This blog post introduces a sample wedding officiant speech filled with warm blessings and practical advice for couples preparing for marriage and those preparing to officiate.

Love is about enduring together

Good afternoon.
It is an immense honor to officiate at such a beautiful and meaningful wedding ceremony. Seeing the bride and groom up close brings a smile to my face. They truly are a wonderful and beautiful couple.
Today, there is one thing I must convey to the bride and groom: “Live your lives loving each other.” This might sound like a very familiar phrase. It might be like advising a student, “Study hard and you’ll be top of the class,” or telling a business owner, “Work hard and you’ll become wealthy.” It’s something everyone knows. But what’s truly important is knowing the ‘method’.
So today, instead of simply saying “Love each other,” I want to talk about ‘how’ to live loving each other. This advice I offer isn’t a theory I read in a book, nor a quote I saw on a smartphone app. It’s something I’ve seen, heard, and felt firsthand throughout my life, something I’ve learned through experience.
Love, sometimes, is about enduring each other.
As you live your life, unexpected difficulties will come your way. There will be moments when you get angry, and days when you feel inexplicably tired and miserable. But the strength to endure and overcome those times together—that strength is true love, and at its core lies the profound value of ‘patience.’ Today, I want to convey the value of that patience to the bride and groom.
It might feel a little awkward at first, but when a husband and wife look at each other and say “Darling, my love,” those words carry a truly warm meaning. “Darling” carries the meaning of ‘treasure,’ and “you” is an expression of devotion and love, saying, ‘I am a part of you, and I will respect your will.’ How profound and beautiful these words are. If you resonate with their meaning, I hope that from today, the bride and groom will begin a life of understanding and cherishing each other, calling one another ‘Darling, you.’
At this point, let me briefly speak about the bride.
The greatest strength I’ve observed in the bride is her warm smile and gentleness, which closely resemble her mother’s. That smile will warmly melt the groom’s heart and become the greatest force for nurturing love within their future home. Traditionally, it is said that a woman should treat her husband with gentleness and wisdom. And the groom, too, must possess warmth and consideration that are no less than hers.
On cold winter nights, the thoughtfulness of warming the bed with a hair dryer is now a basic expectation. Furthermore, as time passes and the wife grows weary in body and mind during menopause, a devoted love and care is needed—the kind that willingly goes out into the bitter winter wind to cool off, then embraces her with refreshing warmth. This thoughtfulness doesn’t just stay within the couple; it extends into a warm heart that looks out for neighbors. Furthermore, it becomes the foundation for becoming an exemplary believer who honors parents and in-laws, obeys God, and stands as a strong pillar of the family.
I also ask this of all the guests gathered here today.
At this very moment, with hearts filled with sincere blessings for the bride and groom, please join me once more in warm applause. Each and every one of your cheers will be the greatest strength for these two. I believe the final sentence of this wedding speech is completed by the heartfelt applause flowing from all of your hearts.
Finally, love is not merely a simple emotion. Love is action, it is choice, and above all, it is ‘endurance.’ From this moment, as two people raised in different environments now form one family, love can easily fade without the joint effort of understanding, yielding, and persevering. Yet, I firmly believe the bride and groom standing here today will surely protect that love. I sincerely pray that God’s grace and blessings fill the path ahead for both of you, and once again, I congratulate you both on your marriage.
Thank you.

The simple phrase “I love you” is a mysterious elixir that illuminates a lifetime

