Civil Ceremony

Civil Wedding Ceremony

(This ceremony takes 8-15 minutes, depending upon whether you have unity candles, Rose ceremony , other readings etc.)

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 add our best wishes to the words which shall unite __________ and ________ in marriage.
Should there be anyone who has cause why this couple should not be united in marriage, they must speak now or forever hold their peace.
(If the bride is escorted forward)

Who is it that brings this woman to this man?

(The father, children, relative etc. may give the bride away. He /they answer “I do”, This person then steps back and the groom takes the bride’s hand.)

___________ and ___________ , I would ask that you both remember to treat yourself and each other with respect, and remind yourself often of what brought you together today. Give the highest priority to the tenderness, gentleness and kindness that your marriage deserves. When frustration and difficulty assail your marriage – as they do to every relationship at one time or another – focus on what still seems right between you, not only the part that seems wrong. This way, when clouds of trouble hide the sun in your lives and you lose sight of it for a moment, you can remember that the sun is still there. And if each of you will take responsibility for the quality of your life together, it will be marked by abundance and delight.

VOWS

(Vows used unless other vows are wished. See Alternative vows. You may change the vows as you wish or write your own.)

(Groom ) ________________, do you take _______________ to he your Wife? (“I do”) Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect her, forsaking all others and holding only unto her forevermore?
(“I do”)

(Bride ________________, do you take __________________ to be your Husband? (“I do”) Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect him, forsaking all others and holding only unto him forevermore? “(I do”)

REPEATED VOWS

(If rings are exchanged each does so before repeating the following vows – unless you wish other vows or do not wish to repeat vows. It is not required that a couple exchange rings.)

(Groom) I _____________, take thee, ________________ to be my Wife- To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, in joy and sorrow and I promise my love to you.

If Rings are exchanged – (“With this ring, I take you as my wife, for as long as we both shall live”)

(Bride ) I _________________, take thee ______________, to be my Husband. To have and to hold, in sickness and in health , for richer or for poorer, in joy and sorrow, and I promise My love to you.

If Rings are exchanged – (“With this ring, I take you as my husband, for as long as we both shall live.”)

(If there are children of either couple, sometimes couples will give a ring or small gift such as a necklace or ring to the child and say a short statement that they also are now part of the new family. I believe it very important to mention children’s names in the ceremony, If you have minor children coming into the marriage, please provide their names so I will mention them as is appropriate.)

____________ and _____________ as the two of you come into this marriage uniting you as husband and wife, and as you this day affirm your faith and love for one another, I would ask that you always remember to cherish each other as special and unique individuals, that you respect the thoughts, ideas and suggestions of one another. Be able to forgive, do not hold grudges, and live each day that you may share it together – as from this day forward you shall be each other’s home, comfort and refuge, your marriage strengthened by your love and respect for each other.

Just as two threads woven in opposite directions will form a most beautiful tapestry, so too can your two lives merged together make a beautiful marriage. To make your relationship work will take love. This is the core of your marriage and why you are here today. It will take trust , to know in your hearts that you truly want the best for each other. It will take dedication, to stay open to one another – and to learn and grow together. It will take faith, to go forward together without knowing exactly what the future brings. And it will take commitment, to hold true to the journey you both pledge today to share together.

(If unity candles are used – optional. If the Rose Ceremony is used, it is placed after the unity candle ceremony or in place of it.)

UNITY CANDLE CEREMONY (this is not required)

____________ and ____________, the two separate candles symbolize your separate lives, separate families and separate sets of friends. I ask that each of you take on of the lit candles and that together you light the center candle.

The individual candles represent your lives before today. Lighting the center candle represents that your two lives are now joined to one light, and represents the joining together of your two families and sets of friends to one.

(You can also involve children in the unity candle ceremony – click here)

(For couples who are adding music to the ceremony, it is usually placed either here or after the vows are repeated earlier.)

(THE ROSE CEREMONY MAY BE ADDED AT THIS POINT IF YOU WISH. This beautiful addition is on this site.)

____________ and ____________, in so much as the two of you have agreed to live together in Matrimony, have promised your love for each other by these vows, the joining of your hands and the giving of these rings, I now declare you to be Husband and Wife.
Congratulations, you may kiss your bride.

It is my privilege to present to you Mr. & Mrs. _______________.