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Friends, we gather here to witness the ceremony of union of [name1] and [name2], to surround them with our love, and to share in their joy. You have been invited today because you are special to [name1] and [name2], special as family and as friends. And you are invited here, to this place, because it is special [name1] and [name2], as it is for so many of us gathered here. It is in this place, with all of you gathered here, that these two women have chosen to make their vows of commitment.
[name1] and [name2], I would remind you that this celebration is the outward and visible sign of a sacred and inward union of hearts. It is a union created by loving purpose and kept by abiding will. We have come to rejoice for the world that eternal love has found you.
From "Letters" by Raner Marie Rilke:
The point of marriage is not to create a quick commonality by tearing down all boundaries; on the contrary, a good marriage is one in which each partner appoints the other to be the guardian of [her] solitude, and thus they show each other the greatest possible trust. A merging of two people is an impossibility, and where it seems to exist, it is a hemming-in, a mutual consent that robs one party or both parties of their fullest freedom and development. But once the realization is accepted that even between the closest people infinite distances exist, a marvelous living side by side can grow up for them, if they succeed in loving the expanse between them, which gives them the possibility of always seeing each other as a whole and before an immense sky.
Repeat for each: [name], do you give yourself to [name]? Do you commit yourself to her, to be responsible to her in the faithful relationship of holy union? To give yourself to her in love and work. And to invite her fully into your being so that she can know who you are? To cherish her above all others and respect her individually, encouraging her to be herself and to grow in all that God intends? If so, say "I do".
Each for repeats the following: I, [name}, take you, [name], to be my partner in life. I will cherish our friendship, love you today, tomorrow and forever. I will trust and honor you. I will love you faithfully through the best and the worst. I will listen and be patient. I will be trusting and open. I will be honest, gentle and considerate. I will laugh with you, cry with you and share my deepest feelings with you. As I have given you my hand to hold, so I give you my life to keep.
What token do you give that you will fulfill these vows? Participants: These rings.
These rings are the outward symbols and visible signs of an inward and spiritual bond which unites two loyal hearts in endless love. By their shape, these rings are symbols of the undying love that exists between you. The substance of which they are composed is a symbol of purity, which shall ever characterize your minds and hearts in all your relationships together
In turn, each places the ring on the other and repeats the following: In token and in pledge, of my constant faith and abiding love, with this ring I give to you all that I am.
Forasmuch as [name] and [name] have pledged themselves to each other before God and this company by speaking their vows and by exchanging rings symbolizing their new relationship, let it be known that on this [date] they have been joined in Sacred Union.
You may seal your vows with a kiss.
My goal is to help all couples, regardless of their religious affiliation or non-affiliation. I respect all cultures and creeds and deliver a ceremony with dignity and respect, regardless of whether or not I share the same beliefs. Click here for a brief explanation of my beliefs.