My Wedding Vows

A few weeks ago, Jess from Jess Can’t Cook emailed me with a question about my wedding vows. We had a semi non-traditional ceremony, since neither of is particularly religious, we were having an outdoor wedding, we wanted to keep things short and sweet and we wanted to include some personal touches.

I realized when helping Jess that I’ve never shared my vows (even though I did talk about my engagement here and my 5-year wedding anniversary here) so I thought you might enjoy seeing the words that we shared when becoming man and wife!

April 8, 2006

The Officiant begins:

We are gathered in this beautiful setting, to celebrate a very special event, the wedding ceremony of Lucas Widrick & Kathryn Henderson. This ceremony will bring wonderful beginnings, with everything possible in the future as you continue on together.

The Officiant continues:

In the time that you have been together, you have found your love and friendship deepened with respect, trust and the desire to spend the rest of your lives with each other. As each of you are, your goals, ideals and hopes for the future, are unique, and will be bound by the strength of your love.

In marriage, it is not only words you speak which bond you together as one; it is the inner strength, love and commitment that you keep your heart, mind and spirit connected for ever. Share all that life sends your way; when you share the pain the pain is cut in half, and when you share the joy, the joy is doubled… through the years keep excitement and enchantment high and keep your love for each other strong. Keep tenderness and love words in your conversations with each other every day.

Lucas I ask you now, “do you take this woman to be your wife, will you love her, comfort her, honor and pledge your loyalty to her?” Lucas responds “I do”.

Kathryn I ask you now, “do you take this man to be your husband, will you love him, comfort him, honor and pledge your loyalty to him?” Kathryn responds “I do”

{blogger note: I actually answered “I will,” which Lucas STILL teases me about…but hey, I’m a producer — I’m all about ad-libbing!}

The Officiant continues:

We shall now have the Hand Ceremony.

Katy, please turn Lucas’ hands, palms up, so you may see the gift that they are to you.

These are the hands of your best friend, strong and vibrant with love, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as he promises to love you all the days of his life.

These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future,

as you laugh and cry, as you share your innermost secrets and dreams.

These are the hands that will love you and cherish you.

These are the hands that will wipe the tears from your eyes: tears of sorrow and joy.

These are the hands that will comfort you in illness, and hold you when fear and grief wrack your mind.

These are the hands that will tenderly lift your chin as you raise your face to look into his eyes: eyes that are filled with his overwhelming love and desire for you.

Lucas, please turn Katy’s hands, palms up, so you may see the gift that they are to you.

These are the hands of your best friend, young and carefree, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as she pledges her love and commitment to you all the days of her life.

These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times.

These are the hands that will comfort you in sickness and console you in grief.

They are the hands that will love you and cherish you through the years.

These are the hands that will give you support as she encourages you to chase down your dreams.

Together as a team, everything you wish for can be realized.

Lucas, it is time to share your vows of marriage.

I Lucas, take you Kathryn, to be my lawfully wedded wife

To have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health.

You are my best friend and the one I want to share my life with.

I will love you forever and under all circumstances.

I will work with you as we build a life together and I will support you as you live your own independent life.

I will be your friend, your love and your partner for all the days of our lives.

Kathryn, it is time to share your vows of marriage.

I Kathryn, take you Lucas, to be my lawfully wedded husband

To have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health.

You are my best friend and the one I want to share my life with.

I love you forever and under all circumstances.

I will work with you as we build a life together and I will support you as you live your own independent life.

I will be your friend, your love and your partner for all the days of our lives.

Reading 1 (by Katy’s Mom)

The little things are the big things. It is never being too old to hold hands. It is remembering to say “I love you” at least once a day. It is never going to sleep angry. It is at no time taking the other for granted; the courtship should not end with the honeymoon, it should continue through all the years. It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives. It is standing together facing the world. It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family. It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy. It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways. It is not expecting the husband to wear a halo or his wife to have wings of an angel. It is not looking for perfection in each other. It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding, and a sense of humor. It is having the capacity to forgive and forget. It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow. It is finding room for the things of the spirit. It is a common search for the good and the beautiful. It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, dependence is mutual, and the obligation is reciprocal. It is not only marrying the right partner, it is being the right partner.

Wedding Ring Ceremony

Officiant Shares:

Your wedding rings are the visible sign for all to see, of the solemn vows you make to each other on this, your wedding day. The precious metal represents the purity of your love you bring into this union, and the circle without end symbolizes eternal love… love without end. The covenant You make today is the most sacred, and the ring is a physical reminder of these promises. May these rings glow in the reflection of the warmth and love that flows between you here today.

Lucas, as you place this ring on the third finger of Kathryn’s left hand, please repeat after me: “With this ring, I thee Wed. I give this ring as a symbol of my love and devotion.”

Kathryn, as you place this ring on the third finger of Lucas’s left hand, please repeat after me: “With this ring, I thee Wed. I give this ring as a symbol of my love and devotion.”

Reading 2 (by Lucas’ Uncle)

(no script available)

Officiant Pronounces:

In as much as you, Lucas & Kathryn, have this day consented together in wedlock, and given and pledged your faith to each other. And have evidenced this by the giving and receiving of the rings and by holding hands, by the power vested in me, by the State of Florida, I now pronounce you husband and wife.

Lucas, you may now kiss your Bride!

Ladies & Gentlemen, family & friends, it is my honor and pleasure to present to you, Mr. & Mrs. Lucas & Kathryn Widrick.