HANDS
OF THE BRIDE AND GROOM
[Bride's Name Here], please face
[Groom's Name Here], and hold
his hands, palms up, so you may see
the gift that they are to you.
These are the hands of your best friend,
young and strong and vibrant with love,
that are holding yours on your wedding
day, as he promises to love you all
the days of his life.
These are the hands that will work along
side yours, as together you build your
future, as you laugh and cry, as you
share your innermost secrets and dreams.
These are the hands you will place with
expectant joy against your stomach,
until he too, feels his child stir within
you.
These are the hands that look so large
and strong, yet will be so gentle as
he holds your baby for the first time.
These are the hands that will work long
hours for you and your new family
These are that hands that will passionately
love you and cherish you through the
years, for a lifetime of happiness.
These are the hands that will countless
times wipe the tears from your eyes:
tears of sorrow and tears of joy
These are the hands that will comfort
you in illness, and hold you when fear
or grief wrack your mind.
These are the hands that will tenderly
lift your chin and brush your cheek
as they raise your face to look into
his eyes: eyes that are filled completely
with his overwhelming love and desire
for you.
[Groom's Name Here], please hold
[Bride's Name Here]’s hands,
palms up, where you may see the gift
that they are to you. These are the
hands of your best friend, smooth, young
and carefree, that are holding yours
on your wedding day, as she pledges
her love and commitment to you all the
days of her life.
These are the hands that will hold each
child in tender love, soothing them
through illness and hurt, supporting
and encouraging them along the way,
and knowing when it is time to let go
These are the hands that will massage
tension from you neck and back in the
evenings after you’ve both had a long
hard day.
These are the hands that will hold you
tight as you struggle through difficult
times
These are the hands that will comfort
you when you are sick, or console you
when you are grieving.
They are the hands that will passionately
love you and cherish you through the
years, for a lifetime of happiness.
These are the hands that will hold you
in joy and excitement and hope, each
time she tells you that you are to have
another child, that together you have
created a new life.
These are the hands that will give you
support as she encourages you to chase
down your dreams. Together as a team,
everything you wish for can be realized.
Minister:
God, bless these hands that you see
before you this day. May they always
be held by one another. Give them the
strength to hold on during the storms
of stress and the dark of disillusionment.
Keep them tender and gentle as they
nurture each other in their wondrous
love. Help these hands to continue building
a relationship founded in your grace,
rich in caring, and devoted in reaching
for your perfection. May [Groom's
Name Here] and [Bride's Name
Here] see their four hands as healer,
protector, shelter and guide. We ask
this in your name, Amen.