Special Vows, Prayers and Blessings Blessing of the Apaches : 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 to 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 is only one life before you. May beauty surround you both in the journey ahead and through all the years, May happiness be your companion and your days together be good and long upon the earth.
"Treat yourselves and each other with respect, and remind yourselves often of what brought you together. Give the highest priority to the tenderness, gentleness and kindness that your connection deserves. When frustration, difficult and fear assail your relationship - as they threaten all relationships at one time or another - remember to focus on what is right between you, not only the part which seems wrong. In this way, you can ride out the storms when clouds hide the face of the sun in your lives - remembering that even if you lose sight of it for a moment, the sun is still there. And if each of you takes responsibility for the quality of your life together, it will be marked by abundance and delight." The Blessing of the Rings: The wedding ring is the outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual bond which unites two loyal hearts in endless love. It is a seal of the vows [Groom's name] and [Bride's name] have made to one another. Bless O God these rings, that [Bride's name] and [Groom's name], who give them, and who wear them, may ever abide in thy peace. Living together in unity, love and happiness for the rest of their lives .
Cherokee Prayer ; "God in heaven above please protect the ones we love. We honor all you created as we pledge our hearts and lives together. We honor mother-earth - and ask for our marriage to be abundant and grow stronger through the seasons; We honor fire - and ask that our union be warm and glowing with love in our hearts; We honor wind - and ask we sail though life safe and calm as in our father's arms; We honor water - to clean and soothe our relationship - that it may never thirsts for love; With all the forces of the universe you created, we pray for harmony and true happiness as we forever grow young together. Amen." Episcopal Exchange of Vows Groom: In the name of God, I, (name), take you, (name), to be my wife,
to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer,
in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death.
This is my solemn vow. Bride: In the name of God, I, (name), take you, (name), to be my husband,
to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer,
in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death.
This is my solemn vow. Bride: I, [Groom's name], take you [Bride's name], to be my wife, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever. I will trust you and honor you I will laugh with you and cry with you. I will love you faithfully Through the best and the worst, Through the difficult and the easy.
What may come I will always be there. As I have given you my hand to hold
So I give you my life to keep, So help me God . Groom: I, [Bride's name], take you [Groom's name], to be my husband, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever I will trust you and honor you I will laugh with you and cry with you.
I will love you faithfully Through the best and the worst, Through the difficult and the easy. What may come I will always be there. As I have given you my hand to hold
So I give you my life to keep So help me God
In unison: Entreat me not to leave you, or to return from following after you,
For where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. And where you die, I will die and there I will be buried. May the Lord do with me and more if anything but death parts you from me. Hand Fasting & Declaration of Intent
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. 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's Name], Will you cause her pain?
I May (What was actually said was an emphatic yes)
Is that you intent?
No [Bride's Name], Will you cause him pain?
I may
Is that you intent?
No *To Both*
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* [Bride's Name], Will you share his laughter?
Yes [Groom's Name], Will you share her laughter?
Yes *To Both*
Will both of you look for the brightness in life and the positive in each other?
Yes And so the binding is made.
*Second chord is draped across the couples hands* [Bride's Name], Will you burden him?
I may
Is that you intent?
No [Groom's Name], Will you burden her?
I may
Is that your intent?
No *To Both*
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 chord across the couples hands* [Bride's Name], will you share his dreams?
Yes [Groom's Name], will you share her dreams?
Yes *To Both*
Will you dream together to create new realities and hopes?
Yes And so the binding is made.
*Drape fourth chord across the couples hands* [Groom's Name], will you cause her anger?
I may
Is that you intent?
No [Bride's Name], will you cause him anger?
I may
Is that your intent?
No *To Both*
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 chord across the couples hands* [Bride's Name], Will you honor him?
I will [Groom's Name], Will you honor her?
I will *To Both*
Will you seek to never give cause to break that honor?
We shall never do so And so the binding is made.
