Sample Vows | Readings | Wedding License

Here are some sample Wedding Ceremonies. You can choose one of these, combine elements from sever, or write your own!

Wedding Ceremony 1

(Opening)

My name is Reverend Carl Thomas and it’s my privilege to perform this ceremony today.

Who is it that gives with woman in marriage?

We are gathered here today to join GROOM and BRIDE in Marriage.

We gather here today to celebrate their union, and to honour their commitment to not just gaze at one another,
but look outward together in the same direction.

Today GROOM and BRIDE proclaim their love to the world, and we rejoice with, and for them.

In marriage, we give ourselves freely and generously into the hands of the one we love, and in doing so,
each of us receives the love and trust of the other as our most precious gift.

But even as two people share that gift, it also touches the friends and family members who in various ways
support and contribute to the relationship.

GROOM and BRIDE, we are here to remember and rejoice with you and to recount with one another
that it is love that guides us on our path, and to celebrate as you take this journey together.

It is in this spirit that you have come here today to exchange these vows.

(Vows)

(To GROOM)

GROOM, please repeat after me:

I GROOM take you BRIDE to be my wife

I promise above all else to live in truth with you

and to communicate fully and fearlessly

I give you my hand and my heart

as a sanctuary of warmth and peace

and pledge my love, devotion, faith and honour as I join my life to yours.

(To BRIDE)

BRIDE, repeat after me:

I BRIDE take you GROOM to be my husband

I promise above all else to live in truth with you

and to communicate fully and fearlessly

I give you my hand and my heart

as a sanctuary of warmth and peace

and pledge my love, devotion, faith and honour as I join my life to yours.

(Rings)

For thousands of years lovers have exchanged rings as a token of their vows.

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, a
nd that despite its occasional sorrows, love is a circle of happiness, wonder and delight.

To GROOM

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 confidante and partner for life.

To BRIDE

BRIDE, take GROOM's ring and put it on his 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 confidante and partner for life.

(Signing of Register and License)

(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 others eyes let it be known that you are joined, body and soul in this lifetime, and that this bond is sacred and eternal.

Now that you have stood before me and exchanged these rings and these vows,
and have agreed to be married according to the beliefs of the Church and the laws of the province of Ontario,
it gives me great pleasure to pronounce that you are Husband and Wife.

You may kiss your BRIDE.

(Introduction)

I would like to introduce for the first time as Husband and Wife, GROOM and BRIDE.

Wedding Ceremony 2

(Words of welcome)

My name is Rev. Carl Thomas and I have the privilege of performing this marriage ceremony today.

On behalf of GROOM and BRIDE I would like to welcome and thank you for being here.

They are both happy that you are here today to share in their joy during this wonderful moment in their lives.

By your presence here, you celebrate with them the love they have discovered in each other and you support their decision to commit themselves to one another for the rest of their lives.

(Address to the assembly)

(OPTIONAL)

All of us know it will grow, and become stronger and better. Indeed this day is a day of hope.

A day in which GROOM and BRIDE demonstrate their commitment, devotion, and mutual respect, as well as their faith and love in one another.

You, who are gathered here as witnesses, are called to continue your support and encouragement as they unite in marriage.

(Address to the couple)

(OPTIONAL)

We all know marriage is more than two people standing here repeating vows.
There is an art to any creative activity. So too in marriage.

Part of the art of marriage is finding room for the things of the spirit.

So, to you two I say, continue in your search for the good and the beautiful in this life.

Part of the art of marriage is being flexible. S
o in your marriage cultivate flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humour.

Most important, develop the capacity to forgive and heal your differences day by day.

Try to remember that your love can prevail. Your love can be the miracle inviting you both to learn, to blossom,
to expand your horizons.

From your new marriage relationship can come the nurture and strength you two need to face the world.
Only from this moment on will you face the world together in a new way.
Today a new family is born and our world will be the better for its birth.
For this we all celebrate.

(The expression of intent)

GROOM you have chosen BRIDE to be your wife.
Will you love and respect her?
Will you be honest with her always?
Will you stand by her through whatever may come?

Answer 'I will'

BRIDE you have chosen GROOM to be your husband.
Will you love and respect him?
Will you be honest with him always?
Will you stand by him through what ever may come?

