Introduction
On this wonderful summer afternoon we solemnize the commitment of
lifelong love that you, [Name] and [Name], have vowed to each other, a
commitment to which you both brought a great deal of thought and
reflection. The ease with which you relate to each other expresses more
eloquently than any words the depth of your mutual commitment, a pledge
that brings great happiness to both you and your families and one that
you will celebrate with them on this glorious day.
A wedding is a magic moment creating a unique partnership, but is also
an illusion, for it is the relationship itself that must be
self-sustaining, based on mutual love and respect, on an ongoing basis
sharing the joys of everyday life together. It doesn’t matter if you
have a big wedding or you elope; it doesn’t matter if the ceremony is
performed by a rabbi, a priest, a judge, or a humanist officiant; it
doesn’t matter if your family or friends are there or not.
What matters is the commitment you make to each other. And you have both
made that commitment already. Today?s ceremony is just the icing on the
cake.
Will the two of you please join hands?
Vows
No other human ties are more tender and no other vows more important
than those you are about to take. Both of you come to this day with the
deep realization that the contract of marriage is sacred as are all of
its obligations and responsibilities.
Partner 1:
[Name], today I take you to be no other than who you are, the wo/man I fell in love with,
and now you give me the honor of being able to call you my spouse/husband/wife.
For that honor I promise to always be there to love you and make you smile, or to comfort and protect you.
And I promise, that no matter what lies in our path it will be our path, and I will stay the person you fell in love with.
I give you this ring as a token that I shall love you, in all times, in all places, and in all ways, forever.
Partner 2:
Today I choose to make a deeper commitment to you.
It is my way of telling you that our experiences together have been so
good that I want them to continue for the rest of my life.
I loved you before the ceremony and I love you more because of it. You are everything I ever hoped to find in a partner.
I want to spend the rest of my life with you.
I give you this ring as a token that I shall love you, in all times, in all places, and in all ways, forever.
Presentation of Rings
Do you, [Name], take this woman/man, [Name], to be your lawful wedded spouse/partner/wife/husband?
Do you promise to love and comfort her/him, to honor her/him and keep
her/him in sickness and in health, in prosperity and adversity, and
forsaking all others, be faithful to her/him so long as you both shall
live?
(Repeat for Partner 2)
[Name], place the ring on the ring finger of [Name]?s left hand and repeat after me:
I give you this ring as a symbol and pledge of my constant faith and lasting love. With this ring, I thee wed.
(Repeat for Partner 2)
Pronouncement
May you strive all the rest of your lives to meet this commitment to each other with the same love and devotion that you now possess. And now, according to the laws of the state of Idaho, you are husband/wife/married/life partners/legally married/etc.