Secular Ceremony
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We are gathered here today to celebrate one of life's greatest moments, to give recognition to the worth and beauty of love, and to cherish the words which shall
unite Groom and Bride in marriage.
Opening:
(Groom) and (Bride), in the days ahead of you, there will be times of conflict and times of joy. Harmony will be your reward if you follow this advice:
-Let your love be stronger than your anger.
-Learn the wisdom of compromise, for it is better to bend than to break.
-Look for the best in your beloved rather than the worst.
-Confide in your partner and ask for help when you need it.
-Remember that true friendship is the basis for any lasting relationship.
-Give your spouse the same courtesies and kindness’ you bestow on your friends.
-Say "I love you" every day.
(You may wish to add a reading or song here.)
Vows:
(Groom) and (Bride), I remind you that marriage is a precious gift; a lifelong dedication to love and a daily challenge to love one another more fully and more freely.
With this understanding, do you (Groom), take (Bride) to be your beloved wife? Do you promise to be a tender, faithful husband? Do you promise to love and
cherish her, in sickness and in health, for richer for poorer, for better for worse, and keep yourself only unto her? -“I Do.”
With this understanding, do you (Bride), take (Groom) to be your beloved husband? Do you promise to be a tender, faithful wife? Do you promise to love and
cherish him, in sickness and in health, for richer for poorer, for better for worse, and keep yourself only unto him? -“I Do.”
(You may wish to add a reading or song here.)
Rings:
(Groom) and (Bride) have chosen rings as outward symbols of the commitment they make today.
From earliest times, the ring has been a symbol of wedded love. An unbroken and never-ending circle symbolizes a commitment to love that is also never ending.
(Groom), take the ring which you have selected, place it on (Bride's) finger, and say to her these words:
This ring/ a gift for you/ symbolizes my desire/ that you be my wife/ from this day forward.
(Bride), take the ring which you have selected, place it on (Groom's) finger, and say to him these words:
This ring/ a gift for you/ symbolizes my desire/ that you be my husband/ from this day forward.
Let these rings serve not as locks binding you together, but as keys, unlocking the secrets of your hearts for each other to know, and thus bringing you closer
together forever.
(You may wish to add the Unity Candle Ceremony here)
Closing:
-May the sun bring you new energy by day.
-May the moon softly restore you by night.
-May the rain wash away your worries.
-And may you live the days of your lives in peace, love, and happiness.
Pronouncement:
(Groom) and (Bride), having witnessed your vows for marriage with all who are assembled here, and by the authority vested in me, I announce with great joy that
you are husband and wife.
Kiss:
You may kiss.
Presentation:
Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor to present to you, for the first time as husband and wife:
(Groom and Bride)!!
unite Groom and Bride in marriage.
Opening:
(Groom) and (Bride), in the days ahead of you, there will be times of conflict and times of joy. Harmony will be your reward if you follow this advice:
-Let your love be stronger than your anger.
-Learn the wisdom of compromise, for it is better to bend than to break.
-Look for the best in your beloved rather than the worst.
-Confide in your partner and ask for help when you need it.
-Remember that true friendship is the basis for any lasting relationship.
-Give your spouse the same courtesies and kindness’ you bestow on your friends.
-Say "I love you" every day.
(You may wish to add a reading or song here.)
Vows:
(Groom) and (Bride), I remind you that marriage is a precious gift; a lifelong dedication to love and a daily challenge to love one another more fully and more freely.
With this understanding, do you (Groom), take (Bride) to be your beloved wife? Do you promise to be a tender, faithful husband? Do you promise to love and
cherish her, in sickness and in health, for richer for poorer, for better for worse, and keep yourself only unto her? -“I Do.”
With this understanding, do you (Bride), take (Groom) to be your beloved husband? Do you promise to be a tender, faithful wife? Do you promise to love and
cherish him, in sickness and in health, for richer for poorer, for better for worse, and keep yourself only unto him? -“I Do.”
(You may wish to add a reading or song here.)
Rings:
(Groom) and (Bride) have chosen rings as outward symbols of the commitment they make today.
From earliest times, the ring has been a symbol of wedded love. An unbroken and never-ending circle symbolizes a commitment to love that is also never ending.
(Groom), take the ring which you have selected, place it on (Bride's) finger, and say to her these words:
This ring/ a gift for you/ symbolizes my desire/ that you be my wife/ from this day forward.
(Bride), take the ring which you have selected, place it on (Groom's) finger, and say to him these words:
This ring/ a gift for you/ symbolizes my desire/ that you be my husband/ from this day forward.
Let these rings serve not as locks binding you together, but as keys, unlocking the secrets of your hearts for each other to know, and thus bringing you closer
together forever.
(You may wish to add the Unity Candle Ceremony here)
Closing:
-May the sun bring you new energy by day.
-May the moon softly restore you by night.
-May the rain wash away your worries.
-And may you live the days of your lives in peace, love, and happiness.
Pronouncement:
(Groom) and (Bride), having witnessed your vows for marriage with all who are assembled here, and by the authority vested in me, I announce with great joy that
you are husband and wife.
Kiss:
You may kiss.
Presentation:
Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor to present to you, for the first time as husband and wife:
(Groom and Bride)!!
