Ladies and gentlemen my name is Bernard Morey and I am a civil celebrant registered within the state of Victoria. Today we are here today to celebrate the love of Matthew and Kimberley through the ritual that we call marriage. Marriage is a commitment to life, The best that two people can find and bring out in each other. It offers opportunities for sharing and growth that no other relationship can equal. It is a physical and an emotional joining that encompasses all of life's most important relationships. A wife and a husband are each other's best friend, confidant, lover, teacher, listener, and critic. Marriage understands and forgives the mistakes life is unable to avoid. It encourages and nurtures new life, new experiences, and new ways of expressing a love that is deeper than life. But most of all marriage is a promise, a potential made in the hearts of two people who love each other and takes a lifetime to fulfill.

On behalf of Matthew and Kimberley I thank you for your blessings. 

Today Matthew and Kimberley are not just joined by their parents but by their friends and family. Now, two of Matthew and Kimberley's closest friends will join us to give their blessings to this union.

John and Kate, will you enter this circle in perfect trust and perfect love? “We will” John, what do you bring with you today? “The sword.” Kate, what do you bring with you today? “The besom.” [John and Kate give their blessings] Thank you both.

And now, let us welcome Matthew and Kimberley into the circle. Matthew, is it true that you come of your own free will and accord and that you will enter this circle with perfect trust and perfect love in your heart? “I will” Kimberley, is it true that you too come of your own free will and accord and that you will enter this circle with perfect trust and perfect love in your heart? “I will”.

The wedding ring is the outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual bond which unites two hearts in love. Matthew Ellis, please step forward with the rings. Matthew, will you take Kimberley to be your wife? Will you love her, comfort her, honour and respect her? Will you share all life has to offer – your hopes and your dreams, your achievements and disappointments – with her from this day forward? “I will.” Matthew I do not have the right to bind you to Kimberley; only you have this right. If it be your wish, say so at this time and place your ring on her hand.

Kimberley, will you take Matthew to be your husband? Will you love him, comfort him, honour and respect him? Will you share all life has to offer – your hopes and your dreams, your achievements and disappointments – with him from this day forward? “I will.” Kimberley I do not have the right to bind you to Matthew; only you have this right. If it be your wish, say so at this time and place your ring on his hand.

And now I will ask Allison to come forward with the reading, 'Love is an Attitude' by Walter Rinder.

LOVE IS AN ATTITUDE
by Walter Rinder

Every day you live,
Learn how to love,
take time with each other;
Restore each other’s soul,
With loving words
Receive love
With as much understanding
As you give it.
Find that which is within yourself
Then you can share it with each other.
Do not fear this love,
And do not fear this marriage,
But keep open hearts and sincere minds.
Be sincerely interested in each other’s happiness,
Be too, constant and consistent in your love,
And in your actions from this, as you know,
comes security and strength.
All that we love deeply becomes a part of us
So even though you retain your individuality,
today in a real sense you also become one,
In a true unity.
That this may be deep and rewarding,
Today, the day of your marriage,
Try to commit yourselves,
Fully and freely and trustingly,
To each other, without reservations.

Thank you Allison. Emily and Alana please come forward with the handfasting ribbons. Now, to signify the binding of their two hearts, souls, and families into one, Matthew and Kimberley will be handfasted, that is joined by the bonds of love, represented by these ribbons. But for such bonds to be strong, they need support – not only from the couple themselves, but from the support of their family, friends and greater community. While I bind their hands, please focus your thoughts on your own commitment to the joining of this couple.

Matthew and Kimberley, will you please face each other and hold hands. These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours today as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow and as long as your love shall last. These are the hands that will work alongside yours as together you build your Future. These are the hands that will love you and cherish you through the years and will comfort you like no other. These are the hands that may one day hold your children and help you to hold your family as one. These four hands will give you support as you build your life and future. Reaching first out to each other, then united towards the world, these hands will be your strength, your shield, your shelter and your guide.

Now I ask, will you cause each other pain? “We may.” Is that your intent? “Never.” Will you share each other's pain and seek to ease it? “Always.” Will you share each others laugher? “Yes.” Will you both look for the brightness in life and the positive in each other? “We will.” Will you burden each other? “We may.” Is that your intent? “Never.” Will you share the burdens of each, so that your spirits may grow in this union? “Always.” Do you trust each other? “Yes.” Will you betray that trust? “Never.” Will you cause each other anger? “We may.” Is that your intent? “Never.” Will you take the heat of anger, and use it to temper the strength of this union? “Always.” Will you honour each other? “Yes,” Will you both seek to never give cause to break that honour?  “We will.” [ribbon is tied]

This knot that binds their two hands together represents an indissoluble union; two lovers bound together no matter the circumstances that present themselves and now I ask everyone here today, will you promise to support Matthew and Kimberley throughout this marriage? “We will.”

Ladies and gentlemen, today Matthew and Kimberley have declared before all of us that they will live together in marriage. They have made special promises to each other. They have symbolised this by the joining of hands, taking of vows and giving and receiving of rings. You have gathered here as family and friends and have witnessed these vows of love and faithfulness by Matthew and Kimberley to each other. You have also made promises to support them in their marriage.

I ask you now to share in their joy as I now declare them to be – husband and wife. Matthew, you may kiss your bride. It gives me the greatest pleasure to present this official certificate of Marriage to Mr and Mrs Matthew and Kimberley Parslow.