It is May, the queen of seasons, when emerald leaves whisper hope. On this brilliant and beautiful day, I extend heartfelt congratulations to the bride and groom, who stand at a new starting line amidst the blessings of many, and to both families. I also express deep gratitude to all the guests who took time from their busy lives to be here today and bless the couple’s future.
United by the most beautiful and radiant word, ‘love,’ the couple stands here today as beings more special and dazzling than anyone else. Since ancient times, the union of a man and a woman has been regarded as a bond of three lifetimes—a partner destined by heaven. Marriage, therefore, is not merely a meeting, but a sacred and solemn promise. It is also the starting point for walking together on the long journey of life, based on trust, responsibility, and consideration for one another. In that spirit, I would like to offer the bride and groom a few heartfelt words of advice on this precious occasion.
First, marriage begins with a heart that acknowledges and respects each other’s differences. You both grew up in different environments; your ways of living and your frameworks of thought are undoubtedly different. Marriage is not about forcing these differences to align, but rather a process of understanding each other’s uniqueness and finding harmony. Rather than thinking, ‘I hope my partner fills my gaps,’ it is more important to have the mindset, ‘I will be the one to fill my partner’s gaps first.’
Good relationships with people often start from surprisingly simple things. Seeing ‘what we have in common’ before focusing on ‘what makes us different’ is what creates the bond that connects us. The same applies to marital relationships. Love means looking in the same direction, cherishing and respecting each other, trusting and sharing, waiting patiently, and sometimes encouraging courage and offering warm embrace. When this attitude naturally permeates daily life, love will grow deeper and stronger.
Second, please remember that kind words are the secret ingredient that builds family happiness. It’s no exaggeration to say a day begins and ends with words. Sometimes a single word can hurt feelings or create distance. Conversely, a warm word can make each other smile and become the driving force to find strength again. Kind words soothe the heart, and that soothed heart makes life gentler and more spacious. Indeed, a common trait among many happy families is that they frequently share positive and warm words rather than negative ones.
The four simple phrases ‘I’m sorry’, ‘Thank you’, ‘I love you’, and ‘Good job’ possess the amazing power to transform an ordinary day into something special. Don’t hold back on these words; offer them often. Words of love will become a warm fence that wraps around each other. In every difficult and weary moment, these short phrases will comfort both of you and make your relationship deeper and warmer.
Third, dream big, but never forget to be grateful for the small things in daily life. As you navigate life, unexpected problems may sometimes loom like barriers. Yet the solution isn’t far away. The key lies in returning to the basics and reflecting on your original intentions. Recall often the excitement and gratitude of your first day as a married couple, the promises you made while looking into each other’s eyes. If you can bring that heart back and weave it into your life, you will overcome any hardship together.
If you live each day with sincere gratitude for even the smallest things, quiet joy will begin to permeate your life. Of course, right now, everything may feel lacking and awkward. But you are still young, and you have plenty of time ahead. The pieces of life you build together, one by one starting today, will eventually come together to complete the grand landscape of ‘happiness’.
Finally, I extend my heartfelt congratulations once more to the couple embarking on this new beginning today. I sincerely wish that all your days ahead will be as warm and beautiful as today. May you cherish and respect each other, always expressing your love with the same heart.
The simple words “I love you” become a mysterious balm that soothes each other’s hearts, making the journey you walk together for a lifetime shine even more brilliantly.

