CIVIL CEREMONY
(OPENING WORDS AND WELCOME)
I am honored to perform this ceremony today.
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)
_____, will you take _____ for your lawful wife?
Groom: I will.
_____, will you take _____ for your lawful husband?
Bride: I will.
(EXCHANGE OF VOWS)
BRIDE and GROOM will join right hands.
GROOM, please repeat after me.
I, _____, take you, _____ 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, please repeat after me.
I, _____, take you, _____ 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.
(EXCHANGE OF RINGS)
GROOM, please place this ring on your beloved's finger and say "With this ring I thee wed."
Groom: "With this ring I thee wed."
BRIDE, please place this ring on your beloved's finger and say "With this ring I thee wed."
BRIDE: "With this ring I thee wed."
Optional: (One of these unification ceremonies listed below may be included in your regular ceremony at no extra charge. Two or more unification ceremonies are an additional charge).
(DECLARATION OF MARRIAGE AND THE KISS)
By the power and authority vested in me by the County of _____ and the State of Michigan, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride.
(PRESENTATION OF COUPLE)
Ladies and gentlemen, it is now my pleasure to introduce for the very first time, Mr. and Mrs. ________
Unification Ceremonies:
