Photo take at Neidhammer
By Leah Rife
By Leah Rife
12/13/2022 The Basic Civil CeremonyThe Classic Civil CeremonyFor as many civil ceremonies as I perform, I very rarely perform this particular ceremony. Sometimes couples will specifically request this ceremony but I have other short and sweet options with the same sentiment written in a different way that may better express the couple and their relationship. I think that most wedding ceremony scripts are built with this at the base. Personally, I think it's romantic! When you think about a wedding ceremony, you usually think about these words. It's simple and sometimes, that's all you want and need. You are welcome to replace the vows, ring meaning, and ring exchange from my options, if you choose. Link are included at the bottom! Dearly Beloved, we are gathered together here to join together Name and Name in Marriage; which is an honorable estate, and therefore, not entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, discreetly, soberly, and with joy. Into this Estate, these two persons present come now to be joined. Vows This is the only thing you have to legally do when you get married - you just have to consent to the marriage. Name, do you take Name to be your lawful wedded spouse, to live together in the Estate of Matrimony? Will you love, comfort, honor, and keep Name in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep you only unto Name as long as you both shall live? I do Name, do you take Name to be your lawful wedded spouse, to live together in the Estate of Matrimony? Will you love, comfort, honor, and keep Name in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep you only unto Name as long as you both shall live? I do Ring Exchange Not required. You don't need rings to get married! The marriage ring seals the vows of marriage and represents a promise of eternal and everlasting love. Name, as you place the ring on Name's finger, please repeat after me: I, Name, take thee, Name, to be my wedded spouse, 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 forever. With this ring, I marry you. Name, as you place the ring on Name's finger, please repeat after me: I, Name, take thee, Name, to be my wedded spouse, 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 forever. With this ring, I marry you. Those who have chosen to be joined together, let no one put asunder. Forasmuch as Name and Name have consented together in wedlock, and have witnessed the same before this company of witnesses, and there to have given their pledge, each to the other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving a ring, and by joining hands; by the power vested in me by the State of Indiana, I now pronounce you married. You may seal this marriage with a kiss! You may kiss your Bride/Groom! You don't have to kiss at all... 12/13/2022 Romantic Elopement Ceremony 1Romantic Elopement 1This is my go-to ceremony. I perform this particular ceremony more than any other ceremony. If you come to my office or I come to you and you have no preference for your ceremony, this is the one I use. It's based on "Union" by Robert Fulgham. The beginning is a great option for the main-body of your ceremony and you can change the vow and ring options if you want. Links are below for the options! If you are getting married in our Office and Peter is your officiant, you can view his go-to ceremony here. Name and Name, You have known each other from the first glance of acquaintance to this point of commitment. At some point, you decided to marry. From that moment of yes to this moment of yes, indeed, you have been making promises and agreements in an informal way. All those conversations that were held riding in a car or over a meal or during long walks - all those sentences that began with "When we're married" and continued with "I will and you will and we will" - those late night talks that included "someday and somehow and maybe"- and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart. All these common things, and more, are the real process of a wedding. The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, "You know all those things we've promised and hoped and dreamed- well, I meant it all, every word." Look at one another and remember this moment in time. Before this moment you have been many things to one another- acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, dancing partner, and even teacher, for you have learned much from one another. Now, you shall say a few words that take you across a threshold of life, and things will never quite be the same between us. For after these vows, you shall say to the world, this is my husband, and this is my wife. (Or, partner for life.) Vows Do you Name, take Name, to be your husband/wife/partner, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; until death do you part? Do you Name, take Name, to be your husband/wife/partner, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; until death do you part? Ring Exchange These rings are symbols of your marriage vows, the ties that bind you together as husband/wife/marriage partners/in marriage. Please place the rings on each other's fingers and say: With this ring, I marry you. The two of you have declared your love for each other and your intent to enter into marriage with the exchanging of vows and of rings. By the power vested in me by the state of Indiana, I now pronounce you Husband/Wife/Married! You may kiss your Bride! You may seal this marriage with a kiss! You don't have to kiss at all. 12/13/2022 Romantic Elopement Ceremony 2Romantic Elopement 2This has been the most popular script in the past 6 months. Not every couple chooses an elopement ceremony script - they just let me do it - but, when they choose, it's usually this one. It's short, sweet, and to the point and is a great updated version of a basic civil ceremony with more modern and romantic sentiments. You are welcome to change out the vows, ring meanings, and ring exchanges to better express your relationship. Links are at the bottom! Welcome to this day