The completion of love is consideration for one another

Ladies and gentlemen, today, groom ○○○ and bride ○○○ have solemnly pledged to become one as husband and wife, surrounded by the blessings of their families, relatives, and the precious guests gathered here today. We sincerely congratulate them on this meaningful wedding and extend our deepest respect and gratitude to both sets of parents who raised them so wonderfully. We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the guests who have graciously taken time out of your busy schedules to attend and bless this new beginning for the couple.
Marriage is a sacred promise where young men and women meet, form a bond as husband and wife, pledge to love and trust each other, and resolve to live as one heart, one person. As they now embark together on this new journey of life, they will share countless joys and happiness, and at times, they will also face inevitable difficulties. An old saying goes, “Pray once when setting out to sea, pray twice when going to war, and pray three times when getting married.” Marriage is indeed one of life’s most significant journeys, requiring careful resolve and earnest devotion. I believe the bride and groom standing here today have also prayed fervently in their hearts, not just once but many times, longing for a happy marriage.
With the hope of offering a small help for their future, I wish to share three pieces of advice today.
First is ‘consideration’ for each other. When we fall in love, we often get caught up in the expectation that the other person’s strengths will make us happier. Yet, as time passes, we come to realize that true love is perfected not by passion, but by consideration. The willingness to understand each other’s perspective, and the attitude of showing consideration even in small words and actions, will make your love deeper and stronger. Consideration isn’t innate; it’s something cultivated through constant effort and growth as you live together.
Second, I hope you become ‘partners’ who respect each other’s lives. A great manager focuses on finding and maximizing each member’s strengths rather than trying to forcefully change their weaknesses. The same applies to married couples. You should acknowledge and respect each other as you are, enjoying and loving each other just as you are, rather than trying to change the other person. To the bride and groom standing here today, I hope you will cultivate the wisdom to naturally accept each other’s differences rather than trying to mold each other to your own standards. May you not see each other’s differences as flaws, but rather build a relationship where you learn and grow from those differences.
Third, remember that a couple is not, as is often said, ‘one heart and one body,’ but rather ‘different hearts and different bodies.’ Each spouse is an independent individual. Having lived with different values and lifestyles, it is essential to recognize and respect each other’s differences. While you may sometimes feel disappointed, wondering “Why can’t they think like me?”, it is precisely the grace and包容 to accept in that moment—“Ah, I see how they could think that way”—that deepens and strengthens the bond between spouses. Rather than trying to change the other because they are different from you, the effort to understand and accept those differences is the true beginning and fulfillment of love.
I hope you will hold these three pieces of advice deep in your heart. Love does not arrive fully formed from the start. It is only through the journey of cherishing and understanding each other, building together with respect and consideration, that it truly comes to completion. I sincerely hope that the two of you will be each other’s most steadfast friends and lifelong companions, and that every moment you share will be filled with gratitude and joy.
Finally, I would like to express my gratitude once again to all the guests who have joined us here today. May love, happiness, health, and trust always accompany the groom, Mr. ○○○, and the bride, Ms. ○○○, in their future. May peace and joy also fill the homes of both families. Furthermore, I sincerely wish that blessings of smooth sailing in all endeavors always accompany the lives of everyone who has graced this occasion today.
This concludes the wedding officiant’s speech. Thank you.

Marriage is about learning and sharing love

Hello, everyone. Before we know it, we’re already halfway through the year. Today is the last day of May, and I can feel summer fast approaching beyond the calendar. It feels like just yesterday we were eagerly awaiting spring, yet here we are, already sensing summer’s energy in the muggy air. I think I finally understand why the ancients likened the passage of time to an arrow shot from a bow. These days, time seems to fly by as if it had a motor attached to its feet. Perhaps for the two of you embarking on a new journey today, that time feels even faster.
Above all, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Mr. ○○○ and Ms. ○○○, who begin their new life together as husband and wife today. I also express my deepest gratitude, on behalf of both sets of parents, to all the guests who graced this occasion with your precious time. As you heard in the emcee’s introduction a moment ago, I have been friends with the groom’s father for many years. Just a few days ago, while having dinner with the groom’s father, he said to me, “Keep the speech short—just five minutes.” So today, I will strive to be as concise as possible, yet convey only the sentiments I truly wish to share.
The groom, ○○○, the star of today’s celebration, is a young man who embodies the qualities many consider essential in an ideal partner. He is highly capable, above all healthy, and has an upright and honest character. Having graduated from a prestigious university, he now works diligently and earns recognition at a solid company. By anyone’s standards, he is a top-tier groom. And then there is the other star of the show, the bride, ○○○. First of all, she is beautiful. While some might say she benefits from bridal makeup, the impression I got meeting her in person at a dinner a few days ago was far deeper. Not only is she beautiful, but she possesses a warm heart and radiates bright energy, creating a comforting atmosphere for everyone around her. Her artistic talent is also remarkable, and the way she harmoniously expresses her unique style in both her work and personal life was truly impressive. I thought she was truly a ‘first-class bride’ without any shortcomings.
Today, these two wonderful people begin a new journey as husband and wife. As the officiant, if there is one thing I must convey here, it is this: I hope you live your married life with the mindset of ‘I first.’ If you want to receive your husband’s love, love him first unconditionally. If you wish your wife to care for your parents well, show devotion to your father-in-law and mother-in-law first. Love does not bloom from expectation, but from giving first.
We often find ourselves mentally calculating, thinking, ‘I’ve done this much, so you should do that much in return.’ Yet, this mindset of giving little while expecting much often sows the seeds of conflict between spouses. A mountain never moves on its own, but if I approach it first, I can be warmly embraced within its arms. Marriage is the same. If I extend my hand first, my partner will feel that warmth and naturally draw closer. The ‘principle of relativity’ isn’t limited to physics. It’s a truth of life that applies equally to relationships between people.
Marriage is ultimately about learning to love and sharing that love. Since two people raised in different environments come together to form a family, differences in thoughts, habits, and ways of expressing themselves are inevitable. If we try to teach rather than understand these differences, conflict is bound to arise. Accepting differences as they are, respecting each other with a willingness to learn, and growing together—that is the true beginning of happiness.
Once again, I sincerely wish this beautiful couple a future filled with love, peace, health, and laughter. I also extend my gratitude to everyone gathered here today and send warm blessings for their new beginning. Thank you.

