| The Rose Ceremony |
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The Rose Ceremony may be added to any other ceremony
In the Rose Ceremony, the Bride and Groom give each other a Rose. Two
roses are all that is necessary. If you have children coming into the
ceremony, you may have a rose for each of them also. The Rose Ceremony
is placed at the end of the ceremony just before being pronounced husband
and wife. Also the mothers may be presented with roses on exit.
In more elegant days, flowers were used as a means of communication. Each
Flower had a special meaning. In the old language of flowers, a single red
rose always meant "I love you". The Rose ceremony gives recognition to the
new and most honorable title of "Husband and Wife" and the true meaning
of the ceremony - in ways that can endure through your married life
together. This is a unique and meaningful addition to any marriage
ceremony that will also inspire your guests
In the Rose Ceremony, the Bride and Groom give each other a Rose. Two
roses are all that is necessary. If you have children coming into the
ceremony, you may have a rose for each of them also. The Rose Ceremony
is placed at the end of the ceremony just before being pronounced husband
and wife. Also the mothers may be presented with roses on exit.
In more elegant days, flowers were used as a means of communication. Each
Flower had a special meaning. In the old language of flowers, a single red
rose always meant "I love you". The Rose ceremony gives recognition to the
new and most honorable title of "Husband and Wife" and the true meaning
of the ceremony - in ways that can endure through your married life
together. This is a unique and meaningful addition to any marriage
ceremony that will also inspire your guests
| 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 will 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 for your first gift - as husband and wife - that gift would be a single rose. Please exchange your first gift as husband and wife. (Sometimes a couple will play a special song at this point). In some ways it seems like you have not done anything at all. Just a moment ago you were holding one small rose - and now you are holding one small rose. 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. (Optional) ADDING CHILDREN TO THE ROSE CEREMONY: " Not only are __________ and ____________ creating a marriage today, but they also are forming a family with (Child or Children's names). Just as it is appropriate for _______________ and _______________ to begin their marriage by affirming their love fore 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". _________ and _____________, 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 for roses; so that on each anniversary of this truly wonderful occasion you both may take a rose to that spot both as a recommitment to your marriage - and a recommitment that THIS will be a marriage based upon love. In every marriage there are times where it is difficult to find the right words. It is easiest to hurt who we most love. It is easiest to be most hurt by who we most love. It might be difficult some time to find words 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, 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 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 can not be found, and remember the love and hope that you both share today. __________ and ________, 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." (Optional) Presenting Roses to Mothers Couples will often stop on their exit and hand the mother of the bride and the mother of the groom each their Rose, whispering "I love you" before proceeding with their exit. |