Marriage is a beautiful journey two people create together. Discover heartfelt wedding vows to help build a happy married life—wise words to make your precious bond shine even brighter.

May you build a beautiful home together, trusting and relying on each other

The British poet T.S. Eliot called April “the cruelest month.” Like his poem, today is a cruelly dazzling and sunny spring day. On behalf of both families, I extend my deepest gratitude to all the guests who have put aside other commitments to celebrate the marriage of these two individuals standing at a new starting point in life.
I am the father of the groom, ○○○, and a childhood friend from elementary school. I believe the reason my friend asked me to officiate his son’s wedding, setting aside many other distinguished individuals, is likely because I was able to show him, at least to some extent, that I live an upright and sincere life. Whatever the reason, being asked to officiate my friend’s son’s wedding is a great honor and deeply meaningful to me. Today, in this role as officiant and as a senior who has walked a little further down life’s path, I wish to share a few precious lessons I’ve learned through life with this couple as they start their new family.
First, I must tell you both that you have truly made an excellent choice. Throughout life, we face countless moments of choice. From picking toys as children, to selecting a tie, deciding on a restaurant menu, or choosing a university—whether big or small, we constantly stand at crossroads of decision. Some choices bring regret and reflection. Yet, among all these choices, the most important and noble decision is selecting your life partner.
In that sense, this occasion today is a truly meaningful moment where the decision of two people who sincerely love each other and choose to be life companions together is realized. This choice is an absolute truth in itself, the most radiant truth in life. And before this choice, the two of you have exchanged a solemn vow to love and respect each other forever. With this, the two of you have been given the ‘responsibility and duty to love each other forever’. I sincerely hope that the mindset of this moment remains unchanged as time passes.
However, the path to building a beautiful home is not completed by love alone. Two people who grew up in different environments and hold different values living together means constantly facing differences, big and small. At such times, rather than saying ‘you are wrong,’ an attitude of acknowledging ‘our thoughts differ’ is necessary. Understanding and caring for each other, sometimes making concessions and exercising patience—these efforts are the surest way to preserve love.
Furthermore, if you wish for love to last forever, it’s crucial to have a heart that gives first, rather than expecting to receive. Before wondering, “What will they do for me?” you must become someone who observes, “What might that person want?” And above all, be careful with your words. Words that belittle your spouse’s character or hurt their family are absolutely unacceptable. A single word can brighten or darken a home. Always exchange words that bring joy and respect, words that encourage each other.
May you wrap each other in love and respect, consideration and patience, and warm words, and together build a happy home just for the two of you. To all the guests gathered here today, I also ask for your support. Please offer warm encouragement, cheers, and generous advice so that the couple can live happily and beautifully together in the years ahead. I too will always be by their side, watching over and cheering them on.
Groom, Bride, and everyone present here, thank you sincerely for listening to the end. May this wedding ceremony become a precious memory that the couple will cherish forever. Thank you.

