Just a bit of background info.. FI & I are not religious and we are having an old family friend, get licensed to be a one day marriage officent (this has been taken care of). He has never performed a wedding so I figured I'd just get it out of the way tonight and get the ceremony wording out of the way. we have been planning on a quick ceremony so I thought this was short & sweet, please tell me what you think
Welcome to family and friends:
Friends, we have come together today to witness the marriage of Paul and Kimberly. The legal requirements of this state having been fulfilled, and the license for their marriage being present, I must ask of each party if they come of their own free will and accord.
Paul, do you come to this union of your free will, and with the intention of being faithful in marriage to Kimberly as long as you shall live?
Groom answers "I do."
Kimberly, do you come to this union of your free will, and with the intention of being faithful in Marriage to Paul as long as you shall live?
Bride answers "I do."
Who presents Kimberly to be married to Paul?
Bride's father (or representative) responds "I do."
Vows:
Please repeat the following after me:
I,Paul, do take you, Kimberly, to be my lawfully wedded wife. I promise from this day forward to be your faithful husband, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, as long as I shall live.
Please repeat after me:
I, Kimberly, do take you, Paul, to be my lawfully wedded husband. I promise from this day forward to be your faithful wife, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, as long as I shall live.
Rings
The wedding ring seals the vows of marriage as a signature bears witness to a written covenant. As the ring is placed upon the finger, will you repeat these words:
With this ring I give you my heart. I promise from this day forward you shall not walk alone. May my heart be your shelter, and my arms be your home. (2x)
We have come together in this place and have heard the willingness of Paul and Kimberly to be joined in marriage. They have come of their free will and in our hearing have made a covenant of faithfulness. They have given and received a ring as the seal of their promises.
Therefore, by the power vested in me by the state of Massachusetts I pronounce that they are husband and wife.
Ignore the italics and weird bolded stuff... thanks!