CONCH SHELL

Before we begin our ceremony today, I would like to start by blowing the conch shell or the Pu as we know it here in Hawaii.

This was important to the people of Hawaii because it was used to call to their families and friends near and far and let them know that something important was happening there.

It would let everyone know that, “Hey, come here and bear witness to what is happening. Come, gather, and celebrate with us on this momentous occasion.”

And of course we have something very important happening at this place, at this time.

The union between (BRIDE) and (GROOM).

So we call to your family and friends near and far to be here to celebrate with us in mind, in heart and in love.

 
@MeewMeew Studios

@MeewMeew Studios

 

MEANING OF ALOHA

Before we begin, I would like to greet everyone with this beautiful word from Hawaii that has been a Gift to the world, 

this word is ALOHA! 

(Group Replies back with ALOHA) 

We must remind ourselves everyone that this word ALOHA means much more than Hello or Goodbye

ALO in the word ALOHA means to be in the presence of or face-to-face 

and HA meaning the exhale or the breath of life!  

When we enter this world we breathe and when we leave this world we will breathe our last breath, 

and the wind that we feel is the breath of the world that is a gift so we may all breathe.  

So saying ALOHA to someone is that recognition of that life breath that you share, 

you are telling them that they are a living being someone full of life and purpose 

And that you love them! 

 
 
@StephanieBetsillPhotography

@StephanieBetsillPhotography

HONI (ALOHA EXCHANGE)

At this time I would like you both to share with each other true ALOHA,

an act we have here in Hawaii called the Honi or sharing of one’s life breath.

To do this it is very simple,

you two take each other's hands and gently touch the tip of your nose and forehead together

close your eyes

take a deep breath in

and exhale,

say aloha to one another.

And give each other a kiss on the cheek.

 
 

Now, I would ask all of us here to take a moment to be present

to clear our minds of any thoughts about the past or the future,

to be here now, in this present moment, where this sacred spirit is.

The way that we do this is by engaging all of our senses

So take in all the sights, sounds and smells of this beautiful place

Feel the warmth of the Sun and the coolness of the gentle breeze, upon our skin.

Hear the birds singing in the trees

Sense the smells of the floral that’s around you

All of this is a gift, everything we experience in this life is a gift for us to enjoy. 

 

So I say to everyone here, let us create beautiful memories this day

so that when we return to our own homes, and go back to our lives

we do not forget what is most important and what’s important we have here at this very moment.

The gathering of family and friends, the relationships that we have cultivated throughout our lives.

But most importantly, we have beautiful love, like the two of you share for one another.

 

So if you agree with me and would like to make this a moment to be remembered,

in Hawaii we say “Ae" which means yes. So on the count of three I would like to hear a loud “Ae” from the both of you. 1, 2, 3!

 
 

LEI EXCHANGE

So now that we are in agreement have here for you two gifts of love.

Here in Hawaii we have many sayings one of them is E lei no au i ko ALOHA

which means I’ll cherish your love as a beautiful adornment.

Here in these islands respect, honor, ALOHA,

which means compassion empathy, love and grace is given to a person when placing a lei upon their shoulders.

This beautifully crafted lei with its hand picked flowers and twin is a symbol of that never ending love

but it is also a symbol of those things that are fragile and temporal.

Our lives are like these lei in the span of eternity so live with tender consideration for each other you two

Love one another with all of your hearts

and remember that when you exchange these lead you are weaving your own lei of love to last for all time

Does that sound good to the both of you? 

(Give the GROOM the lei first, when he places it, then give the lei to the BRIDE)

 
@Wovenlens

@Wovenlens

 

OLI ALOHA

With that giving of gifts of love, I have my own gift to offer to you two and to everyone here.

This gift is a chant or prayer in Hawaii called Oli ALOHA.

In part, what it says is this here is the sight that had longed to be seen between you two,

and now that this moment is here, love has been brought with you,

not only evident with the love of family and friends here today but 

family and friends who may not be here physically but are here in spirit

This prayer recognizes them and acknowledges their presence and their love for the both of you,

and so we offer this prayer called “oli aloha”.

 

Onaona i ka hala me ka lehua

He hale lehua no ia na ka noe

O ka’u no ia e ‘ano’i nei

E li’a nei ho’i o ka hiki mai

A hiki mai no ‘oukou

A hiki pu no me ke aloha

Aloha e…Aloha e…Aloha e

 

Now that we are all officially gathered here, let us begin our ceremony today!

 

Greetings:

Greetings and welcome everyone.

Aloha (BRIDE), Aloha (GROOM).

We are gathered here to celebrate your marriage on this beautiful day,

here on the beautiful Island of Maui.

