Blessing of the Hands
Original Version
Just as [bride's] hand was given away in marriage we acknowledge
that our hands represent a gift of our love and commitment to each
other. Will you please join us as we bless these hands of [bride]
and [groom] please present your hands to [bride] as the gift of love
that they are to her.
[bride], these are the hands of your best friend, strong and vibrant
with love.
They are being held by yours on this your wedding day, for
it is with these hands that he pledges his love and commitment to
you all the days of his life.
These are the hands that will work
alongside yours, as together you build your future, and as you share
your innermost secrets and dreams together.
These are the hands that
you will one day place with expectant joy against your stomach, so
that he too can feel the child stir within you.
These are the hands
that look so large and strong, yet will be so gentle as he holds your
baby for the first time.
These are the hands that will work long hours
for you and your new family.
These are the hands that will countless
times wipe the tears from your eyes; both tears of sorry and tears
of joy.
These are the hands that will comfort you in illness, they
will protect you from danger and they will hold you when fear or
grief threatens to overwhelm you.
These are the hands that will love
you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness.
[bride] please present your hands to [groom] as
the gift of love they are to him.
[groom] these are
the hands of your best friend, smooth, young and carefree, that are
being held by yours on this your wedding day.
For it is with these
hands that she pledges her love and commitment to you all the days
of her life.
These are the hands that will hold each child in tender
love, soothing them through illness and hurt but also supporting and
encouraging them along the way of life.
These are the hands that will
hold you tight whenever you may struggle through a difficult time.
These are the hands that will comfort you when you are sick, and console
you whenever you are grieving.
These are the hands that will give you
support as she encourages you to pursue your dreams. But, together
as a couple, everything you wish for can be realized.
These are the
hands that will love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime
of happiness.
Revised Version
Please face each other and hold both hands, so you may feel the
gift that they are to one another.
[bride] and [groom] these are the hands of your
best friend, young and strong and full of love for you.
They are
being held by yours on your wedding day as you two promise to love
each other for the rest of your lives.
The hands that you hold are
the very hands that will work alongside yours as together you build
your future and share your innermost secrets and dreams together.
These too are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish
you through the years, and with the slightest touch will comfort
you like no other.
These are also the hands that will hold you when
fear or grief threaten to overwhelm you.
These too are the hands
that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes, tears of
sorrow and tears of joy.
These are the hands that will tenderly hold
your children.
These are the hands that will help you to hold your
family as one.
And these are the hands that will give you strength
when you need it the most.
And lastly, these are the hands that even
when becoming wrinkled and aged will still be reaching for yours,
still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.