Answer 'I Will'

BOTH. Do both of you promise to make the necessary adjustments in your personal lives in order that you may live in a harmonious relationship together?
Answer 'we do'

(The affirmation of family and friends )

(OPTIONAL)

Now - In the spirit of joy and affirmation, I want to ask your families and friends a question. Do you the families and friends of GROOM and BRIDE, give them your blessing and support, wishing them a wonderful life together?

Answer ‘we do’

(The Exchange of vows)

GROOM and BRIDE, now we come to your vows.
May I remind you that saying your vows is one thing but nothing is more challenging than living them day by day.
What you promise today must be renewed tomorrow and each day that stretches out before you.
Will you now please turn and face each other and hold hands, looking at each other.

GROOM, please repeat after me

In the presence of God and before our family and friends,

I GROOM choose you BRIDE to be my wife,

to have and to hold from this day forward,

for better for worse, for richer for poorer,

in sickness and in health, in joy

and in sorrow, to love and to cherish,

and to be faithful to you alone.

This is my solemn vow.

Now BRIDE please repeat after me.

In the presence of God and before our family and friends,

I BRIDE choose you GROOM to be my husband,

to have and to hold from this day forward,

for better for worse, for richer for poorer,

in sickness and in health, in joy

and in sorrow, to love and to cherish,

and to be faithful to you alone.

This is my solemn vow.

(The giving and receiving of rings)

May I have the rings please?

Please repeat after me.

BRIDE I give you this ring,

that you may wear it,

as a symbol of the vows

we have made this day.

I pledge you my love, and respect,

my laughter and my tears.

With all that I am

I honour you.

GROOM I give you this ring,

that you may wear it,

as a symbol of the vows

we have made this day.

I pledge you my love, and respect,

my laughter and my tears.

With all that I am

I honour you.

(Signing of License and Register)

(Declaration of Marriage)
BRIDE and GROOM, we have heard your promise to share your lives in

marriage.

We recognize and respect the covenant of marriage you have made

here this day before God and each one of us as witnesses.

Therefore in the honesty and sincerity of what you have said and done here today

it is my honour and delight to declare you henceforth to be husband and wife.

You may kiss your BRIDE.

(Introduction)

I would like to introduce for the first time as Husband and Wife, GROOM and BRIDE.

Wedding Ceremony 3

(WELCOME)

My name is Rev. Carl Thomas and it is my privilege to be invited here today to perform this ceremony.

We are gathered here today in the sight of God to witness the giving and receiving of Marriage Vows

for BRIDE and GROOM.

(VOWS)

Minister to BRIDE:

Do you BRIDE take this man GROOM

to be your lawfully wedded husband,

to have and to hold, in sickness and in health,

in good time and bad, for richer or poorer,

keeping solely unto him for as long as you both shall live?

BRIDE: I do

Minister to GROOM:

Do you GROOM take this woman BRIDE

to be your lawfully wedded wife,

to have and to hold in sickness and in health,

in good time and bad, for richer or poorer,

keeping solely unto him for as long as you both shall live?

GROOM: I do

(RING VOWS)

Minister to Couple:

Do you have a token of your intention to honour your vows?

Couple: Yes, rings

Minister to Couple:

May I have the rings please?

Minister to Couple:

With these rings you share together, a love so close to last forever. T

his special day, let nothing keep this love apart.

GROOM to BRIDE:

BRIDE, you are the one I wish to dream with, walk side by side with, hand in hand and heart to heart.
With this ring I give you all my love.

BRIDE to GROOM:

GROOM, you are the one I wish to dream with, walk side by side with, hand in hand and heart to heart.
With this ring I give you all my love.

(PRAYER)

(Optional)

Dear God, today we are gathered with BRIDE and GROOM, giving to each, their vows in marriage.

From this day forward may their lives be intertwined forever, blessed in faith, filled with compassion, understanding and especially love.

And so it is… Amen.

(SIGNING OF MARRIAGE REGISTER AND MARRIAGE LICENSE)

(DECLARATION)

GROOM and BRIDE, in the sight of God, family and friends, I now pronounce you husband and wife.

GROOM, you may kiss your BRIDE.

