Vows

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Build your vows-ceremony

Choose an opening statement from selection or provide your own.

An opening statement must be selected or provided.

Dearly Beloved, we are here today/tonight to join this man and this woman in matrimony.

Tom and Linda want to thank all of you for sharing in this celebration of their commitment to each other. As the tides ebb and flow in the ocean behind us (in front of us) so to, do the fortunes of life. Footprints in the sand are washed away, driftwood moves on its endless quest for a peaceful harbor. Only a deep and abiding love can withstand the tides of change in two lives. The love of this couple, Tom and Linda, is forever enduring and profound. We gather here to witness this love and the vows they make to each other today.

Today/tonight we celebrate one of life's greatest moments. To give recognition to the worth and beauty of love, which shall unite Tom and Linda in matrimony.

We have come here today to celebrate love. We see it in the faces of Tom and Linda who stand before us, and we experience it in our own hearts as well. We are grateful to them for inviting us to witness and share in this precious moment.

Tom and Linda, this wedding ceremony is, by your intent, both a celebration of your love for each other and an exchange of commitments to each other. You two are a good pairing and complement each other. With the love you have for each other, everything is possible. There is a secret to an enduring, timeless relationship. The key lies in love, reinforced with commitment. May the love we celebrate today and the commitment you share endure testing and enrich with age.

Tom and Linda, in the days ahead of you, there will be times of conflict and times of joy. Harmony will be your reward if you follow this advice. Let your love be stronger than your anger. Learn the wisdom of compromise, for it is better to bend than to break. Look for the best in your beloved rather than the worst. Confide in your partner and ask for help when you need it. Remember that true friendship is the basis for any lasting relationship. Give your spouse the same courtesies and kindnesses you bestow on your friends. Say "I love you" every day.

Provide your own words for the opening statement or make changes/additions to selection(s)above.

Choose pre-question statement from selection or provide your own.

A pre-question statement is optional.

No pre-question statement is needed for this ceremony.

Marriage is a partnership of two unique people who bring out the very best in each other and who know that even though they are wonderful as individuals, they are even better together. With this in mind, do you Tom take Linda………

Tom and Linda, I remind you that marriage is a precious gift; a lifelong dedication to love and a daily challenge to love one another more fully and more freely. With this understanding, do you Tom take Linda………

Tom and Linda, as the two of you come into this marriage uniting as husband and wife, and as you this day affirm your faith and love for one another, I would ask that you always remember to cherish each other as special and unique individuals, that you respect the thoughts, ideas and suggestions of one another. With this in mind, do you Tom take Linda………

Provide your own words for the pre-question statement or make changes/additions to selection(s)above.

Choose a question from selection or provide your own.

A question must be selected or provided.

Question is the same for both Bride & Groom and is answered with "I do" or "I will"

“______________”, do you take this woman/man to be your lawfully wedded wife/husband, to live together in matrimony; to love, honor, comfort her/him and keep her/him in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, keep you only unto her/him as long as you both shall live?

"________", do you take this woman/man to be your wife/husband, to live together in matrimony, to love, honor, comfort and keep her/him in sickness and in health forsaking all others so long as you both shall live?

“______________” the woman/man who stands by your side is about to become your wife/husband. She/he will look to you for gentleness, for support, for understanding, for encouragement, and for protection (love). You must never take “___” for granted, but be continually sensitive to her/his needs. Your life and love will be her/his greatest source of joy. So I ask you, “________” will you have “________” to be your wife/husband? Will you love her/him and cherish her/him? Will you be loyal to her/him, and true? Will you honor her/him all her/his days, and be respectful of her/him? And will you promise to always bestow upon her/him your heart's deepest devotion?

"_________", do you take "________" to be your wife/husband? Do you promise to be faithful and true, to nurture her/him as your wife/husband and best friend, and continue to love and cherish her/him for all the days of your life?

"_______", do you take "________" to be your wife/husband, do you promise to keep your love for her/him alive and out in front of all you do? Do you promise to be faithful and true, to nurture, her/him as your wife/husband and best friend, and continue to love and cherish her/him for all the days of your life?

