Aloha,  We want your ceremony to be spiritually meaningful and appropriate for you both. If you want to replace or add scripture or blend elements from any of these sets of vows or any of our other vows, please feel free to let us know.

 

Sample # 1  Traditional Christian Service

 

Aloha and Welcome   Let us come together into the quiet of prayer:

 

We are here to celebrate the marriage of ______ and ______.  We ask through the infinite wisdom of our Lord that they each may find kindness, caring, and joy through this union that will serve as a safe haven for them.  We ask that together they may build a life that brings them balance, health, happiness and wisdom as they venture together through the trials and triumphs to come.  May they strengthen their bond of love and find a gentle peacefulness in being together.  We ask for a blessing of renewal and devotion to the loving relationships in all our lives.  May we comfort each other with our love and compassion today and every day.  Amen

 

We are gathered here today to celebrate one of life's greatest moments, to give recognition to the worth and beauty of love, and to add our best wishes to the words which shall unite                      

______ and ______in marriage.

 

Exchange of Leis

 

        and             , life is given to each of us as individuals, and yet we must learn to live together. Love is given to us by our family or by our friends. We learn to love by being loved. Learning to love and living together is one of the greatest challenges and blessings of life - and is the shared goal of a married life.

 

Now that you understand  of what you are about to partake are you ready to make the promises of marriage?

 

______,  do you take ______ to be your Wife?  Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect her, as your partner in life, holding only unto her? ("I do")

 

______,  do you take ______ to be your Husband? Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect him, as your partner in life, holding only unto him? ("I do")

 

Presentation of the Rings:

 

"Wedding rings are an outward and visible sign of an inward spiritual grace and the unbroken circle of love, signifying to all the union of this man and this woman in marriage."

 

Minister:  Repeat after me:

 

I ______, take thee , ______ to be my Wife- to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, and I promise my love to you forevermore.

 

I ______, take thee , ______, to be my Husband. To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, and I promise my love to you forevermore.

 

______ and ______,  as the two of you come into this marriage uniting you as husband and wife, and as you this day affirm your faith and love for one another, I would ask that you always remember to cherish each other as special and unique individuals, that you respect the thoughts, ideas and suggestions of one another. Be able to forgive, take responsibility for yourselves, and live each day that you may share it together - as from this day forward you shall be each other's home, comfort and refuge, your marriage strengthened by your love and respect for each other.

 

On Friendship

 

I love you, not only for what you are but for what I am with you.

I love you not only for what you have made of yourself, but what you are

making of me.  I love you for the part of me that you bring out.  I love you for putting your hand onto my heart and choosing to see all the light and radiant things that dwell within me.  You have done it without a touch, without a sign.  You have done it by being yourself.

 

or, you may replace the Friendship passage above with the following:

 

Reading: Marriage is a Promise of Love

 

Marriage is a Promise of Love and it is a commitment to Life

To the best that two people can find and bring out in each other

it offers opportunities for sharing and growth.

A physical and emotional joining that is promised for a lifetime.

Within the circle of its love, marriage encompasses all of lifes most important relationships

A wife and a husband are each other’s best friend, confidant, lover, teacher, and, listener.

There may come times when one partner is heartbroken or ailing, and the love of the other may resemble the tender caring of a parent for a child.    Marriage deepens and enriches every facet of life.

Happiness is fuller; memories are fresher; commitment is stronger.

Marriage understands and forgives the mistakes that life is unable to avoid. It encourages and nurtures new life, new experiences, and new ways of expressing love through all the many seasons of life.

When two people, such as yourselves, pledge to love and care for one another in marriage, they create a spirit unique to themselves, which binds them closer than any spoken or written words could ever do.

Marriage is a promise, a potential, made in the hearts of two people who love and it certainly does take a lifetime to fulfill.

                        

PRAYER

 

Dear Heavenly Father, our hearts are filled with great happiness on           and               wedding day, as they come before You pledging their hearts and lives to one another. Grant that they may ever be true and loving, living together in such a way as to support each others highest potential.  Fill their hearts with kindness, understanding, compassion and joy. Help them to remember to be each other's sweetheart, helpmate, best friend and guide, so that together they may meet the cares and problems of life more bravely. And with the passage of time, may they find great contentment in the rich joy of senior companionship. May the home they are creating today truly be a place of love and harmony, where Your Spirit is always present.  

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious unto you.  May the Lord lift up his countenance unto to you, and give you peace and happiness.  Amen

 

______ and ______,  in so much as the two of you have agreed to live together in Holy Matrimony, have promised your love for each other by these vows, the joining of your hands and the giving of these rings, I now declare you to be Husband and Wife.  Whom God hath joined together, let no one put asunder.  

 

You may seal your vows with a kiss.

 

Congratulations to you both, Mr. and Mrs. ________________.