*Drape sixth chord across the couples hands* *Tie chords together while saying:*
The knots of this binding are not formed by these chords but instead by your vows. Either of you may drop the chords, for as always, you hold in your own hands the making of breaking of this union. *Once chords are tied together they are removed and placed on altar* Hands of the Bride and Groom
[Bride's name], please face [Groom's name], and hold his hands, palms up, so you may see the gift that they are to you. These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and vibrant with love, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as he promises to love you all the days of his life. These are the hands that will work along side yours, as together you build your future, as you laugh and cry, as you share your innermost secrets and dreams. These are the hands you will place with expectant joy against your stomach, until he too, feels his child stir within you. These are the hands that look so large and strong, yet will be so gentle as he holds your baby for the first time. These are the hands that will work long hours for you and your new family
These are that hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness. These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes: tears of sorrow and tears of joy
These are the hands that will comfort you in illness, and hold you when fear or grief wrack your mind.
These are the hands that will tenderly lift your chin and brush your cheek as they raise your face to look into his eyes: eyes that are filled completely with his overwhelming love and desire for you. [Groom's name], please hold [Bride's name]’s hands, palms up, where you may see the gift that they are to you. These are the hands of your best friend, smooth, young and carefree, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as she pledges her love and commitment to you all the days of her life. These are the hands that will hold each child in tender love, soothing them through illness and hurt, supporting and encouraging them along the way, and knowing when it is time to let go
These are the hands that will massage tension from you neck and back in the evenings after you’ve both had a long hard day.
These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times
These are the hands that will comfort you when you are sick, or console you when you are grieving. They are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness. These are the hands that will hold you in joy and excitement and hope, each time she tells you that you are to have another child, that together you have created a new life. These are the hands that will give you support as she encourages you to chase down your dreams. Together as a team, everything you wish for can be realized.
Minister: God, bless these hands that you see before you this day. May they always be held by one another. Give them the strength to hold on during the storms of stress and the dark of disillusionment. Keep them tender and gentle as they nurture each other in their wondrous love. Help these hands to continue building a relationship founded in your grace, rich in caring, and devoted in reaching for your perfection. May [Groom's name] and [Bride's name] see their four hands as healer, protector, shelter and guide. We ask this in your name, Amen. Lutheran Marriage Vow I, (name), take you, (name), to be my (husband/wife),
and these things I promise you:
I will be faithful to you and honest with you;
I will respect, truth, help and care for you;
I will share my life with you;
I will forgive you as we have been forgiven;
and I will try with you better to understand ourselves, the world, and God;
through the best and the worst of what is to come as long as we live. Rose Ceremony: In the Rose Ceremony, the Bride and Groom give each other a Rose. Two roses are all that is necessary. The Rose Ceremony is placed at the end of the ceremony just before being pronounced husband and wife. In the old language of flowers, a single red rose always meant "I love you". The Rose ceremony gives recognition to the new and most honorable title of "Husband and Wife"."Your gift to each other for your wedding today has been your wedding rings - which shall always be an outward demonstration of your vows of love and respect; and a public showing of your commitment to each other. You now have what remains the most honorable title which may exist between a man and a woman - the title of "husband" and "wife." For your first gift as husband and wife, that gift will be a single rose. In the past, the rose was considered a symbol of love and a single rose always meant only one thing - it meant the words "I love you." So it is appropriate that for your first gift - as husband and wife - that gift would be a single rose. Please exchange your first gift as husband and wife. In some ways it seems like you have not done anything at all. Just a moment ago you were holding one small rose - and now you are holding one small rose. In some ways, a marriage ceremony is like this. In some ways, tomorrow is going to seem no different than yesterday. But in fact today, just now, you both have given and received one of the most valuable and precious gifts of life - one I hope you always remember - the gift of true and abiding love within the devotion of marriage. _________ and _____________, I would ask that where ever you make your home in the future - whether it be a large and elegant home - or a small and graceful one - that you both pick one very special location for roses; so that on each anniversary of this truly wonderful occasion you both may take a rose to that spot both as a recommitment to your marriage - and a recommitment that THIS will be a marriage based upon love. In every marriage there are times where it is difficult to find the right words. It is easiest to hurt who we most love. It is easiest to be most hurt by who we most love. It might be difficult some time to words to say "I am sorry" or "I forgive you"; "I need you" or "I am hurting". If this should happen, if you simply can not find these words, leave a rose at that spot which both of you have selected - for that rose than says what matters most of all and should overpower all other things and all other words. That rose says the words: "I still love you." The other should accept this rose for the words which can not be found, and remember the love and hope that you both share today. __________ and ________, if there is anything you remember of this marriage ceremony, it is that it was love that brought you here today, it is only love which can make it a glorious union, and it is by love which your marriage shall endure." Union of Love
We will forever love one another and to share our most intimate thoughts. Promise to hold and cherish and value each other. We will live each day as if our last, vowing to never go to bed angry. If sorrow enters our life as things sometimes do ,we pledge to one another that together we will see things through. As we grow old and we slowly begin to change we will look into each others eyes and know that what we have will never go. That with each breath we take ,our love will grow. These are the words I feel and speak from my heart My Oath to You
When you are sad, I will dry your tears.
