Secular Ceremonies
(Non-Religious)
Pre-Written Fast & Easy Wedding Ceremonies
You can choose one below as is or it can be modified to fit your style, faith, and religion. All of these are very short with most averaging 2-5 minuets.
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To extend your ceremony, you can choose to...
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add in a Unity Ceremony, such as exchanging rings.
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add in an extra blessing, prayer, or reading.
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read your own vows (write it yourself or custom writing can be provided).
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add in vows to your new children.
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request a unique and Custom Written Ceremony.
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#O Just Legal
Vows: Do you ____ agree to be legally bound in marriage to ___?
Pronounce: By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you legally married.
#1 Agnostic fast
Opening: We are gathered here today to witness and celebrate the marriage of _____ and _____.
Reading: Home is not where you are from, it is where you belong. Some of us travel the whole world to find it. Others, find it in a person.
Vows: Do you ____ take _____ to be your lawfully (husband/wife/partner) wife? Will you walk hand and hand with her wherever life’s journey takes you? And will you keep living, learning, loving, and growing together with her for the rest of your life? (I do)
Pronounce: By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you (Husband & Wife / Wife & Wife/ Husband & Husband / Partners / Married)!
Kiss: You may now seal your love with a kiss.
#2 Agnostic short
Opening: Thank you for joining us today to celebrate the union of _____ and _____.
And in the spirit of gratitude, we offer thanks and blessings for this day and this marriage. We are thankful for this beautiful day. We are thankful for the joy that is found in love. We are thankful to witness this opportunity, for it is one borne out of love. We extend gratitude to those around us, for our community has made this union so. We extend gratitude to our loved ones, for they are lights in all of our lives. We extend gratitude for patience, as love always works on its own time. We are grateful for this day to celebrate!
We celebrate love, just as it is, and as it always will be.
Vows: ___ repeat after me, “___, I promise to love you, to be faithful to you, to be your best friend, to respect and support you as you change and grow, to be patient with you, to work together with you to achieve our goals, to accept you unconditionally, and to share life with you throughout the years.”
Pronounce: By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you (Husband & Wife / Wife & Wife/ Husband & Husband / Partners / Married)!
Kiss: May your first act as a married couple be one of love. You may now kiss each other for the first time as husband and wife.
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#3 Fairy Tail
(Goes well with Ring Ceremony #18)
Opening: Once upon a time in a land not so far away, met this beautiful couple who stands before us today. It is a tale as old as time, a tale as true as can be. This love opened up a whole new world for them with new horizons to pursue.
Vows: Do you ____ vow to take the lady/your knight____ as your best friend, soul mate, and your everything? Do you vow to honor, cherish, love and protect (him/her) with everything you are and will be? Do you vow that everyday you will wake up and be thankful that you are together and walk together side by side? And do you vow that this love will be as great as the best Fairy Tale ever written, (her/his) dream come true?
Advice: ___ and ___ may the love that you have expressed here today grow in time, in song and rhyme into a legendary tale full of happiness and joy. May the inward aspirations of your hearts be the outward reality of you home. May your home always be a magic kingdom, of light and truth, of beauty, of joy and happiness all the days of your lives.
Pronounce: By the power vested in me, I pronounce you (Husband & Wife / Wife & Wife/ Husband & Husband / Partners / Married). May your lives together be filled with love and laughter, and may you live happily ever after!
Kiss:You may now share a magical kiss to seal this fairy tail.
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#4 Handfasting fast
*You will need a yard length cord
that can be wrapped around your combined hands.
Opening: We've come here to show these two beautiful people our love and support today! To celebrate them as they join their lives together in marriage.
Marriage isn't something to be entered into lightly. The uniting of two paths into a single journey asks us to be thoughtful, intentional, and honest. Marriage brings with it a deep realization of our responsibility and commitment to our partner, and the understanding that love, loyalty, compassion, and compromise are the foundations of a happy and enduring home.
Handfasting/Vows: Please place grasp each-others wrists together, with arms crossed. Handfasting is an ancient tradition. It symbolizing the joining of ___ and ___ individual paths merging into one, and the start of a journey these two souls will continue on together. With each wrap of the cord, you deepen your commitment to each other, vowing to respect and support one another, to grow with each other, to offer each other compassion and understanding, and to take each new challenge and adventure as it comes, together.
___, do you come here today to marry ___, and to join your path with theirs? (cord is wrapped around hands)
___, do you come here today to marry ___, and to join your path with theirs? (cord is tied)
The binding is done.
