The Welcome and Opening Blessing

We welcome you tonight as we gather in joy to bear witness to this happy and sacred event, and to offer our love and support to this union. Tonight we celebrate the joining of Tia and Lori in the age-old ceremony of marriage.

With open hearts we humbly welcome and invoke the blessings of the Lord of All Creation, even as we know that He is with us now, always and wherever two or more are gathered in the name of Love.

The oldest and most powerful force under the heavens is love, and yet love is always unique and new. Love expresses itself through patience and kindness, through truth and trust. It is never selfish or vain, never self-serving, but instead the foundation of hopes and dreams. Love gives freely of itself and asks no more than is offered freely in return.

Love is the light in our lives that kindles warmth in our hearts and our dreams, the warmth that nourishes the spirit and creates the spark of faith that brings the peace and blessings of the Lord of Light into our lives.

Tonight we celebrate and kindle the flame of love amidst family and friends and through the sharing of that love are we all renewed.