of celebration. It is a wonderful day to gather here to witness the union of Name and Name. Together, they have built an amazing life. Today, we share with joy, their decision to keep building an even more amazing life as a married couple. Name, do you take Name, to live together in the union of marriage? To take her/him/them as your best friend and partner in life? To honor, cherish, and love her/him/them, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, for all of your days? Name: I do. Name, do you take Name to live together in the union of marriage? To take her/him/them as your best friend and partner in life? To honor, cherish, and love her/him/them, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, for all of your days? Name: I do. Exchange of Rings The wedding ring's circular shape reflects the unending power of love – a force with no beginning and no end. You should wear these rings proudly and let them remind you each day of your commitment to one another. Name, as you place the ring on Name's finger, please repeat after me: I, Name, give you Name, this ring as a symbol of my love. As I place it on your finger, I commit the whole of my heart and soul to you. I promise to cherish you for the rest of my days. I give you all that I am and accept all that you are. Name, as you place the ring on Name's finger, please repeat after me: I, Name, give you Name this ring as a symbol of my love. As I place it on your finger, I commit the whole of my heart and soul to you. I promise to cherish you for the rest of my days. I give you all that I am and accept all that you are. The two of you came here today to affirm your love for one another and formally acknowledge that which your hearts already knew... That your lives are meant to be shared as one, that you are stronger together than you are apart, and that, for all your days yet to come, you wish to share together all life's joys and challenges, committed one to the other. Go forward knowing that you have chosen and been chosen. You walk not alone through life. By the power vested in me by the state of Indiana, I am pleased to pronounce you married, sealed together today, both in law and in love. You may seal this marriage with a kiss! You may kiss your bride/groom! You don't have to kiss at all! 12/13/2022 Romantic Elopement 3Romantic Elopement 3A couple gave me this ceremony a little over a year ago. It's based on The Chaos of The Stars” by Kiersten White. It has a magical, earthy feel. It's definitely a moment! This is a ceremony I think you should both agree on. Sometimes the words of a ceremony invoke feelings and it's wonderful! But make sure your partner has the same feeling or your elopement ceremony may feel a little awkward. I think couples who choose this ceremony absolutely know their destinies are aligned and believe in fate and destiny! I didn't fall in love with you, I walked into love with you with my eyes wide open. Choosing to take every step along the way I do believe in fate and destiny but I also believe we are only fated to do the things we'd choose anyway. And I'd choose you: in a hundred lifetimes, in a hundred worlds, in any version of reality. I'd find you and I'd choose you. By destiny, we are aligned, Our love eternal and true We will face challenges together and find strength in our union by the sun, moon, and stars, our love is blessed may we always be as happy as we are today. Declaration of Intent/Vows Name, from this day onward, do you choose Name to be your wife/husband/spouse, your best friend, and your only love? To live together, play together, and laugh together; To work by her/his/their side and dream in her/his/their arms; To fill her/his/their heart and feed her soul; To always seek out the best in her/his/them; Always loving her/him/them with all your heart, until the end of your forever? If so, Say, “I do!” Name, from this day onward, do you choose Name to be your wife/husband/spouse, your best friend, and your only love? To live together, play together, and laugh together; To work by her/his/their side and dream in her/his/their arms; To fill her/his/their heart and feed her soul; To always seek out the best in her/his/them; Always loving her/him/them with all your heart, until the end of your forever? If so, Say, “I do!” Meaning of the Rings The roundness of the wedding ring is said to represent eternity and to symbolize unending love, and devotion and that the couple is forever united in the marriage bond, in this physical life and the next. Ring Exchange (You don't have to repeat after me, I can just say this as you exchange rings) I take you to be my love In sunshine and darkness In lean times and plenty In sickness and health Under the starry night sky In this life and the next I promise to love you forever, always and a day. Pronouncement With the sense of incomparable joy that you have found emotional sanctuary for your heart, that you have discovered your life’s true love, I now pronounce you married! You may seal this marriage with a kiss! You may kiss your Bride/Groom/Spouse! You don't have to kiss at all! The Geek Ceremony!A wonderful couple shared this ceremony with me. When I read it, I knew they were awesome! The groom wore a kilt and enjoyed his wedding day! I researched the "geeky part" tall I could find was "author unknown." But thank you unknown author for sharing! You have made many ceremonies a lot of fun! I love how couples look at each other and laugh when I perform this ceremony. Your wedding ceremony can be fun! The couple also used pieces of other ceremonies to create this particular version. Today is a celebration. A celebration of love, of commitment, of friendship, of family, and of two people who are in it forever. You don't have to have a ceremony to have a marriage. And when you think about it, the whole thing is kind of weird, right? But I will let you all in a little secret: we are all a little weird, and life’s a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love. But what is love? Love is the moment before you’re frozen in carbonite when