Blessing: This cord represents the marital bond. It is strong enough to hold you together during times of struggle yet flexible enough to allow for individuality and personal growth. As your hands are now bound together, so shall your lives be bound as one. May you enjoy a lifetime of love and peace, happiness and prosperity.
Pronouncement: By the authority vested in me, you are husband and wife, bound for life.
#5 Handfasting short
*You will need 1 long cord that can be wrapped 6 times
around your hands or 6 separate ones.
Opening: For those who my not be familiar, a Handfasting ceremony is a little different from a traditional wedding ceremony in that it recognizes that love, like life, is dynamic. Traditionally, these ceremonies were done in Celtic lands, and vows could be taken for a year, or they could be taken forever, because those Celtic ancestors understood that love changes from moment to moment, and that every couple is unique - as is every relationship.
____ and ____ have chosen to commit to one another today for the rest of their lives, but they understand that the love they commit to is dynamic and fluid, and what we celebrate is the eternal connection between the souls of ____ and ____, no matter what physical form their love may take. As all who gather here know, there’s no denying that these two souls are connected - and that is what we’ve gathered to celebrate - here in this moment - the love that ____ and ____ share between their spirits.
Vows: _________, _________, let there be no mistake. While the tradition of handbinding recognizes and accepts love as dynamic in nature, it is not to be entered into lightheartedly, because it is a sacred vow.
The vows you make today signify that your souls are bound eternally, whether or not your bodies are. You make these vows today with the understanding that you are committing to be a partner to one another, and to honor the connection your souls now share with one another. These vows are sacred, and they should not easily be broken, as you make them to one another in the site of these loved ones as witnesses.
Knowing this, ____ and ____ is it your intent to enter into this commitment to one another?
COUPLE: It is.
Hand Binding Ceremony: Then let us begin.
____ and ____, you will be making six vows in total to one another before me and these witnesses. For each, I will ask ____ for his/her/their commitment first, then I will ask ____. Once they have both affirmed, we will move to the next vow.
1. ____, will you share in ____’s pain, and seek to protect him/her/them from it and ease him/her/them of it?
____: I will.
Then let the binding be so. (cord is wrapped around hands)
2. ____, will you share in ____’s joy, rejoice in it with him/her/them, and look for the best in him/her/them always?
____: I will.
Then let the binding be so. (cord is wrapped around hands)
3.____, will you share in ____’s hardships and toil, so that the two of you may grow together?
____: I will.
Then let the binding be so. (cord is wrapped around hands)
4. ____, will you share in_____’s dreams and work with him/her/them to fulfill them?
____: I will.
Then let the binding be so. (cord is wrapped around hands)
5. ____, will you use your anger to strengthen and temper the bond between you and ____?_____: I will.
Then let the binding be so. (cord is wrapped around hands)
6. ____, will you honor and respect ____, treating him/her/them as an equal in this bond?
____: I will.
Then let the binding be so. (cord is wrapped around hands)
Vows: Now that the binding ceremony is complete, it’s time to seal your bond with the exchange of rings. The ring has a special significance within the Celtic culture because it is a symbol of unbroken-ness. It is also a symbol of completion - as the two of you are now complete.
____ please repeat after me: ____ I promise on this day to share your pain, your joy, your burdens, and your dreams, and to help you navigate the maze of life together as our love grows with us.
Blessing: May you know nothing but happiness from this day forward. May the road rise to meet you, may the wind be always at your back, may the warm rays of sun fall upon your home, and may the hand of a friend always be near. May green be the grass you walk on, may blue be the skies above you, may pure be the joys that surround you, may true be the hearts that love you.
Pronouncement:
____ and ____ having proclaimed the bond of your souls together in the sight of these witnesses, and based on the strength of that bond, and the power vested in me, I now pronounce you married.
Kiss: Please seal your bond with a kiss!
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#6 Funny fast
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Opening: Welcome, and thank you for being here to day to witness and awkwardly stare at and take pictures of ______ and ______ while they get hitched. Love is what brings us here today... unless she is pregnant, or one of them needs a green card! Regardless, let us show our support for this couple.
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Vows: Do you_____ vow to take _____ as your old lady, to put the cap back on the toothpaste, refill the toilet paper, and to try to put the toilet seat down?
Do you _____ vow to take ____ as your old man, to try not to nag too much or tell him how to drive, and to clean your hair out of the drains?
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Advice: As you start along this path chained together, here is my advice: Whenever you’re wrong, admit it; Whenever you’re right, shut up.
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Reading:And a poem by the great all knowing Dr. Seuss: We are all a little weird and life’s a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call that love.
