Formal Wedding Ceremony 4 - A Short and Sweet, Non-Religious Ceremony

Formal Wedding Ceremony 4

This is a perfect ceremony when you want something short, sweet, and to the point. I've included all of the traditional elements of a wedding ceremony and you can easily change the "I do's" and ring exchanges to make it more personalized without making it longer.  I often perform this ceremony at smaller, informal weddings but a lot of couples having a formal wedding don't want a long ceremony and that's totally OK!  It's really not the length of your ceremony, it's the words you choose.  

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Welcome

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 (most importantly) 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. 

Declaration of Intent

Do you Name, take Name, to be your husband/wife/partner in life, 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 in life, 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.

Name:  I do.

Vows

You can exchange your own vows here if you choose

Ring Exchange

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. 


Name, 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, 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. 

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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/Partners for Life!

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** Formal Ceremony 1 ** Formal Ceremony 2 - Traditional, Non-Religious ** Formal Ceremony 3 - Modern and Romantic **
** Formal Ceremony 4 - Short and Sweet ** Formal Ceremony 5 - Christian-lite ** Formal Ceremony 6 - Secular Humanist **
** Formal Ceremony 7 - Interfaith-Jewish ** Formal Ceremony 8 - Modern Handfasting ** Formal Ceremony 9 - Christian Traditional **
​** Formal Ceremony 10 **

** Formal Wedding Ceremony Guide ** Formal Wedding Ceremony Scripts ** Elopement Ceremony Guide ** Elopement Ceremony Scripts ** Parts of a Wedding Ceremony ** Vow Writing Guide ** Unplugged Ceremony ** Opening Prayers ** Welcoming ** Moment of Silence ** Declaration of Support ** About Love and Marriage ** Non-Religious Readings ** Christian Readings ** Secular I-do's! ** Christian I-do-s! ** Ring Meaning ** Ring Blessings ** Secular Ring Exchanges ** Christian Ring Exchanges ** Unity Ceremonies ** Secular Blessings ** Christian Blessings ** The-pronouncement-Secular  ** The Pronouncement - Christian **