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Wording for wedding ceremony of Michela Ledwidge and Michelle Bourke as deemed "appropriate" by the British General Register Office
3.30pm Wednesday 3rd January 2001.
(nb. Michela is pronounced the same way as ‘Michaela’. ie Mi-Kay-La)
Good afternoon everyone. My name is _______________________, the Superintendent Registrar who will be conducting your wedding ceremony today. With me is ________________________ the Registrar.
On behalf of Michela and Michelle, I would like to thank you for being here today to share with them this event in their lives, and to witness their marriage vows.
However, if any person here present knows of any lawful impediment to this marriage then he or she should declare it now.
Marriage requires dedication, the ability to listen, the wisdom to know when we are wrong and the humility to be able to put things right. Above all it requires unfailing respect.
Marriage is a fluid relationship that assumes many different forms throughout the years, a relationship that is always growing or changing. If you are growing individuals, different today from yesterday, and if you can communicate this growth emotionally, philosophically and physically, your marriage over the years will remain vital and creative.
Marriage requires closeness and distance – closeness for a couple growing together, and enough distance to allow each partner to be individual. A good partner in such a marriage will be loving, caring, and above all a best friend.
It is in this spirit that Michela and Michelle are now before us.
Before you are joined in matrimony it is my duty to remind you that the vows you are about to make are solemn and binding in law.
I am now going to ask each of you to declare that you know of no lawful reason why you may not be joined in matrimony to each other.
Michela, please repeat after me.
I DO SOLEMNLY DECLARE, THAT I KNOW NOT, OF ANY LAWFUL IMPEDIMENT, WHY I MICHELA LEDWIDGE MAY NOT BE JOINED IN MATRIMONY, TO MICHELLE BOURKE.
Michelle, please repeat after me.
I DO SOLEMNLY DECLARE, THAT I KNOW NOT, OF ANY LAWFUL IMPEDIMENT, WHY I MICHELLE BOURKE MAY NOT BE JOINED IN MATRIMONY, TO MICHELA LEDWIDGE.
Now the solemn moment has come for this couple to make their marriage contract with eachother. Will the witnesses please stand.
Michela, please repeat after me.
I CALL UPON, THESE PERSONS HERE PRESENT, TO WITNESS THAT I MICHELA LEDWIDGE DO TAKE THEE MICHELLE BOURKE TO BE MY LAWFUL WEDDED WIFE.
Michelle, please repeat after me.
I CALL UPON, THESE PERSONS HERE PRESENT, TO WITNESS THAT I MICHELLE BOURKE DO TAKE THEE MICHELA LEDWIDGE TO BE MY LAWFUL WEDDED HUSBAND.
Michela and Michelle you have both now made the declarations required by law, and you have also made your own solemn promise to eachother in the presence of your witnesses here today.
It gives me great pleasure to declare that you are now legally wed.
Congratulations!