The Ceremony and Vows

This was the ceremony and vows that were read at our wedding. I wrote the ceremony using examples found online; we wrote the vows together.


[JP to guests]

On behalf of this couple, we thank you for being together with us today, in this gathering of friendship, to bear witness to the love and commitment of these two friends, Denis and Natalie, as they begin their married lives together. Your presence here fills this gathering with light and love as we celebrate this union.


[JP to couple]

True marriage is more than the joining in the bonds of matrimony of two persons. It is the uniting of two souls already attuned to one another, and the public acknowledgement of that joining.

You choose to share your lives with each other - to be friends, partners and lovers. You choose to function together in life as a couple, while each maintaining your own identities. You choose to grow together.

You are finding in each other that which complements your life. You are agreeing to shine light in the other's darkness, to be a summer to the other's winter.

You have decided that being together will enrich your lives - that whatever challenges may lie ahead for you, they can be met more easily together. You know that your joy will be enhanced because of your commitment to each other.

You know that real love is something beyond the warmth and glow, the excitement and romance, of being deeply in love with one another. It is caring as much about the welfare and happiness of your partner in life, as about your own.


[Natalie to Denis]

I, Natalie, take you, Denis, to be my husband, my friend, my love, and my lifelong companion, to share my life with yours.

I promise to stand by you through life's changes, to support you in times of trouble, and to be there when you need me.

I promise to always be open and honest with you, and to trust you even when I don't understand.

I promise to respect your individuality; I love you for all that you are, all that you are not, and all that you can be.

I promise to love you, to be patient with you, to treat you with respect, and to always be faithful to you.

This I promise, now and forever.


[Denis to Natalie]

I, Denis, take you, Natalie, to be my wife, my friend, my love, and my lifelong companion, to share my life with yours.

I promise to stand by you through life's changes, to support you in times of trouble, and to be there when you need me.

I promise to always be open and honest with you, and to trust you even when I don't understand.

I promise to respect your individuality; I love you for all that you are, all that you are not, and all that you can be.

I promise to love you, to be patient with you, to treat you with respect, and to always be faithful to you.

This I promise, now and forever.


[JP to couple]

These rings are a symbol of the unbroken circle of love. Love freely given has no beginning and no end, no giver and no reciever, for each is the giver, and each is the receiver.


[Denis to Natalie]

Natalie, take this ring as a symbol of my love and commitment.


[Natalie to Denis]

Denis, take this ring as a symbol of my love and commitment.


[JP to couple]

I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now share your first married kiss.


[JP to guests]

I present to you: Denis and Natalie St. Jean.