the girl/person you’ve had your eye on finally admits what you always knew. Love is do, or do not, there is not try. Love is not cupid’s arrow, but a green one. It happens in a flash and makes you feel like you can leap tall buildings in a single bound. It’s a shield, a smash, a hammer, and an iron suit. You should always be in love. Unless you can be Batman. Then you should be Batman. Love does not manifest from foolish wand waving or silly incantations. Nevertheless, it is magical and asks the question, “After all this time?” knowing that the answer will be, “Always,” and “Until the very end.” But most importantly, love is the experience of writing your story. It's not one moment — not even this moment. It's every moment. Big ones like saying "I love you," moving in together, getting engaged — but mostly a million little ones that come in between the big moments. Falling asleep next to one another, making dinner together, having late-night conversations, spending holidays with your families, binge-watching Netflix shows, getting a big hug when you get home from work… These everyday moments fuse together into one big experience… both weirdly wonderful and fulfilling. And even if The Encyclopedia Galactica chapter on love states that it is far too complicated to define, and to avoid it, if at all possible, I think we can say that Name and Name have done very well for themselves to embrace and define what love is for them. Vows Name, from this day onward, do you choose Name, to be your husband/wife/spouse, your best friend and your only love? To live together, play together, and laugh together; To work by her/his/their side and dream in her/his/their arms; To fill her/his/their heart and feed her/his/their soul; To always seek out the best in her/his/them, Always loving her/his/them with all your heart, forever and always? Yes/I do. Name, from this day onward, do you choose Name, to be your husband/wife/spouse, your best friend and your only love? To live together, play together, and laugh together; To work by her/his/their side and dream in her/his/their arms; To fill her/his/their heart and feed her/his/their soul; To always seek out the best in her/his/them, Always loving her/his/them with all your heart, forever and always? Yes/I do. Ring Meaning It is now time to exchange rings. Wedding rings are symbols of the journey taken together, a completion of one chapter and the start of another. Forged by the fires of compassion, compromise, and love, not to be easily destroyed. Ring Exchange Name, as you place the ring on Name’s finger, please repeat after me: Name, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love for you. I will be by your side now and forever. Name, as you place the ring on Name’s finger, please repeat after me: Name, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love for you. I will be by your side now and forever. The two of you have declared your love for each other and your intent to enter into marriage with the exchanging of vows and of rings. By the power vested in me by the state of Indiana, It is now my greater pleasure to pronounce you husband and wife. (Or, Married!) You may seal this marriage with a kiss! You may kiss your Bride/Groom/Spouse! You don't have to kiss at all! 12/13/2022 Romantic Elopement Ceremony 5Romantic Elopement 5This is a beautiful ceremony! It's got more depth than many of the other elopement ceremonies and it's perfect for a small wedding surrounded by family and friends. I also have a version of this available for Formal Wedding Ceremonies. Name and Name have come before us today with the intention to marry one another; their love for each other has brought them to this place. Neither I nor any other can join these two lovers today. Only they can do what they have chosen. They are joining themselves, each to the other. We, by our participation in this celebration, do but recognize and honor their intention to dwell together as husband and wife. Marriage is a dedication. You give yourself into the hands of the one you love. You do so trustingly and generously. By the same token, each of you receives a gift, the life, and love of each other. Whenever we attend a wedding, we are given the opportunity to reflect on our own relationships. We might look at the couple before us and be tempted to compare their love to the quality of our relationships. The truth is that every couple is as unique as the individuals in it, but one thing holds true: For love to exist between two people, each person must allow the vulnerability of giving his or her love to the other, and each must be open to receiving the other’s love in turn. Therefore each of us is a powerful creator of love. Each of us, every moment of every day, has the choice to dedicate ourselves to one another or to withhold our love and caring. If you ask couples who have a strong and abiding love what they like most about their partners, many will say when they are with that person they don’t have to pretend to be anything other than what they are. They are able to express themselves without fear of being judged or rejected. There is room in the relationship for both of them to be unique individuals. They are free to surrender to the vulnerability of true intimacy—to be known and loved unconditionally. When two people are happily married, they enjoy each other’s company with the greatest delight and excitement. As many moments they might spend together and as many conversations they might share, it could never be enough. They can find endless joy in discovering each other and in sharing their being with the other. A happy marriage is a long conversation that always seems too short. It has been said, “It seems to me that the best relationships, the ones that last, are frequently the ones that are rooted in friendship. You know, one day you look at the person and you see something more than you did the night before. Like a switch has been flicked somewhere. And the person who was just a friend is… suddenly the only person you can ever imagine yourself with.” Declaration of