love.  Just as our love began as a tiny bud and bloomed, so may our love blossom to a sweetest, most fragrant life of delight.”

Bride takes the other red rose and presents it to the groom saying…
“Take this rose as a symbol of my love.  Once closed so tightly, it opened to the warmth of the sun, as my heart has opened to the warmth of your kindness and devotion.”

(Bride) and (Groom) , in remembrance of this
day, I would ask as a reaffirmation of your love and of the vows you have spoken here today that you give each other a single red rose each year on your anniversary.

In every marriage there are times when it is difficult to find the right words, and the ones we love the most are the ones we can most easily hurt.  There are times when it may be difficult to say, “I’m sorry” or “I forgive you” or “I need you” or “I’m hurting.” At times when words fail, leave a red rose for each other…a rose that  says so eloquently the truth that  matters more anything else, the fact that transcends the worth of any obstructive influence, that precious, essential and  cohesive phrase, “I still love you.”

#9
OUTWARD DEMONSTRATION (Bride—Groom)

For your wedding today, your gift to each other has been
your wedding rings, designed to be an outward demonstration
of your vows of love and respect; and a public display of your
commitment to each other.

Since traditionally, red roses have symbolized love, in accordance with your desire and intent, now, in symbol of the love you share, the love that has brought you to this juncture in your lives, for your first gift as husband and wife, gift each other now with the timeless beauty of a single red rose.

On the surface it is as though this small gift means so little, just a small bloom, so delicate and fragrant. In some ways, a marriage ceremony is like this.  In some ways,
tomorrow is going to seem no different than yesterday.  But in fact today, just now, you both have given and received one of the most valuable and precious gifts of life…one I hope you always remember…the gift of true and abiding love within the devotion of marriage.

(Bride) and (Groom) , I would ask that where ever you make your home in the future…whether it be 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 this truly wonderful occasion you both may take a rose to that spot both as a re-commitment to your marriage…and a re-commitment that this will be a marriage based on love.

In every marriage there are times when it is difficult to find the right words, and the ones we love the most are the ones we can most easily hurt.  There are times when it may be difficult to say, “I’m sorry” or “I forgive you” or “I need you” or “I’m 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 says what matters most of all and should overpower all things and other words.

A rose that says: “ 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.

(Bride) and (Groom) , 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.

#10
THE LOVE ROSE – SHORT (Bride—Groom)

(Bride) and (Groom), you will remember this day for the rest of your lives. Those of us who are already married know that marriage, like life, brings with it many joys and also many challenges. We also know that love, while beautiful, does not always show its prettiest face. There are days when we may find it hard to express the depth of our love for one another. It is my hope and prayer that the two of you will set aside a special place in your home for roses, ancient symbols of love. When words fail you, or when the challenges of life or marriage begin to weigh on you, go out and get a rose, and put it in that special place in your home, so that the other will be reminded of this moment, and of the love you feel for one another. As a token of that love, I would like to ask you to make these roses your first gifts to one another as a married couple.

We are familiar with two wedding traditions in which roses are used. In one, the mothers are given roses as tokens of the bride and groom’s love for family. This is often kept a secret from the family until the roses are presented. In another, roses are exchanged as the bride and groom’s first gifts to one another as a married couple. Please let us know if you would like roses incorporated into your ceremony, and we will discuss further how you want them included.

#11
THE LOVE ROSE – LONG (Bride—Groom)

In the Rose Ceremony, the Bride and Groom give each other a Rose. Two roses are all that is necessary. The Rose Ceremony is placed at the end of the ceremony just before being pronounced husband and wife. It goes like this:

A single red rose always means “I love you”. 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. Now for your first gift as husband and wife I want you now to give each other the rose you hold.

(Exchange Roses)

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

And try to remember this: In every marriage there are times where it is difficult to find the right words. It might be difficult some time to say “I am sorry” or “I forgive you”; “I need you” or “I am hurting”. If this should happen, if you simply can not find these words to express what you really feel, Go to that spot that you both have selected and there leave a rose. That rose placed in that special location can say what matters most of all. The rose you place there will say the words: “I still love you.” The other should accept this rose for the words which can not be found, and remember the love and hope that you both share today.

(Bride) and (Groom), if there is anything you remember of this marriage ceremony, remember this, 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.

#12
FIRST GIFT (Bride—Groom)

A single red rose always meant “I love you”.

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.

But for your first gift as husband and wife I want you now to give each other the gift of a single rose. So please exchange your first gift as husband and wife; a gift of true and abiding love within the devotion of marriage.

Remember, the single rose says the words: “I love you”.

There may be times filled with happiness, sorrow, tears or laughter, whatever it may be, remember love has given you wings; your journey begins today; (Bride) and (Groom), if there is anything you remember of this marriage ceremony, remember the love that brought you here today, it is only love which can make your marriage a glorious union, and it is by love that your marriage will endure.

#13

ROSE CEREMONY

The Rose is a symbol of love, and a single rose always means only one thing – it means the words “I LOVE YOU”, so it is appropriate that for your first gift as husband and wife, that this gift would be a single rose.

<exchange roses>

Just now, you both have given and received the valuable and precious gifts of love… one I hope you will always remember – the gift of true and abiding eternal love.

(Groom)__ and _(Bride)__ I would like to ask that wherever you make your home as your life together evolves… that you both pick one very special location for the roses: so that on each anniversary of this truly wonderful occasion you both may take a rose to that spot as a recommitment to your marriage based on real true love.

In every marriage there are times where it is difficult to find the right words.  It is easiest to hurt those we most love and is easiest to be most hurt by those we most love.  It may be difficult at times to find the words to say “I am sorry”, or “I forgive you”, “I need you” or “I am hurting”.  If this should happen, leave a rose at that spot you selected… for that rose then says what matters most of all – and that is your LOVE.

The rose still says the words “I love you”.  The other should accept the rose for the words which can not be found and remember the love and hope that you both share today. (Groom)_ and _(Bride)__, if there is anything you remember of this ceremony, it is that it was love that brought you together, that brought you this day.  It is only love which can make it a glorious union and it is by love which your marriage shall endure forever.

REMEMBRANCE ROSE CEREMONY

#14
REMEMBRANCE ROSE

(The Ceremony Table is directly behind Officiant.  On the Ceremony Table there are white roses for those being remembered.  A musical selection may play softly during the following:)

At this time the Bride and Groom wish to honor those loved ones who are not with us today.

Marriage is a coming together of two lives and a celebration of the love of two people.  Today, as they embrace each other in their love, they wish to honor those whom they cannot embrace:  those not here to celebrate this happy occasion, the loved ones who have passed on.

(Officiant picks up the roses from the Ceremony Table.)

As a symbol of remembrance for these loved ones, ___(Groom)_ and ___(Bride)_____ would like to offer these roses as an expression of their eternal love.

(The volume of the music may be turned up as Bride and Groom take the roses from Officiant and, together, place them on the Remembrance Table or on Remembrance Chairs.)

(The music fades and stops as Couple returns to their previous place in front of Officiant.)

CHILDREN IN A ROSE CEREMONY

Not only are _(Bride)_ and _(Groom)_ creating a marriage today, but they also are forming a family with (Child or Children’s names). Just as it is appropriate for _(Bride)_ and _(Groom)_ to begin their marriage by affirming their love for each other by exchanging Roses, they also wish to show their love for (Child/Children’s names) with a gift of a rose.
The Bride and Groom then hand the child or each of the children a rose, give a hug and whisper “I love you”.

 

© Rev. Ray Cross
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