Non Denominational Traditional Vows

NON DENOMINATIONAL TRADITIONAL VOWS

These are traditional religious oriented vows, making reference to "God" in a non-denominational way. You can omit, add or change what you would like. The author if known is cited and the website listed where they are attainable. Most of my information was found on

InterfaithOfficiants.com(a highly recommended website)

*Where you see a “reading” or “optional ceremony”, these are both always optional. Please view the readings I have provided in another link, as well as an optional ceremonies within ceremony link to view various ideas.

Ceremony 1

Adapted in part and inspired from the ceremonies of Susanna Stefanachi-Macomb, author of Joining Hands and Hearts

Welcoming Words

Officiant: It is with great pleasure that we gather today to witness the joining of two hands, and two hearts in holy matrimony. These two people, ______and ______, have fallen in love so deeply, so completely, that today, they make a bond, a sacred covenant before God, whereby their hearts, their bodies, and their souls shall be united as one in marriage for the rest of their days.

______and ______’s respective families, together with their friends, each represent a circle of love. A circle of love where members care for, and nurture each other, in times of joy and in times of sorrow. Today, ______and ______join their lives together to make a new circle of love, one that overlaps with, and is made stronger by those from which it has emerged. You have been invited here because of their special relationship with you, to witness the creation of this sacred bond.

(Optional) Passing of the Peace

We ask our honored guests assembled here to take a moment to exchange a greeting of peace. (Guests turn to each other and say, “Peace be with you” and “And also with you.”

(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.)

Biblical Reading

1 Corinthians 13

Love.

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Officiant’s Address

(Officiant gives a homily on marriage, and talks about special characteristics of the couple. May include a reading.)

A Reading:

Declaration of Intent to Marry

Officiant: The covenant of marriage is one that can be entered into only by persons who are both legally and spiritually free to offer themselves to each other. Therefore, in the presence of God and in the presence of all of the witnesses here, I will ask ______and ______to state their intention. ______and ______, have you come here freely and without reservation to give yourselves to each other in the holy state of matrimony?

They respond: “Yes” or “We have.”

Traditional Vows

Officiant: ______and ______, please face each other and join your hands, and in so doing, join your hearts.

(To Groom) Please repeat after me:

I, ______, take you ______, to be my lawfully wedded wife,

to have and to hold, to love and to cherish,

for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer,

in sickness and in health,

from this day forward, until death do us part.

(To Bride) Please repeat after me:

I, ______, take you ______, to be my lawfully wedded husband,

to have and to hold, to love and to cherish,

for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer,

in sickness and in health,

from this day forward, until death do us part.

Blessing of Rings

Officiant: Do we have the rings?

Officiant: Lord, please bless these rings that ______and ______are about to exchange. May these rings forever remind them of their covenant with one another, as well as the circle of love they have publicly created here today. May their compassion and kindness for one another always be like these rings, with no beginning and no end. May the precious metal remind them of their precious commitment, and if either begins to tarnish, may they joyfully undertake the sacred duty to make it shine brightly again. May their relationship always be like these rings, separate but close, simple but beautiful. May these rings always belong to their hands, and their love always belong in each other’s hearts. Amen

Exchange of Rings

(Officiant says to Groom) Please look into the eyes of your beloved, and place the ring, a symbol of your love for ______on her hand, and say, “With this ring, I thee wed”. The Groom does this.

(To Bride) Please look into______’s eyes, and place the ring on his hand, and repeat after me, “With this ring, I thee wed”.

The Bride does this.

Community Vow of Support

(Officiant speaks to guests) Now that you have heard ______and ______recite their marriage vows, do you, their family and friends, promise from this day forward, to encourage them and love them, and to help guide and support them in being steadfast in the promises they have made?” If you agree, please say, “We do.”

(Wait for response.)

Pronouncement

______and ______,

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 “Husband and Wife.”

You may seal your marriage with a kiss.

Marriage Blessing

We will close with a final blessing for your marriage, of your choice:

Presentation of the Married Couple

Ladies and gentleman, it is my great honor and privilege to present to you for the very first time, Mr. and Mrs.______!

Recessional

Bride and Groom first, then Officiant, then wedding party in reverse order of processional.

Ceremony 2

Presentation of the Bride

Who offers their blessing for the union of ______and ______?

(Wait for response from Father of the Bride or other important chosen family member.)

Opening Words

We are gathered here today to celebrate a day of gratitude, gladness, and joy. It is one of life’s greatest miracles when two people love each other so much, they are willing to commit their lives together as one in spirit. The ability to love is a miraculous gift which God has given us, and a wedding is a celebration of that gift. Today, we have been invited to share and to rejoice with ______and ______, and to vow our unconditional love and support to them as they begin their journey as husband and wife.

I would like to take a moment to recognize the family members of ______and ______and to thank them for their love, support and devotion, as they grew from adolescence and into the two beautiful individuals who stand here before us on this special day. We thank you for teaching them values and being there and showing them the beauty and joy of loving another person. At this time, we also honor those people who are not able to be with us in person today, but are here in spirit. We are a part of everyone who has ever loved us; let us remember them with a moment of silent reflection. (Pause.)