Provide your own words for the question(s)or make changes/additions to selection(s)above.

IE: Even when the Auburn Tigers are playing? Even when there is a sale at DSW?

Choose a set of vows from selection or provide your own.

A set of vows must be selected or provided.

I "_____", take you "_____" to be my wife/husband 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 till death do us part.

I "_____", take you "_____" to be my wife/husband. To love cherish and share my life. In good times and better times, for rich and richer still, in health and graceful aging, to the end of our days.

"_________",today I give myself to you in marriage. I promise to encourage and inspire you, to laugh with you, and to comfort you in times of sorrow. I promise to love you in good times and in bad, when life seems easy and when it seems hard, when our love is simple, and when it is an effort. I promise to cherish you. These things I give to you today, and all the days of our life.

Provide your own vows in the box below. Here is an example, written by a bride: I promise from this moment on, I will be yours completely. I give my heart and soul to you and only you. I promise to keep you warm at night and to settle fights fairly with compassion and understanding. I promise to take care of you while you are sick, hold you tightly and support you when you are weak, as well as share my innermost secrets with you. I will smile at your jokes, email you everyday while you are out at sea, and I promise to focus on our present and never look into the past. I will share my heart with you not only until the end of our life together here on earth, but also into the next stage of our existence. Death will not separate the bond we share together, our love will continue for all eternity. I love you.

Provide your own words for the vows or make changes/additions to selection(s)above.

Choose a pre-ring exchange statement from selection or provide your own.

A pre-ring exchange statement is optional.

No pre-ring exchange statement is needed for this ceremony.

Wedding rings are an outward and visible sign of an inward spiritual grace, signifying to all the uniting of this man and this woman in marriage.

The wedding ring is an unbroken circle symbolizing unending and everlasting love. Tom and Linda these rings represent an outward symbol of this, your commitment to each other and the promise you have made today.

From the beginning, the circlet of metal has been an emblem of the sincerity and permanence of a couple's love and regard for one another and their union. As the precious metal turns again upon itself, so does a marriage turn upon itself for its refreshment and renewal. Take your rings and exchange them in the spirit of love. Tom place the ring on Linda's finger and repeat after me:

Tom and Linda have chosen rings as outward symbols of the commitment they make today. From earliest times, the ring has been a symbol of wedded love. An unbroken and never-ending circle symbolizes a commitment to love that is also never ending. We ask that God bless these rings and this union of souls. Tom place the ring on Linda's finger and repeat after me:

The marking of the passage to the status of husband and wife is traditionally done with the exchange of rings. These rings are a symbol of the unbroken circle of love. Love freely given has no beginning and no end. Love freely given has no giver and no receiver - for each is the giver and each is the receiver. May these rings remind you always of the vows you have taken here today.

Provide your own words for the pre-ring exchange or make changes/additions to selection(s)above.

Choose a ring exchange statement from selection or provide your own.

A ring exchange statement is optional.

No ring exchange statement is needed for this ceremony.

I give you this ring, as token and pledge, of my constant faith and abiding love.

I “_______” give you “_________”, this ring as a symbol of my commitment to you, as powerful and endless as the sea.

This ring symbolizes my desire that you be my wife/husband from this day forward. Wear it as a sign to all the world that you have chosen me to be your husband/wife.

With this ring, I wed you -- for today, for tomorrow and for all the tomorrows to come.

"______", this ring symbolizes my desire that you be my wife/husband from this day forward. Wear it as an outward symbol of our love and devotion to one another.

I choose you to be my wife/husband from this day and forevermore. I give you this ring as my gift to you. Wear this ring and think of me, and know that I love you.

Provide your own words for the Ring Exchange or make changes/additions to selection(s)above;

or tell me the words to say if you are not exchanging rings;

or the words to say while you exchange rings without speaking.

Choose this ending statement, for ring exchange,
or provide your own.

An ending statement for ring exchange is optional.

No ending statement, for ring exchange, is needed for this ceremony.

