Universal Promises
A Civil Ceremony
"We are gathered here today to witness and to celebrate the joining together of Happy Human and Other Happy Human in the hallowed estate of marriage.
More than a ceremony, this is the most significant moment of human celebration and personal commitment and should not be entered into lightly, but in the freedom of joy and sober responsibility."
"On this, the most important day in your lives, you, Happy Human , and you, Other Happy Human , have asked that your gratitude be expressed to all those who are here today — your family and friends — for being with you and sharing your happiness."
"You have asked your family present to join you, to be with you at this moment of your greatest joy. You are making a commitment to your families that this joining will increase the love between all of you."
Presentation of the Happy Human (optional)
Who is it that brings this Happy Human to be married to this Other Happy Human?
Father or Mother or Parents of the Happy Human: “I do” or “We do.”
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, you now stand here as two individuals at the dawn of your life as one. Through your relationship, you have come to know, respect and love each other. Although your backgrounds and experience are different, you share the same goals and ideals. Today you are making the deepest commitment of your lives as you acknowledge your intention to be married and with it your promise of trust and devotion to each other. From this point on, you will think first of this union you are now creating, and how you may strengthen it."
"Marriage presents a possibility not only for gratification; but also for enrichment. Marriage should be a means for the development of those personal and social values that we prize so highly: Integrity, cooperation, self-respect and human dignity. Remember that love grows with an understanding mind, a compassionate, helpful heart and a forgiving, loving nature."
"This ceremony formally unites you in marriage, but only you can unite with each other in your hearts. The bond uniting you is the entire meaning. We hope your companionship will bring you strength and your life is enriched by affection and mutual respect bringing peace and contentment."
"A marriage is many things. But a good marriage is a relationship of love. Essentially, to be in love means to have a deep sense of identification with another person. It is to live in the life of that person, feeling his or her joys and troubles as if they were your own. And when two people are truly in love, each is concerned with helping the other become what he or she ought to be.
"There should be a sharing of your lives. Your lives should be a life together. But there should also be space in your togetherness. Allow each other room and privacy to be individuals, with hearts and minds of your own. For only by being a whole person can you have something to give to the one that you love. Each of you should keep the freedom of spirit which individually brought you to stand here together today."
"In sharing the most intimate relationship of husband and wife, there will be times of stress, sacrifice and sorrow. May you face them together and overcome adversity with the same love, understanding and faith in each other that you feel at this moment."
"Help each other to move beyond distrust, fear and hostility. Remember that we become what we think about all day, remember that our thoughts turn into actions, just as your thoughts about getting married turned into this action today. “
Vows
"If you, Happy Human, and you, Other Happy Human, have freely and deliberately chosen each other as partners in this grand estate, and you know of no just cause why you may not be so united, will you join your right hands, and now, will you join your left hands."
(To Happy Human):
"Do you, Happy Human, solemnly declare in the presence of these witnesses that you take Other Happy Human, to be your wedded wife/husband?
"Will you love her/him, comfort her/him, honor her/him, keep her/him in sickness and in health, and cherish her/him until death do you part? If so, please answer I will."
Exchange of Rings
(To the couple)
"Do you have the rings?"
"These wedding rings have neither a beginning nor an end. It is a symbol of everlasting faith and love. May it ever remind you of the solemn vows and obligations that you have this day taken, and keep steadfast therein until the end."
"Will you place this ring on the Happy Human's/Other Happy Human’s left hand and repeat after me:
Happy Human/ Other Happy Human,
this ring I give you /
in token and in pledge /
of our constant faith and abiding love."
"May these rings stand as a sign to you of your desire to live, to love, to create, to build your lives and help the lives of those whom you touch."
"May today's celebration remain with you as the sign of the partnership you have formed. We hope that you will grow and change with circumstance. We hope that you will not be afraid of making mistakes and that you will always be open and honest with each other.
We trust that you will learn to accept the changes of life and its wonder — as at this moment you accept the joy of being married. May the love that you feel and share with us today continue to grow deeper and stronger."
Apache Blessing
"This poem from an Apache Indian Marriage Ceremony captures all that marriage can be. These beautiful thoughts have been spoken to wedding couples for hundreds of years in our country."
"Please face each other.”
Now you will feel no rain
for each of you will be shelter to the other. Now you will feel no cold
for each of you will be warmth to the other. Now there is no more loneliness
for each of you will be companion to the other. Now you are two bodies
but there is only one life before you. Go now to your dwelling place
to enter into the days of togetherness
and may your days be good and long upon the earth.
Proclamation
" and having consented together in marriage and having witnessed the
same before this company and thereto having pledged your faith, I pronounce that you are husband and wife."
"You may seal your promise with a kiss."
"Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Other Happy Human and Happy Human Lastname!