Intent Name and Name, before this moment, you have been many things to one another, but now you shall say a few words that take you across a threshold of life, words that will irreversibly alter the relationship between you. For after these vows, you shall say to the world, this—is my husband; this—is my wife. (Partner for life.) It is relatively simple to stand here and say these words today, but far more difficult to live them day to day. When you love someone, you do not love them all the time in exactly the same way. That is impossible. Yet that is what most of us expect. We forget the ebb and flow of life and of love and of relationships. We insist on permanence, on duration, on continuity. But in love, as in life, the only stability is in change, in growth, and in freedom. Therefore what you promise today must be renewed and reaffirmed tomorrow and all the tomorrows to come. Vows Name, do you take Name to be the wife/husband/partner of your days, the companion of your heart, and the friend of your life? To stand united in the face of adversity and bask together in the light of good fortune? With these words spoken, do you wish to marry Name and join your life with hers/his/theirs? Name, do you take Name to be the wife/husband/partner of your days, the companion of your heart, and the friend of your life? To stand united in the face of adversity and bask together in the light of good fortune? With these words spoken, do you wish to marry Name and join your life with hers/his/theirs? Name, do you vow to love Name faithfully, to be worthy of her/his/their trust and deserving of her/his/their respect, to support, comfort, and strengthen her/him/them through life's joys and sorrows, and to love her/him/them without reservation, all the days of your life? Name, do you vow to love Name faithfully, to be worthy of her/his/their trust and deserving of her/his/their respect, to support, comfort, and strengthen her/him/them through life's joys and sorrows, and to love her/him/them without reservation, all the days of your life? Meaning of the Rings For generations, the passage of two people into the state of marriage has been marked by the exchange of rings. Rings hold deep symbolic meaning. The circle is an ancient symbol representing notions of totality, wholeness, perfection, and the infinite. It implies an idea of movement and symbolizes the cycle of time. It symbolizes both the potential and the completion, the eternal cycle of life. Even as these circles, these rings, hold universal significance, they are also personally significant to the two of you. They are a constant reminder of the bond between a married couple. A visible, tangible symbol of their commitment to each other. Let these rings be a sign that love has substance as well as soul, a present as well as a past, and that this person has been chosen, this person walks not alone through life. Ring Exchange Name, please place this ring on Name’s finger and repeat after me: Let this ring be a symbol of my promises to you and a reminder of my devotion to you. I am honored to call you my wife/husband/spouse. Name, please place this ring on Name’s finger and repeat after me: Let this ring be a symbol of my promises to you and a reminder of my devotion to you. I am honored to call you my wife/husband/spouse. Blessing Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter for the other. Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to the other. Now there will be no loneliness, for each of you will be a companion to the other. Now you are two persons, but there is only one life before you. Treat yourselves and each other with respect, patience, and compassion, and remind yourselves often of what brought you together. Give the highest priority to the tenderness, gentleness, and kindness that your love deserves. If each of you takes responsibility for the quality of your life together, it will be marked by abundance and delight. May beauty surround you both in the journey ahead and through all the years. May happiness be your companion and your days together be good and long upon the earth. Go now and enter into the days of your life together. Pronouncement Name and Name, you have each betrothed yourself to the other in love and compassion, and you have taken upon yourselves the responsibilities of a profound and loving friendship. You have spoken the words and performed rites that have united your lives. Having so affirmed, I now pronounce that you are Married. You may seal this marriage with a kiss! You may kiss your Bride/Groom/Spouse! You don't have to kiss at all! 12/13/2022 ​Romantic Elopement Ceremony 6Elopement 6 - Bob Marley!?!This ceremony is based on what is said to be the writings of Bob Marley. But, when you research it, it's said he didn't write it. Either way, the words are great! When I was first presented the Bob Marley part - "Only once in your lifetime, I truly believe you find someone who can completely turn your life around..." It was an edited version. A couple presented the complete version to me a few years ago and it definitely makes more sense in this form so I've kept this version. It's not that much longer. Based on experience - this is a LONG ceremony. Couples choose it because they LOVE it and it speaks to them and their relationship. When a couple chooses it it almost feels like I know them already! BUT... sometimes, one partner will choose this because the words are so beautiful and it's obvious their partner doesn't quite feel the same vibe. It's not that they don't love you or share the sentiment - It's just really long and it doesn't keep their attention. It has nothing to do with how much you love each other or how successful your marriage will be - NOT AT ALL!! I've found it can be difficult to keep the attention of a group during a wedding ceremony. If it's just the two of you, either you will be really into this ceremony or you won't. Enjoy reading wedding ceremonies and words and poems about love!! If you or your partner have ADHD, take that into consideration when choosing a ceremony. I love to create moments in which you are present and enjoying the moment! I don't want to have to pull you out of the abyss of your imagination to make sure you hear me ask the important questions. You don't want to mess up your I do's! Marriage symbolizes the intimate sharing of two lives. This sharing must not diminish but enhance the individuality of each partner. You do not shed your individuality, for that is what brought you together in the first place. Marriage is the loving declaration that you should be no other than yourself. A lasting marriage is not stagnant. The relationship and each individual are continually growing and developing. Your understanding of each other deepens and evolves. It is not this ceremony or the state of being married that will truly join and hold you together, but your ongoing commitment to your relationship and to the kind of life you wish to make together. In this way, your marriage will not be just a symbol; it will be more than that. It will be an action, something you work actively on every day. Only once in your life, I truly believe, you find someone who can completely turn your world around. You tell them things that you’ve never shared with another soul and they absorb everything you say and actually want to hear more. You share hopes for the future, dreams that will never come true, goals that were never achieved and the many disappointments life has thrown at you. When something wonderful happens, you can’t wait to tell them about it, knowing they will share in your excitement. They are not embarrassed to cry with you when you are hurting or laugh with you when you make a fool of yourself. Never do they hurt your feelings or make you feel like you are not good enough, but rather they build you up and show you the things about yourself that make you special and even beautiful. There is never any pressure, jealousy, or competition but only a quiet calmness when they are around. You can be yourself and not worry about what they will think of you because they love you for who you are. The things that seem insignificant to most people, such as a note, song, or walk, become invaluable treasures kept safe in your heart to cherish forever. Memories of your childhood come back and are so clear and vivid it’s like being young again. Colors seem brighter and more brilliant. Laughter seems part of daily life whereas before, it was infrequent or didn’t exist at all. A phone call or two during the day helps to get you through a long day’s work and always brings a smile to your face. In their presence, there’s no need for continuous conversation, but you find you’re quite content in just having them nearby. Things that never interested you before become fascinating because you know they are important to this person who is so special to you. You think of this person on every occasion and in everything you do. Simple things bring them to mind, like a pale blue sky, gentle wind or even a storm cloud on the horizon. You open your heart knowing that there’s a chance it may be broken one day, and in opening your heart, you experience a love and joy that you never dreamed possible. You find that being vulnerable is the only way to allow your heart to feel true pleasure that’s so real it scares you. You find strength in knowing you have a true friend and possibly a soul mate who will remain loyal to the end. Life seems completely different, exciting, and worthwhile. Your only hope and security is in knowing that they are a part of your life. Vows Name, do you take Name to be your best friend, your faithful partner, and one true love? Do you promise to encourage and inspire him/her/them and to love him/her/them truly through good times and bad? Will you be there forever? to laugh with him/her/them, to lift her up when he/she/they are down, and to love him/her/them unconditionally through all your adventures in life together? I do. Name, do you take Name to be your best friend, your faithful partner, and one true love? Do you promise to encourage and inspire him/her/them and to love him/her/them truly through good times and bad? Will you be there forever? to laugh with him/her/them, to lift her up when he/she/they are down, and to love him/her/them unconditionally through all your adventures in life together? I do Meaning of the Rings May these rings symbolize your inherent wholeness and unity with one another, giving you the strength to happily honor your commitments to each other. May they remind you that marriage is not a destination but a journey with no beginning and no end, just a moment-to-moment opportunity to love and be loved to the best of your ability. Ring Exchange Name, as you place the ring on Name's finger, please repeat after me: Name, this ring is my promise to accept your imperfections and appreciate all that makes you unique and beautiful. Name, as you place the ring on Name's finger, please repeat after me: Name, this ring is my promise to accept your imperfections and appreciate all that makes you unique and beautiful. Name and Name, May all your days be blessed with love and friendship. May each day and night of your lives be a new beginning. May your home be filled with laughter and the warm embrace of a summer’s day. May you find peacefulness and beauty, challenge and satisfaction, humor and insight, healing and renewal, love and wisdom, as in a quiet heart, and may you always feel that what you have is enough. I now pronounce you husband/wife/married! You may seal this marriage with a kiss! You may kiss your Bride/Groom/Spouse! You don't have to kiss at all! 12/13/2022 Romantic Elopement Ceremony 7Romantic Elopement 7I married a local Indianapolis wedding planner a few years ago. Her 2020 dream wedding extravaganza was reduced to using the spectacular venue they already paid a huge deposit for to elope in private. Their photographer took amazing pictures all over Indy! When you think about a wedding planner planning a wedding you have to think it's like a dream coming true! I really don't think this particular couple was too upset