Let these rings serve not as locks binding you together, but as keys, unlocking the secrets of your hearts for each other to know, and thus bringing you closer together forever.

Provide your own words for the ending of ring exchange or make changes/additions to selection above.

Choose this bible verse or provide your own.

An additional bible verse, poem or song is optional.

No bible verse, poem or song is needed for this ceremony.

A marriage ceremony represents one of life's greatest commitments, but also is a declaration of love. I wish to read to you what Paul wrote of love in a letter to the Corinthians. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not selfseeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

Provide your own words for bible verse, poem or song; or make changes/additions to selection above.

Choose a Unity candle lighting statement from selection or provide your own.

A Unity candle lighting is optional.

No unity candle lighting is needed for this ceremony.

Tom and Linda the two lighted candies symbolize your separate lives, your separate families and your separate sets of friends. I ask that you each take one candle and that together you light the center candle. Then blow out the individual candles.

The individual candles represent your individual lives before today. Lighting the center candle represents the joining of your lives together as one , the joining together of your families and of friends to one. Please light the center candle now and blow out your individual candles forever.

The candle you are about to light is a candle of Marriage. Its fire is magical because it represents the light of two people in love. This candle before you is a candle of Commitment because it takes two people working together to keep it aflame. This candle is also a candle of Unity because both must come together, giving a spark of themselves, to create the new light. Would you both now light the candle? As you light this candle today, may the brightness of the flame shine throughout your lives. May it give you courage and reassurance in darkness, warmth and safety in the cold and strength and joy in your bodies, minds, and spirits. May your union be forever blessed.

Provide your own words for the Candle lighting or make changes/additions to selection(s)above.

Choose this wine ceremony or provide your own.

A wine ceremony is optional.

No wine ceremony is needed for this ceremony.

Now, Tom and Linda will share the wine from this goblet. This wine is dedicated to their joy and serenity and to all of those who have come to celebrate with them. As you have now sipped from the goblet of wine, so may you in your married life bring many occasions to celebrate and take comfort and happiness from the cup of life.

Provide your own words for a wine ceremony or make changes/additions to selection above.

Choose this hand joining ceremony or provide your own.

A hand joining ceremony is optional.

No hand joining ceremony is needed for this ceremony.

Tom and Linda, face each other and hold hands, so you may see the gift, those hand, are to you. These are the hands that will work along side yours, as together you build your future, as together you laugh and cry, and together you share you innermost secrets and dreams. These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness, that are holding yours on your wedding day. These are the hands that will tenderly lift your chin and brush your cheek as they raise your face to look into your eyes. These are the hands of your best friend that are holding yours as they pledge their love and commitment to you all the days of your life. These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times, comfort you when you are sick, or console you when you are grieving. These are the hands that will give you support as they encourage you to chase down your dreams. These are the hands of your soul mate, lover and best friend.

Provide your own words for a hand joining or make changes/additions to selection above.

Choose this rose ceremony or provide your own.

A rose ceremony is optional.

No rose ceremony is needed for this ceremony.

Today, Tom and Linda begin a new tradition, a custom which now becomes uniquely their own. Tom and Linda, I would ask that wherever you make your home - whether it be a large and elegant home - or a small and graceful one - that you both pick one very special location for roses.

Tom says: “Linda I give you this rose. Because it grew from a tiny seed, becoming stronger and larger until it burst into flower, it symbolizes the way my love for you has grown and each year on our wedding anniversary, I will give you another rose. In so doing, I'll remember this day and renew the vows we've made.”

Linda says: “Tom, I give to you this vase of water. (Tom takes and holds it) because water is the one element without which we would perish, it symbolizes the importance of your love in my life. Each year on our anniversary, I will refill this vase, offering it to you as a symbol of my ever renewing love.” (Linda puts the rose in the vase and they hold the vase together.)

Officiant says: “Tom and Linda remember that without water, the rose would die and without the rose, the vase of water would not be beautiful. On each anniversary, as you give and receive the rose and the water, remember with joy this day when you pledged your love and your lives to each other. May this be only the first of many cherished traditions in a home filled with happiness.”

Provide your own words for rose ceremony or make changes/additions to selection above.

Choose this blended family statement or provide your own.

A blended family statement is optional.

No blended family statement is needed for this ceremony.

There are children who will share in this new marriage. The gathering of the family will deeply influence their lives. It will both complicate and enrich them. They will also have much to contribute to this family. Tom and Linda, have you both given serious consideration to your roles and responsibilities to (Child name), (Child name) and (Child name)? Is it your intentions to be protectors, providers, companions and friends to them? Do you both commit to be examples for them by the way you live your lives?

Tom and Linda both answer, "We will"

Provide your own words for a blended family or make changes/additions to selection above.

Please provide name(s) of child(ren).

Choose this sand pouring ceremony or provide your own.

A sand pouring ceremony is optional.

No sand pouring ceremony is needed for this ceremony.

This sand represents the days of your life before today. As they are joined together so shall your joy, love, and happiness be joined together. Once together it will be forever impossible to separate the sand, as your union will forever be together.

Tom and Linda, today you are making a life-long commitment to share the rest of your lives with each other. Your relationship is symbolized through the pouring of these individual containers of sand; one, representing you,Tom and all that you were, all that you are, and all that you will ever be, and the other representing you, Linda, and all that you were and all that you are, and all that you will ever be. As you each hold your sand the separate containers of sand represent your lives to this moment; individual and unique. As you now combine your sand together, your lives also join together as one family.

Provide your own words for sand pouring ceremony or make changes/additions to selection(s)above.

Here is a common addition to the sand pouring ceremony: At this time, I would invite the parents of Tom and Linda to come forward. These four vials of sand represent the bride and groom and each family. You may now blend the sand together symbolizing the uniting of the two families into one. Just as these grains of sand can never be separated and poured again into the individual containers, so will your marriage and your families be.

Choose a closing statement from selection or provide your own.

An closing statement must be selected or provided.

By virtue of the authority vested in me under the laws of the State of Florida, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.

Because you, Tom and Linda, have showered our hearts with expressions of your love, and promised each other the joy of all your days, by the virtue of the authority vested in me under the laws of the state of Florida it gives me great honor and pleasure to now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.

Tom and Linda, you have declared your love for each other, spoken your vows to begin your life as husband and wife, and exchanged your rings in the presence of family friends and guests: and so by the authority vested in me under the laws of the State of Florida, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.

To be loved is to know joy and happiness, to give love is to know the joy of sharing oneself, for it is through the miracle of love that we discover the fullness of life. You have shared your vows, exchanged rings, and pronounced your love in the presence of your parents, friends, family and guests. Therefore by the authority vested in me under the laws of the State of Florida, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.

A wonderful shared life has now begun, live it fully, Love its changes and choices let life amaze you and bring you great joy. And now by the authority vested in me under the laws of the State of Florida, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.

Provide your own words for the closing statement or make changes/additions to selection(s)above.

Choose an ending announcement from selection or provide your own.

An ending announcement must be selected or provided.

It is my pleasure to be the first to introduce to everyone, Mr. & Mrs. Smith.

Ladies and gentleman, I proudly introduce to you Mr. & Mrs. Tom and Linda Smith.

You are now, and forever will be, Mr. & Mrs. Smith

Provide your own words for the ending announcement or make changes/additions to selection(s)above.

Provide any notes, comments, suggestions or anything else needed to make your ceremony perfect.

Name of Groom, as used during ceremony. IE: Thomas or Tom

Name of Bride, as used during ceremony. IE: Linda or Lin

Wedding date(click on the small calendar, right of box, to find your date)

E-mail address:

Disclaimer: I do not claim to own any of the words and sentences provided above, nor claim to be the only person who has ever used them. I found all of the above information in various locations and only provide it here as a guideline to assist in creating the perfect ceremony. It is not the responsibility of JaxNotary.com, or Michael Scaliatine, to obtain copyright permission for use of these words as there are over 100 possible combinations of vows-ceremony selections using the above information.