Marriage Ceremony

(Brief, Contemporary, Gender Neutral)

Word of welcome

Welcome to all of you on this special day.

Regardless of the wonderful and loving relationship that ____________ (Partner 1) and ____________ (Partner 2) have shared until now, today that relationship changes and becomes even stronger as they promise to share the rest of their lives with one another in matrimony.

This day is a day of hope; a day on which ____________ (Partner 2) and ____________ (Partner 1) demonstrate their faith and love in one another before you, their friends and family.

Reading

I would now like to share a reading that I believe expresses the sense of joy and love experienced on a day such as this. It is called “To My Friend.” [or alternate submitted by couple]

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, after all, that's what being a friend means.

Expression of Intent

I now have a question for each of you.

____________ (Partner 1), you have chosen ____________ (Partner 2) to be your [life partner/husband/wife]. Will you love and respect [her/him]? Will you be honest with [him/her] at all times, and will you stand by [her/him] through whatever may come?

(Answer: "I will")

____________ (Partner 2), you have chosen ____________ (Partner 1) to be your [life partner/wife/husband] Will you love and respect [her/him]? Will you be honest with [her/him] at all times and will you stand by [her/him] through whatever may come?

(Answer: "I will")

The Exchange of vows

____________ (Partner 1)  and ____________ (Partner 2), we now 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.

____________ (Partner 1), please repeat after me.  I ____________ (Partner 1) choose you ____________ (Partner 2) to be my [life partner/wife/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.

Now ____________ (Partner 2), please repeat after me: I ____________ (Partner 2)  choose you ____________ (Partner 1)  to be my [life partner/wife/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 of Rings (Optional)

May I have the rings please?

____________ (Partner 1), repeat after me.  ____________ (Partner 2), I give you this ring, that you may wear it as a symbol of our love and 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 honor you.

____________ (Partner 2), repeat after me.  ____________ (Partner 1), I give you this ring, that you may wear it as a symbol of our love and 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 honor you.

Now may those who wear these rings live in love all their days.

Declaration of Marriage

____________ (Partner 1)  and ____________ (Partner 2), we have heard your promise to share your lives in marriage. We recognize and respect the covenant you have made here this day before each of us as witnesses.

Now, by the powers vested in me by the laws of the State of Nebraska, I declare that the two of you are legally married spouses for life.

Introduction of the couple

Please join me in honoring ____________ (Partner 1) and ____________ (Partner 2) as they begin this new phase of their journey together.