Who gives this women to be married today?

"I do" and then joins his wife.

I would like to invite __________________ to come up and present a special reading requested by __________________ and _________________.

The bride’s and groom’s parents some forward and light a candle each and then together with the bride and groom they light a single larger candle with there two signifying the joining together of the two into one.

As the two candles from both families come together into a single flame, may the joy and love that _____________ and _________________ share unite them as one. What was two is now one joined together in love and commitment to each other.

(If there are children of either the bride or groom)

Marriage is for children too! For them it is, or can be, more than just witnessing. There is an opportunity for them to bring themselves into the new family and in a symbolic sense to give themselves to this new venture as they bring a "Gift of love" which they will present now to ____________ and ___________.

(The children come bearing flowers, which are given to the Bride and Groom.)

Hand Fasting ritual is performed, whereby the Bride and Groom's hands are bound by a natural woven thread, fibre or cloth, and just before the 'Giving of Rings' the binding is slipped off with the knot still intact, signifying the fact they will always be 'bound together in marriage'. (Many couples who have a civil ceremony today, just incorporate Hand Fasting into their ceremony without any of the other traditions.)

During the signing of the register a music recital is presented by a family friend.