VOW RENEWAL CEREMONIES
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 two examples are just that, samples. After reading it, let your imagination fly!   SAMPLE VOW RENEWAL CEREMONY #1 For a hypothetical couple named Terry & Chris What a happy occasion this is! Marriage is a promise made in the hearts of two people who love each other which takes a lifetime to fulfill. Terry & Chris, when you first joined hands and hearts __ 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 and, probably, real challenges, too. [Optional: refer to some of these] 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 entitled “Love” by Roy Croft, that gets right to the heart of the matter; the poet is speaking to his beloved: I love you, Not only for what you are, But for what I am when I am with you. I love you, Not only for what you have made of yourself, But for what you are making of me. Today, Terry and Chris, you are choosing to reconfirm your commitment to each other, and to seeing your marriage continue to grow and blossom in the years to come. Will you join hands and repeat together, after me, the words of this vow: I stand once again before you To renew our vows of marriage. I promise to remain strong in my love, Gentle in my care, And unwavering in my trust. In the name of all we have created together And all we are yet to become, I offer you my hand And my heart As your partner, your lover, and your lifetime companion. OPTIONAL: Reaffirmation of the Rings On your wedding day you exchanged rings as a symbol of the never-ending circle of love. Rings serve as a reminder of your wedding vows to each other, and your commitment to live in unity, love and happiness. At this time, it is appropriate to reconfirm the meaning of the rings you wear.  Please join your left hands together so that Terry’s hand is on top. Terry, please repeat after me………………… Chris, I wear this ring you placed on my hand------------- as a symbol of my love and commitment to you. Now, with Chris’s hand on top, Chris please repeat after me: Terry, I wear this ring you placed on my hand--------as a symbol of my love and commitment to you. I ask that you each remember to continue to cherish each other as special and unique individuals and that you each respect the thoughts and ideas of one another. And most of all, be able to forgive each other, and not hold grudges against one another. Live each day in love with each other, always being there to give love, comfort, and refuge to each other, in good times and bad. Terry and Chris, today you have renewed the promises and vows you made to each other on your wedding day.  You have symbolized the renewal of the marriage union by the joining of hands, the taking of vows, and by the wearing of your wedding rings.    It is my absolute joy to recognize and acknowledge the love and commitment which have brought you here today to renew your marriage vows. May you now go forth together in love. Go forth with hope and joy. May the spirit of love in the Universe continue to bless your lives together, so that you may be a living example in your world of what true Love can be. Congratulations and best wishes!   You may kiss each other!   SAMPLE VOW RENEWAL CEREMONY #2 For a hypothetical couple named Terry & Chris 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 susanintaos@gmail.com	Vow Renewal Ceremony at San Geronimo Lodge, Taos
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