An earth-based couple was celebrating the birth of their first child and their 5th anniversary and wished to renew their vows and have a baby blessing in one ceremony. The private event was held next to a pond behind a rented cottage with only the officiant and a photographer. The couple had included a handfasting in their wedding and another knot was added to the same cord during the ceremony.
Ceremony Script
Create Sacred Space
I’m happy to be here with you today, in this beautiful place, to hold space as you dedicate yourselves to your marriage and, also, to being parents. Your world is changing, but love endures.
Let’s now invite spirit into this sacred space.
Officiant draws a circle on the ground around couple and altar with her staff.
We call to the elements, to protect, guide, and bless this family. We call to the air that fills our lungs. Bless them with intellect, imagination, and inspiration. We call to the fire that burns within. Bless them with passion, will, and determination. We call to the water that flows like our blood. Bless them with dreams, prophecy, and open heartedness. We call to the earth that holds form like our flesh and bones. Bless them with strength, peacefulness, and resolution.
Wife and Husband, spirit is present and listening to you in this moment, in this sacred space, witnessing this ceremony of renewal and blessing.
Officiant’s Address
Henry David Thoreau wrote, “Every child begins the world again.” Your world is beginning again. You are here to bless and celebrate Baby but also to renew your marriage vows, beginning your relationship again with the solid foundation of five years and within an expanded circle of love.
This is a joyful day. We are here, surrounded by nature, with the elements present, celebrating the love you have for each other and welcoming Baby to the world. You are renewing your commitment to each other’s happiness and extending that love and commitment to Baby.
Intent
Husband and Wife, as you reflect on your years as husband and wife, do you now wish to reaffirm the vows you took five years ago?
Both: We do.
Please face each other and join hands.
Handfasting
Couple turns towards each other holding Baby between them. Husband holds out his free (outside) hand, Wife lays her free (outside) hand on top of Husband’s. Officiant lays the cord over their hands.
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 countless times wipe tears from your eyes: tears of sorrow and tears of joy.
These are the hands that will tenderly hold your child, the hands that will help you to hold your family as one. And these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours.
Officiant ties the infinitely knot on top of hands. Stay like that for vows.
This handfasting binds not only your hands but your hearts. You renew your vows today with the understanding that you are recommitting to be partners, and to honor your hearts’ eternal connection. This knot and the promises you make here greatly strengthen your union and are sacred.
Vows
Husband, I invite you to speak your vows to Wife.
Husband reads
Wife, I invite you to speak your vows to Husband.
Wife reads
Officiant holds the ends of the cords and tightens the knot as they release hands.
There is another knot in this cord. May this remain a visible reminder of your promises to one another.
Officiant lays cord on the altar.
Elemental Baby Blessing
And now you have more promises to make. Wife and Husband, what name have you chosen for this child?
Both: Baby’s full name
With love, joy, and celebration we name this child Baby, daughter of Wife and Husband. We welcome you, Baby, from the Earth, into the world, and into this family.
Now we bless you, Baby with the elements of life, common to all beings.
Officiant waves feather over baby.
We call on the element air to bless Baby. Send gentle breezes to carry her wishes and guide her on her path. Help her soar in the limitless sky of imagination and thought.
Officiant lifts candle and holds it near the baby.
We call on the element fire to bless Baby. Warm her, strengthen her courage and will, and help her to know her own power against the challenges that await her.
Officiant dips fingers into the bowl of water and touches baby’s head.
We call on the element water to bless Baby. In your flowing rivers and lakes, cleanse her of doubt and disharmony, and teach her to swim in the depths and currents of emotion and empathy.
Officiant lifts a handful of dirt and holds it before the baby.
We call on the element earth to bless Baby. Offer rich soil to root into and a solid and stable foundation on which to stand. Teach her to know that she is home.
Welcome to the Earth family, dear Baby.
Now, Wife and Husband, share your wishes for Baby.
Both, reading together:
Sweet Baby, we want you to be happy. We want you to know the wonder of nature and the awe inspired by rainbows and sunsets. We want you to experience the treasure of friendship and the beauty of true love. We want you to know sweet, quiet contentment in a loving and peaceful world. We want you to hold onto hope on the cloudiest days and have dreams as big as the sky. We want you to know how incredible and unique you are and want you to live every day in your own way. Most of all, today and always, we want you to know how important you are to us and how much we love you.
Baby, may the strength of the wind and the light of the sun,
The softness of the rain and the mystery of the moon
Reach you and fill you.
May beauty delight you and happiness uplift you.
May wonder fulfill you and love surround you.
May your steps be steady, and your arms be strong.
May your heart be peaceful, and your word be true.
May you seek to learn, may you learn to live,
May you live to love, and may you know love always. So be it.
Closing and Kisses
We mark this as the moment you forever embrace one another. From this time forward, you will continue together as a family.
I call on you to protect one another. To cherish every moment. To find humility when it is needed. To support, uplift, and encourage the heaviest of hearts and the wildest of dreams. This family is your gift to bestow upon the world around you when you demonstrate the divine magic that is a lasting love.
Please seal your binding and the blessing with kisses.