When you are scared, I will comfort your fears.
When you are worried, I will give you hope.
When you are confused, I will help you cope.
And when you are lost, and can't see the light,
I will be your beacon, shining ever so bright.
This is my oath; I pledge to the end.
Why you may ask?
Because you are my lover and friend.Celebration of Marriage
Marriage is a supreme sharing of experience, and an adventure in the most intimate of human relationships. It is the joyous union of two people whose comradeship and mutual understanding have flowered in romance. Today ___________ and__________ proclaim their love and commitment to the world, and we gather here to rejoice, with and for them, in the new life they now undertake together. The joy we feel now is a solemn joy, because the act of marriage has many consequences, both social and personal. Marriage requires "love," a word we often use with vagueness and sentimentality. We may assume that love is some rare and mystical event, when in fact it is our natural state of being. So what do we mean by love? When we love, we see things other people do not see. We see beneath the surface, to the qualities which make our beloved special and unique. To see with loving eyes, is to know inner beauty. And to be loved is to be seen, and known, as we are known to no other. One who loves us, gives us a unique gift: a piece of ourselves, but a piece that only they could give us. We who love, can look at each other's life and say, "I touched his life," or, "I touched her life," just as an artist might say, "I touched this canvas." "Those brushstrokes in the comer of this magnificent mural, those are mine. I was a part of this life, and it is a part of me." Marriage is to belong to each other through a unique and diverse collaboration, like two threads crossing in different directions, yet weaving one tapestry together.
The secret of love and marriage is similar to that of religion itself. It is the emergence of the larger self. It is the finding of one's life by losing it. Such is the privilege of husband and wife - to be each himself, herself and yet another; to face the world strong, with the courage of two.
To make this relationship work, therefore, takes more than love. It takes trust, to know in your hearts that you want only the best for each other. It takes dedication, to stay open to one another, to learn and grow, even when it is difficult to do so. And it takes faith, to go forward together without knowing what the future holds for you both. While love is our natural state of being, these other qualities are not as easy to come by. They are not a destination, but a journey.
The true art of married life is in this an inner spiritual journey. It is a mutual enrichment, a give and take between two personalities, a mingling of two endowments which diminishes neither, but enhances both. Renewal Vows
The word renaissance means rebirth;
today we celebrate the rebirth of our commitment
before this honored gathering.
(Name), with full confidence in the solid anchor of our love,
I take you once again as my (husband/wife).
Once before I have stood with you before family and friends;
once again I take your hand as my partner.
(Name), I take you this day and for all days as my (husband/wife)
I believe in this marriage more strongly than ever.
(Name), it is with joy born of experience and trust
that I commit myself once again to be your (husband/wife)
Perhaps the only thing truer than one's first love
is to recommit to that love before family and friends.
(Name), you were and are my love for life;
I take you from this day forward as my (husband/wife)
I, (name), give to you, (name), a new promise and yet not so new;
a new (husband/wife), and yet not so new;
and a new affirmation of love from the heart that has loved you for (x) years
and will love you for as many more as God allots to it.
You are now taking into your care and keeping the happiness of the one person in all the world whom you love best. You are adding to your life not only the affection of each other, but also the companionship and blessing of a deep trust as well. You are agreeing to share strength, responsibilities and to share love.
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 sorrow, to minister to each other in all pain, to be with each other in silent unspeakable memories at the moment of the last parting?
