Vow Renewal
Invocation
We are gathered together to witness the reaffirmation of the wedding vows of (bride) and (groom). After (years) of marriage they have learned that happiness is not something that just happens. A good marriage must be created. In the art of marriage the little things are the big things...
It's never being too old to hold hands. It's remembering to say "I love you" at least once each day. It's never going to sleep angry. It's at no time taking the other for granted. It's having a mutual sense of values and common objectives. It's standing together and facing the world. It's forming a circle of love that gathers the whole family.
It's doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy. It's speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways. It's not looking for perfection in each other. It's cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding, and a sense of humor. It's establishing a relationship in which independence is equal, dependence is mutual; and the obligation is reciprocal.
The poet Meryl Fishman has said, "You know me as I really am, and I know you truly. Not even as we know ourselves and would present ourselves. But to the very core of our beings. And we see the good and bad, Accepting it all with joy, And from this time on our souls are locked in harmony. I have become you, you have become me, And we call each other love."
What greater thing is there for two human souls than to feel that they are joined together for life, to strengthen each other in all labor, to rest on each other in all sorrow, to minister to each other in all pain, to be one with each other in silent, unspeakable memories.
With this reaffirmation ceremony we pray that your lives together will continue to be blessed with health, peace, and happiness for you, your children, and your family.
Prayer
Expression of Intent
(Groom) and (bride), please join hands and renew your vows.
To Husband: (Groom), having had (bride) as your wedded wife for these past (years), do you here in the presence of God, family and friends, renew your vows? If so say I do.
Husband: I do.
To Husband: Will you continue to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all other and be faithful to her as long as you both shall live? If so say I will.
Husband: I will.
To Wife: (Bride), having had (groom) as your wedded husband for these past (years), do you here in the presence of God, family and friends, renew your vows? If so say I do.
Wife: I do.
To Wife: Will you continue to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all other and be faithful to him as long as you both shall live? If so say I will.
Wife: I will.
Reaffirmation Vows
To Wife and Husband: As you come today to reaffirm your wedding vows and as you reflect back over all your years together as husband and wife, do you now reaffirm the vows you took (years) ago? If “yes,” please say “We do”
Wife and Husband: We do.
To Husband: (Groom), please repeat after me as you reaffirm your vows. I, (groom), renew my vows - to take you, (bride), to be my wife; - to have and to hold. - from this day forward, - for better for worse, - for richer for poorer, - in sickness and in health, - to love and to cherish always.
To Wife: (Bride), please repeat after me as you reaffirm your vows. I, (bride), renew my vows - to take you, (groom), to be my husband; - to have and to hold. - from this day forward, - for better for worse, - for richer for poorer, - in sickness and in health, - to love and to cherish always.
Prayer
Benediction
Having heard the promises, which the two of you have made to each other, it gives me great pleasure to wish you both a long, happy, and wonderful life together.
We hope that the inspiration of this hour will not be forgotten. May you continue to love one another forever and a day...
(Groom) you may kiss your bride again.
