Secular/Individualist Ceremony Script

Below is the ceremony script from our secular, individualist wedding. A lot of ceremonies I found were religious (not us) or overly romantic (neither of us believe in destiny/soul mates), and didn't put enough emphasis on the fact that we're independent individuals who are choosing each other as life partners. To make the ceremony fit what we wanted, I nicked bits and pieces from various others and cut a lot of things entirely. This came in at about 5 minute, tops.

**Ceremony Script**:

“Marriage also bestows enormous private and social advantages on those who choose to marry. Civil marriage is at once a deeply personal commitment to another human being and a highly public celebration of the ideals of mutuality, companionship, intimacy, fidelity, and family… Because it fulfills yearnings for security, safe haven, and connection that express our common humanity, civil marriage is an esteemed institution, and the decision whether and whom to marry is among life’s momentous acts of self-definition.” -from the Goodridge v. Department of Public Health decision

We are here today to witness X and Y’s commitment to each other and to celebrate their marriage. As X and Y’s closest family and friends, do you give your blessing to their union? If so, please respond, “We do”. [Family and Friends: We do.]

Please hold hands as you make your vows. X, repeat after me:

Y, I take you as my wife, with your faults and your strengths, as I offer myself to you with my faults and my strengths. I will help you when you need it, and turn to you when I need help. I will nurture your goals and ambitions, support you through misfortune, and celebrate your triumphs. I will persevere when times get tough, knowing that any challenges we face, we will conquer them together. I will treat you with compassion over fairness, because we are a team, now and always. I choose you as the person I spend my life with.

Y, repeat after me:

X, I take you as my husband, with your faults and your strengths, as I offer myself to you with my faults and my strengths. I will help you when you need it, and turn to you when I need help. I will nurture your goals and ambitions, support you through misfortune, and celebrate your triumphs. I will persevere when times get tough, knowing that any challenges we face, we will conquer them together. I will treat you with compassion over fairness, because we are a team, now and always. I choose you as the person I spend my life with.

Please drop hands. Best Man, please present the rings. [Best Man presents them] These rings are the outward symbols of the love you share and the commitment you are making to each other.

X, repeat after me as you put on your ring: I wear this ring as a visible and constant symbol of our marriage and my promises to you.

Y, repeat after me as you put on your ring: I wear this ring as a visible and constant symbol of our marriage and my promises to you.

With these rings and these vows, you have both declared your devotion to each other. You are now husband and wife.

You can kiss. [kiss, take back bouquet] Friends, I present the newly married X and Y Last Name!