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The
renewal of wedding vows is an opportunity for couples to rejoin hands and hearts and affirm the magnitude and strength of
their enduring love.
There are almost as many reasons for doing this as there are couples. If you’ve come
through a challenging time and emerged on the other side with a fresh sense of possibilities, you may want to seal your renewed
sense of commitment with a ceremony--to affirm what you mean to each other, and say it in the company of those who mean something
to you!
Maybe you want to tell the person you've loved all this time just how much better life is because of him
or her. A wedding anniversary milestone may prompt you to look back and reflect on the journey you and your spouse have traveled
together. A vow renewal ceremony can be a great gift and inspiration to your children and loved ones, and invariably, it is
romantic!
I will write a ceremony for you and with you that will completely reflect who you are. It can be formal,
casual, poetic or fun. The following example is just that, a sample. After reading it, let your imagination fly!
SAMPLE VOW RENEWAL CEREMONY
What a happy occasion this is! Welcome, family and friends of [wife] and [husband].
You are the special loved ones whom they wanted to have here. Your love and support are so important to them.
[Wife]
and [husband], when you first joined hands and hearts 20 years ago, you did not know where life would take you. You promised
to love, honor and cherish one another through all things. Life has surely brought you both wonderful blessings—including
[the birth or adoption of children, mentioned by name; other noteworthy blessings]-- and difficult tribulations, too [perhaps
mention also]. And your love has brought you through them all; through your years together you have grown, and now you stand
here today to reaffirm your pledge to each other. The Universe is smiling!
I'd like to read a poem that addresses,
with so much heart, the journey you’ve taken together:
The Anniversary Song, by Naomi Long Madgett:
How good it is to let our memory wander
And travel back across the fruitful years
To count how many miles we've
walked together!
On pinnacle of dreams, through vales of tears,
Along the level ground of every day
We've made
our way.
In sickness and in health, in joy and sadness,
Together, side by side, sunshine or shade,
We've worked
toward common goals, found
satisfaction
In all the hours of which our years are made.
All things were possible
because we shared,
Because we cared.
After many years, we still hold dearest
Of all life's blessings anywhere
on earth
The trust and honor that we give each other,
The love that gave our other blessings birth.
Praise
be that I am yours …That you are mine!
[Wife] and [husband], do you now reaffirm the vows you took 20 years
ago? If so, please stand facing each other, join hands and repeat these vows together, after me:
I am here to renew
my promise that you shall never walk alone.
May my heart be your shelter
And my arms be your home.
May God
bless you always.
May we walk together through all things.
May you feel deeply loved, for indeed you are.
May
you always see your innocence in my eyes.
I give you my heart.
I have no greater gift to give.
I promise I
shall do my best.
I shall always try.
I feel so blessed to call you mine.
May we feel this joy forever.
I thank God.
I thank you.
[They kiss]
[Officiant, husband and wife face the gathering, all holding
hands]
It is my absolute joy to recognize, with you all, the love and commitment which have brought [wife] and
[husband] here today to renew their marriage vows. Thank you for being present today. Continue to cherish and support them.
Let us pray.
Dear God,
You are the spirit of Love in the Universe. Continue to bless [wife] and
[husband] and their life together, so that it may be a living example of what true Love can be. Amen
Let the celebration
begin!
CONTACT REV. SUSAN
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Vow
Renewal Ceremony at San Geronimo Lodge, Taos
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