Formal Wedding Ritual

Klingon drums are played. As the mistress of the House begins the ceremony, everyone falls silent.

With fire and steel did the gods forge the Klingon heart. So firecely did it beat, so loud was the sound, that the gods cried out: „On this day we have brought forth the strongest heart in all the heavens. None can stand before it without trembling at its strength.“

But then the Klingon heart weakened, its steady rhythm faltered, and the gods said: „Why do you weaken so? We have made you the strongest in all of creation.“

And the heart said...

The groom steps up to the mistress and responds :

„I...am alone.“

The mistress continues:

And the gods knew that they had erred. So they went back to their forge und brought forth another heart.

The bride enters and joins the groom, facing him. The sword-bearer steps forward, and the couple each take a betleH from him. As the mistress tells all:

But the second heart beat stronger than the first, and the first was jealous of its power.

The groom swings his betleH at the bride, but she parries and gets her blade up to his neck.

At that instant the mistress reminds the bride:

Fortunately, the second heart was tempered by wisdom.

And the bride replies:

If we join together, no forces can stop us.

The bride takes her blade away from her groom's neck, and the two pull each other close, with their faces almost touching. The mistress continues:

And when the two hearts began to beat together, they filled the heavens with a terrible sound. For the first time, the gods knew fear. They tried to flee, but it was too late.

The Klingon hearts destroyed the gods who created them and turnes the heavens to ashes. To this very day, no one can oppose the beating of two Klingon hearts.

...., son of ..., does your heart beat only for this woman?

The groom states an affirmative. The ceremony continues.

And will you swear to join with her and stand with her against all who would oppose you?

He agrees again, and she continues, turning to the bride, asking the same questions:

...., daughter of ..., does your heart beat only for this man?

And do you swear to join with him and stand with him against all who would oppose you?

The bride stands in agreement, and in conclusion, spoken to all is (mistress) :

Then let all present here today know that this man and this woman are married.

This ends the speaking of the vows. The Klingon drums begin again as the couple kisses. Then the men who joined the groom in the four days path of clarity (similar to the Earth custom of the bachelor party) rush the platform carrying ma'Stakas to attack the newly married couple and instigate the traditional Klingon wedding congratulations.

Source:

Book „StarTrek - Celebrations“ by Maureen McTigue (Pocket Books)

Note : some of the Klingon words in that book have a weird spelling and can hardly be recognized - the spelling of ma'Stakas is definitely wrong, but we don't have the right one (maybe maStaq'a'mey?)