Pete "Aloha" Tingstrom

Vow Renewal Script

Robert and Mara, it is my pleasure to share today’s wonderful occasion with you.

Many people believe that entering into marriage is the final step in a romantic relationship. A couple meets, get to know one another and fall in love, decide they want to spend their lives together, and then take the final step-marriage.

But marriage is hardly the final step in a couple’s relationship; rather it is the beginning of a grand adventure!

You have shared the joys, blessings, and challenges of married life for 25 years. Today you have come to reconfirm your commitment to working together and ensuring your marriage blossoms for years to come.

May this renewing of the vows you took to become husband and wife remind you that despite the stresses inevitable in every day life, your love, respect, trust, and understanding of each other will continue to increase your contentment and heighten your joy in living.

Robert, will you continue to have Mara as your wife and continue to live in this marriage? (I WILL)

Do you reaffirm your love to her, and will you love, honor, and cherish her in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, for better for worse, and forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live? (I DO)

Mara, will you continue to have Robert as your husband and continue to live in this marriage? (I WILL)

Do you reaffirm your love for him, and will you love, honor, and cherish him in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, for better for worse, and forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live? (I DO)

Exchange of 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 vows to each other, and your commitment to living in unity, love, and happiness. At this time, we will reconfirm the meaning of the rings you wear.

Please join your left hands together so that Robert's hand is on top. Robert, please repeat after me.

Mara, I wear this ring you placed on my hand as a symbol of my love and commitment to you.

Now, with Mara’s hand on top, Mara please repeat after me:

Robert, I wear this ring you placed on my hand as a symbol of my love and commitment to you.

Sand Ceremony

Officiant: "Today, Robert & Mara have chosen to commemorate your renewal through a symbolic sand ceremony. As you blend your individual lives together, you are creating something beautiful and unique, just as each grain of sand is distinct, yet comes together to form something whole. Your children are also part of this family forever. Together you are going to create a keepsake that will forever remind you of this day. Each of you have your own vessel of sand that will blend this family together forever.

Officiant: For each of you, the sand you hold in your hands represents your individual lives, your unique personalities, experiences, and dreams. As you pour your sands into this central vessel, you are symbolizing the merging of your lives into one shared journey.”

We start with the parents who merge half of their sand as the base and foundation of this beautiful family. Next came the older sister, followed by the youngest. Robert and Mara, your children’s sand is in the center, just as they are the center of your world. You will then pour your remaining sand to cover this family in love, guidance and support. The separate colors of sand represent your different lives up until this day - each of you are unique. As you now alternately layer your sand together, your lives also join together as one - as a family.

Pour the sand….

The layers of your past, become layers of your present and your future. And the layers of each individual have now become a part of each other member. The final product will be one very unique piece of art. Your marriage and family is a unique work or art. These grains of sand, while different colors, can never be separated again.

Officiant: "Just as these grains of sand can never be separated and poured back into their individual vases, so too will your lives be forever intertwined. Through your love, respect, and commitment to one another, may your bond grow stronger with each passing day."

Officiant: "As you all have blended your sands together, you have created a beautiful and lasting symbol of your unity. May this vessel serve as a reminder of the love, support, and strength you provide each other, today and always."

I ask that you each continue to cherish each other as special and unique individuals and that you respect the thoughts and ideas of one another. And most of all, be able to forgive each other, and not hold grudges against them. Live each day in love with each other, always being there to give love, comfort, and refuge, in good times and bad.

Robert and Mara, today you have renewed the vows you made to each other on your blessed wedding day. You have symbolized the renewal of your union by the joining of hands, the taking of vows, and by the wearing of your rings.

It is with pleasure that I conclude the ceremony of renewing the vows of marriage that joined you and binds you as husband and wife.

Please celebrate this renewal of vows with a kiss.