Humanistic Vows

A SAMPLE CEREMONY

(Approximately 10-15 minutes in length)

OFFICIANT:

Good evening, and welcome to the ceremony that will unite ___ and ___ in marriage.

We gather here today to celebrate their union, and to honor their commitment

to not just gazing at one another, but to looking outward together in the same direction.

Today _____ and _____ proclaim their love to the world, and we rejoice with and for them.

In marriage, we give ourselves freely and generously into the hands of the one we love, and in doing so, each of us receives the love and trust of the other as our most precious gift. But even as that gift is shared by two people who are in love, it also touches the friends and family members who in various ways support and contribute to the relationship. All of you are _____ and _____’s community, and each of you has played some part in bringing them to this moment. This is why gathering as a community is such an important part of a wedding ceremony. Because _____ and _____ are now taking a new form as a married couple, and in this form, they become part of their community in a new way.

(NOTE: If you want to insert something personal, such as a favorite poem or song, a statement made to one another or to your family, a rose ceremony,, a unity candle, or anything else "theatrical,"this is the spot for it).

_____ and _____, we are here to remember and rejoice with you

and to recount with one another that it is love that guides us on our path,

and to celebrate as you begin this journey together

It is in this spirit that you have come here to today to exchange these vows.

VOWS

_____, repeat after me:

I _____ take you _____ to be my wife /

I promise above all else to live in truth with you/

and to communicate fully and fearlessly/

I give you my hand and my heart /

as a sanctuary of warmth and peace/

and pledge my love, devotion, faith and honor

as I join my life to yours.

(REPEAT SAME FOR _____, OR MODIFY IF YOU WISH)

RINGS

For thousands of years lovers have exchanged rings as a token of their vows.

These simple gold bands are not of great value in themselves,

but are made precious by our wearing of them.

Your rings say that even in your uniqueness you have chosen to be bound together.

Let these rings also be a sign that love has substance as well as soul,

a present as well as a past, and that, despite its occasional sorrows,

love is a circle of happiness, wonder, and delight.

_____, take _____'s ring and put it on her finger, and repeat after me:

Just as this circle is without end, my love for you is eternal/

Just as it is made of indestructible substance/

my commitment to you will never fail/

With this ring I take you to be my trusted confidante

and partner for life.

(REPEAT SAME FOR _____, OR MODIFY IF YOU WISH)

PRONOUNCEMENT

_____ and _____, although I'm officiating here today,

it is not truly in my power to sanctify, legitimize or bless your relationship in any way,

because the two of you have already done that in your hearts.

So, by joining hands right now and looking into each other's eyes,

let it be known that you are joined, body and soul in this lifetime,

and that this bond is sacred and eternal.

And now that you have stood before me and exchanged these rings and these vows,

and have agreed to be married according to the laws of the state of California,

it gives me gives me great pleasure to pronounce that you are Husband and Wife.