Love is life’s refreshment

We sincerely congratulate Mr. ○○○ and Ms. ○○○ on their marriage. We feel boundless joy and gratitude to be present on this beautiful and meaningful day, witnessing the two become one through their bond. We also extend our deepest respect and congratulations to both sets of parents who raised the groom and bride to be so upright and intelligent. On behalf of the bride and groom, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the relatives and valued guests from both families who graced this occasion with your presence despite your busy schedules.
At this very moment, the couple has taken their first steps as husband and wife, surrounded by the blessings of many. As far as I know, the bride and groom have cherished and loved each other throughout their long courtship. Witnessing their unwavering devotion and mutual respect over those years, I recall being struck by the question: ‘How can they maintain such steadfast love for so long?’ If there was a secret to it, I wanted to share it with many people.
So I looked a little deeper into their relationship, and naturally arrived at one thought: they weren’t just lovers, but ‘refreshing tonics’ who breathed fresh air into each other’s lives. Even in difficult moments, they prioritized understanding the other’s weary heart over their own struggles, always striving to offer each other cool energy and comfort. In becoming each other’s pillars of support, they even forgot their own struggles. This allowed them to focus more intently on their individual lives, allowing their love to take even deeper root.
Watching the love they’ve nurtured so carefully over such a long time finally bear fruit today, I can’t imagine a more heartwarming and joyful moment. If they continue walking together as they do now—respecting and cherishing each other, sometimes as affectionate friends, sometimes as lifelong companions—they will undoubtedly become a more wonderful couple than anyone else. Of course, unexpected challenges and difficulties may arise in the years ahead, but if they continue to trust and rely on each other with one heart and one mind, as they do now, I believe they will wisely overcome any trial.
The sincere love and warm consideration you both show will continue to be an example for many. The way you love each other, refreshing and uplifting, deeply moves us all gathered here today and leaves a quiet resonance. I sincerely wish that your love will only grow deeper and stronger, filling your long journey together with laughter and excitement.
Taking this opportunity, I once again offer my heartfelt congratulations on your marriage. May your new journey ahead always be filled with love and happiness. Thank you.

