SHARED PROMISES
(OPENING WORDS AND WELCOME)
I am honored to perform this ceremony today.
We are here to participate in a wedding. By this act we unite _____ and _____ as husband and wife. What we do here today is done in conformity to the laws of the state of Michigan and the tradition of men and women of all places and times.
(BLESSING, READING OR PRAYER) (Optional)
(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.)
(MESSAGE) (Optional)
(EXCHANGE OF VOWS)
GROOM, please repeat after me.
I, _____, take you _____, to be my wife. In this moment I promise before these witnesses to love you and care for you all of our days. I accept you with your faults and your strengths. I offer my faults and strengths. I promise to support you when you need support and turn to you when I need support. I choose you as the one with whom I will spend my life.
BRIDE, please repeat after me.
I, _____, take you _____, to be my husband. In this moment I promise before these witnesses to love you and care for you all of our days. I accept you with your faults and your strengths. I offer my faults and strengths. I promise to support you when you need support and turn to you when I need support. I choose you as the one with whom I will spend my life.
(EXCHANGE OF RINGS)
_____ and _____, you have shared your promises in my presence. Do you have a token which you wish to exchange as a symbol of those promises?
Couple replies (We do)
GROOM, will you give your token to BRIDE and repeat these words:
_____, I give you this ring as a constant reminder of the promises we have exchanged today.
BRIDE, will you give your token to GROOM and repeat these words:
_____, I give you this ring as a constant reminder of the promises we have exchanged today.
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).
(BLESSING, READING, OR PRAYER) (Optional)
(DECLARATION OF MARRIAGE AND THE KISS)
_____ and _____, you have given and received rings as well as exchanged your promises in my presence. By these acts you have agreed to be married according to the laws of the state of Michigan. It gives me great pleasure to pronounce that you are Husband and Wife. GROOM, you may kiss your bride.
Or
_____ and _____, having witnessed your vows and your exchange of rings with all who are assembled here, it gives me great pleasure to pronounce that you are husband and wife.
You may seal your vows, and confirm your commitment and love for each other, with a kiss.
(INTRODUCTION AND PRESENTATION OF THE COUPLE)
Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to introduce as husband and wife, Mr. and Mrs. ____________.
***
Immediately following the ceremony, the couple, the two witnesses and I will sign the register and the marriage license.
Unification Ceremonies:
