For those who did / are doing the hands ceremony..

This is the order of my ceremony:

prelude
processional
opening prayer
first reading
gospel reading
homily
rite of marriage
vows
blessing of the rings
lighting of the unity candle
nuptial blessing
final blessing
recessional

Where did you do the bride and groom hands prayer? Also, does the priest perform this or do I choose someone to read it (as if it was a biblical reading)? Thanks!

We did not have a full mass at our ceremony...just the ceremony. We had no other readings besides the Hands Reading, so we did it first - pretty much before everything except the processional and opening prayer. I had a my MOH read it. Ideally, I would have liked to have a close friend/relative who was happily married for a long time read it but because we dont have any close happily married friends/family - I had my MOH read it.

We did not get married in a church so we customized our ceremony

Purpose of Marriage

Reading

Exchange of Vows

Blessing of Hands

Exchange of Rings

Circle of Acceptance

Lighting of Unity Candle

Declaration of Marriage

Presentation of Couple

The whole thing was a little over 15 minutes. Our Reverend read the hands ceremony & asked us to hold each others hands accordingly during it.

The circle of acceptance was a special blessing with vows for our kids that said they wanted to form our new family(Dh has a daughter & I have a son)

The hands of the bride & groom(we modified it to suit our situation) I don't have the original anymore)

The Hands of the Bride and Groom

Reverend speaks
Kelly, please face Rich, and hold his hands, palms up, so you may see the gift that they are to you. (Bride and groom should be facing each other, his upturned hands resting in hers.)
These are the hands, 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 passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness. These are the hands that will 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 rack your mind. These are the hands that will comfort & encourage your children to be the best they can be. These are the hands that will work long hours for you and your new family, so that you may enjoy life’s successes. 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.

Reverend speaks
Rich, please hold Kelly's hands, palms up, where you may see the gift that they are to you. (Bride should now place her upturned hands in the Groom's hands.)
These are the hands that are 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 passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness. These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times. They are the hands that will comfort you when you are sick or console you when you are grieving. These are the hands that will hold your children in tender love, soothing them through illness and hurts, supporting and encouraging them along the way, and knowing when it's time to let go. These are the hands that will lovingly work to make your house a home. 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.

Reverend
Dear God, bless the 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 love. Help these hands to continue building a relationship founded in trust, rich in caring, and respect. May Kelly and Rich see their four hands as a symbol of their everlasting devotion to each other and their children.

I modified the hands reading a bit to make it more appropriate for us:



Sorry so big.

ours was right before our vows (ours too was modified slightly)

I think you can do whatever you'd like with it, it can be done as a reading. I changed it quite a bit from the original version I had. It's a beautiful addition to a ceremony, make it work to suit your needs

but what about the ending and the amen. how would you end it?

Shel: Just eliminate the last line entirely. I dont think you need it. The second to last line is a nice closing IMO.

Liz: Why didnt the priest want you to use it? Did he give you a reason?

Kelly,

What is The Purpose of Marriage? A reading?