In the elegant language of flowers, red roses are a symbol of love, and the giving of a single red rose is a clear and unmistakable way of saying the words "I love you." For this reason it is fitting that the first gift you exchange as husband and wife be the gift of a single red rose.
Groom takes one of the roses and presents it to the Bride, saying:
[Bride], take this rose as a symbol of my love. It began as a tiny bud and blossomed, just as my love has blossomed and grown for you.
Bride takes the other rose and presents it to the Groom, saying...
[Groom], take this rose as a symbol of my love. Once closed so tightly, it opened to the warmth of the sun, just as my heart has opened to the warmth of your kindness.
Officiant: [Groom] and [Bride], in remembrance of this day, I would ask as a reaffirmation of your love and of the vows you have spoken here today that you give each other a single red rose each year on your anniversary.
In every marriage there are times when it is difficult to find the right words, and the ones we love the most are the ones we can most easily hurt. There are times when it may be difficult to say "I'm sorry" or "I forgive you" or "I need you" or "I'm hurting." So I would also ask that wherever you may make your home, that you choose a special spot. And at those times when words fail, that you leave a red rose at that spot you have both selected -- a rose that will say what matters more than all other words..."I still love you."
Marriage is a coming together of two lives, and a celebration of the love of two people. But it is more.
The love that you feel for one another is the flowering of a seed your mothers planted in your hearts many years ago. When you were first born, you were a bundle of diapers and tears, and your mothers lost sleep caring for you.
Their love for you has brought them great happiness and great challenges, and their love did not diminish as they met these challenges.
That is the great lesson you can bring into your marriage.
As you embrace one another in your love, so too do you embrace the families which have been brought together on this happy occasion.
As a token of your gratitude for your families, I would like to ask you to offer these symbols of eternal love, these roses, to your mothers.
(Both bride and groom can hand the roses to each mother together, offering the mothers kisses if they wish.)
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