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| Vows can be modified if any content is not suitable. Traditional Vows (Sample) OPENING PRAYER:
WELCOME:
Family and friends, we are assembled here in the presence of God to unite this man and this woman in the holy bond of marriage, to be held in honor among all people. As this couple stands before us and as they enter into this union they vow to be devoted to their love, to bear with each other’s weaknesses, To comfort each other in times of sorrow, to provide for each other, and to encourage each other with understanding throughout their lives.
To The Couple:
The bond of marriage requires tremendous faith in your abilities as an individual but, most importantly as a couple, a married couple. Marriage means bonded, united, not to stand alone and carry the weight of life on your own but, together. Share your thoughts, ideas, hopes, dreams and remember to always deal with all situations with love.
(Peter), Do have take woman to be your wife, and do you pledge your faithfulness to her in all love, tenderness and honor, in all duty and service, and cherish her in accordance with God in the holy bond of marriage?
Groom: I Do.
Minister:
(Dana), Do you take this man to be your husband and do you pledge your faithfulness to him in all love, tenderness and honor, in all duty and service, and cherish him in accordance with God in the holy bond of marriage?
Bride: I Do.
VOWS:
Groom: From this moment I___Peter______, take you,__Dana________ to be my best friend and my wedded wife, I pledge to honor , support and encourage you through our walk of life together when life becomes difficult I promise to be by your side, I promise to work at our love and always make you my priority in life and put no one before you I promise before God and these witnesses to be your loving, loyal and faithful husband, in prosperity or need, in joy or sorrow, in sickness and in health, as long as we both shall live, this is my vow.
Bride: From this moment I____Dana_____, take you,____Peter______ to be my best friend and my wedded Husband, I pledge to honor , support and encourage you through our walk of life together when life becomes difficult I promise to be by your side, I promise to work at our love and always make you my priority in life and put no one before you I promise before God and these witnesses to be your loving, loyal and faithful wife, in prosperity or need, in joy or sorrow, in sickness and in health, as long as we both shall live, this is my vow.
RINGS:
(Rings shall be given to the minister)
Peter: As a symbol to the world of my undying love to you now and always, I pledge my constant faith and abiding love, with this ring, I thee wed.
Dana: As a symbol to the world of my undying love to you now and always, I pledge my constant faith and abiding love, with this ring, I thee wed.
MINISTER’S BLESSING:
What therefore God hath joined together, let no man put asunder.
PRAYER OF BENEDICTION:
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you always, Amen. II Cor. 13:14 Hand Fasting Ceremony
This ceremony is very effective when with smaller number of guests they stand in a circle around the couple. Hand fasting ceremony introductionOfficicant: Bride and Groom, it is our joy to witness and celebrate your wedding in a rich celebration, sustained as we are in the mysterious power of all creation in which the core is Love. You come here today as individuals. You come to become one -- of course not to lose yourselves, but instead to promise a new life of unity and love.
And we, your family and friends, have gathered here to share in your joy and to ask the infinite power in creation to bless you. We hold that marriage is a gift, sealed by an official, lasting sacred covenant.
Giving of the Bride & Groom Who presents this couple to be married?
Sponsors (may be family, friends, or all): We do. *Optional recognition of deceased family members here *Optional joining of current children to marriage here Explanation of Hand fasting Tradition________ & _______you have chosen a traditional hand fasting ceremony. In Europe, until the mid 1700’s, few unions were sanctified in a church or synagogue. Rather, they were celebrated by a simple hand fasting ceremony in which the two partners joined hands over the village anvil, in the fields or in the groves of trees. Today, we build upon this tradition. The couple linked hands, to form an infinity circle, symbolizing the entirety of the universe as represented in their relationship.
________&_______, please join hands in the infinity circle. Handfasting/ VowsKnow now before you go further, that since your lives have crossed in this life you have formed ties between each other. As you seek to enter this state of matrimony you should strive to make real, the ideals which give meaning to both this ceremony and the institution of marriage.