Love is enduring patience and mutual respect

As the door to the new year 2025 swings wide open, I sincerely congratulate the groom, Mr. ○○○, and the bride, Ms. ○○○, who stand at the starting line of a new chapter in life. I also extend my deepest gratitude on behalf of both families to all the guests who took precious time out of their busy schedules to attend.
When speaking of marriage, we cannot omit ‘love’. Reflecting on how two people met and fell in love, and how deep and true that love is, we realize love is always the starting point that begins the journey of marriage. In that sense, married life can be described as the journey of putting love into practice in real life. However, the ‘true practice of love’ we speak of is not as simple as it seems. The Bible describes love this way: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs…” Many other verses follow, explaining the essence of love. Yet, few couples fully embody all these elements of love in their daily lives. Even deeply devout individuals find it no easy task to fully integrate this love into their existence.
So, what is the ‘true love’ we should strive for? The reason conflicts arise between spouses is often not because they don’t love each other, but rather because they love each other too much, leading to ‘self-centered love’. You may recall the feeling from childhood train rides, where the scenery outside the window seemed to rush backward. When we view the world from our own center, everything inevitably appears distorted. Love is no different. Self-centered love often breeds misunderstanding and causes unnecessary conflict. True love originates from an altruistic heart, beginning with placing the other person at the center of our thoughts and actions. This is the very essence of love that a married couple should practice.
Love is not merely an emotion; it is concrete practice and action. Someone once said, “Love is a verb.” Love does not reside solely in the heart; it manifests through deeds. And this practice ultimately transforms the lives of both individuals. Today, having made the momentous decision to marry, you two must now shed your former selves and be reborn as new beings. The groom, as the husband of one woman and the son-in-law of one family, and the bride, as the wife of one man and the daughter-in-law of another family, must embrace their new roles and responsibilities in life. Furthermore, as the father and mother of children yet to be born, they must gradually transform their attitudes toward life, their habits, and even their thoughts and manner of speaking. Yet, amidst all these changes, there is one thing that must never change. That is the ‘love’ you both promised each other here today. No matter how time passes or life’s circumstances change, I sincerely hope that love remains forever unchanging.
A couple can sometimes be closer than anyone else in the world, yet at other moments, they can become the most distant. Since two people raised in different environments come together to form one family, the ‘duties of a married couple’ are naturally required. Marriage is not merely a promise between two individuals; it is also the union of two families. Therefore, for a marriage to be sustained in a healthy and beautiful way, both families must become a strong foundation of mutual understanding and respect. The groom and bride must also remember to show interest and affection for each other’s families and maintain an attitude of filial piety toward both sets of parents. The heart that cherishes and serves each other’s family as if they were one’s own is the very force that makes a household warmer and stronger.
I sincerely wish that the new family starting today, like a tree with deep roots and branches spreading luxuriantly, will grow strong and sturdy. Though brief, I now conclude my wedding speech, conveying my heartfelt blessings. Thank you sincerely for listening to the end.

