Sample Wedding Vows

Forever Yours Weddings

Handfasting

Who is it that brings this woman to this man?

Please be seated

Good (evening/morning/afternoon), and welcome to the ceremony that will unite (Groom) and (Bride) in marriage.

We gather here today to celebrate their union, and to honor their commitment to not just gazing at one another, but to looking outward together in the same direction. Today (Groom) and (Bride) proclaim their love to the world, and we rejoice with and for them.

HANDFASTING

Know now before you go further, that since your lives have crossed in this life you have formed ties between each other. As you seek to enter this state of matrimony you should strive to make real, the ideals which give meaning to both this ceremony and the institution of marriage.
With full awareness, know that within this circle you are not only declaring your intent to be handfasted before your friends and family, but you speak that intent also to your creative higher powers.
The promises made today and the ties that are bound here greatly strengthen your union; they will cross the years and lives of each soul´s growth.
(Groom) and (Bride) do you still seek to enter this ceremony? Yes, we seek to enter.
In times past it was believed that the human soul shared characteristics with all things divine. It is this belief which assigned virtues to the cardinal directions; East, South, West and North. It is in this tradition that a blessing is offered in support of this ceremony.
Blessed be this union with the gifts of the East. Communication of the heart, mind and body. Fresh beginnings with the rising of each Sun. The knowledge of the growth found in the sharing of silences.
Blessed be this union with the gifts of the South. Warmth of hearth and home, the heat of the heart’s passion, the light created by both to lighten the darkest of times.
Blessed be this union with the gifts of the West. The deep commitments of the lake, the swift excitement of the river, the refreshing cleansing of the rain, the all encompassing passion of the sea.
Blessed be this union with the gifts of the North. Firm foundation on which to build Fertility of the fields to enrich your lives, a stable home to which you may always return.
Each of these blessings from the four cardinal directions emphasizes those things which will help you build a happy and successful union. Yet they are only tools. Tools which you must use together in order to create what you seek in this union.
I bid you, look into each others eyes.
(Groom), Will you cause her pain?
I May
Is that your intent?
No
(Bride), Will you cause him pain?
I may
Is that your intent?
No
(Groom) and (Bride)
Will you share each other´s pain and seek to ease it?
Yes
And so the binding is made. Join your hands
*First cord is draped across the bride and grooms hands*
(Groom), Will you share her laughter?
Yes

(Bride), Will you share his laughter?

Yes

(Groom) and (Bride)
Will both of you look for the brightness in life and the positive in each other?
Yes
And so the binding is made.
*Second cord is draped across the couples hands*
(Groom), Will you burden her?
I may
Is that your intent?
No

(Bride), Will you burden him?
I may
Is that your intent?
No
(Groom) and (Bride)
Will you share the burdens of each so that your spirits may grow in this union?
Yes
And so the binding is made.
*Drape third cord across the couples hands*
(Groom), will you share her dreams?
Yes

(Bride), will you share his dreams?
Yes

(Groom) and (Bride)
Will you dream together to create new realities and hopes?
Yes
And so the binding is made.
*Drape fourth cord across the couples hands*
(Groom), will you cause her anger?
I may
Is that your intent?
No
(Bride), will you cause him anger?
I may
Is that your intent?
No
(Groom) and (Bride)
Will you take the heat of anger and use it to temper the strength of this union?
We will
And so the binding is made.
*Drape fifth cord across the couples hands*
(Groom), Will you honor her?
I will

(Bride), Will you honor him?
I will

(Groom) and (Bride)
Will you seek to never give cause to break that honor?
We shall never do so.
And so the binding is made.
*Drape sixth cord across the couples hands*
*Tie cords together while saying:*
The knots of this binding are not formed by these cords but instead by your vows. Either of you may drop the cords, for as always; you hold in your own hands the making of breaking of this union.
*Once cords are tied together they are removed and placed on altar*

RINGS

For thousands of years lovers have exchanged rings as a token of their vows. These simple gold bands are not of great value in themselves, but are made precious by our wearing of them. Your rings say that even in your uniqueness you have chosen to be bound together. Let these rings also be a sign that love has substance as well as soul, a present as well as a past, and that, despite its occasional sorrows, love is a circle of happiness, wonder, and delight.

(Groom), take (Bride)'s ring and put it on her finger, and repeat after me:

Just as this circle is without end, my love for you is eternal. Just as it is made of indestructible substance, my commitment to you will never fail. With this ring I take you to be my trusted companion and partner for life.

(Bride), take (Groom)'s ring and put it on his finger, and repeat after me:

PRONOUNCEMENT

(Groom) and (Bride) although I'm officiating here today, it is not truly in my power to sanctify, legitimize or bless your relationship in any way, because the two of you have already done that in your hearts. So, by joining hands right now and looking into each other's eyes, let it be known that you are joined, body and soul in this lifetime, and that this bond is sacred and eternal. And now that you have stood before me and exchanged these rings and these vows, and have agreed to be married according to the laws of the state of California, it gives me great pleasure to pronounce that you are Husband and Wife.

YOU MAY NOW KISS YOUR BRIDE!

May I introduce to you Mr. and Mrs. ______