Our eldest son was joined to the wife of his youth this weekend. He has indeed found an excellent wife (Prov 12:4) and has been blessed by the favor of the Lord (18:22).

As part of their wedding, they included a Tree Planting Ceremony, which is right in line with their love for the outdoors. Though I’ve seen other symbols of unity in weddings (e.g. knot tying, sand mixture, etc.), I had not witnessed a tree planting. An internet search produced a number of suggested scripts, but many came perilously close to nature-worship. I borrowed a few lines from other scripts and eventually wrote the following for the wedding, and am posting it here in hope that others might find it useful in honoring Almighty God, maker of all things:

“Today we are witnessing the creation of a something that is absolutely brand new – a new family springing from the love that <Groom & Bride> have for each other. To symbolize the roots of their relationship and the continued growth and flourishing of their love, <Groom & Bride> will now take part in a Tree Planting Ceremony, as they become a new family today.

[Couple moves to tree table.]

<Groom & Bride>, as you symbolize the uniting of your lives by combining the soils from your homes, remember that growing a strong marriage takes place over time – it grows like a tree, not a squash. As you grow your roots downward into the faithful promises of God, His grace will enable you to stand strong during the good seasons of bounty and blessing, and the challenging seasons of tempests and testing.

[Couple puts soil into pot.]

And as you water the roots of this tree, remember that growth in your marriage is not automatic, but it requires intention, attention, nourishing and nurturing each other in unconditional love.

[Couple waters the soil.]

<Groom & Bride>, May it be said that, together you “will be called an oak of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.” (Isaiah 61:3)

Scripture frequently affirms, “Blessed [are those] who trust in the Lord, And whose trust is the Lord.”  (Jer. 17:17)

Therefore, as you trust in your Lord, may your marriage “be like a tree planted by the water that extends its roots by a stream, and will not fear when the heat comes; But its leaves will be green, and it will not be anxious in a year of drought, nor cease to yield fruit. And in whatever you do, may you prosper.” (Psalm 1:2-3; Jeremiah 17:7-8)

[To the congregation…]

<Groom & Bride> will plant this tree in their backyard to be a symbol always of their love for each other.”