they ended up eloping. They are an amazing couple and just happy to be married! (And there were some spectacular shoes and a fantastic dress involved!) The bride gave me this ceremony to perform. I was excited because you figure a wedding planner must hear a lot of wedding ceremonies and I wondered what stood out to her most. This ceremony pulls together pieces of other popular wedding ceremony options beautifully. Marriage symbolizes the intimate sharing of two lives. This sharing must not diminish, but enhance the individuality of each partner. You do not shed your individuality, for that is what brought you together in the first place. Marriage is the loving declaration that you should be no other than yourself. A lasting marriage is not stagnant. The relationship and each individual are continually growing and developing. Your understanding of each other deepens and evolves. It is not this ceremony or the state of being married that will truly join and hold you together, but your ongoing commitment to your relationship and to the kind of life you wish to make together. Marriage is not created by a law or a ceremony; rather it occurs in the hearts of two human beings. It grows out of loving, caring, and sharing ourselves with another. This ceremony is not magic, it will not create a relationship that does not already exist and has not already been celebrated in all the commitments Name and Name have made to each other, both large and small, in the days since they first met and recognized their connection to one another. So, in witnessing this ceremony today, we are observing only an outward sign of an inward union that already exists between them . This ceremony is a symbol of how far they have come together and a symbol of the promise that they will make to each other to continue to live their lives together and to love each other solely and above all others. Look at one another and remember this moment in time. Before this moment you have been many things to one another—acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, travel partner, even teacher, for you have learned much from one another these past few years. Shortly you shall say a few words that will take you across a threshold of life, and things between you will never quite be the same. For after today you shall say to the world, “This is my husband.” “This is my wife.” (or Partner for Life) Vows Name, will you take Name, to be your lawfully wedded wife/husband/spouse and travel the rest of life’s road with her/him/them? Will you love her/him/them, laugh with her/him/them, comfort her/him/them, honor and protect her/him/them, and forsaking all others, be faithful to her/him/them as long as you both shall live? I will. Name, will you take Name, to be your lawfully wedded wife/husband/spouse and travel the rest of life’s road with her/him/them? Will you love her/him/them, laugh with her/him/them, comfort her/him/them, honor and protect her/him/them, and forsaking all others, be faithful to her/him/them as long as you both shall live? I will Ring Meaning Please join hands. These are the hands of your best friend, that are holding yours on your wedding day. These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future. These are the hands that when wrinkled and aged will still be reaching for yours. These rings you are about to place on each other’s fingers reflect the unending power of love – a force with no beginning and no end. You should wear these rings proudly, and let them remind you each day of your commitment to one another. Ring Exchange Name, please place this ring on Name’s finger and repeat after me: I, Name, give you, Name, this ring as a symbol of my love. As I place it on your finger, I commit the whole of my heart and soul to you. I promise to cherish you for the rest of my days. I give you all that I am and accept all that you are. Name, please place this ring on Name’s finger and repeat after me: I, Name, give you, Name, this ring as a symbol of my love. As I place it on your finger, I commit the whole of my heart and soul to you. I promise to cherish you for the rest of my days. I give you all that I am and accept all that you are. Name and Name, may all your days be blessed with love and friendship. May each day and night of your lives be a new beginning. May your home be filled with laughter and the warm embrace of a summer’s day. May you find peacefulness and beauty, challenge, and satisfaction, humor and insight, healing and renewal, love and wisdom, as in a quiet heart, and may you always feel that what you have is enough. I now pronounce you Married! You may seal this marriage with a kiss! You may kiss your Bride/Groom/Spouse! You don't have to kiss at all! 12/13/2022 Romantic Elopement Ceremony 8Elopement Ceremony 8This ceremony is the perfect short, sweet, non-religious ceremony. I offer it as a formal wedding ceremony as well. It's perfect for a small wedding and not too long for an elopement. It's definitely traditional but it has all the right "feels" in all the right places. You can switch out the vows, ring meaning, and ring exchange to make it more of your own. See the links below! Welcome! We are gathered here today to celebrate and to witness the joining of Name and Name in marriage. As they promise to love, trust in that love, honor one another as individuals, and anticipate with joy spending the rest of their lives together. They are surrounded by you - their friends and family. Thank you for gathering here to witness their marriage and to share in the joy of this special occasion. Words about Love and Marriage Name and Name, Today, as you two are joined in marriage, there is a vast and unknown future stretching out before you. The possibilities and potentials of your married life are great. We join with you in hoping you make real your dreams! That you are reborn in each other as you share your loves and dreams, wants and desires and together are enriched by them. Through your commitment to each other, may you grow and nurture a love that makes both of you better people, a love that continues to give you great joy, and also a passion for living that provides you with energy and patience to face the responsibilities of life.There was a time when your lives were two separate paths. Gradually, they were joined as you grew closer together. Today, you proclaim to the world your choice to stay on the same path together. As you go forward, remember that happiness in marriage is not something that just happens. A good marriage must be created. In marriage, the little things are the big things. Simple things like never being too old to hold hands or remembering to say “I love you” at least once a day. Your courtship should not end with the honeymoon, it should continue through all the years with date nights and small gestures. Remember not to take one another for granted. Marriage is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives. It is standing and facing the world together and forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family. Do things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy. Speak words of appreciation and demonstrate gratitude in thoughtful ways. Be flexible, patient and understanding. And definitely keep a sense of humor! Forgive and forget the best you can. Remembering finding perfection in each other is what you consider perfect, keep searching for the good and the beautiful Help and encourage each other to grow. Balance your independence from each other with your dependence on each other. Remember it is not only marrying the right partner, it is being the right partner. Vows Do you Name, take Name, to be your husband/wife/partner, to have and to hold, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do you part? I do. Do you Name, take Name, to be your husband/wife/partner, to have and to hold, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do you part? I do. Ring Meaning The rings are the universal symbols of marriage. They mean many things. From now on you will wear these rings and they will remind you... They will remind you of the endless circle that they are. Like love, there is no beginning and no end. They will remind you daily that you are married. Sometimes they will remind you of the commitment that you have made - for better or worse. But, may they always remind you that there is one other person in the world that has pledged to love you forever, through thick and through thin and with all that they have. Ring Exchange Name, and you place the ring on Name’s finger, please repeat after me: Name, I give you this ring with all that I am and all that I ever will be. Wear it and know that I love you. With this ring, I marry you. Name, and you place the ring on Name’s finger, please repeat after me: Name, I give you this ring with all that I am and all that I ever will be. Wear it and know that I love you. With this ring, I marry you. And now, as you are holding hands, take a moment so that you may see the gift that you are to each other. These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow and forever. These are the hands that will work alongside yours as together you build your future. These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes, tears of sorrow and tears of joy. These are the hands that will give you support and encouragement to chase down your dreams. These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it. These are the hands that will lift your chin and brush your cheek as they raise your face to look into eyes that are filled with overwhelming love for you. And lastly, these are the hands that, even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch. Final Blessing Life and love are the greatest gifts bestowed upon humanity. May your union grant you patience, tolerance, and understanding, as well as the passion and excitement every marriage should possess. May you need one another, but not out of weakness. May you want one another, but not out of lack. May you support one another as a sign of mutual independence. May you continually rediscover your love in one another as the greatest gift of all. Pronouncement And now, it is my great pleasure to acknowledge your union as Husband and Wife/Married! You may seal this marriage with a kiss! You may kiss your Bride/Groom/Spouse! You don't have to kiss at all! ** Elopement Ceremony 1 ** Elopement Ceremony 2 ** Elopement Ceremony 3 ** Elopement Ceremony 4 ** Elopement Ceremony 5 ** Elopement Ceremony 6 ** Elopement Ceremony 7 ** Elopement Ceremony 8 ** Elopement Vows ** Elopement Ring Meanings ** Elopement Ring Exchanges **
12/13/2022 Elopement VowsThe Perfect Marriage VowsWhen it comes right down to it, there's not much to an elopement. You exchange vows and exchange rings and you are pronounced married! How you exchange vows and what your rings mean to you and how you exchange them can be important! You can choose any of my elopement ceremonies and replace the vows with one of these options. You are always welcome to write your own vows and share them as well! Here is a link to my vow writing guide. Elopement Vow Option 1 Do you Name, take Name, to be your husband/wife/partner, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; until death do you part? Elopement Vow Option 2 Name, from this day onward, do you choose Name to be your wife/husband/spouse, your best friend, and your only love? To live together, play together, and laugh together; To work by her/his/their side and dream in her/his/their arms; To fill her/his/their heart and feed her soul; To always seek out the best in her/him/them; Always loving her/him/them with all your heart, until the end of your forever? If so, Say, “I do!” Elopement Vow Option 3 Name, do you take Name, to live together in the union of marriage? To take her/him/them as your best friend and partner in life? To honor, cherish, and love her/him/them, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, for all of your days? Elopement Vow Option 4 Name, do you take Name to be the wife/husband/partner of your days, the companion of your heart, and the friend of your life? To stand