Be considerate of each other, love each other, and express it

Hello, everyone.
It is the last day of March, when the beautiful, colorful flowers that were only seen in flower shops last winter now bloom profusely along the roadsides. Seeing the cold wind subside and the warm air envelop my whole body, I feel deep in my heart that spring has arrived. The sunlight grows stronger by the day, and the ground once covered in snow and frozen streams are melting, preparing for the birth of new life. Spring flowers, blooming after a long wait, seem to compete in announcing spring’s arrival, while spring greens, brimming with the vitality of the season, surge upward from the earth.
Like spring arriving after a long winter, moments welcomed after a long wait feel all the more precious and moving. The joy of meeting is doubled by the length of the wait, and each moment feels precious. Here today stand two people who, after such waiting, stand on the threshold of a new beginning. I sincerely hope that going forward, they will cherish and respect each other, building a warm and happy home together.
The Bible has this verse:
“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…”
To all of you gathered here today, are you living according to the meaning of love described in this passage? In our lives, just like this wedding ceremony, there are not always only happy moments. Even in relationships bound by love, conflicts can arise, and misunderstandings can accumulate. The reason hearts drift apart despite loving each other is often because love shifts from consideration for the other person to self-centered satisfaction.
True love is selfless and stems from an attitude that places the other at the center. We often say, “Love is a verb.” Love is not merely an emotion; it is an action put into practice. No matter how much one loves in their heart, if it is not expressed, the other cannot feel that love. Love only becomes love when it is expressed. A warm word spoken from the heart, a small act of consideration—these are the ways love is conveyed.
The bride and groom, who decided to marry because they love each other, shed their past selves starting today and begin a new life. Now, they are no longer just lovers; they take on new roles as son-in-law and daughter-in-law, and as parents to the child yet to be born. Their daily lives, attitudes, and habits will need to change. Yet, even amidst these changes, may their love for each other never waver.
A married couple is infinitely close, yet sometimes distant. Marriage is two people, raised in entirely different environments, coming together to live as one. Therefore, a marital relationship constantly requires the effort to understand and respect each other. Marriage is a promise between two people and also the union of two families. Its responsibility and meaning are profound.
The advice I wish to offer you both can be summed up in this one sentence:
Be considerate, love each other, and express it.
If these three things are upheld, you two will surely live as a happy couple for a lifetime.
Once again, I sincerely wish that the new family standing here today will grow deep roots and flourish like a lush tree. Thank you for sharing this joy with us on this warm spring day.

The heart that begins must endure to the end

Hello. May, the spring season, is the most perfect time for love.
Look around, and dazzling scenery unfolds wherever your eyes rest. How could one not love such a beautiful season? They say that to offer love to someone, your own heart must first be full and warm.
In winter, we seek someone amidst loneliness and desolation, but in spring, it’s the opposite—we naturally want to share joy and happiness with someone. That’s why I personally feel spring love is more beautiful than winter love. On a day like today, perfect for love in May, a truly lovely couple begins a new journey together through marriage.
Today, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the groom, Mr. ○○○, and the bride, Ms. ○○○, as they start walking life’s path together. I also extend my deepest respect and congratulations to both sets of parents who raised these two splendidly and brought them together in this beautiful union.
Standing here today, I too have a special connection that led me to officiate this ceremony. Though I am now approaching my seventies, I officiated the wedding of the groom’s parents over thirty years ago when they met at the same company, fell in love, and married. This time, I stand as officiant once more for the wedding of their son. At first, I declined, thinking, “What business does an old man have officiating?” But the groom’s father made several earnest requests, and so I ended up continuing this precious connection as officiant across two generations. It is nothing short of an infinite honor for me.
They say wedding speeches are best kept short, so I’ll keep mine brief.
My favorite number is the Arabic numeral ‘8’. As you know, the 8 connects top and bottom like a single line, and when turned on its side, it becomes the symbol for infinity. I hope the two standing here today will share a love like the ‘8’ – where beginning and end meet, and which endures unbroken through time.
In life, everyone experiences moments of struggle or uncertainty. But if you hold onto this beginning heart until the very end, your love will grow to infinite depth.
And there’s one more thing I must emphasize: health. Losing honor or wealth means losing only a part of life, but losing health means losing everything. I hope both the groom and bride, and indeed all family members from both sides, will make health their highest priority in life and work together to support each other’s well-being.
The groom’s father, Mr. ○○○, and mother, Mrs. ○○○, are remarkable individuals who built their current prosperity and harmonious family through their combined efforts. I understand the bride’s grandparents and mother are also wonderful people. May both of them always honor their elders with respect and devotion, and build their own beautiful family based on that love and guidance.
Once again, I am grateful to be here with you all on this meaningful day. I sincerely wish the groom and bride a future filled with unchanging love and happiness.

