SmartChant

Today we gather as many families and become one.
We promise to stand beside you,
to celebrate your joys,
and to carry your burdens with you.
May your home be warm, your laughter easy,
and your love grow deeper with every year.

Best read by everyone, led gently by the officiant. About 25 seconds at a ceremonial pace.

Officiant: Will you, their family and friends, support this marriage?
All: We will.
Officiant: Will you celebrate with them in seasons of joy?
All: We will.
Officiant: And will you stand with them in seasons of difficulty?
All: We will, today and always.

The response line barely changes, so guests need no rehearsal — the classic unity structure.

May you be gentle with each other’s dreams.
May you argue honestly and forgive quickly.
May your table be full and your door be open.
And when the years have made this day a photograph,
may you still choose each other, again and again.

Works beautifully at a memorial or vow renewal too, with the last two lines adapted.

The reading fails when guests don’t have the words or don’t know when to start. Three fixes:

1. Give everyone the words — a QR code on the program that opens the reading on each guest’s phone beats a printed insert (no rustling paper, works in the dark, grandparents included).
2. Pace it for the room — a synced display that highlights the current line keeps 120 people from drifting apart by line three. SmartChant does this at a gentle pace you choose, or live-led by the officiant.
3. Cue the start clearly — the officiant says "please read with me," takes one audible breath, and begins. The first line should be spoken by the officiant slightly louder than everyone.

Afterwards the page stays readable at the same link — the full text of the reading becomes a keepsake guests already have.