Vow Renewal Option 2~Short and Sweet
*All ceremonies can be tailored to reflect same-sex couples
The Greeting:
Officiant:
We gather here today, in the presence of God and friends to recognize and renew the marriage vows that ___________and __________Have originally taken in (year)______.We come to ask God’s blessing on their marriage as we look to the future.
(****If you would like, this is a good place to add a special thank you to friends and family for sharing this happiest of days with you and a prayer or acknowledgment of loved ones no longer physically with us, but here in spirit. Perhaps you would like to add something personal about how you met etc.. Let me know & I will provide you with wording options***)
Invocation (this is the beginning prayer to “invoke” or ask god to be present and bless this service)
Officiant:
Let us pray
God, for the joy of this occasion we thank you. For the meaning of this day we thank you. For this important moment in an ever growing relationship we thank you. For your presence here and now and for your presence at all times, we thank you.
Officiant:
Let us pray
God, for the joy of this occasion we thank you. For the meaning of this day we thank you. For this important moment in an ever growing relationship we thank you. For your presence here and now and for your presence at all times, we thank you.
Charge to the husband and wife (The charge is addressed to the husband and wife. It is a preparation for the vows you are about to take).
Officiant:
Today, you reaffirm your commitment to each other
as beloveds and partners in marriage.
May you continue to strive to be sensitive to each other's needs,
to be open and understanding with each other,
To share Your thoughts, your feelings, and your experiences with each other.
Today, you renew your promise to try always to
bring out the qualities of forgiveness, compassion, and integrity in yourselves and in each other.
May you continue to cherish each others uniqueness. Continue to share in life's joys and remain steadfast and comfort each other through life's sorrows.
Betrothal/Declaration of intent
Officiant:
Please face each other and join hands
Husband: _________will you continue to have ________ as your wife, to love honor and cherish her in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, for better or worse, and forsaking all others, be faithful to her for as long as you both shall live?
Husband: I do
Wife: _________will you continue to have ________ as your husband, to love honor and cherish him in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, for better or worse, and forsaking all others, be faithful to him for as long as you both shall live?
Wife: I do
Officiant:
Today, you reaffirm your commitment to each other
as beloveds and partners in marriage.
May you continue to strive to be sensitive to each other's needs,
to be open and understanding with each other,
To share Your thoughts, your feelings, and your experiences with each other.
Today, you renew your promise to try always to
bring out the qualities of forgiveness, compassion, and integrity in yourselves and in each other.
May you continue to cherish each others uniqueness. Continue to share in life's joys and remain steadfast and comfort each other through life's sorrows.
Betrothal/Declaration of intent
Officiant:
Please face each other and join hands
Husband: _________will you continue to have ________ as your wife, to love honor and cherish her in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, for better or worse, and forsaking all others, be faithful to her for as long as you both shall live?
Husband: I do
Wife: _________will you continue to have ________ as your husband, to love honor and cherish him in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, for better or worse, and forsaking all others, be faithful to him for as long as you both shall live?
Wife: I do
Officiant: Now that you have declared your intentions, I invite you to share your vows with one another
Vows:
Husband: I believe in this marriage more strongly than ever. (Name)__________, it is with joy born of experience and trust that I commit myself once again to be your husband.
Wife: I believe in this marriage more strongly than ever. (Name)__________, it is with joy born of experience and trust that I commit myself once again to be your Wife.
Exchange of rings: if you are using new rings
Officiant:
“May we now have the rings”
These rings have no beginning and no end. They set forth the eternal nature of real love. They will represent the love and trust that _______and _________ promise to each other this day.
To Husband:___________ will you take this ring and place it upon ______’s finger, and as you do, repeat to her, after me, these words:
Husband: From this day forward, I recommit myself to you, and this ring is a symbol of my love. Wear it in peace always.
To Wife: ____________ will you take this ring and place it upon _________’s finger, and as you do, repeat to him, after me, these words:
Wife: From this day forward, I recommit myself to you, and this ring is a symbol of my love. Wear it in peace always
***If you are using original rings: Bride and groom hold hands and touch each other’s rings, symbolically giving them to each other while saying the words.**
(****If you would like, this is a good place to add a poem, or reading by myself, or maybe a family member or friend. This is also a good place to include an acknowledgment of children, or even an add on ceremony, such as a sand ceremony, unity candle, rose or wine ceremony. Take a look at my collection of poems and readings on my website. I am happy to provide you with additional wording options if you like, just let me know***)
Vows:
Husband: I believe in this marriage more strongly than ever. (Name)__________, it is with joy born of experience and trust that I commit myself once again to be your husband.
Wife: I believe in this marriage more strongly than ever. (Name)__________, it is with joy born of experience and trust that I commit myself once again to be your Wife.
Exchange of rings: if you are using new rings
Officiant:
“May we now have the rings”
These rings have no beginning and no end. They set forth the eternal nature of real love. They will represent the love and trust that _______and _________ promise to each other this day.
To Husband:___________ will you take this ring and place it upon ______’s finger, and as you do, repeat to her, after me, these words:
Husband: From this day forward, I recommit myself to you, and this ring is a symbol of my love. Wear it in peace always.
To Wife: ____________ will you take this ring and place it upon _________’s finger, and as you do, repeat to him, after me, these words:
Wife: From this day forward, I recommit myself to you, and this ring is a symbol of my love. Wear it in peace always
***If you are using original rings: Bride and groom hold hands and touch each other’s rings, symbolically giving them to each other while saying the words.**
(****If you would like, this is a good place to add a poem, or reading by myself, or maybe a family member or friend. This is also a good place to include an acknowledgment of children, or even an add on ceremony, such as a sand ceremony, unity candle, rose or wine ceremony. Take a look at my collection of poems and readings on my website. I am happy to provide you with additional wording options if you like, just let me know***)
Prayer: Prayer of blessing upon your new marriage (You may use this prayer or I am happy to substitute a favorite prayer or poem of yours or if you would like to write one of your own)
Officiant:
Most gracious God, thou hast kindled in these hearts the fire of a divine love. Wilt thou keep it aflame upon the alter of their souls. Wilt thou make the inward aspirations of their hearts the outward reality of their home. Wilt thou make that home a place of light and truth, a place of beauty, a place of joy and happiness all the days of their lives. Amen.
Pronouncement:
Officiant:
Inasmuch as you__________, and you __________, have reaffirmed your commitment in holy matrimony and have witnessed the same before God and these friends, it is my honor to recognize your recommitment to one another as husband and wife. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.
You may kiss the Bride
Benediction- It brings ceremony to an end. It is another blessing.
Officiant:
May the courage of the early morning’s dawning, the strength of the eternal hills, the peace of the evening’s ending, and the love of God be in your hearts now and forever. Amen.
Officiant:
Most gracious God, thou hast kindled in these hearts the fire of a divine love. Wilt thou keep it aflame upon the alter of their souls. Wilt thou make the inward aspirations of their hearts the outward reality of their home. Wilt thou make that home a place of light and truth, a place of beauty, a place of joy and happiness all the days of their lives. Amen.
Pronouncement:
Officiant:
Inasmuch as you__________, and you __________, have reaffirmed your commitment in holy matrimony and have witnessed the same before God and these friends, it is my honor to recognize your recommitment to one another as husband and wife. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.
You may kiss the Bride
Benediction- It brings ceremony to an end. It is another blessing.
Officiant:
May the courage of the early morning’s dawning, the strength of the eternal hills, the peace of the evening’s ending, and the love of God be in your hearts now and forever. Amen.