May you live like water, oxygen, and soil

Dear family members and guests, hello?
Today, surrounded by your warm blessings, Groom ○○○ and Bride ○○○ take their first steps as husband and wife on this precious day. I sincerely congratulate them on this new beginning and, as someone who has walked this path before, I wish to offer a small piece of advice. It is this: I hope they live a life faithful to the ‘principle of all things’. A life that mirrors the laws of nature, living like water, like oxygen, like soil. I believe that such a life is the true and profound path of existence.
First, I hope the two of you live like water.
The ancient Greek philosopher Thales identified ‘water’ as the origin of all things. Water always flows toward lower ground. I hope you both never forget humility in life, becoming people who, like water seeking lower places, are the first to extend a helping hand where it is needed. Like the timely rain that moistens parched land, like the spring water that breathes life into the thirsty, may your very presence be a source of comfort and hope for someone.
Like water, invisible yet perpetually circulating, I hope you two will quietly flow through the world’s center, living a mature life that eventually reaches great heights. Remember that true success can only be attained by passing through low places.
Second, I hope the two of you live like oxygen.
Aquatic life thrives because oxygen exists in the water, and we breathe and live thanks to the oxygen in the air. Oxygen is invisible yet indispensable to our lives. I hope the two of you become like that—people who, without needing to be in the spotlight, are precious and essential to everyone.
At work, at home, among friends—be the kind of person who brightens the atmosphere and provides strength simply by being present. Like air that slips through any net, I hope you move flexibly toward your dreams without fearing any obstacles. May you become people like oxygen—quiet yet possessing a certain, undeniable strength.
Third, I hope the two of you live like soil.
We all come from the earth and return to it. Born from the soil, we grow in it, and when our life ends, we return to the earth to nurture new life. All life circulates within the earth’s embrace. Living in harmony with this natural order is the most natural way of life.
During life, there are times when one must endure being trampled upon, become soiled, or remain unseen while silently nurturing other lives. Yet it is because of such soil that the world breathes and life can grow. May the two of you engrave this authenticity of life upon your hearts, protecting each other with sincere and warm hearts as you live.
Water, oxygen, and soil do not exist separately. They are organically connected, supporting each other and circulating together. Humans are no different. I and others, people and nature, are intimately connected, and we live within this organic relationship. Social work practice is also based on the interaction between human behavior and environment, and computer systems, the core of modern technology, also utilize this principle of the organism. Thus, ‘being interconnected’ is the very essence of life.
The person truly needed is not the one who speaks much, but the one who opens their ears and listens. It is the person who holds hands and comforts the heart, the one who knows how to listen to the pain of others, not their own. Remember, blessings are not something you fight to seize from someone else; they return to you when you wish blessings upon others. I sincerely hope that your marriage, beyond being a simple union, becomes a starting point for encouraging each other and spreading warmth to those around you.
Finally, I wish for both of you to walk a life path where you understand the principles of all things, living like water, like oxygen, like soil. Such a life will be quiet yet profound, firm yet warm.
Once again, I congratulate the groom, ○○○, and the bride, ○○○, on their beautiful marriage. With this, I conclude my wedding address.
May health and happiness always accompany you both in the days ahead. Thank you.