Pronounce: I now pronounce you accomplices for life.
Kiss:You may now exchange cooties. As is tradition.
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#7 Funny short
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Opening: Please be gather around quickly! _____ and _____ have requested a short wedding ceremony and as I don’t want to disappoint, let’s not dilly dally!
Advice: It’s traditional for the officiant, me, to give a speech about love and commitment and two hearts becoming one, which is medically speaking extremely dangerous, but in the interest of time let me just say: Love, compassion, friendship, playfulness, kindness, stuff like that. Try your best to do all those things as much as you can.
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Vows: And now let’s zoom past all the boring stuff and get right to the “I do” part.
_____ , you want this guy/gal/person as your husband/wife/partner? To cherish and hold and all the other things they say in the movies?
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Advice:
Marriage is about giving and taking and forging and forsaking.
Kissing and loving and pushing and shoving.
Caring and sharing and screaming and swearing.
About being together whatever the weather
About being driven to the end of your tether.
About sweetness and kindness and wisdom and blindness
It’s about being strong when you’re feeling quite weak.
It’s about saying nothing when you’re dying to speak.
It’s about being wrong when you know you are right.
It’s about giving in, before there’s a fight.
It’s about you two living as cheaply as one.
(you can give us a call if you know how that’s done!)
Never heeding advice that was always well-meant.
Never counting the cost until it’s all spent.
And for you two today it’s about to begin.
And for all that the two of you had to put in.
Some days filled with joy, and some days with sadness.
Too late you’ll discover that marriage is madness.
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Pronounce: By the power vested in me, yada, yada, yada, I am tickled to pronounce you hitched!
Kiss: You may now kiss… and please, take your time.
Vow Renewals
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VR1
___ and ___, when you first married each other ___ years ago, you did not know where life would take you. But you promised to love, honor, and cherish one another through all things. Through the years, life has brought you both wonderful blessings and difficult challenges. You have navigated its currents together. Now, here you are today, having stood steadfast and fulfilled the vows and promises you each made on your wedding day.
Your journey calls to mind these truths about love:
Love is a temporary madness, it erupts like volcanoes and then subsides.
And when it subsides you have to make a decision.
You have to work out whether your roots have so entwined together
that it is inconceivable that you should ever part.
Because this is what love is.
Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement,
it is not the promulgation of eternal passion.
That is just being ‘in love’, which any fool can do.
Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away,
and this is both an art and a fortunate accident.
Those that truly love,
have roots that grow towards each other underground,
and when all the pretty blossoms have fallen from their branches,
they find that they are one tree, and not two.
___ and ___, your roots have grown deep and strong. As you celebrate here today, reflecting on your ___ years together as (husband and wife / spouses / partners), do you now wish to reaffirm these vows born of enduring love?
“We do.”
Please face each other and join hands. Let this physical connection represent the enduring bond you share.
___, looking into the eyes of your beloved partner, do you choose to continue having ___ as your spouse, committed to sharing your life together in this marriage built on love and respect? Do you reaffirm your deep love for ___? Will you continue to love, honor, and cherish ___; in times of joy and times of sorrow, in comfort and in challenge, for all the days of your lives? Will you continue to be faithful and devoted to ___?
“I do.”
On your wedding day, you exchanged rings as a symbol of the never-ending circle – representing the enduring strength and unbroken quality of your commitment and love. May you always wear your rings as a reminder of the vows you made to each other then, and your commitment made anew today to continue living in unity, love, and shared happiness.
To visibly renew that profound commitment, you will now reaffirm your pledge with these symbols.
___, please touch ___'s wedding ring. Please repeat after me:
"I gave you this ring as a symbol of my love. Today, I renew my pledge. I choose to share my life's journey with you, loving you deeply, today, tomorrow, and always."
___ and ___, today you have stood before your loved ones and joyfully renewed the promises and vows you made to each other on your wedding day. You have symbolized the enduring strength of your union by the joining of hands, the heartfelt restating of your vows, and the meaningful re-exchange of your rings.
Your journey together is a testament to the power of commitment, resilience, and unwavering love. The promises you made ___ years ago have been lived, tested, and proven. Today, you have chosen to reaffirm them with even deeper understanding and intention.
It is with profound joy and respect for the love you share that I conclude this ceremony, honoring the renewal of the vows that joined you and that continue to bind you as partners for life.
Please celebrate this moment of reaffirmed love and commitment with a sign of your enduring affection… You may now kiss your partner!
it is my great honor and delight to present to you once again, celebrating their renewed commitment: ___ and ___!
