Convocation
Friends, we are gathered here in the presence of God to witness and to celebrate the marriage of Mary and John. We are grateful for your presence here and the opportunity to share and rejoice in the making of this most important commitment.
Expression of Intent to Marry
Mary and John, you come before me tonight to be joined in marriage. Are you both ready to declare your commitment to one another? [We are.]
The Exchange of Vows
Please join hands.
Mary, please repeat after me:
I, Mary, take you John
to be my husband and my partner for life.
I pledge to be faithful to you
and honest with you,
to stand by you
and to believe in you and in your dreams.
I promise to cherish you
and to encourage your own fulfillment as a person
through all the changes in our lives.
I will focus on forgiveness and solutions
and acknowledge the good in you
and see your greatest possibilities.
I promise a lifetime of celebrating life.
I promise a lifetime of celebrating you.
John, please repeat after me:
I, John, take you Mary
to be my wife and my partner for life.
I pledge to be faithful to you
and honest with you,
to stand by you
and to believe in you and in your dreams.
I promise to cherish you
and to encourage your own fulfillment as a person
through all the changes in our lives.
I will focus on forgiveness and solutions
and acknowledge the good in you
and see your greatest possibilities.
I promise a lifetime of celebrating life.
I promise a lifetime of celebrating you.
The Exchange of Rings
Traditionally, the marking of the passage to status of husband and wife is marked by the exchange of rings. These rings are a symbol of the unbroken circle of love. Love freely given has no beginning and no end, no giver and no receiver for each is the giver and each is the receiver. May these rings always remind you of the vows you have taken.
Mary, please take John’s ring and place it on his finger as you repeat after me:
I give you this ring in token and in pledge
of my constant faith and abiding love
with all that I am
and all that I will become.
John please take Mary’s ring and place it on her finger as you repeat after me:
I give you this ring in token and in pledge
of my constant faith and abiding love
with all that I am
and all that I will become.
The Pronouncement of Marriage
John and Mary by their promises before God and in the presence of this congregation, have bound themselves to one another as husband and wife. Those who God has joined together let no one put asunder.
Blessing
May the road rise up to meet you, May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face, The rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of his hand.
May green be the grass you walk on, May blue be the skies above you,
May pure be the joys that surround you, May true be the hearts that love you.
May God be with you and bless you; May you see your children’s children.
May you be poor in misfortune, Rich in blessings,
May you know nothing but happiness from this day forward.
Congratulations, you may kiss to seal your vows.