Love must blossom on a foundation of equality and mutual respect

Peering into any kitchen, you’ll see a variety of dishes lined up side by side—from large, ornate bowls to small, simple ones. Some stand out as particularly striking and elegant, while others may seem small and unremarkable. Yet the homemaker never discards any of them carelessly. The reason is simple: whether large or small, ornate or plain, each has its own distinct purpose and value.
Love is no different. A world where we plant a small seed of love in our hearts and nurture that love together as we live. That should be the life we dream of. The same applies to a marital relationship. There is no reason a husband must be superior to his wife, nor any reason a wife must be better than her husband. Love is not a competition; it is a ‘feeling of fondness’ and, above all, must stem from a heart that deeply cherishes and respects each other.
True love needs no reason. It should not be a mere ‘unavoidable companionship’ for sustaining life, but a bond formed because we genuinely like the person and want to be with them. That is the very beginning of a couple, and simultaneously the power that sustains that relationship for a long time. If there is a heart that acknowledges and respects each other, within the emotion of love, we can enjoy even fuller happiness.
True love is a relationship where one can express their feelings honestly and naturally without becoming a heavy burden to the other. Simply being able to show joy as it is and share it together is a great gift to the other person. Such joy must spring from the depths of the heart and is an attitude that must be cherished throughout married life. I hope the bride and groom standing here today engrave this point deep in their hearts and promise it to each other.
Love is like a spring. It is not something that ends once drawn; just as clear, fresh water accumulates in a well through daily, careful drawing, love is also preserved and grows through small, repeated actions in daily life. Rather than occasionally bestowing grand gestures of love, consistently practicing small but genuine acts of love day after day is actually a deeper and more beautiful
Love is about giving and sharing. The more love we give and share, the more it enriches and expands our hearts. If you truly wish to love, you must first practice love yourself.
If you wish to be loved, you must first give love. Within an attitude of understanding and consideration, love gradually deepens and matures. And above all, it is crucial that this love grows on a foundation of equality and mutual respect.
True love means giving everything of oneself without reservation to the other, becoming one heart and feeling complete. Joy only gains deeper meaning when shared with the one you love. Such shared and mutual love, love that recognizes and respects each other as equals, is the most beautiful and precious happiness humans can experience.
For a couple, ‘sharing together’ is not limited to material things. A warm word, a tender glance, a heart that worries together and rejoices together—these are the most precious expressions of love. Do not hold back the love nestled in both your hearts; share it constantly. Love grows the more you share it, and returns the more you give. Remember this.
And may you always be a couple who stay awake for each other with good thoughts. Without constant exploration and effort, anyone can easily become a philistine. The same holds true for a marital relationship. Without consideration for each other’s growth, daily life will inevitably become increasingly barren. However, if you strive to share life’s meaning together, you can deepen and enrich the quality of life within shared thoughts.
Those who speak beautifully have beautiful hearts. Those who weave peace speak with gentle words. The same holds true between spouses. Kind and sincere conversation warms the bond between two people. Beautiful words make a wife more beautiful, and mutual respect deepens love.
Just as a husband’s work is important, a wife’s work should never be taken lightly. Pay attention to the small, daily household tasks and help with them together. Whenever you can, quietly pat your tired wife’s shoulder. A wife is more deeply moved by small, sincere gestures of affection and consistent warmth than by large, expensive gifts. Such a heart and attitude are the courtesy that binds a couple together, a beautiful virtue.
These are the small, earnest words I wish to share with you today. If you practice each one in your life, I truly believe the two of you will surely be happy for a lifetime. I sincerely congratulate you both on your marriage and wish that your love will always grow beautifully on a foundation of equality and mutual respect.

Love is not selfish passion, but sincere consideration

On this bright and warm June day, I am deeply pleased and honored to stand at this meaningful occasion where a precious bond has borne beautiful fruit, forming a new family. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the groom, ○○○, and the bride, ○○○, who stand at this new starting line. I also extend my deepest gratitude and respect to both sets of parents who have lovingly guided the couple to this day.
Furthermore, I sincerely thank all the guests who graciously made time in your busy schedules to grace this occasion and bless the couple’s future together.
Truthfully, I wrestled with whether it was appropriate for me to deliver the wedding address at such a meaningful occasion. I questioned whether I, whose life experience is by no means extensive, could offer anything meaningful to these two individuals taking such a significant step in their lives. Nevertheless, I stand here today because I wish to offer a small but warm gesture to this couple embarking on life together in the name of love. My only hope is that my words, delivered with sincerity despite their inadequacy, may serve as a small light for their future journey.
Today, I wish to offer three pieces of advice for your happy married life.
First, show each other deep consideration. Love between lovers often begins with the expectation that ‘that person will make me happy’. However, such expectations can unconsciously transform love into a selfish emotion. True love begins not from “I want to be happy,” but from “I wish for your happiness.” In other words, love is not about receiving, but about giving first. Ultimately, it is the accumulation of that consideration and understanding that becomes true love. The deeper your consideration for each other grows, the stronger your love will become, allowing you to stand together unwaveringly even in moments of crisis.
Second, live fully in this present moment. We often seek happiness in past memories or future achievements. In doing so, we miss the present and forget the preciousness of this very moment. But true happiness isn’t something you must reach in some distant future; it exists right here, right now, in the moment you look at each other and laugh together. Do not make the mistake of trampling the three-leaf clovers at your feet while searching for the four-leaf clover. Today will never come again. Love each other as you are, and cherish every moment you share together.
This is my third and final request. Remember that a married couple is not ‘one mind, one body,’ but ‘two minds, one body.’ Marriage is the meeting of two different people. Since two individuals with different appearances, personalities, and thoughts live together, there will sometimes be clashes and moments of misunderstanding. But it is from acknowledging and respecting those differences that the true depth of a relationship begins.
There’s an old saying: “Foolish couples are happy.” The reason is that they always know how to say first, “It’s because I’m lacking,” “I’ll do better,” “I’m sorry.” Married life is not about becoming someone who always wins with logic, but about becoming a warm fool who is willing to lose for just one person. Only then can you truly approach happiness.
I am deeply grateful that you listened to my imperfect story until the end. I sincerely hope that the bride and groom will always be each other’s steadfast support through the countless seasons they will face together in their future life. Even when this world sometimes feels weary, their love and trust for each other will keep them walking together to the very end.
Once again, I offer my heartfelt congratulations on your marriage. May warm sunshine and peace always accompany you both in the days ahead. Thank you.

