The Rose Ceremony is simple yet profoundly moving. The bride and groom

exchange two red roses, symbolizing the giving and receiving of their love for

each other throughout their entire married life. The Rose Ceremony also conveys

how to use the rose and its symbolism in difficult times in order to forgive

each other. 

"Your gift to each other for your wedding today has been your wedding rings -

which shall always be an outward demonstration of your vows of love and respect;

and a public showing of your commitment to each other.

You now have what remains the most honorable title which may exist between a

man and a woman - the title of "husband" and "wife." For your first gift as

husband and wife, that gift will be a single rose.

In the past, the rose was considered a symbol of love and a single rose

always meant only one thing - it meant the words "I love you." So it is

appropriate that for your first gift - as husband and wife - that gift would be

a single rose.

Please exchange your first gift as husband and wife. In some ways it seems

like you have not done anything at all. Just a moment ago you were holding one

small rose - and now you are holding one small rose. In some ways, a marriage

ceremony is like this. In some ways, tomorrow is going to seem no different than

yesterday. But in fact today, just now, you both have given and received one of

the most valuable and precious gifts of life - one I hope you always remember -

the gift of true and abiding love within the devotion of marriage.

_________ and _____________, I would ask that where ever you make your home

in the future - whether it be a large and elegant home - or a small and graceful

one - that you both pick one very special location for roses; so that on each

anniversary of this truly wonderful occasion you both may take a rose to that

spot both as a recommitment to your marriage - and a recommitment that THIS will

be a marriage based upon love.

In every marriage there are times where it is difficult to find the right

words. It is easiest to hurt who we most love. It is easiest to be most hurt by

who we most love. It might be difficult some time to words to say "I am sorry"

or "I forgive you"; "I need you" or "I am hurting". If this should happen, if

you simply can not find these words, leave a rose at that spot which both of you

have selected - for that rose than says what matters most of all and should

overpower all other things and all other words.

That rose says the words: "I still love you." The other should accept this

rose for the words which cannot be found, and remember the love and hope that

you both share today.

__________ and ________, if there is anything you remember of this marriage

ceremony, it is that it was love that brought you here today, it is only love

which can make it a glorious union, and it is by love which your marriage shall

endure."