Vow Renewal Ceremony ~ Option 4 Non-Religious
*All ceremonies can be tailored to reflect same-sex couples
The Greeting:
Officiant:
We gather here today, in the presence of Friends and family to recognize and renew the marriage vows that ___________and __________Have originally taken in (year) ______.
Through the triumphs and trials of life, _____ and ___ have found the strength in their love and commitment to each other to endure and to enjoy all that has come their way.
_____ and ___would like to thank each one of you for sharing this celebration with them. They would also like to acknowledge loved ones who are no longer physically with us. Their memories will always be cherished and remembered. We are certain they are here with us today in spirit today.
Invocation (this is the beginning prayer to ask God to be present-or in non-religious it is an opening blessing or poem)
Officiant:
The Art of Marriage by Wilfred A. Peterson
Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens. A good marriage must be created. In the art of marriage, the little things are the big things.
It is never being too old to hold hands. It is remembering to say "I Love You" at least once a day. It is never going to sleep angry.
It is at no time taking the other for granted; the courtship should not end with the honeymoon; it should continue thru all the years.
It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives. It is standing together facing the world. It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family.
It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of Joy. It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.
It is not looking for perfection in each other. It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humor. It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.
It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, the dependence is mutual and the obligation is reciprocal.
It is not only marrying the right partner, it is being the right partner. It is discovering what marriage can be at its best!
Officiant:
The Art of Marriage by Wilfred A. Peterson
Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens. A good marriage must be created. In the art of marriage, the little things are the big things.
It is never being too old to hold hands. It is remembering to say "I Love You" at least once a day. It is never going to sleep angry.
It is at no time taking the other for granted; the courtship should not end with the honeymoon; it should continue thru all the years.
It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives. It is standing together facing the world. It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family.
It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of Joy. It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.
It is not looking for perfection in each other. It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humor. It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.
It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, the dependence is mutual and the obligation is reciprocal.
It is not only marrying the right partner, it is being the right partner. It is discovering what marriage can be at its best!
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 others 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 others 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: (Name), you are my heart, my best friend, my life. Today before family and friends, I renew my commitment to you. I promise to love and cherish you, respect you and grow with you for all the days of our lives. This is my solemn vow.
Wife: (Name), you are my heart, my best friend, my life. Today before family and friends, I renew my commitment to you. I promise to love and cherish you, respect you and grow with you for all the days of our lives. This is my solemn vow.
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: (Name), you are my heart, my best friend, my life. Today before family and friends, I renew my commitment to you. I promise to love and cherish you, respect you and grow with you for all the days of our lives. This is my solemn vow.
Wife: (Name), you are my heart, my best friend, my life. Today before family and friends, I renew my commitment to you. I promise to love and cherish you, respect you and grow with you for all the days of our lives. This is my solemn vow.
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 or 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:
A blessing upon your union is taken from a poem by George Eliot
“What Greater Thing”
What greater thing is there for two human souls,
than to feel that they are joined for life-
to strengthen each other in all labor,
to rest on each other in all sorrow,
to minister to each other in all pain,
to be one with each other
in silent unspeakable memories ...
Pronouncement:
Officiant:
Inasmuch as you__________, and you __________, have reaffirmed your commitment in matrimony and have witnessed the same before family and friends, it is my honor to recognize your recommitment to one another as husband and wife.
You may kiss the Bride
Benediction- It brings ceremony to an end. It is another blessing.
Officiant:
Nourished by understanding. Warmed by friends. Fed by love ones. Matured by wisdom. Tempered by tears. Made holy by caring and sharing Go forth in peace!
Officiant:
A blessing upon your union is taken from a poem by George Eliot
“What Greater Thing”
What greater thing is there for two human souls,
than to feel that they are joined for life-
to strengthen each other in all labor,
to rest on each other in all sorrow,
to minister to each other in all pain,
to be one with each other
in silent unspeakable memories ...
Pronouncement:
Officiant:
Inasmuch as you__________, and you __________, have reaffirmed your commitment in matrimony and have witnessed the same before family and friends, it is my honor to recognize your recommitment to one another as husband and wife.
You may kiss the Bride
Benediction- It brings ceremony to an end. It is another blessing.
Officiant:
Nourished by understanding. Warmed by friends. Fed by love ones. Matured by wisdom. Tempered by tears. Made holy by caring and sharing Go forth in peace!
