We are gathered here in the presence of these witnesses, friends and family to join BRIDE and GROOM in matrimony. This ceremony is entered into for your benefit. You came here freely, willingly and lovingly to be joined and I charge you both as you make this commitment to each other today and remember that if: You can love without clutching; Appreciate each other without judging; Invite without demanding; Ask without pleading; Join without invading; Criticize without blaming; Help without insulting; You will meet and truly enrich each other's lives. For love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud and never selfish or rude.
Love does not demand it's own way. Love is not irritable or touchy. It does not hold grudges and will hardly ever notice when others do it wrong. Love is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out. Love is forgiving and forgetting and forgiving and forgetting again. When you love someone, you are loyal to them no matter what the costs. Believe in each other and expect the best of each other.
Stand your ground in defending each other. Remember that love and loyalty are the foundations of a happy home. Listen to the promises you are making to each other. If you can live your marriage by these vows, your life together will be full of joy and the home you are establishing will abide in peace.
GROOM, Do you take BRIDE as your lawful wedded wife, to live together as partners in marriage? Will you love her, comfort her, in sickness and in health, in happiness and adversity, forsaking all others so long as you both shall live? If so, please answer I WILL.
BRIDE, Do you take GROOM as your lawful wedded husband, to live together as partners in marriage? Will you love him, comfort him, in sickness and in health, in happiness and adversity, forsaking all others so long as you both shall live? If so, please answer I WILL.
GROOM, please repeat after me.
I GROOM take you BRIDE; to be my wife, friend and partner; from this day forward. I promise to love you; honor you; cherish and trust you; in joy and in sorrow; in good times and in hard times; in strength and in weakness; accepting you and your love; as long as we both shall live.
BRIDE, please repeat after me.
I BRIDE take you GROOM; to be my husband, friend and partner; from this day forward. I promise to love you; honor you; cherish and trust you; in joy and in sorrow; in good times and in hard times; in strength and in weakness; accepting you and your love; as long as we both shall live.
As you exchange rings with each other, please repeat after me;
(GROOM SAYS) BRIDE, as a sign of the promise between us; with this ring I thee wed.
(BRIDE SAYS) GROOM, as a sign of the promise between us; with this ring I thee wed.
Now virtue of the power vested in me by the State of Wisconsin, I pronounce you husband and wife. Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter to the other. Now there will be no cold for each of you will be warmth to the other. Now you will feel no loneliness, for although you are two persons, there is only one life before you. May you know peace, joy and love for all your days.
You may kiss the bride.