A single word can improve a marriage

Spring is here, a season when new greenery flourishes and passion awakens.
Just a few days ago, a chill lingered in the mornings and evenings, but suddenly the temperature has risen sharply, bringing full-fledged spring weather. As the spring air grows thicker, the time of March feels ever more distinct. Soon, news of spring flowers blooming will begin trickling in, starting from the south. We’ve already heard the welcome news that forsythia along the roadsides in southern regions have begun to bloom, radiant with yellow light. If the warm weather continues just a few more days, the cherry blossoms will surely burst open soon.
But there is one thing we must not forget. No matter how beautiful nature is, if our hearts are not at peace and warm, it is difficult to fully appreciate that beauty. For the two people standing here together, this March will likely be remembered as more special and brilliant than any other time. To the couple taking their first steps as husband and wife at this new starting point in life, I offer my heartfelt congratulations. On behalf of the bride, groom, and their parents, I also express deep gratitude to all the guests who traveled far to bless their union.
Marriage is the process of two different people building one life together. When two imperfect individuals understand and care for each other, they finally form a complete family. Having experienced married life myself, I wholeheartedly agree with this. There is no such thing as a perfect person in this world. If a perfect being existed, it would be a god, not a human. That is why we decide to marry, seeking to become whole by meeting our ‘other half’ who fills our shortcomings.
Today, as you stand here on the threshold of a new beginning, I wish to offer you a brief but heartfelt piece of advice.
As you live together as husband and wife, I hope you will often say “Don’t do that” to yourself and “Well done” to your partner. You will soon discover how much power a single word holds in a marital relationship.
There’s a saying: “Praise can make even a whale dance.” While some say both carrots and sticks are needed between people, I believe in a marriage, the carrot alone is sufficient. Praise and encouragement warm the relationship and deepen trust. Conversely, criticism and blame push conversation apart and eventually close hearts. A marriage is no exception. Instead of “Why did you do that?” or “Don’t ever do that again.” Instead, when warm words like “You did well,” or “You can do even better,” are exchanged, that home will surely blossom with love and laughter.
Today, on behalf of Mr. ○○○ and Ms. ○○○, who are starting anew as husband and wife, I will offer just one piece of advice: “Don’t say it.”
“Before speaking to your partner, pause and think just once more.”
Simply cultivating the habit of reflecting before speaking will reduce conflicts and make conversations smoother.
Though this principle is simple, it holds deep meaning. I hope you both engrave this sentence in your hearts and wisely continue your married life, always considering each other.
A single word can change the world. And that word can also change the relationship between husband and wife.
Just as a very small expression can create a big change, happiness too begins not in grand gestures but in the small words and actions of daily life. Like a butterfly’s wingbeat setting off a storm far away, a warm word becomes the seed that brings peace and love into the home.
On this spring day, I sincerely wish your beginning be as beautiful and fragrant as a flower.
Thank you.

Find meaning and joy in your present life, giving thanks each day

Today, we gather here to celebrate the beautiful marriage of two young people. Everyone present sends their heartfelt blessings for your future.
Looking back, the days in life when we were truly happy are fewer than we might think. Yet, when we recall them, the happiest days among those are surely days like today—the day of marriage, the day children were born, and further still, the day a child finds a good partner and marries. In that sense, today will be a special day long remembered, both for you two and for both sets of parents.
To the bride and groom, I ask this: Hold deep within your hearts the joy of today, and the heartfelt congratulations and emotion shared by the family, friends, and loved ones gathered here. If you live your lives without forgetting that feeling, filled with love and gratitude for each other, you will surely lead successful and happy lives.
However, as you both know, the world is never easy. Nothing in life comes for free, and as you live, everyone will encounter unexpected difficulties, trials, and health crises. Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to share a few secrets you should remember to walk the path of a successful and happy married couple in your future life.
The first is ‘patience’. While some may live smoothly through innate talent or parental support, for most people, true success and happiness are not granted overnight. Rather, lasting peace and satisfaction come to those who quietly endure and patiently wait. The same holds true in marriage. If you insist on having everything your way or insist on settling every minor issue, life can suddenly turn into a battlefield. However, in the long run, patience and generosity yield far greater rewards. I sincerely hope you both will refrain from clinging solely to your own opinions and instead strive to understand and consider each other’s perspectives.
The second principle is ‘the relentless pursuit of self-improvement.’ While most couples marry out of mutual affection, spending extended time together inevitably leads to growing dissatisfaction with a partner who fails to reflect on themselves. This applies to everyone, regardless of gender. To achieve true success in this world, the effort to constantly develop oneself is absolutely essential. What matters is not trying to fix your partner’s flaws, but rather cultivating your own strengths and striving to grow into a better version of yourself. May the bond formed here today deepen further, and may you live lives that inspire each other positively. I sincerely hope that when we meet again, both of you will have become more mature and beautiful individuals than you are today.
The third is ‘a heart that never loses hope’. In life, shadows inevitably fall upon everyone. Trials come whether we want them or not, and sometimes we face heartbreaking pain and hardship. It is precisely during such times that we must never let go of the thread of hope. Life is not a continuous cycle of suffering. Pain is not eternal, and time is the great healer. Moreover, most of what we fear are merely vague shadows without substance. No matter the hardship, view the world with an optimistic gaze and live each day with a grateful heart. Even if imperfect, finding meaning and joy in your present life and cherishing this moment together is happiness itself.
Today, gathered here, I sincerely bless your future together. May the joy felt at this wedding not fade with the moment, but remain a warm memory in your hearts for a lifetime. Joy shines brighter when cherished, and gains greater meaning when sustained. Please never forget this excitement and commitment, and may you live your lives together, laughing and crying, for a lifetime.
Once again, I sincerely bless your marriage. Thank you.

