Wedding Vows 14

Non-Religious / Civil

No religion in the ceremony whatsoever, including no prayer, although a couple may
have an invocation or poem that would be as meaningful to them as a prayer would be
to a religious person.

Minister/ Officiant: Good evening, and welcome to the ceremony that will unite
__________ and __________ in marriage.

We gather here today to celebrate their union, and to honor their commitment to not
just gazing at one another, but looking outward together in the same direction. Today
__________ and __________ proclaim their love to the world, and we rejoice with,
and for them.

In marriage, we give ourselves freely and generously into the hands of the one we
love, and in doing so, each of us receives the love and trust of the other as our most
precious gift. But even as two people that share that gift, it also touches the friends
and family members who in various ways support and contribute to the relationship.

All of you are __________ and __________'s community, and each of you has
played some part in bringing them to this moment. This is why gathering as a
community is such as important part of a wedding ceremony.

Because __________ and __________ are now taking new form as a married
couple, and in this form, they become part of their community in a new way.

(If you want to insert something personal, such as a favorite poem or song, a
statement made to on another or to your family, a rose ceremony, or a candle
ceremony this is the spot for it.)

__________ and __________, we are here to remember and rejoice with you and to
recount with one another that it is love that guides us on our path, and to celebrate as
you begin this journey together.

It is in this spirit that you have come here today to exchange these vows.

(Groom)__________, repeat after me:

I __________ take you __________ to be my wife. I promise above all else to live in
truth with you and to communicate fully and fearlessly. I give you my hand and my
heart as a sanctuary of warmth and peace and pledge my love, devotion, faith and
honor as I join my life to yours.

(Bride)__________, repeat after me:

I __________ take you __________ to be my husband. I promise above all else to
live in truth with you and to communicate fully and fearlessly. I give you my hand and
my heart as a sanctuary of warmth and peace and pledge my love, devotion, faith and
honor as I join my life to yours.

Rings

For thousands of years lovers have exchanged rings as a token of their vows. Your
rings say that even in your uniqueness you have chosen to be bound together. Let
these rings also be a sign that love has substance as well as soul, a present as well
as a past, and that despite is occasional sorrows, love is a circle of happiness,
wonder and delight.

(Groom)__________, take__________'s ring and put it on her finger, and repeat
after me:

Just as this circle is without and, my love for you is eternal. Just as it is made of
indestructible substance my commitment to you will never fail. With this ring I take you
to be my trusted confidante and partner for life.

(Bride)__________, take__________'s ring and put it on her finger, and repeat after
me:
Just as this circle is without and, my love for you is eternal. Just as it is made of
indestructible substance my commitment to you will never fail. With this ring I take you
to be my trusted confidante and partner for life.

__________ and __________, although I'm officiating here today, it is not truly in my
power to sanctify, legitimize or bless your relationship in any way, because the two of
you have already done that in your hearts. So, by joining hands right now and looking
into each others eyes … let it be known that you are joined, body and soul in this
lifetime, and that this bond is sacred and eternal. Now that you have stood before me
and exchanged these rings and these vows, and have agreed to be married
according to the laws of the State of Washington, it gives me great pleasure to
pronounce that you are Husband and Wife.