Chuntian Academy International

Exchange of Vows in Simple Non-religious Wedding Ceremony

Opening Words:

Friends, we are gathered here today to share with _________ and ______ a very important moment in their lives. In the time they have been together, their love and understanding of each other has grown and matured, and now they have decided to live their lives together as husband and wife.

Our prayer is for ____ and ____ that they enjoy the fruits of marriage, sharing an abundance of happiness. We further pray that whatever difficulties they may encounter will be overcome by their optimism and faith in each other.

Wedding Vows:

____ and _____, have you come here freely and without reservations to give yourselves to each other in marriage?

Response:

We have.

____ and ____, since it is your intention to enter into marriage, join your right hands and repeat after me.

I, __, take you, _____ to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow.

I, ____, take you, _____ to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow.

Exchange of Rings:

Groom: I give you this ring as an eternal symbol of my love and commitment to you.

Bride: I give you this ring as an eternal symbol of my love and commitment to you.

Declaration of Marriage:

By the power vested in me by the Universal Life Church I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.

Sample Non-Religious Wedding Ceremony

Processional

Opening Words of the Officiant
The wedding should begin by welcoming your guests. In movies, one often sees the following:

Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here today in the presence of these witnesses, to join ___________ and ___________ in matrimony, which is commended to be honorable among all men; and therefore – is not by any – to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly – but reverently, discreetly, advisedly and solemnly. Into this holy estate these two persons present now come to be joined. If any person can show just cause why they may not be joined together – let them speak now or forever hold their peace.

Another variation is:
Friends, we have been invited here today to share with ______ and ______ a very important moment in their lives. In the years they have been together, their love and understanding of each other has grown and matured, and now they have decided to live their lives together as husband and wife.

The Giving in Marriage (optional)
The traditional wording is "Who gives this woman to be wedded to this man" but as it is the 21st century, many couples opt for something such as "Who supports this couple in their marriage?" or "Who supports this woman in her marriage to this man?" or chose to leave it out altogether.

An Opening Prayer or Reading

This will generally set the tone of your wedding. It could be serious, humorous, sentimental, or elegant. Typically, it says something about love, relationships, or marriages.

Definition of Marriage

Here the officiant says some words about marriage in general. He or she will most likely talk about the seriousness of the solemn vow you are about to make, and the new life together you are creating.

Wedding Vows

Second Reading or Song

Exchange of Rings or Gifts

The bride and groom say something like "I (name) give you (name) this ring as an eternal symbol of my love and commitment to you."

Lighting of Unity Ceremony (optional)
Many couples are choosing to add a unity ceremony. They may choose to do this in silence, with music playing or they may create vows to say about the joining of their families.

Closing

This could be a poem, a prayer, or a sanctioning of the marriage. It is generally the "final thoughts" of the officiant.

Declaration of Marriage

The officiant typically says something akin to "By the power vested in me by the State of _______, I now pronounce you husband and wife" or for same-sex couples, "I now pronounce you married." This is followed by the first kiss of the newly married couple. Once upon a time, the officiant would say "You may now kiss the bride" but again, it's the 21st century. It seems a little strange for someone else to be giving permission to kiss a grown woman. So now, either the couple kiss immediately after the declaration of marriage or the officiant says something like "you may now kiss each other."

Introduction of Newlyweds

The officiant says "I present to you Mr. and Mrs. ________" if they are changing their names or "I present to you the newly married couple, Jane and John" if they are not. The guests stand and applaud, as the couple then lead the recessional out.