With full awareness, know that within this circle you are not only declaring your intent to be hand fasted before your friends and family, but you speak that intent also to God. The promises made today and the ties that are bound here greatly strengthen your union; they will cross the years and lives of each soul's growth.
Do you still seek to enter this ceremony?
Couple: Yes, We Seek to Enter. Dedication (Blessing) of the HandsThese are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness.
These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes: tears of sorrow and tears of joy.
These are the hands that will comfort you in illness, and hold you when fear or grief racks your mind.
These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times.
These are the hands that will give you support and encourage you to chase your dreams. Together, everything you wish for can be realized. Prepare the cords
Back in earlier years, the hands would be bound with whatever was available - vines, colorful cords, or scarf. Today we will use these cords to symbolize the binding, or promises. The first promise (binding) Groom, Will you be Bride faithful partner for life?
Yes Bride, will you be Groom faithful partner for life?
Yes *To Both*
Will you be each other’s constant friends and one true love? Both answer: Yes
And so the binding is made.
*First cord is draped across the Rebecca and grooms hands*
The second promise (binding) Groom's name, do you promise to love Brides name without reservation?
Yes
Brides Name, do you promise to love Groom's name without reservation?
Yes
*To Both*
Will both of you stand by one another in sickness and in health, in plenty and in want?
Both answer: Yes
And so the binding is made.
*Second chord is draped across the couples hands*
The third promise (binding) Groom, will you stand together with Bride your times of joy and sorrow?
I will
Groom, will you stand together with Rebecca your times of joy and sorrow?
I will
*To Both*
Will you share the burdens of each so that your spirits may grow in this union?
Both answer: Yes, we will
And so the binding is made.
*Drape third chord across the couples hands*
The forth promise (binding)
Groom will you always to be open and honest with Bride, for as long as you both shall live?
Yes Bride, will you always to be open and honest with Groom, for as long as you both shall live?
Yes
*To Both*
Will you dream together to create new realities and hopes for this marriage?
Yes
And so the binding is made.
*Drape fourth chord across the couples hands*
The fifth promise (binding) Bride, Will you honor this man?
I will
Groom, Will you honor this woman?
I will
*To Both*
Will you both seek to cherish and strengthen that honor?
We will
And so the binding is made.
*Drape sixth chord across the couples hands*
Binding of all promises *Tie chords together while saying:* Tied by the best man The knots of this binding are not formed by these chords but instead by your vows. Either of you may drop the chords, for as always, you hold in your own hands the making or breaking of this union.
Maid of honor recites Irish prayer
*Once chords are tied together they are removed and placed on altar*
Blessing and Exchange of Rings
Who holds the rings?
Witnesses: We do
(the hold their hands up to display the rings and holds them up to be blessed )
Let us all bless these rings! These rings are circles, symbols that remind us of the Sun, and the Earth, and the universe. Symbols of holiness, of perfection and peace ... that which has no beginning and no end. And so, in this moment, let us all bring our blessing to these rings so that they may remain symbols of unity and commitment. Grant that the love which Bride and Groom have for each other now may always be as unending as these rings.
These are the rings that Bride and Groom will wear for the rest of their lives, that express the love that they have for one another. Let us take a moment and send our prayers, our thoughts and our love to these rings, so that as they wear them, they will carry our love with them as well. Exchange rings and state for each, “With this ring, I thee wed, let it ever be a symbol of my love.”
Perform Eternity ceremony
Only a couple can seal the promise of a marriage to each other, and only a couple can bind it. No power vested in me by the state can grant me the authority to declare what only these two hearts can declare, and what only these two souls can make real.
And so now, in as much as you, Groom and you, Bride, have announced the truths that are already written in your hearts, and have witnessed the same in the presence of these, your family and friends, -- we observe joyfully that you are now husband and wife.
I present to you Mrs. and Mr. |
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