Marriage of Equals Wedding Ceremony Script for Non-traditional Couples

PROCESSIONAL

• Beginning of the Wedding Ceremony
• Officiant should remind the guests to rise. Following the entrance of the couple, Officiant should remind guests to please be seated. 

Welcome

OFFICIANT TO THE GUESTS

Welcome to those here today serving as witness to the joining of [Partner A] and [Partner B] in marriage. Your presence at this ceremony is important to them, and they thank you for standing with them today, and always.

optional 'unplugged' announcement

Officiant to the guests

At this time, we welcome you to enjoy the moment, and request that you turn off your phones and put them away. Thank you. 

invocation

Officiant to the guests

To be 'married' is the joining of two people in matrimony. Tradition may indicate that marriage requires taking someone else's name, or to leave previous, separate lives behind, in order to become as one.

But while marriage is, indeed, the joining of two hearts and two souls, it is also the joining of two individuals. Two people with their own thoughts, beliefs, and their own identities; identities which are not lost simply by the commitment made to love and support one another.

On the contrary, marriage allows two separate individuals to collectively become greater than the sum of their parts, while also allowing such a supportive relationship as for the complete freedom to be themselves.

These two hearts beat on their own, but the shared love allows them to also beat FOR one another. [PARTNER A] and [PARTNER B] recognize that marriage is the culmination of their two loves, which are simply shared as one, and is the ultimate journey of togetherness. 

DECLARATION OF INTENT

OFFICIANT TO THE COUPLE

[PARTNER A] and [PARTNER B], Please face one another, and join hands. 

OFFICIANT TO [PARTNER A]

Do you, [PARTNER A], welcome this joining freely, and without question take [PARTNER B] as your lifelong partner and equal in all that you may face, encounter, celebrate or rejoice?

[PARTNER A]

I do.

OFFICIANT TO [PARTNER B]

Do you, [PARTNER B], welcome this joining freely, and without question take [PARTNER A] as your lifelong partner and equal in all that you may face, encounter, celebrate or rejoice?

[PARTNER B]

I do.

EXCHANGE OF RINGS

OFFICIANT TO guest who holds rings

May we have the rings, please?

• The wedding rings are given to the couple

OFFICIANT TO COUPLE

These rings, each individual in their design, are a unified symbol of your marriage to the world. May they also be a daily reminder of your own individual promises, as well as your vow to stand together.

 
OFFICIANT TO [PARTNER A]

[PARTNER A], as you place this ring on [PARTNER B's] finger, please repeat after me:

I [PARTNER A], take you, [PARTNER B], to share our love in marriage.
I remain my own person, but give myself to you of my own free will.
I promise to always see you as whole,
while knowing that together, we have a collective strength.
I promise you room to breathe and to encourage your dreams,
allowing you to grow, while appreciating you just as you are.
I vow to freely give you my trust and to be worthy of your trust in return.
This is a marriage of equals, and with this ring, I thee wed.

• PARTNER A repeats each line after it's spoken by the Officiant, and then places the ring on partner b's finger. If necessary, the lines can be split into smaller pieces to make it easier to repeat them. 
• or, if the couple has written their own personal vows, they may read them before placing the ring on their partner's finger.

OFFICIANT TO [PARTNER b]

[PARTNER B], as you place this ring on [PARTNER A's] finger, please repeat after me:

I [PARTNER B], take you, [PARTNER A], to share our love in marriage.
I remain my own person, but give myself to you of my own free will.
I promise to always see you as whole,
while knowing that together, we have a collective strength.
I promise you room to breathe and to encourage your dreams,
allowing you to grow, while appreciating you just as you are.
I vow to freely give you my trust and to be worthy of your trust in return.
This is a marriage of equals, and with this ring, I thee wed.

• PARTNER B repeats each line after it's spoken by the Officiant, and then places the ring on partner A's finger. If necessary, the lines can be split into smaller pieces to make it easier to repeat them. 
• or, if the couple has written their own personal vows, they may read them before placing the ring on their partner's finger.

+Add personal written vows to this ceremony : 
Tips & Inspiration on Writing Personal Wedding Vow

PRONOUNCEMENT

OFFICIANT TO COUPLE

[PARTNER A] and [PARTNER B], you have pledged your commitment in matrimony, vowing to stand beside and support one another through all things.

According to the powers vested in me by American Marriage Ministries and the State of [Wedding State], I pronounce you Partners in Life, For Life.

Please share a kiss. 

INTRODUCTION of the newlyweds

OFFICIANT TO the GUESTS

It is my pleasure and privilege to introduce [INDIVIDUAL NAME OF PARTNER A] and [INDIVIDUAL NAME OF PARTNER B], partners in the truest sense. 

recession / RECESSIONAL

• End of the Wedding Ceremony.