Celebration of Lasting Vows
A modern wedding ceremony with a slight religious tone
Call To Celebration
Nothing is sweeter than love, nothing more courageous, nothing higher, nothing wider, nothing more pleasant, nothing fuller nor better in heaven or earth, because love is born of God, and cannot rest but in God, it is above all created things.
Love is the reason we are here. Happy Human and Other Happy Human have chosen each other and we are gathered here in the sight of God, and in the family and friends to join them together in holy matrimony.
Happy Human and Other Happy Human are delighted that you will share their wedding day. Thank you for the greatest gift anyone can give, your participation in their celebration as they pledge their lives to one another in marriage.
Presentation Of The Happy Human
Who presents this Happy Human to be married to Other Happy Human?
FATHER-OF-THE-Happy Human: “I do” or “Her mother and I do”
(Optional ) Honoring Those Not Present
At this time, we would also like to honor those who could not be with us today. We offer a special remembrance of (….). Although they are not here with us physically, we feel blessed they are with us in spirit on this beautiful day. We bow in silence to honor their memory. (Pause for a few moments.)
Officiant’s Address
(Officiant gives a homily on marriage, and talks about special characteristics of the couple. May include the following or another passage of his choosing .)
Happy Human and Other Happy Human come together from different backgrounds and experiences. In the covenant of marriage they do not leave these behind but form a new family which will extend the circle of love. They pledge to each other to be a family and their confidence in the future brings them before us today to enter into marriage. They commit themselves to working at this relationship so that it will always grow, enriching their lives and love from this day forward so long as they shall live.
Marriage is a sacred relationship. It requires much of two people - sometimes more than you can give each other. But God promises to be with you in the marriage and help you with its responsibilities.
Marriage is God's gift to deliver us from our isolation and loneliness. It is our opportunity to give each other the gifts of God and to receive the gifts of God from each other.
Prayer
Gracious Heavenly Father, guide Happy Human and Other Happy Human and walk beside them together as Other Happy Human and Happy Human. Give them grace and love enough to forgive each other during those turbulent times in their relationship. Grant them also the gift of celebration so they can enjoy the many happy times they will share together. Dear Lord, grant their love for each other be as beautiful as it is in this hour, may it grow deeper and stronger in the years ahead. Amen
Lasting Vows
Happy Human and Other Happy Human, I require and charge you both as you stand in the presence of God, to remember that love and loyalty alone will avail as the foundation of a happy and an enduring home. No other human ties are more sacred than those you now assume. If these vows be kept unbroken, and steadfastly as you endeavor to do the will of your Heavenly Father, your life will be full of joy and the home which you are now establishing will abide in peace.
To Happy Human/Other Happy Human:
Other Happy Human, do you take this woman/man to be your wedded wife/husband, to live together in the Holy estate of marriage? Do you promise to love her/him, comfort her/him, honor and keep her/him in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others keep yourself only for her/him as long as you both will live?
Ring Ceremony
Do you have a token of exchange whereby these vows may be sealed?
The perfect circle of the ring symbolizes eternity. Gold is the symbol of all that is pure and holy. Our prayer is that your love for each other will be as eternal and everlasting as these rings. In the years to come, may these rings remind you of the overwhelming joy of this special occasion when you were united in marriage. The ring is an endless circle. This says that marriage is permanent and should only be broken through death.
Happy Human/Other Happy Human, take this ring a place it on Other Happy Human/Happy Human ‘s finger and repeat after me:
I, Other Happy Human, take you, Happy Human, to be my wedded wife/husband. To have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish 'til death to us part, and with this ring I thee wed.
Unity Candle (Optional)
Other unity ceremonies may be used in place of the Unity Candle
May the lighting of this candle of unity represent the oneness of this union and the eternal flame of love that burns within these two hearts.
Apache Benediction
Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter for the other. Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth for the other. Now there will be no loneliness, for each of you will be companion to the other. Now you are two persons, but there are three lives before you; His life, Her life and Your life together.May beauty surround you both in the journey ahead and through all the years. May happiness be your companion and may your days together be good and long. May you each be like the air that inhabits the other- that unnoticed, and yet, that necessary.
Proclamation
Happy Human and Other Happy Human, with the support of your families and friends, by the vows you have made to one another, by the strength of your covenant , and in the presence of God, it is my pleasure to pronounce you “Other Happy Human and Happy Human.” God has joined you together, no mortal may separate you.
You may seal your marriage with a kiss.
Presentation of the Happy Human and Other Happy Human
Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my great honor and privilege to present to you for the very first time Mr. & Mrs. Happy Human and Other Happy Human Lastname!
