A NON-DENOMINATIONAL CEREMONY

If it were possible to begin this ceremony by gathering together all the wishes of happiness for and from all present here . . . if we could gather together those precious wishes of affection and our very fondest hopes and turn them into music, we would be listening now to a most inspiring anthem, composed of the most harmonious notes possible to produce.
Even though this is not possible, just speaking of it should assure_________ and_________that our hearts are attuned to theirs in these moments so meaningful to all of us. For what greater thing is there for two human souls than to feel that they are joined together to strengthen each other in all labor, to minister to each other in all sorrow, to share with each other in all gladness.

Marriage is an act of faith and a personal commitment as well as a moral and physical union between the parties. It has been described as the best and most important relationship that can exist between two human beings; the construction of their love and trust into a single growing energy of spiritual life. It is a moral commitment that requires and deserves daily attention. Marriage should be a life-long consecration to the ideal of loving kindness, backed with the will to make it last.

True love gives nothing but itself and takes nothing from itself.
Love does not possess, nor would it be possessed.
For love is sufficient unto love.
Love has no other desire but to fulfill itself.
To awake at dawn with a winged heart and
Give thanks for another day of loving.
To rest at noon and meditate love's ecstasy.
To return home at eventide with gratitude,
And then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart
And a song of praise upon your lips.

_____________ will (do) you take ____________ to be your wedded wife/husband, to love, to honor, to cherish, to continually bestow upon her /him heart's deepest devotion? (Spouse replies "I will/I do")

And _____________will (do) you take_______________ to be your wedded wife/husband, to love, to honor, to cherish, to continually bestow upon her/ your heart's deepest devotion? (Spouse replies "I will/I do")

Please hold hands and repeat after me: "__________, you are consecrated to me now as my wife/husband from this day forward, to love, to cherish, to have and to hold, for richer, for poorer, for better, for worse, in sickness and in health, in sadness and in joy, to care and share together as long as we both shall live."

And,_____________, you are consecrated to me now as my wife/husband, from this day forward, to love, to cherish, to have and to hold, for richer, for poorer, for better, for worse, in sickness and in health, in sadness and in joy, to care and share together as long as we both shall live."

What token of your devotion do you offer your beloved?
(Spouses retrieve rings from best man or maid of honor, handing them to minister).

May these rings be blessed as the symbol of this affectionate unity. These two lives are now joined in one unbroken circle. Wherever they go, may they always return to one another in their togetherness. May these two find in each other the love for which they yearn. May they grow in understanding and in compassion. May the home which they establish together be such a place of sanctuary that many will find there a friend. May these rings, on their fingers, symbolize the touch of the spirit of love in the heart.

(Minister hands ring to Spouse)
________, in placing this ring on _______'s finger, repeat after me: "I give you this ring as the pledge of my love and as the symbol of our unity." (Spouse places ring on bride's finger)

(Minister hands other ring to Spouse)
________, in placing this ring on _______'s finger, repeat after me: "I give you this ring as the pledge of my love and as the symbol of our unity." (Spouse places ring on groom's finger)

Inasmuch as _______ and ________ have consented together in marriage before this company; have pledged their faith and declared their unity by each giving and receiving a ring -- and are now joined in mutual esteem and devotion, I, as an ordained Minister of the Church, pronounce that they married. You may kiss.

Now you will feel no rain,
For each of you will be shelter to the other.
Now you will feel no cold,
For each of you will be warmth to the other.
Now there is no more loneliness for you.
Now there is no more loneliness.
Now you are two bodies,
But there is only one life before you.
Go now to your dwelling place,
To enter into the days of your togetherness.
And may your days be good and long upon the earth.

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you __________.