We are familiar with two wedding traditions in which roses are used. In one, the mothers are given roses as tokens of the bride and groom's love for family. This is often kept a secret from the family until the roses are presented. In another, roses are exchanged as the bride and groom's first gifts to one another as a married couple.

Short Rose Ceremony#1

___________ and __________, you will remember this day for the rest of your lives. Those of us who are already married know that marriage, like life, brings with it many joys and also many challenges. We also know that love, while beautiful, does not always show its prettiest face. There are days when we may find it hard to express the depth of our love for one another. It is my hope and prayer that the two of you will set aside a special place in your home for roses, ancient symbols of love. When words fail you, or when the challenges of life or marriage begin to weigh on you, go out and get a rose, and put it in that special place in your home, so that the other will be reminded of this moment, and of the love you feel for one another. As a token of that love, I would like to ask you to make these roses your first gifts to one another as a married couple.

Short Rose Ceremony #2

A single red rose always meant "I love you".

Your gift to each other for your wedding today has been your wedding rings - which shall always be an outward demonstration of your vows of love and respect; and a public showing of your commitment to each other.

But for your first gift as husband and wife I want you now to give each other the gift of a single rose. So please exchange your first gift as husband and wife; a gift of true and abiding love within the devotion of marriage.

Remember, the single rose says the words: "I love you".

There may be times filled with happiness, sorrow, tears or laughter, whatever it may be, remember love has given you wings; your journey begins today; ______ and ________, if there is anything you remember of this marriage ceremony, remember the love that brought you here today, it is only love which can make your marriage a glorious union, and it is by love that your marriage will endure.

Long Rose Ceremony

In the Rose Ceremony, the Bride and Groom give each other a Rose. Two roses are all that is necessary. The Rose Ceremony is placed at the end of the ceremony just before being pronounced husband and wife. It goes like this:

"A single red rose always means "I love you". 
Your gift to each other for your wedding today has been your wedding rings - which shall always be an outward demonstration of your vows of love and respect; and a public showing of your commitment to each other. Now for your first gift as husband and wife I want you now to give each other the rose you hold."

(Exchange Roses)

"_________ and _____________, I would ask that where ever you make your home in the future - whether it be a large and elegant home - or a small and graceful one - that you both pick one very special location in your home for roses; so that on each anniversary of this truly wonderful occasion of your marriage, you both may take a rose to that special spot in your home, both as a recommitment to your marriage - and a recommitment that THIS will be a marriage based upon love."

"And try to remember this: In every marriage there are times where it is difficult to find the right words. It might be difficult some time to say "I am sorry" or "I forgive you"; "I need you" or "I am hurting". If this should happen, if you simply can not find these words to express what you really feel, Go to that spot that you both have selected and there leave a rose. That rose placed in that special location can say what matters most of all. The rose you place there will say the words: "I still love you." The other should accept this rose for the words which can not be found, and remember the love and hope that you both share today."

__________ and ________, if there is anything you remember of this marriage ceremony, remember this, it was love that brought you here today, it is only love which can make it a glorious union, and it is by love which your marriage shall endure.

Adding a part for children.

If a couple is adding the "Rose Ceremony", often they will have a rose for each of the children. After exchanging roses, the couple will then give each child a rose, a hug, and whisper, "I love you." "Not only are_____________ and________ creating a marriage today, but they also are forming a family with (child/children's name (s)). Just as it is appropriate for________ and________ to declare their love for each other in the gift of a rose, they also wish to show you (to the children) how much they love you with the gift of a rose."