united in the face of adversity and bask together in the light of good fortune? With these words spoken, do you wish to marry Name and join your life with hers/his/theirs? Name, do you vow to love Name faithfully, to be worthy of her/his/their trust and deserving of her/his/their respect, to support, comfort, and strengthen her/him/them through life's joys and sorrows, and to love her/him/them without reservation, all the days of your life? Elopement Vow Option 5 Name, do you take Name to be your best friend, your faithful partner, and one true love? Do you promise to encourage and inspire him/her/them and to love him/her/them truly through good times and bad? Will you be there forever? to laugh with him/her/them, to lift her/him/them up when he/she/they is down, and to love him/her/them unconditionally through all your adventures in life together? Elopement Vow Option 6 Name, will you take Name, to be your lawfully wedded wife/husband/spouse and travel the rest of life’s road with her/him/them? Will you love her/him/them, laugh with her/him/them, comfort her/him/them, honor and protect her/him/them, and forsaking all others, be faithful to her/him/them as long as you both shall live? 12/13/2022 Elopement Ring MeaningThe Meaning of Your Wedding RingsWedding rings have a lot of implied meanings. Like, they mean you are married! (duh!) They mean you are off the market so people in bars should not hit on you, things like that. With that in mind, during your wedding ceremony, you don't have to say anything about the rings at all. You don't have to exchange or wear a ring to be married, we don't have to talk about them, you don't have to say anything as you place it on your partners finger. You can just exchange rings. BUT, your rings may have meaning for you or you may like some of these words included in your wedding ceremony, so choose and enjoy! I'm also a big fan of the ring tattoo...you do you! Elopement Ring Meaning Option 1 The roundness of the wedding ring is said to represent eternity and to symbolize unending love, and devotion and that the couple is forever united in the marriage bond, in this physical life and the next. Elopement Ring Meaning Option 2 These rings are symbols of your marriage vows, the ties that bind you together as husband and wife. Elopement Ring Meaning Option 3 The wedding ring's circular shape reflects the unending power of love – a force with no beginning and no end. You should wear these rings proudly and let them remind you each day of your commitment to one another. Elopement Ring Meaning Option 4 For generations, the passage of two people into the state of marriage has been marked by the exchange of rings. Rings hold deep symbolic meaning. The circle is an ancient symbol representing notions of totality, wholeness, perfection, and the infinite. It implies an idea of movement and symbolizes the cycle of time. It symbolizes both the potential and the completion, the eternal cycle of life. Even as these circles, these rings, hold universal significance, they are also personally significant to the two of you. They are a constant reminder of the bond between a married couple. A visible, tangible symbol of their commitment to each other. Let these rings be a sign that love has substance as well as soul, a present as well as a past, and that this person has been chosen, this person walks not alone through life. Elopement Ring Meaning Option 5 May these rings symbolize your inherent wholeness and unity with one another, giving you the strength to happily honor your commitments to each other. May they remind you that marriage is not a destination but a journey with no beginning and no end, just a moment-to-moment opportunity to love and be loved to the best of your ability. Elopement Ring Meaning Option 6 The rings are the universal symbols of marriage. They mean many things. From now on you will wear these rings, and they will remind you... They will remind you of the endless circle that they are. Like love, there is no beginning and no end. They will remind you daily that you are married. Sometimes they will remind you of the commitment that you have made - for better or worse. But may they always remind you that there is one other person in the world that has pledged to love you forever, through thick and through thin, and with all that they have. 12/13/2022 Elopement Ring ExchangesThe Ring ExchangeTo me, there is nothing like the classic "With this ring, I, thee, wed." Unless of course, the couple getting married has never heard it before and they repeat after me and it comes out, "With this ring, I BE WED!" It's not proper English, but you certainly can't argue with it!! Some couples will share their own personal vows as they exchange rings. Often, when I'm marrying a couple who doesn't speak English as a first language, I simply tell them to exchange rings and say what they would like to each other in their own language. You don't have to say anything as you exchange rings, sometimes, with quick elopements, the couple is already wearing their rings. Here are some additional options to choose from to personalize your elopement ceremony. Elopement Ring Exchange Option 1 Please place the rings on each other's fingers and say: With this ring, I marry you. Elopement Ring Exchange Option 2 I, Name, give you Name this ring as a symbol of my love. As I place it on your finger, I commit the whole of my heart and soul to you. I promise to cherish you for the rest of my days. I give you all that I am and accept all that you are. Elopement Ring Exchange Option 3 Let this ring be a symbol of my promises to you and a reminder of my devotion to you. I am honored to call you my wife/husband/spouse. Elopement Ring Exchange Option 4 Name, this ring is my promise to accept your imperfections and appreciate all that makes you unique and beautiful. Elopement Ring Exchange Option 5 Name, I give you this ring with all that I am and all that I ever will be. Wear it and know that I love you. With this ring, I marry you. |
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