Our Loving Cup Vows

The Loving Cup
Celtic tradition includes a shared drink from the loving cup, called the quaich in Scottish or cuach in old Gaelic. Different versions of the loving cup include the traditional quaich, shaped like a 2-handled bowl and often having a inlaid Celtic design. The purpose of the loving cup ceremony is for the wedding couple to share their first drink together and to show the coming together of two families. The cup is then passed down from generation to generation, ensuring happiness and good fortune to all who drink from it. This is a special moment for the couple to toast their love, devotion, and friendship.

The Shared Cup is an ancient tradition practiced amoung many cultures, such as
the Irish, the Scottish, and the French. As Tia and Lori share this drink,
that sharing becomes a symbol of their unity and of the joining of two families.
During the ceremony this evening, they will share three drinks from this cup.
Celtic traditions held all trinities as sacred and offered prayers such as this
at the beginning of all unions.

The Mighty Three
My protection be
Encircling me
You are around
My life,
My love,
My home,
Encircling me
O Sacred Three
We ask the maker
Of the sky,
Of the earth,
Of the water,
To encircle this couple,
May the Lord surround them with sacred love
And protect them today and every day
As they stand together in holy unity

Tia

I share with you this cup of wine, with honey to sweeten all of our days, with bitterness to remind us to care for each other in need, with fruit to nourish each other though times of want or bounty, and with spices to teach us to find enrichment in all of life's simple pleasures. As I give this drink to you, so do I pledge you always the first bite of my meat and the first drink from my cup.

Lori takes the cup from Tia and drinks

Lori

As I give this drink to you, so do I pledge that yours will be the name I cry in the night and the eyes into which I smile in the morning. I put my living and my dying into your care and promise to no strangers will go our grievances. Your loved ones shall be as mine and mine as yours and, while we both wish it, I will give to you all that which is mine to give, and share equally all that is mine to share.

Tia takes the cup from Lori and drinks.