I should like at this time, to try to speak of some of the things which many of us wish for the both of you. We wish for you a home, not a place of stone and wood, but an island of peace, a place from which you will receive strength and support that stays and carries with you throughout your daily lives. We hope that your home encompasses the beauty of nature, that has within it the elements of simplicity, beauty, silence, and color, in concordance with your dreams and aspirations. We wish for you a home of books, poetry and music, a home with all the things which represent the highest of both men and women.
Marriage is the most important of all earthly relationships. It should be entered into reverently, thoughtfully and with full understanding of its sacred nature. Marriage is a gift of god, given to comfort the sorrow of life and magnify the joys.Love is always patient and kind, it is never jealous, love is never boastful or conceited, it is never rude or selfish, it does not take offense, and is not resentful. Love takes no pleasures in other people's sins but delights in the truth, it is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes. Love does not come to an end. Marriage is the clasping of hands, the blending of hearts, the union of two lives as one. Your marriage must stand, not by the authority of the state nor by the words of the minister, but by the strength of your love and the power of faith in each other and in God.
It should never be said of either of you that you show more concern for a friend than you do for each other. More kindness, gentleness, and concern needs to be shown in the privacy of your own home than anywhere else. Indeed, your home should be a haven from all the confusion and craziness the world will create. And faith fullness to each other in every way is the primary ingredient that will keep all those aforementioned virtues in order and produce the joy you seek at this altar. Unity Candle Ceremony
"___________________ and ________________ the two lighted candies symbolize your separate lives, your separate families and your separate sets of friends. I ask that you each take one candle and that together you light the center candle. The individual candies represent your individual lives before today. Lighting the center candle represents that your two lives are now joined to one light, and represents the joining together of your two families and sets of friends to one."
If Children Are Involved
"The lighting of the center candle represents not only the union of ____________ and ___________ in marriage, but the unity formed in this new family in which your lives will now shine as one family. Unity Candle Ceremony
Pastor: And now, let us participate in another symbolic act. Life is full of many such actions that speak to us of a deeper meaning that we cannot always put into words. You have used ancient symbols in this wedding service—the exchange of rings, the clasping of hands, the bearing of flowers. By such things you act instead of speak in regard to your promises. Now each of you will take a candle. And together you will light one larger candle. This is a vivid reminder that in true Christian marriage our lives are merged, even as we remain individuals. This is a symbolic prayer that God will enhance your own personhood and bless your uniqueness as individuals: but that God will also make of your hands ONE hand...of your hearts ONE heart...and of your lives ONE life. Personalized Vow (includes children)
I (.....), choose you,(......), and (.........), to be my family. I promise to honor & respect you, and to provide for you to the best of my ability. I promise to make our home a haven, where trust, love, and laughter are abundant. I make these promises lovingly, and freely, and vow to honor them all the days of my life.Non-traditional Vows I come here today, (name), to join my life to years before this company.
In their presence I pledge to be true to you, to respect you,
and to grow with you through the years.
Time may pass, fortune may smile, trials may come;
no matter what we may encounter together,
I vow here that this love will be my only love.
I will make my home in your heart from this day forward.Today, (name), I join my life to yours, not merely as your (husband/wife),
but as your friend, your lover, and your confidant.
Let me be the shoulder you lean on,
the rock on which you rest,
the companion of your life.
With you I will walk my path from this day forward.
(Name), with free and unconstrained soul,
I give you all I am and all I am to become.
Take this ring, and with it my promise of faith, patience, and love,
for the rest of my life.
What have I to give you, (name)?
The promise to take you as my only love from this day forward,
to stand by your side, to listen when you speak,
to comfort you when you cry,
and to join your laughter with my own.
Take this ring, and be my (husband/wife)
As freely, (name), as God has given me life,
I join my life with yours.
Wherever you go, I will go;
whatever you face, I will face.
For good or ill, in happiness or sadness,
come riches or poverty,
I take you as my (husband/wife), and will give myself to no other. Non-traditional Vows
To marry the person you have set your heart upon
is a joy unparalleled in human life.
(Name), take this ring as a sign of my faith
and my commitment to our love,
and share this joy with me today.
I used to be afraid of falling in love, of giving my heart away.