VR2
We are gathered here today to witness and celebrate a remarkable milestone: the renewal of vows between ___ and ___.
___ and ___, when you first married each other ___ years ago, you did not know where life would take you. But you promised to love, honor, and cherish one another through all things. Through the years, life has brought you both wonderful blessings and difficult challenges. Now, here you are today, having fulfilled the vows and promises you each made on your wedding day.
As you celebrate here today, and as you reflect back over all the years you have spent together so far as (husband and wife / spouses / partners), do you now wish to reaffirm your commitment to each other and the promises of your marriage?
Couple: “We do.”
Your journey together speaks volumes. You have built a life, weathered storms, celebrated joys, and chosen each other, day after day. This renewal is not the beginning of a new promise, but a conscious and joyful reaffirmation of the enduring bond you have nurtured. Today, you stand before your loved ones once more, not out of obligation, but out of deep love, respect, and a shared desire to continue this remarkable partnership. You declare that the promises you made ___ years ago are not just memories, but living, breathing commitments that guide you still.
___ and ___, please face each other and renew the promises you hold dear. Together, declare your renewed commitment:
(Both partners speak simultaneously)
“We promise: To love each other wholeheartedly, in joy and sorrow. To honor each other's spirit and dreams. To cherish our bond with kindness and respect. To stand together through all life brings.
Rings are a powerful symbol with joy and pride. – an unbroken circle representing the enduring nature of true commitment. They are an outward sign of the inward promises you have just renewed.
___place your hand on ___'s wedding ring and repeat after me...
"With all that I am and all I have - I will always choose you."
___ and ___, you have stood before your loved ones today and, with clear hearts and joyful spirits, reaffirmed the sacred promises you made ___ years ago. You have declared your intention to continue this extraordinary journey together, strengthened by all you have shared and learned.
Your marriage is a testament to the power of choice – the daily choice to love, to understand, to forgive, and to build a life side by side. You have navigated the complexities of life not just as individuals, but as partners, proving that your commitment is a resilient and ever-evolving force. Today, you have chosen to renew your vows, not because the old ones were broken, but because they are stronger than ever.
Therefore, by the power of your enduring love and the commitment you have reaffirmed here today, we celebrate and honor you, ___ and ___, as partners for life. Your marriage continues, renewed in purpose and deepened in love.
May your love continue to be a source of strength, comfort, and boundless joy for one another. May you face the future with the same courage, humor, and unwavering support that has brought you this far. May your shared journey ahead be filled with discovery, peace, and countless more moments of profound happiness together. May you always find sanctuary in each other's presence.
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And now, to seal these promises renewed with the affection that has carried you through ___ years... please share a kiss!
It is my great joy and privilege to present to you once more, the happily married couple: stronger than ever - ___ and ___!
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VR3 Fairy-tail
We gather in a realm where dreams take flight, to celebrate a love that turned ‘once upon a time’ into ‘forever after’.
Love is not a myth in fairy tales, but a castle built from joys and tears. Where ‘once upon’ meets ‘ever after,’ and every chapter writes its magic. It is two hearts singing through the years. In every storybook, the wedding appears as the grand finale, the ‘happily ever after.’ But _____ and _____ know the secret: marriage is not an ending… it’s the enchanted prologue.
Your adventure began ___ years ago, with a promise that became your compass through enchanted forests and dragon challenges. Today, you declare to the stars: ‘Our tale has only just begun.’
___, gaze into your beloved’s eyes and repeat:
“Where there has been cold, you have brought warmth; where my life was dark, you have brought the light. I found my perfect fit with you. I vow to continue to cherish the magic in our everyday moments and to be by your side, forever believing in our happily ever after.”
And in moments of doubt, remember the wisdom of the Hundred-Acre Wood: If ever there is tomorrow when you’re not together, remember: You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think. But most importantly, even if you’re apart, you’ll always be together.
These rings are more than gold, they are heirlooms of your ‘happily ever after.’ Awaken their magic anew.
__, place your hand over __’s ring and repeat:
“One song, my heart keeps singing, of one love only for you.”
Go forth, heroes of your own epic: May your carriage never become a pumpkin, may the clock never strike midnight. May your glass slipper always fit and may your storybook grow thicker with every dawn!
____ and ___, Today, your love writes its boldest chapter yet: Where ‘ever after’ is no ending, but a promise echoing through every tomorrow.
With a kiss, seal your fairy tale anew! (Couple kisses)
I declare you forever partners in magic. Still chasing horizons, still writing your ‘once upon a time’!