To keep love lasting, you must respect each other

Hello.
Today’s gathering is not merely a celebration of one couple’s marriage, but a meaningful moment where the bride and groom begin their new journey of life together. As someone who has lived a little longer, and alongside the elders of both families and all who honor this occasion with their presence, I offer my heartfelt congratulations.
While we often view marriage as the union of two families, true marriage is the promise made between two individuals and the starting point for building a new home. It is time to move beyond the traditional family-centric mindset of “my daughter-in-law” or “my son-in-law.” It is preferable for the bride’s parents to accept the groom not as a ‘son-in-law’ but as ‘their daughter’s husband,’ and for the groom’s parents to accept the bride not as a ‘daughter-in-law’ but as ‘their son’s wife.’ Only when each person is respected as an independent individual can a healthy relationship truly begin.
So, what is the most concrete practice for spouses to respect each other? It is the ‘sharing of household labor.’ Everyone has different tendencies. While women are generally considered more meticulous and men somewhat more rough, these are merely tendencies, not absolute standards. What matters is not fixed roles, but acknowledging each other’s differences and finding harmony within them. If the wife has carefully cooked a meal and prepared side dishes, it is only natural for the husband to take on other household tasks like washing dishes, cleaning, or doing laundry.
In the past, it was taken for granted that women alone would handle all the housework, but times have changed. Women are also actively participating in society and contributing financially to the household. Therefore, sharing household chores is only natural. However, there is one crucial point here. The moment you draw a line around household labor as merely a ‘division of roles,’ it ceases to be an expression of love and becomes an obligation. From that point on, the joy and happiness marriage brings inevitably begin to fade.
Housework should be a ‘sharing of affection,’ not a ‘sharing of responsibility.’ If the wife prepares a meal, the husband cleans up afterward. If laundry piles up or the house gets messy, the first person to notice tidies it up without being asked. These small daily actions are acts of consideration and love for each other. Housework isn’t the responsibility of one specific person; it’s part of the life a couple builds together. Happiness dwells in those moments when we help each other not through formal division of labor, but with sincere hearts.
Marriage begins with love, but over time, it deepens into ‘jeong’—an emotion deeper and more enduring than love. One day, while walking together, you suddenly feel an emotion warmer than love; that is ‘jeong’. And as that jeong deepens, love blossoms anew like a sprout. What we must never forget is that love is never eternally guaranteed. This moment may be filled with love for each other, but as time passes, that love can gradually fade within familiarity.
But there’s no need to despair. When love weakens, affection fills that void and becomes the strength for love to bloom anew. Therefore, to keep love lasting, we must cultivate affection. Affection sprouts from time spent together, labor shared, and mutual consideration. It grows in those moments when you help each other with household chores, driven not by duty but by affection. As affection deepens, love blossoms anew, and understanding and forgiveness become possible. Couples rooted in affection do not drift apart easily. Even resentment is embraced with warm understanding.
To the bride and groom now building a new home together, I sincerely hope you respect each other’s presence wholeheartedly and cultivate a healthy, happy family. I wholeheartedly cheer for today’s marriage to be the most radiant starting point in both your lives. Finally, I extend my gratitude to everyone who has joined us here today, and I wish your homes always overflow with health and happiness.
Thank you.