How could I trust a (man/woman) to love me,
to give to me all that I wanted to give to (him/her)?
(Name), when I met you, I realized how much we could share together.
You have renewed my life:
Today I join that life with yours.
Two flames, one light.
(Name), I offer you this ring as a sign of life,
and myself as your (husband/wife).
Let us walk together always,
and let us always walk towards the light.
I came to this place today as a (man/woman) standing along;
I will walk from it by your side.
Today I cross the threshold with you
and enter into a new and lasting lifetime commitment.
(Name), I commit myself to you as your (husband/wife).
Today, a day of music and celebration,
I pledge to share my life with you.
Whether the days that come are happy or sad,
I will live them with you.
(Name), I give myself to you as your (husband/wife). Non-traditional Vows Love has given us wings, and our journey begins today, (Name), wherever the wind may carry me, I will stay by your side as your (husband/wife), Take this ring as a sign of my love. Where there has been cold, you have brought warmth; where my life was dark, you have brought light. (Name), I pledge before this assembled company to be your (husband/wife) from this day forward. Let us make of our two lives, one life, and let us always honor and respect each other.
(Name), our miracle lies in the path we have chosen together. I enter this marriage with you knowing that the true magic of love is not to avoid changes, but to navigate them successfully. Let us commit to the miracle of making each day work - together.
Whatever lies ahead, good or bad, we will face together. Distance may test us for a time, and time may trie us. But if we look to each other first, we will always see a friend. (Name), look to me for all the days to come; today I take my place as your (husband/wife).
On this day, (month, day, year), I, (name), join myself to you (name), before this company. May our days be long, and may they be seasoned with love, understanding and respect. Vows In Unison
Our old lives ending – our new life begun!
We pray that life will be a warming sun,
Forever burning, lighting up a way
Of love and peace, through an eternal day
Full of kind deeds, born of a mutual caring –
Sweet little things to make our lives endearing.
Pray that we'll love full free, and that we’ll give,
With selflessness, as long as we both live,
Not only pleasures, thrills, and joys – well spent!
But hope, and faith, and trust, and sweet content
To each other ... and pray we'll bare our hearts,
To learn the maxims there which Love imparts,
So when comes trouble, or a little woe,
By understanding, friends, the cause will go….
Our wedding is the fusion of our souls,
Our hearts, our loves, our minds, our goals,
Forever into one.... Does that sound wise?
To us, it does; and we will compromise
That our two lives may blossom as one flower,
Which grows more fragrant every passing hour,
And sends its perfume lingering on the air,
Sweet as a song that will not disappear
But haunts us, with clear notes, throughout the day;
And haunts us still, though our youth fade away.
Yes, by our true love bound – husband and wife! –
We’ll be the essence of each other’s life!
The yearning and the breath! and yes, the star!
And all the other precious things that are....
We’ll love so deep! Our love will be so true –
Fresher than roses in dawn’s gems of dew.
Our love is great, and it will rise so tall,
In width and depth, our love will surpass all!
Let’s pray our love won’t know divorce’s hurt,
And, like some mountain, crumble into dirt....
We hope that God will guide us from above,
And grant us peace, to sanctify our love….Special Pledge of Love I want to have an everlasting relationship
with no one else but you
We must both promise to work hard
to keep our individuality
I know that success would never be achieve
If we don`t work for it
We must promise to stand by each other
To be fair and honest with each other
To accept each other as we really are
To forget all our past and to move on with our future
We will stick with one another,
Through, thick & thin
Through, sadness and happiness
Through, pain & misery
Through, the best and the worst,
Through the difficulty and at ease
I will trust you and honor you
I will love you faithfully
Whatever may have come,
I will always be there.
As I have given you my hand to hold
As I am giving you my life to keep
Our bodies may be separated but we are ONE soul
connected together
We are to remain strong and supportive of each other
in adverse times as well as in good times
We must consider that we are
the most important person in the world
That has a significant LOVE
Even though it takes a lot of struggle and pain
To develop an everlasting relationship
I promise you that I would never ever give it up
On this day, I hereby declare to the world
That I accept you to be my partner in life and my one and only True love eternality...
Even till Death, Our LOVE will still be remain memories and will never tear us apart...
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