CIVIL CEREMONY EXAMPLES
We are gathered to unite the two of you in marriage, which is an institution ordained by the state and made honorable by the faithful keeping of good people throughout all ages, and is not to be entered into lightly or unadvisedly.
Do you, Bride/Groom, take Groom/Bride to be your Husband/wife, to love, comfort, and cherish from this day forth?
Yes. Or, I do.
Do you, Groom/Bride, take Bride/Groom to be your wife/husband, to love, comfort, and cherish from this day forth?
Yes. Or, I do.
The couple exchanges rings.
Having thus pledged yourselves each to the other, I do now, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the state of Indiana, pronounce you husband and wife.
Dearly Beloved, we are gathered together here to join together Bride/Groom 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
Groom, do you take Bride to be your lawful wedded wife, to live together in the Estate of Matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others keep you only unto her as long as you both shall live?
I do
Bride, do you take Groom to be your lawful wedded husband, to live together in the Estate of Matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others keep you only unto him as long as you both shall live?
I do
Ring Exchange
The marriage ring seals the vows of marriage and represents a promise for eternal and everlasting love.
Groom, please repeat after me I Groom, take thee, Bride, to be my wedded wife, 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.
Bride, please repeat after me I Bride, take thee, Groom, to be my wedded 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 forever. With this ring, I marry you.
Those whom have chosen to be joined together, let no one put asunder.
Forasmuch as Bride and Groom 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 husband and wife.
You may seal this marriage with a kiss.
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Ladies and Gentlemen, I now present to you Mr/Mrs ….
A wedding is such a wonderful occasion filled with hopes, dreams and excitement. We are here today to celebrate the love that Bride and Groom have for each other, and to recognize and witness their decision to journey forward in their lives as marriage partners.
May your love create a safe haven for you both on the journey that lies ahead of you. Lead with your hearts and take the time to do the simple things that will nurture your love. Deeply listen to each other—to your dreams, and to your frustrations. Be helpmates. Be playful in finding new ways to give your love anew to each other every day.
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Let your love be an inspiration to others to reach for what is good within us all. May your love be so abundant that you have plenty to share with the rest of us as well. It is your love that has brought us together here today. May it grow deeper and sweeter with each passing year.
Vows
Do you, Bride take, Groom to be your partner for life. Do you promise to walk by her side forever, and to love, help, and encourage her in all she does? Do you promise to take time to talk with her, to listen to her, and to care for her? Will you share her laughter, and her tears, as her partner, lover, and best friend? Do you take her as your lawfully wedded wife for now and forevermore?
Do you, Groom take, Bride to be your partner for life. Do you promise to walk by her side forever, and to love, help, and encourage her in all she does? Do you promise to take time to talk with her, to listen to her, and to care for her? Will you share her laughter, and her tears, as her partner, lover and best friend? Do you take her as your lawfully wedded wife for now and forevermore?
Rings
And now, seal your promises with these rings, the symbol of your life shared together.
Groom, please repeat after me:
Bride, this ring I give as token and pledge, as a sign of my love and devotion. With this ring, I thee wed.
Bride, please repeat after me:
Groom, this ring I give as token and pledge, as a sign of my love and devotion. With this ring, I thee wed.
Bride and Groom, by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you married. You may kiss!
Wedding Vow Example 1
Officiant: ______, do you take ______ to be your legal wedded wife/husband, to have and to hold from this day forward?
To-be-wed: I do.
Officiant: ______, do you take ______ to be your legal wedded wife/husband, to have and to hold from this day forward?
To-be-wed: I do.
To-be-wed (both repeat): ______, I take you to be my lawfully wedded wife/husband. Before these witnesses, I vow to love you and care for you for as long as we both shall live.
