Uzi and Summer share their wedding vows with the rest of the world.
—
When it came time for us to get married, my fiancée and I decided to write our own ceremony and vows. We weren’t having any luck finding anything online or in the bookstores (back when they still existed) that was free from religious undertones. It was also difficult to find someone to marry us who felt comfortable steering well clear from the traditional honor and obey nonsense. And so it seemed like we had no choice but to write our own. We thought it would be a great idea to share this with other people who may be looking for the same sort of thing. Please feel free to share, copy, or edit any part of this for your own wedding. We wanted to share with our friends and family what we are trying to accomplish (other than the legal and financial reasons) for getting legally married. We finally found someone we liked. She was a non-denominational woman with just the slightest hint of a southern accent. Some may have thought it was unfortunate that her microphone shorted out shortly after she began but not us. We just assumed our words and love for each other was so powerful that they shorted out the electronics. She didn’t even miss a beat. It was truly a magical day for us and we hope you find a space to enjoy them as much as we do.
Opening
Although this is traditionally their day, it is also a tribute to everyone present. For knowing you and interacting with you has helped to make Summer and Uzi who they are today. They stand before you not only to pledge their love to each other, but to acknowledge their love for you – their family and friends. Thank you for sharing this special day with them and welcome.
Foundation
Marriage is the greatest and most intimate of human relationships. It is the joyful union of two people; a lifelong commitment of honesty, affection and understanding.
Marriage is not the giving up or loss of individuality but rather a transformation of one’s self into someone different. The “I” is still “I” but it is also “we.” The joining of two separate lives provides the opportunity for each person to discover new possibilities not only in themselves but in their partner as well. Never will a person feel more powerful or more vulnerable as they will when they are with their true companion.
The wedding ceremony is both an acknowledgment and celebration of a new beginning. For the lives the two of you have lived up until this moment are, in some sense, now truly completed. As you move forward in creating your new life together, you will always remember this day. You will reflect upon the words that were spoken and the promises that were made. You will remember the friends and family that gathered to share their love with you. You will laugh when you think about the funny moments and perhaps at the serious ones too. But most of all, you will remember that this day marked a turning point in your wonderful journey – together.
Of course, a magnificent ceremony by itself will not create a happy marriage. Only the two of you can do that. By living each day under the guidance of the vows that you speak today, you will create a marriage that is truly unique and transcendent. What this ceremony will do is to witness and affirm the choice you have made to begin your new life together as husband and wife.
Questions/Vows
Now Summer and Uzi; please face each other and be fully present while you recite your vows:
Summer, do you take Uzi to be your husband, to love him and to respect him, to nurture and support him, in times of joy and in times of difficulty? And do you promise to remain by his side regardless of what troubles may befall you? Do you promise to share all of your hopes, dreams and concerns with him even if those things may be unpleasant? And will you remain faithful even if faced with temptation? If so, answer now, “I do and I will.”
Uzi, do you take Summer to be your wife, to love her and to respect her, to nurture and support her, in times of joy and in times of difficulty? Do you promise to remain by her side regardless of what troubles may befall you? Do you promise to share all of your hopes, dreams and concerns with her even if those things may be unpleasant? And will you remain faithful even if faced with temptation? If so, answer now, “I do and I will.”
Reading
Then from this day forward, may you laugh together, and plan together. Seek out your favorite places, and go there together.
May you walk together not as one, but such that your shadows are separate and distinct, and so that your souls will always be unbound and free.
You will share much of your time together, yet do not give all your time to each other. For in order to be complete and truly free; you must be mindful to retain your individuality.
Let the other wander in solitude when they need to be alone but be near, when they need your comfort and guidance.
Give freely of your love, but do not smother, as the soul requires freedom and not control.
Accept each other’s love, but do not demand it, for love given of obligation is empty and without meaning.
As you walk through life together, know that you do so with all the love, caring and understanding that two people can share with one another.
And so, from this day forward, Summer and Uzi, may you always be; together.
Ring Ceremony
Wedding rings are the symbol of the unconditional love, devotion and loyalty that two people promise each other in marriage. They are the physical representation of the vows you just exchanged.
Uzi, place this ring on Summer’s finger and repeat after me:
Summer, this ring is the symbol of my unconditional love and support for you throughout our life together.
Summer, place this ring on Uzi’s finger and repeat after me:
Uzi, this ring is the symbol of my unconditional love and support for you throughout our life together.
Pronouncement
Summer and Uzi, by the authority vested in me by the State, but even more so by my belief in the adoration you have for each other, I am delighted to pronounce you husband and wife.
Conclusion
Now, ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to present to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Peretz.
—
Photo by smoorenburg / flickr
I so wish I was there t share that day with you brother. You two were so incredibly fortunate to find each other. Your dedication to growing together is so wonderful to me. No situation or relationship is perfect… but your desire to work together towards each others happiness and the immense love you share to me makes your relationship one of the most beautiful things I’ve seen. I love you both so very much and wish you all the happiness in the world along with the perfect amount of sadness and hard times to make the good times taste… Read more »
Hi Iben I can’t say I’ve considered it because we’ve been married for some time now. However, I do appreciate you taking the time to read and comment on it. I’m sorry that you gravitated toward the negative so fast (this sounds romantic BUT…) I also cannot answer your question (why?) because I do not agree I am naive or that I’ve somehow promised to totally destroy my health and the emotional health of the children we don’t plan on having by promising to remain by my partners side during times of “trouble”. I have the freedom to be 100%… Read more »
Hi Uzi This sounds romantic . But have you considered writing wows that are 100% honest and realistic? I mean all emotionally healthy human beings must have personal borders . Can you imagine marriage wows that are realistic and promise to love and stay with a person for ever IF you are treated with dignity, respect and not harmed ? Look at your wows: ✺”And do you promise to remain by his side regardless of what troubles may befall you? “✺ Here you promise to stay no matters how he treats you. He can become an alcoholic, heroin dependent ,… Read more »