May you approach all things with a grateful heart and a positive attitude

Hello, everyone.
I sincerely thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to attend and bless this couple’s marriage. Having so many of you here makes this meaningful occasion feel even more beautiful and warm. And I consider it a great honor to officiate at this wedding.
There is an old saying: “When the family is harmonious, all things prosper.” It means that when the family is harmonious, everything else falls into place smoothly. When a husband and wife understand and care for each other, living in harmony, they can overcome any hardship life throws their way. The most important thing for this is a heart of mutual respect. It requires the wisdom to not stubbornly cling only to one’s own habits or personality, but to sincerely understand and respect the other, and sometimes know when to yield. I hope you build a beautiful and harmonious family based on this mutual consideration and love.
A married couple is often described as “one heart, one body.” If two people move forward as one heart, they need not fear any trials or storms this world may bring. I believe the two standing here today are truly a well-matched pair. I have no doubt that your future together will be filled with great happiness and abundance. However, no matter how deep your love, life together may bring occasional difficulties, big or small. When such moments come, remember this: if you face them with faith and love for each other, engaging in sincere, earnest conversation to solve problems together, your love can actually grow deeper through that process. Above all, always maintain honest and sincere communication.
First and foremost, I hope you live lives of honesty and sincerity. Now, the two of you must build a new home and design your life together. In this journey, the most fundamental and vital virtues are sincerity and diligence. Cherish the time given to you and adopt an attitude of giving your best effort to every task entrusted to you. Living each day faithfully in this way will naturally cultivate confidence and bring about good results. I sincerely hope that your life together remains always honest, truthful, and moves in the right direction.
Another thing I must convey is my hope that you never lose your grateful heart and live with a positive attitude. The love and devotion shown by both sets of parents to make this day possible have been truly immense and profound. I hope you will always keep that kindness in your hearts and never forget it. In all matters you face in your future life, approach them with a grateful heart and view them with a positive outlook. Living this way will allow you to honor your parents and elders, deepen your bonds with siblings, and further earn the trust and affection of neighbors and society.
Today’s union is a truly precious bond, envied and blessed by many. Everyone gathered here sincerely wishes for a bright future filled with love and happiness for the couple. May the two of you henceforth illuminate each other’s lives even more brightly, and furthermore, may you live lives of service and generosity for your neighbors and society. I believe that within such a life, you will experience greater and deeper joys.
Now, wishing that the hands you hold together may become a symbol of unchanging faith and love for a lifetime, I will conclude my officiating remarks here.
Once again, thank you to everyone who has attended.
Thank you.