Ladies and Gentleman, it is now my pleasure to present to you, Mr. and Mrs. BRIDE AND GROOM LAST NAME

Civil Ceremony

(Opening)

We are gathered here in the presence of these witnesses to join this man and this woman together in matrimony.

The contract is a most solemn one and not to be entered into lightly, but thoughtfully and seriously with deep realization

of its obligations and responsibilities.

(Statement of Intent)

GROOM, will you take BRIDE for your lawful wife?

ANSWER: I will

BRIDE, will you take GROOM for your lawful husband?

ANSWER: I will

(Vows)

BRIDE and GROOM will join right hands

GROOM:

Repeat after me I, GROOM take you, BRIDE for my lawful wife,
to have and to hold, from this day forward,

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

in sickness and in health,

Until death do us part,

BRIDE:

Repeat after me I, BRIDE take you, GROOM for my lawful husband,

to have and to hold, from this day forward,

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

in sickness and in health,

Until death do us part,

(Ring Vows)

To be repeated by GROOM as ring is placed on BRIDE’s finger:

With this ring, I thee wed.

To be repeated by BRIDE as ring is placed on GROOM’s finger:

With this ring, I thee wed.

(Signing of License and Register)

(Declaration of Marriage)

By the power and authority vested in me by the Province of Ontario and by God and his Church,

I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.

LADIES AND GENTLEMAN, IT IS NOW MY PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME AS HUSBAND AND WIFE, GROOM AND BRIDE.

OPTIONAL READINGS

(Read by Family or Friends)

(Can be added to any ceremony)

A) Now two readings that express the sense of joy and love on this occasion.

The first is called 'To My Friend'

I love you not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you.

I love you not only for what you have made of yourself, but for what you are making of me.

I love you because you have done more than any creed could have done to make me good, and more than any fate could have done to make me happy.

You have done it without a touch, without a word, without a sign.

You have done it by being yourself.

Perhaps that is what being a friend means, after all.

B) We have a great body of literature written about human love.

One writer says that it is not the extraordinary things that make life worthwhile but the love we share with those around us.

Scripture describes it this way:

Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude.

Love does not insist on its own way; it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs, but rejoices with the truth.

Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, love never gives up...

Three things remain: faith, hope and love.

But the greatest of these is love.

C) Reading written by Walter Pinder

Everyday you live, learn how to receive love with as much understanding as you give it.
Find things within yourself, then you can share them with each other.
Do not fear this love.
Have an open heart and a sincere mind.
Be sincerely interested in each other's happiness.
Be constant and consistent in your love.
From this comes security and strength.
All that we love deeply becomes a part of us on this day of your marriage.
Try to commit yourselves fully and freely to each other.

Rose Ceremony

___________ and __________, you will remember this day for the rest of your lives.
Those of us who are already married know that marriage, like life, brings with it many joys and also many challenges.
We also know that love, while beautiful, does not always show its prettiest face.
There are days when we may find it hard to express the depth of our love for one another.
It is my hope and prayer that the two of you will set aside a special place in your home for roses, ancient symbols of love.
When words fail you, or when the challenges of life or marriage begin to weigh on you, go out and get a rose, and put it in that special place in your home, so that the other will be reminded of this moment, and of the love you feel for one another. As a token of that love, I would like to ask you to make these roses your first gifts to one another as a married couple. Remember, the single rose says the words: "I love you".

Adding a part for children

If a couple is adding the "Rose Ceremony", often they will have a rose for each of the children. After exchanging roses, the couple will then give each child a rose, a hug, and whisper, "I love you." "Not only are ________and ________creating a marriage today, but they also are forming a family with (child/children's name(s)). Just as it is appropriate for ________and ________to declare their love for each other in the gift of a rose, they also wish to show you (to the children) how much they love you with the gift of a rose."

Unity Candle Ceremony

From every human being there rises a light that reaches straight to heaven.
And when two souls who are destined to be together find each other, their streams of light flow together,
and a single, brighter light goes forth from their united being.
In this spirit, BRIDE and GROOM, take your individual candles and light together a third candle
which signifies your marital bond.
May the light of love, and the light of understanding, and the light of respect, and the light of tolerance
shine eternally for you both.

SAMPLE VOWS