Renewal-of-wedding Vows That I Used

[cw_reifert]

Saturday night I officiated a 25th Anniversary Renewal-of-Wedding vows. I figured I'd post it here, and anyone who might need to use part of it is welcome to it.

Best Wishes,

Will

WELCOME (read by daughter)

I’d like to thank all of you, family and good friends, who have taken the time today to join my mom and dad with this celebration of their 25th wedding anniversary and the renewal of their marriage vows. Not only are we here to wish them continued happiness in their future life together, we’re also here to celebrate the love that my parents have for each other as well as the love that each of you has given them throughout their lives together. Thank you again for coming, and for supporting them.

GATHERING WORDS

Deb and Kurt, today is your wedding anniversary and your celebration. Many years ago, on February 14th, you took upon yourselves the responsibility of married life. This afternoon we gather here to renew your marriage vows and to re-affirm with happiness a new era in your life.

Happiness in marriage isn’t something that just happens. A good marriage must be created. In the art of marriage, the little things are the big things.

It is never being too old to hold hands. It is remembering to say, “I love you”. It is at no time taking the other for granted. It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives; it is standing together facing the world. It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy. It is not expecting perfection in each other. It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding, and a sense of humor. It is having the capacity to forgive and forget. It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, the dependence is mutual, and the obligation is reciprocal. It is a common search for the good and the beautiful. It is not having married the right partner; it is being the right partner. It is discovering that your love for one another at its best will never lose sight of or be blotted out by the common place experiences of life.

And it is remembering that remaining devoted, confident and hopeful in one another are the secret ingredients which will help you to remain two very happy people, richer for your oneness.

Both of you believe in marriage and in the fullness of the husband and wife relationship and you know that a deep bond unites you both together. I have seen that your relationship is as important to you as life itself. Today’s re-commitment should encourage you both to continue that dedication to each other so that you can look forward to a settled and contented future.

And now Deb and Kurt’s daughter, Jessica, is going to read a poem in dedication to her parents.

POEM

They said we'd never make it,

But now we've come this far.

Today we celebrate our love

And honor who we are.

We had a hard beginning,

Adults before our time.

But growing up together made

Our deepest roots entwine.

You are my life, my love, my hope,

My friend, my world, my song,

The mirror of my unseen heart,

The place where I belong.

And as our one life passes,

Through love we live for two:

A cornucopia of joy

That we this day renew.

VOWS

Deb and Kurt, please face each other and join hands.

You are different people today than you were twenty-five years ago. Twenty-five years from now, you will be different still. Yet, you are once again about to make promises which are meant to last a lifetime.

Kurt, will you keep Deb as your wife, will you continue to love her and only her?

Will you promise to bring breakfast in bed to Deb as often as you can?

Response: I WILL.

Deb, will you keep Kurt as your Husband, will you continue to love him and only him?

Will you also promise to bring breakfast in bed to Kurt as often as you can?

Response: I WILL.

RING EXCHANGE

The wedding ring is a circle symbolizing the sun, the earth, and the universe. It is a symbol of wholeness, perfection and peace.

As you re-enter into the circle of your shared love,

may you be blessed through your devotion to this union.

May your continued journey as husband and wife be filled with peace, love and joy.

Kurt, as you place this ring on Deb’s finger, please repeat after me:

I, Kurt, promise to continue to love, cherish and protect my wife… to provide for her in health and sickness… to be true to her… and cleave to her until death do us part… I renew my vow to take you, Deb, for my wedded wife.

Deb, as you place this ring on Kurt’s finger, please repeat after me:

I, Deb, promise to continue to love and honor my husband… to be true and faithful to him… and cleave to him until death do us part… I renew my vow to take you, Kurt, for my wedded husband.

I do, by the virtue of authority vested in me, sanction your desire to reaffirm your wedding vows.