______and ______, devotion, joy and love can grow, only if they are nurtured together. Stand fast in that hope and confidence, believing in your shared future just as strongly as you believe in yourselves and in each other today. Only in this spirit, can you create a partnership that will strengthen and sustain you all the days of your lives.

May God fill your spirit with love and truth. Let us pray.

Prayer

Heavenly Creator, we gather to celebrate your gift of love, and its presence among us. We rejoice that these two people have chosen to commit themselves to a life of loving faithfulness to one another. We praise you, Lord, for the ways you have touched our lives with a variety of loving relationships, and we give thanks for ______and ______and for the special love and friendship you have put in their hearts. Renew within us an affectionate and loving spirit. Enrich our lives with the gracious gift of your love so that we may embrace others with that same love. May our participation in this celebration of love and commitment, give to us a new joy and responsiveness to the relationships that we cherish. In your loving arms we pray, Amen.

May include READING here:

Words on Friendship and Love

Officiant: ______and ______, your marriage will develop a true friendship between you, and that friendship must be strong to withstand the tests of time. Remember, love, like friendship, is a choice. When you are a true friend to someone, you choose to spend time with them; to share with them; to care for them when they are sick spiritually or physically; and to learn new things with them. You choose to change with them; to grow in truth with them; and to experience all that life has to offer, with them. Through this process you will grow in the same direction, and that is the secret to having peace and happiness in your lives. Take responsibility for helping the other person feel safe, and give the highest priority to the tenderness, gentleness, and kindness that your relationship deserves. Never allow anything to be more important than the one you have pledged to spend your life with. Remember that the secret to a long and healthy marriage is not in choosing the right partner; it is in BEING the right partner.

Seek love and never take it for granted. Love is believing, sharing, caring and dreaming together. It is honesty, friendship, companionship, and selflessness. Love is the desire and commitment to be intimate physically, psychologically, and emotionally. It is devotion, celebration, understanding, forgiveness and sacrifice. Love is strong, yet it can be fragile. Love is gentleness, kindness, and patience. It is trusting, protecting, inspiring, and supporting. Love is the only true way to know God.

May Include Additional Reading/Blessing/Prayer/Quote

Vows

(To Groom) Please repeat after me:

I love you.

You are my best friend.

Today I give myself to you in marriage.

I promise to encourage and inspire you,

to laugh with you, and to comfort you in

times of sorrow and struggle.

I promise to love you in good times and in

bad, when life seems easy and when it

seems hard, when our love is simple,

and when it is an effort.

I promise to cherish you, and to always

hold you in highest regard.

These things I give to you today,

and all the days of our life.

(To Bride) Please repeat after me:

I love you.

You are my best friend.

Today I give myself to you in marriage.

I promise to encourage and inspire you,

to laugh with you, and to comfort you in

times of sorrow and struggle.

I promise to love you in good times and in

bad, when life seems easy and when it

seems hard, when our love is simple,

and when it is an effort.

I promise to cherish you, and to always

hold you in highest regard.

These things I give to you today,

and all the days of our life.

Exchange of Rings

This ring represents my affection for you, and my commitment to you. It shows the world I will always love you, cherish you and honor you, for all the days of my life. With this ring, I thee wed. (Groom places ring on bride's finger.)

This ring represents my affection for you, and my commitment to you. It shows the world I will always love you, cherish you and honor you, for all the days of my life. With this ring, I thee wed. (Bride places ring on groom's finger.)

Insert Here: Rose Ceremony, Sand Ceremony, Unity Candle or Family Medallion Ceremony

Pronouncement of Marriage

Because, _____ and _____ you have expressed your love and commitment, and promised each other the joy of all your days, before God and this company, it gives me great honor and pleasure to pronounce you husband and wife.

Kiss

You may now kiss the bride.

Closing Blessing

We close with a final blessing for your marriage:

May you be blessed every step of your journey by the great God of Peace and Light,

May angels always be with you, keep you and guide you,

May the sun shine upon you, give warmth to your spirits and light your way,

And may your every day be filled with peace, love, and joy!

Introduction

Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to introduce to you Mr. and Mrs. ______!

Ceremony 3

PROCESSION

Who offers their blessing for this woman to be married to this man? (Groom shakes hands with the Bride's father, and offers his arm to .)

ADDRESS

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. ______and______have chosen each other, and we are gathered here to witness their vows of love and to offer our blessings and support for their marriage. On behalf of ______and______, we thank all of our guests for being here today.

______and______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 their circle of love. 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 from this day forward.

(To Bride and Groom). Marriage is a sacred relationship. It requires much of two people - sometimes more than you feel you can give each other. But God promises to be with you in the marriage and help you with its responsibilities. The Bible speaks of a single strand of cord as fragile and breakable, but a cord of two strands becomes much stronger. A cord of three is stronger yet. May your marriage always be a cord of three strands - you, your beloved, and the presence of God.

PRAYER

Gracious Creator, guide ______and______and walk beside them together as husband and wife. 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

______and______, I charge you both as you stand in the presence of God, to remember that love and loyalty alone are 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, your life will be full of joy and the home which you are now establishing will abide in peace.

______, 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?

Repeat.

RING CEREMONY

Do you have a token of exchange, with which these vows will 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. May your love be like the circle of this ring, with no beginning, and no end.