Sweet & Simple

Opening Words

Affirmation of the Guests
Will all of you witnessing these vows do everything in your power to uphold _______ (bride) and ______ (groom) in their marriage?
Answer: We will

Romantic Reading
The Art of a Good Marriage, by Wilfred Arlan Peterson
A good marriage must be created.
In marriage the “little” things are the big things.
It is never being too old to hold hands.
It is remembering to say, ”I love you” at least once a day.
It is never going to sleep angry.
It is having a mutual sense of values, and common objectives.
It is standing together and facing the world.
It is forming a circle that gathers in the whole family.
It is speaking words of appreciation, and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.
It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.
It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow.
It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.
It is not only marrying the right person — it is being the right partner.

Vow Exchange
_______ (Groom),
Do you, ________, take ______, to be your wife, knowing in your heart that she will be your constant friend, faithful partner, and one true love?
Answer: I do.
________ (Bride),
Do you, ______, take ________, to be your husband, knowing in your heart that he will be your constant friend, faithful partner, and one true love?
Answer: I do

Ring Exchange
__________ (Groom), repeat after me
I give you this ring as the token and pledge of the promise now made between us.
__________ (Bride), repeat after me
I give you this ring as the token and pledge of the promise now made between us.

Official Declaration

Kiss

Sign License

Announcements

Presentation
Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my privilege to present to you Mr. and Mrs. ________ and _________ ________!

Opening Words
Affirmation of the Guests
Will all of you witnessing these vows do everything in your power to uphold _______ (bride) and ______ (groom) in their marriage?
Answer: We will

Romantic Reading
Friendship, by Judy Bielicki
It is often said that it is love that makes the world go round. However, without doubt, it is friendship which keeps our spinning existence on an even keel. True friendship provides so many of the essentials for a happy life-it is the foundation on which to build an enduring relationship, it is the mortar which bonds us together in harmony, and it is the calm, warm protection we sometimes need when the world outside seems cold and chaotic. True friendship holds a mirror to our foibles and failings, without destroying our sense of worthiness. True friendship nurtures our hopes, supports us in our disappointments, and encourages us to grow to our best potential. (Bride) and (Groom) came together as friends. Today, they pledge to each other not only their love, but also the strength, warmth and, most importantly, the fun of true friendship.

Vow Exchange
______ (Groom), repeat after me
I love you.
You are my best friend.
Today I give myself to you in marriage.
I promise to encourage and inspire you, to laugh with you, and to comfort you in times of sorrow and struggle.
I promise to love you in good times and in bad, when life seems easy and when it seems hard, when our love is simple, and when it is an effort.
I promise to cherish you, and to always hold you in highest regard.
These things I give to you today, and all the days of our life.
_________ (Bride), repeat after me
I love you.
You are my best friend.
Today I give myself to you in marriage.
I promise to encourage and inspire you, to laugh with you, and to comfort you in times of sorrow and struggle.
I promise to love you in good times and in bad, when life seems easy and when it seems hard, when our love is simple, and when it is an effort.
I promise to cherish you, and to always hold you in highest regard.
These things I give to you today, and all the days of our life.

Meaning of the Rings
These rings are a symbol of the unbroken circle of love. Love freely given has no beginning and no end. May you find in one another the love for which all men and women yearn. May you grow in understanding and compassion. These rings mark the beginning of a long journey together. Wear them proudly, for they are symbols which speak of the love that you have for each other.

Ring Exchange
_______ (Groom), repeat after me
____________, take this ring as a sign of my faith and my commitment to our love, and share this joy with me today.
_______ (Bride), repeat after me
____________, take this ring as a sign of my faith and my commitment to our love, and share this joy with me today

Official Declaration

Kiss

Romantic Reading

Blessing of the Hands
These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever. These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future. These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch, will comfort you like no other. These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills your mind. These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow, and tears of joy. These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children. These are the hands that will help you to hold your family as one. These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it. And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.

Sign License

Announcements

Presentation
Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my privilege to present to you Mr. and Mrs. _______ and _______ ______!

___________ & __________, today you celebrate one of life’s greatest moments and give recognition to the worth
and beauty of love, as you join together in vows of marriage.

(Groom) ___________________, do you take ________________ to be your Wife? Do you promise to love, honor,
cherish and protect her, forsaking all others and holding only unto her?
(“I do”)
(Bride_____________________ , do you take __________________ to be your Husband? Do you promise to love,
honor, cherish and protect him, forsaking all others and holding only unto him?
(“I do”)

Repeated Ring Vows… although rings are not required
(Groom),I _____________, take you, ________________ to be my Wife, and pledge my love to your forever.
(Bride), I _________________ , take you _______________, to be my husband, and pledge my love to you forever.

________________________ and _________________________, in so much as the two of you have agreed to
live together in Matrimony, have promised your love for each other by these vows, by the authority vested in me by
the State of New York I now declare you to be Husband and Wife. Congratulations, you may kiss your bride.

(Officiant and witnesses sign the marriage license).

Let us begin :
May the promises you make to one another be lived out to the end of your lives in an atmosphere of profoundest joy.

_____ and _____ welcome you, their family and friends. Each of you has given something of yourself into their lives.
It is fitting then that you share in this celebration of their commitment to each other and to their lives joined in
marriage.

(Groom)
Do you _____, choose to marry _____? To speak the words that will join you with her as your wife for the rest of the
days of your life?
Answer: I do.
(Bride)
Do you _____, choose to marry _____? To speak the words that will join you with him as your husband for the rest of
the days of your life?
Answer: I do.

(Groom)
_____ take _____ ‘s right hand and repeat after me.

_____, I choose you to be my wife.
I promise freely from this day forward
To be worthy of your trust and deserving of your confidence;
To be generous with my time, my energy and my love;
To be patient with you and with myself,
To trust you;
To be devoted to you and our life together.
These things I pledge before you, our friends, and our family.
(Bride)
_____ take _____ ‘s right hand and repeat after me.
_____, I choose you to be my husband.
I promise freely from this day forward
To be worthy of your trust and deserving of your confidence;
To be generous with my time, my energy and my love;
To be patient with you and with myself,
To trust you;
To be devoted to you and our life together.
These things I pledge before you, our friends, and our family.
What pledge do you offer in symbol of these vows?
Answer: “These rings”
“May these rings remind us well of our vows to each other.”
(Groom)
_____ ,place the ring on _____ ‘s left hand and repeat after me.

_____, I give you this ring to wear upon your hand as a symbol of our unity, love, respect and trust.

(Bride)
_____ ,place the ring on _____ ‘s left hand and repeat after me.

_____, I give you this ring to wear upon your hand as a symbol of our unity, love, respect and trust.

_____ and _____, you have exchanged vows and rings, and consented to marry in the presence of this company .
By the authority vested in me by the State of New York, I pronounce you husband and wife.
You may now kiss the bride.
Now that the ceremony is over and the experience of living day by day is about to begin, go and meet it gladly.

It is my great pleasure to present to you this newly united couple, ___________ and _______ May we all continue to
support and honor their union, I wish you all continued peace and joy.