Faith and Treasure in Each Other

Ladies and gentlemen, hello.
It is a warm November afternoon, with gentle sunlight softly filtering through the windows. Just yesterday, a cold wind blew, making it feel as if winter would sweep in at any moment. Yet today, strangely enough, a softer energy seems to envelop us. I can’t help but wonder if this might be heaven’s way of blessing the marriage of the groom and bride gathered here today.
November always makes me reflect on marriage too. For me, November is a special month, the month of my wedding anniversary. Usually, my wife feels like such a natural part of my life that I often go about my days without fully realizing how precious she is. Then, when November comes, I suddenly recall the moment we first started dating and the day we got married. Whenever that happens, I feel inexplicably sorry towards my wife, so I quietly prepare a delicious meal and give her a small gift. I vowed to cherish and love her for life, but living together has shown me that keeping that promise is never easy.
The two people standing before me now no longer have the faces of young adults. The two I remember from our undergraduate days were so fresh and vibrant, yet now, ten years later, time has shaped them into mature adults with deeper gazes and composed expressions. It’s a truly admirable and beautiful transformation.
To these two who decided to marry out of such deep love, there’s something I must tell them. As many life mentors say, marriage isn’t about love growing stronger over time, but rather affection deepening. Why does love sometimes feel like it fades with time? We often talk about the importance of ‘keeping that initial spark alive.’ In marriage, preserving that spark is paramount. And the most fundamental thing needed to keep that spark alive is ‘trust in each other.’
Trust forms the foundation of love. When you can firmly believe in each other, warm love grows upon that foundation. That love accumulates, deepening into affection, and ultimately creates a relationship that remains steadfast over time. Even if you see each other’s familiar faces every day, I hope you become a couple who looks at each other with a fresh heart every moment, respecting and admiring one another. I hope you can live each day together, holding onto that initial excitement, and be a source of strength for each other simply by being together.
Married life, of course, isn’t easy. But actually living it, it wasn’t as complicated or difficult as I had imagined. It was possible because I trusted my wife, and my wife trusted me. When you feel certain that ‘this person will believe in me,’ your heart grows steadfast, and you naturally share more stories. As those conversations multiply, you’ll suddenly find yourselves chatting and laughing together like you did in your courtship days. Spending each day like this, you’ll discover that your wife, even as her gray hairs multiply, remains—no, feels even more beautiful and lovable than ever.
Love isn’t merely a passionate emotion; it grows from deep mutual trust and sincere respect. I hope the couple marrying today will also trust and cherish each other, filling each day with warmth. Ultimately, marriage can be a beautiful and joyful journey built solely on that trust and cherishing.
My heartfelt congratulations on your marriage. If you remember just these few things I’ve shared today, you will surely build a happy and enduring marriage.
Thank you.

Now, the two of you are responsible beings who bear infinite responsibility for each other

According to Genesis, God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him,” and while Adam slept deeply, God created a woman from his rib. Humans were created as beings who cannot live alone. Nothing exists alone in this world. Rocks, trees, soil, even air itself can only exist in relation to other things. Humans are no exception. A life lived alone is never complete; only when we are together does the true meaning of life reveal itself.
The expression that God made the woman from the man’s rib is not merely a description of biological birth. The rib serves to protect the upper body, the core of the physical form. This symbolically shows that the relationship between man and woman transcends mere physical union, representing a sacred union that is mental, personal, and spiritual. The union of man and woman is not merely living together; it is a relationship of ‘one flesh,’ bound together as beings indispensable to each other. This relationship is formed by a covenant of love deeper and more intense than any other relationship in this world.
Now, the two have become each other’s most precious being—a responsible being bearing infinite responsibility. Love is bearing infinite responsibility for one another; it is not merely an emotion, but an act and a decision. Love is ‘bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh.’ Love is a true and transparent encounter, naked yet without shame. Thus, the two have now left their parents, united with each other, and begun a new journey of life as one body.
For the bride and groom who have prepared a new nest of love, life’s path will not always be smooth. As they live, they will find not only joy and delight, but also tears, sorrow, and loneliness. That is the essence of life’s journey. A Russian proverb says, “Pray once when going to war, pray twice when going to sea, and pray three times when getting married.” This signifies that marriage is a major life decision, a journey requiring responsibility and dedication. Now, the couple stands at the point where they must pray three times. In the life ahead, they must live together wisely, encouraging and supporting each other, enduring and persevering, all based on their love and trust for one another.
For Groom ○○○ and Bride ○○○ to stand here today, there has been the deep love and care of both sets of parents. No matter how outstanding a person may be, no one is born into this world without parents. No one falls from the sky or springs from the earth onto this land. We have all grown up in our parents’ embrace, nurtured by their love and devotion. Therefore, we must bow our heads before our parents and express sincere gratitude for their sacrifices and tears. Now, may the two of you wholeheartedly honor both sets of parents. If you serve your parents with boundless filial devotion, your household will surely become a harmonious and blessed home.
Now, Mr. ○○○ and Ms. ○○○ have formed one family through this sacred marriage. A nest of their own has been prepared, and the history of their new family begins at this very moment. May this home become a Garden of Eden where the flower of love blooms. May that flower blossom fully, revealing its fragrance to the entire world. May this family, bound by true love and deep faith, ripen into luscious fruit, and may that fruit become a beautiful legacy passed on to the next generation.
Today’s wedding ceremony is not merely a beginning, but the first chapter of a beautiful journey the two of you will write together. We sincerely bless this new family, wishing it always be filled with love and peace, and pray that happiness and joy accompany every step you take together.
Thank you.

The two of you must live together for a lifetime, not alone but as one

I sincerely congratulate the groom, Mr. ○○○, and the bride, Ms. ○○○, who are celebrating this beautiful turning point in their lives today. As the officiant, I offer warm congratulations and words of encouragement.
I extend my deepest gratitude to the parents of both families who raised the groom and bride standing here today with love, who brought them together, and who guided them to this beautiful wedding ceremony. I also offer my congratulations to them.
On behalf of both families, I also extend heartfelt thanks to all the guests who graced this occasion with your presence to bless their future, despite your busy schedules.
Today is not merely a wedding ceremony; it is a meaningful occasion where two individuals take their first step toward building a life together. Therefore, as someone who has walked this path a little longer, I would like to offer a few words of advice about the new life you will now live ‘not alone, but together.’
In the world-renowned bestseller and the Bible, a book containing humanity’s wisdom, Genesis 2:24 states, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” Thus, after growing up, it is the universal order and common sense of humanity for a man and a woman to leave their parents’ home, rely on each other, and establish an independent family.
However, nowadays, the term ‘kangaroo generation’ is so prevalent that married children often still depend on their parents’ help. This regrettable reality frequently prevents parents from properly preparing for their own retirement. This family structure causes various problems not only in personal relationships but also throughout society.
Fortunately, the bride and groom marrying today are both outstanding individuals with sufficient capability and mature thinking. I firmly believe that based on their independent lives, they will lead self-reliant households without depending on their parents. I sincerely hope they become steadfast companions to each other in the married life that lies ahead.
From this moment on, the two of you are no longer alone. You have become partners who will walk through life together, sharing joys and sorrows, supporting each other through difficult and weary times, always thinking and laughing together.
Everyone dreams of a happy and meaningful life. However, marriage is not merely the fruit of love; it can also be a turning point that significantly changes our living environment and daily routines.
The groom and bride have each lived for over thirty years within different family backgrounds and value systems. Recognizing these differences and respecting each other’s habits and ways of thinking as they are, with consideration, is especially crucial in the early days of marriage. Efforts to understand each other, rather than trying to change the other, will make their life together stronger and warmer.
Today, a new family has been born in this place. We ask all the guests gathered here to offer your continued care and warm encouragement so that the bride and groom may build a happy home together. May the couple, who will live together with love and faith, always be blessed with unwavering happiness like that of today.
Once again, I sincerely congratulate the bride and groom on their marriage. With this, I conclude the wedding ceremony. Thank you.