Love embraces both the strengths and weaknesses of the other

Today, these two individuals stand before us and have promised to spend their lives together happily. To convey warm blessings to the bride and groom standing at this new starting point in life, I would like to share a short story at this meaningful occasion.
In a small town near San Francisco, USA, lived a mail carrier named John. From the young age of twenty, he walked a round trip of fifty ri every single day without fail, delivering the mail. Over the twenty years that passed, the world changed greatly, but the path John traveled daily remained a barren dirt road where not a single blade of grass grew. It was a harsh road where dust would swirl thickly whenever the wind blew. John would sometimes ask himself, ‘How long will I have to walk this parched road?’ ‘Will my life end, spent only traveling this dusty path?’ When such thoughts arose, a corner of his heart felt stifled and heavy. Then one day, after finishing his usual mail delivery and trudging home, John passed by a flower shop on the roadside. In that moment, a brilliant idea flashed through his mind. He immediately went inside and bought a handful of flower seeds. From that day on, John always carried flower seeds in his pocket and began scattering them one by one along every path he traveled. Day after day, month after month… He never missed a single day of scattering seeds. Years later, Johann’s steps were no longer heavy. He hummed cheerfully as he delivered the mail. Along the path where his footsteps fell, from early spring to late autumn, all manner of flowers bloomed, each in its own time, transforming the once barren road into a dazzling tapestry. Now, instead of dust, the road was filled with the scent of flowers, and his figure walking whistling behind, was as beautiful as a watercolor painting. People walking along that path would smile, and before they knew it, they too would start whistling.
Like John in the story, we are all beings who bloom flowers upon the wasteland of life. Some might see that path as merely a difficult and arid journey. But if we sow flower seeds with our hearts and give our utmost care, that path will surely transform into a beautiful flower-lined road someday. Marriage is precisely such a journey. The bond between husband and wife is not a mere encounter, but a deep and sacred connection ordained by God. It is said that before coming into this world, we made a promise: “In this life, I will live as husband and wife with this person.” Such a bond, woven since time immemorial, cannot be easily severed by human will.
During courtship, only the other’s strengths and beauty catch our eye. Everything seems wonderful, and even flaws feel endearing. But marriage is reality. Now, we must embrace not only each other’s strengths but also their weaknesses and live together. Sometimes, we must understand and accept not just our spouse’s shortcomings but even their family. How wonderful it would be if married life were always a sunlit path strewn with flowers! Yet reality sometimes brings days like a wind-swept, dust-filled wasteland. But just as light creates shadows, everyone has both strengths and weaknesses. Rather than striving to eliminate those weaknesses or fighting against them, accepting them as they are and living together is true love. Embracing your partner unconditionally, accepting even their flaws as part of your life—that is the beginning of deep love.
I sincerely hope your married life becomes a journey of sowing and nurturing flower seeds on the barren land, just as John walked. By cherishing and caring for each other with daily devotion, your life together will soon blossom into a fragrant garden, brightening your surroundings. And that fragrance will not remain confined to your home alone; it will spread beyond your neighbors and society, reaching every corner of the world. May you become beautiful companions of the soul, sowing flower seeds upon the world’s wasteland as you respect and understand each other, growing together on this journey. May love and peace always accompany the bride and groom in their future, and may happiness and blessings forever fill the homes of all the guests gathered here today. With this, I conclude my words of blessing for the couple.