THE DOUBLE RING WEDDING CEREMONY
Friends:
We are gathered here
in the presence
of these witnesses
for the purpose of legally
joining in marriage this man
and this woman,
(names of bride and groom).
If there be any among you
who know of any reason
why this should not
be done,
let them now speak,
or forever remain silent.
(Pause)
All being in accord, we
shall proceed.
(Groom’s name),
is your reality
of the love you have
for (bride’s name) such
as you will be
constantly creating
through health
and sickness;
through adversity
as well as good fortune?
Can you confront
and grant forgiveness
for shortcomings
as readily as you give praise
for all her many
admirable qualities?
(Answer)
And have you communicated
your love to (bride’s name)?
(Answer)
(Bride’s name),
have you acknowledged
(groom’s) love?
(Answer)
(Bride’s name), is your
reality of the love you have
for (groom’s name) such as
you will be constantly
creating
through health and
sickness;
through adversity
as well as good fortune?
Can you confront
and grant forgiveness
for shortcomings
as readily as you give praise
for all his many sterling
qualities?
(Answer)
And have you
communicated
your love to
(groom’s name)?
(Answer)
(Groom’s name),
have you acknowledged
(bride’s) love?
(Answer)
Then may I say to you both
that through your love
together
with your agreement
upon its reality,
and by your communication
of these two beautiful
truths,
you have completed the
ARC Triangle,
and thereby consummated
the only true marriage,
which is beyond the power
of any individual
or group of individuals
to add to or detract from
in the slightest manner.
However,
the law and custom
of our society
requires that this union
shall be made a matter
of public acclaim
and record.
It is my honor
to have been selected by you
to perform the ceremony.
The acceptance of an honor
carries with it
an obligation
of comparable magnitude,
and I would be remiss
in that responsibility
if I failed to attempt
a contribution,
not to what you have
already created,
which no one can do,
but to the permanency
of its continued creation
on your future time track.
Man has ever
employed symbols
to impress upon the mind,
wise and important truths,
that these symbols
might prove
an ever-present reminder
of the necessity
of ceaseless creation
of our desires.
And I am certain
that your one joint desire
in present time
is that the love
you have created
shall remain a reality
throughout your
future years.
Best man, have you a ring?
(Answer)
May I have it please?
(Receives the ring.)
Thank you.
Bridesmaid
(or maid of honor),
have you a ring?
(Answer)
May I have it please?
(Receives the ring.)
Thank you.
(Holding up a ring between the thumb and
forefinger of each hand:)
These rings consist
of circles,
and the circle
has been an emblem
of permanency to Man
since time immemorial.
In fact, it represents
time and space—
which are without ending.
I want you to look upon
these two emblems
and mock-up
the ARC Triangle
in the center of each.
Have you done it?
(Answer)
Thank you.
As long as these emblems
remain with you,
I want you to see
that triangle in their center
as a reminder
that the reality
of their symbolism of
permanency
will hold true only so long
as that triangle remains
unbroken.
I should like to see you
make a pact between you
that you will never
close your eyes in sleep
on a broken triangle.
Heal any breach
with the reality of your love
through communication.
If you will do this,
these emblems
of your greatest desire
in present time
will remain a reality
throughout your
future time track.
Let us proceed.
(Groom’s name),
will you take this ring
and with these words,
place it upon
(bride’s name)’s finger.
“With this symbol
of my love”
(Answer)
“I take thee,
(bride’s name),”
(Answer)
“As my true and lawful
wedded wife”
(Answer)
“I pledge thee to keep
this love”
(Answer)
“Ever living, ever real.”
(Answer)
(Bride’s name),
will you take this ring
and with these words,
place it upon
(groom’s name)’s finger.
“With this symbol
of my love”
(Answer)
“I take thee,
(groom’s name),”
(Answer)
“As my true and lawful
wedded husband”
(Answer)
“I pledge thee to keep
this love”
(Answer)
“Ever living, ever real.”
(Answer)
And now,
in the name of the
Church of Scientology
and by virtue of the powers
vested in me by the state,
I declare you,
(groom’s name),
and you, (bride’s name),
to be truly and legally,
husband and wife.
I will ask that you seal this
ceremony with your lips.
(Wait for the kiss)
And I will ask these
witnesses present
to join me in blessing
this ceremony
with the postulate
that the trust and love of
the present
shall become ever stronger
with each passing year.
(Pause)
Did you do it?
(Answer)
Thank you.
(Be the first to congratulate
them both, and the first to address
the bride as Mrs.)
L. Ron Hubbard