It is here that you have chosen to affirm your love for one another.

Through spoken words, song, the sharing of sacred vows and the giving of tokens of your love for one another; your wedding rings.

Every experience you have ever had,

everything that you have ever done,

every lesson that you have ever learned, has brought you to this moment.

As you stand here before your family and friends, your witnesses. You take each other as husband and wife,

promising to stand by each other's side,

as you face new challenges, new experiences and new lessons to be learned together.

Through your commitment to each other, you have grown and nurtured a love that has made you both better people,

a love that continues to bring you great joy,

and also a passion for living that provides you with all of the energy and all of the patience to face all that is placed before you.

 

Now this is the most significant moment

the moment you will give yourselves to each other and be made complete.

Marriage is not only a bond between two individuals but also a commitment to life,

to the best that two people can find and bring out of each other.

Marriage deepens and enriches every facet of life.

From this day forward you will both be a teacher, a listener, a lover, a confidant, and a best friend for the other.

So let everyone here today, family and friends, continue to witness and support their love, growth, and happiness

as they continue on their journey to fulfill your shared destinies.          

 

Declaration of Consent:  

(GROOM) do you give yourself to (BRIDE) this day

with complete joy and love as a partner in this life’s journey,

and to be a true, faithful (Husband).

Do you promise to be a companion to comfort (her), respect (her), cherish (her), love (her)

for all the days together on this earth?  If so say “I DO”

 

(BRIDE) do you give yourself to (GROOM) this day

with complete joy and love as a partner in this life’s journey, and to be a true, faithful (wife).

Do you promise to be a companion to comfort (him), respect (him), cherish (him), love (him)

for all the days together on this earth?  If so say “I DO”

 

Wedding Vows:

I (GROOM) choose you (BRIDE) for my wedded (Wife)

to be your companion, equal in love,

to be faithful and honest,

to help and support you,

through loss and success.

I shall seek through kindness and understanding

to achieve with you the life we have envisioned.

I will be there to laugh with you and to cry with you,

loving you faithfully through all we may face together.

I love you with all of my heart.

I promise to love you unconditionally,

to cherish you entirely,

to care for you sincerely,

to shelter and hold your love

as the most precious gift

as we make this life’s journey together.

 

I (BRIDE) choose you (GROOM) for my wedded (Husband)

to be your companion, equal in love,

to be faithful and honest,

to help and support you,

through loss and success.

I shall seek through kindness and understanding

to achieve with you the life we have envisioned.

I will be there to laugh with you and to cry with you,

loving you faithfully through all we may face together.

I love you with all of my heart.

I promise to love you unconditionally,

to cherish you entirely,

to care for you sincerely,

to shelter and hold your love

as the most precious gift

as we make this life’s journey together.

 

Ring Ceremony: 

As long as time can be remembered,

the ring has been symbolic, of the completed bond.

The ring goes on forever. Circles of Life, Circles of Love,

These rings are given and received as tokens of never ending Aloha.

See the best in each other everyday that you are together

and when you look upon the beauty of these rings

be reminded of the love and commitments you have shared with each other, this day.

Always remember, that rings are an outward symbol of an inward love and commitment to one another.

 

Blessing of the Rings:

Now (GROOM) repeat these words after me as you place this ring on your Bride.

This ring is my sacred gift to you,

a symbol of my Love,

a sign that from this day forward and always,

my love will surround you,

I give myself to you to be your (Husband)

and from this day forward you will never walk alone.

I am so honored to have you as my (Wife).

I love you with all of my heart.

All that I have

and all that I have said

I seal it with this ring. 

 

Now (BRIDE) repeat these words after me as you place this ring on your Groom.

This ring is my sacred gift to you,

a symbol of my Love,

a sign that from this day forward and always,

my love will surround you,

I give myself to you to be your (Wife)

and from this day forward you will never walk alone.

I am so honored to have you as my (Husband).

I love you with all of my heart.

All that I have

and all that I have said

I seal it with this ring. 

 

Closing:

(GROOM) and (BRIDE), may you be a comfort to each other, 

share each other's joys,

console each other in sorrow,

help each other in all of life.

putting these commitments before all else.

If you live for your love,

your love will live forever.

May you both trust each other,

trust in life and not be afraid,

and always share with each other the gifts that love offers.

Before, you were two persons,

but there is only one life before you for you have been united as one.

May beauty surround you both in the journey ahead and for all the years to come,

may happiness be your companion

and may your days together be good and long upon this earth.

 
 

And so by the power vested in me by The State of Hawaii

I now pronounce you Husband and Wife.

You may seal your vows with a kiss.

@Tonaraehibbitts

@Tonaraehibbitts