JUST THE TWO OF YOU
(GREETING AND WELCOMING WORDS)
It is my privilege to be invited here today to perform this ceremony.
_____ and _____, you have come here to this beautiful place to make a commitment to one another. A commitment of love and friendship, and a commitment to one another. A commitment of love and friendship, and a commitment to share your life together as husband and wife. Today, the vows you will take are beautiful words representing even more beautiful intentions. But you will find that as you live these vows over the years, investing your time and your love and your commitment to one another, the happy times of your life will be twice as joyous, because there will be someone to share those joys with.
Marriage is an expression of love and respect between two people, and trust and faith in the future. But the union of husband and wife is also an alliance against the challenges and difficulties of life. A promise that when life gets tough, it will only be half as bad, because there will be someone by your side to help carry the burden. And when life grants you happiness, it will me more joyous because you have someone to share it with.
For those times when life presents all of us with challenges, I would like to offer you the serenity prayer to remember: Grant me the serenity to accept the things that I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
(STATEMENT OF INTENT)
_____ and _____, you stand before me having requested that I marry you. Do you both do this of your own free will, with no pressure upon you from other persons?
Couple: (We do)
(EXCHANGE OF VOWS)
The vows you will now take are a solemn pledge of love and affirm your love for one another as you join in marriage. Please face each other and join hands.
GROOM, if it is your wish to be the husband of BRIDE, then please repeat after me:
I, _____, take you, _____, to be my wife. I promise to encourage and inspire you. To laugh with you and to comfort you in sad times. I promise to love you when life seems easy and when it seems hard. When our love is simple, and when it is an effort. I take you, with all your faults and strengths, As I offer myself to you with my faults and my strengths. I will help you when you need help and will turn to you when I need help. I choose you as the person with whom I will spend my life. These things I give to you today, and all the days of our life.
BRIDE, if it is your wish to be the wife of GROOM, then please repeat after me:
I, _____, take you, _____, to be my husband. I promise to encourage and inspire you. To laugh with you and to comfort you in sad times. I promise to love you when life seems easy and when it seems hard. When our love is simple, and when it is an effort. I take you, with all your faults and strengths, As I offer myself to you with my faults and my strengths. I will help you when you need help and will turn to you when I need help. I choose you as the person with whom I will spend my life. These things I give to you today, and all the days of our life.
_____ and _____, may your love be based on freedom. For though your hands touch, it is your hearts that hold. Love is not a wall, it is a bridge. Love does not confine, it sets you free. It leads, as a pathway, winding, to places unknown and mysterious. With love to light the way, you can meet any challenges together.
(EXCHANGE OF RINGS)
_____ and _____, you have shared promises here in my presence. Do you have a token or symbol which you wish to exchange?
Couple: (We do)
Your rings are precious because you wear them with love. They symbolize your commitment in marriage. They remind you of who you are, where' you've been and where you are going. As you wear them through time, they will reflect not only who you are as individuals, but also who you are as a couple.
GROOM, please give your ring to BRIDE and repeat these words:
_____, you are the love of my life. And you are my very best friend. This ring I give you, is a symbol of my love. I pledge to share with you my heart, my life and my love, from this day forward.
BRIDE, please give your ring to GROOM and repeat these words:
_____, you are the love of my life. And you are my very best friend. This ring I give you, is a symbol of my love. I pledge to share with you my heart, my life and my love, from this day forward.
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)
_____ and _____, you have expressed your commitment to one another, and exchanged rings so that you never forget where you have been and where you are going. By these acts you have become husband and wife. According to the laws of the State of Michigan and the authority vested in me, I hereby pronounce that you are husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.
(PRESENTATION OF COUPLE)
Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor to present Mr. and Mrs. __________
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Immediately following the ceremony, the couple, the two witnesses and I will sign the register and the marriage license.
Unification Ceremonies:
