The state of
Florida does not recognize same gender marriages, but that does not prevent
couples from declaring their intentions before friends and family. They may not
yet be entitled to equal protection under the law, but these couples can proudly
proclaim their pledge of commitment to one another. Here are two examples of
commitment ceremonies used by same gender couples. Truly the only difference
between a marriage ceremony and a commitment ceremony is what the officiant is
allowed to say at the conclusion of the ceremony.
Commitment Ceremony One
- Opening Words
- Reading: Untitled by Walt Whitman
-
Exchange of Vows
-
Exchange of Rings
-
Benediction:
Apache Wedding Blessing
- Minister's Declaration
Opening Words
We have come together in the presence of our most
cherished companions to join these two in committed union, an estate made
creative by the loving care of people of all time. Our blessings, hopes and
loving regard for _____ and _____ affirm and celebrate their commitment.
Reading "Untitled"
by Walt Whitman
I do not offer the old smooth prizes,
But offer rough new prizes,
These are the days that must happen to you:
You shall not heap up what is called riches,
You shall scatter with lavish hand all that you earn or achieve.
However sweet the laid-up stores,
However convenient the dwellings,
You shall not remain there.
However sheltered the port,
And however calm the waters,
You shall not anchor there.
However welcome the hospitality that welcomes you
You are permitted to receive it but a little while
Afoot and lighthearted, take to the open road,
Healthy, free, the world before you,
The long brown path before you,
leading wherever you choose.
Say only to one another:
Camerado, I give you my hand!
I give you my love, more precious than money,
I give you myself before preaching or law:
Will you give me yourself?
Will you come travel with me?
Shall we stick by each other as long as we live?
Exchange of Vows
Two persons turn to each other in search of a greater fulfillment than either
can achieve alone. Union is a bold step into the future, risking what we are for
the sake of what we yet can be. Only in giving oneself and sharing with one
another can we grow. Only in loyalty and devotion bestowed upon another can that
which is eternal in life emerge and be known. You come together in our presence
to declare your love and be united.
(Name) please repeat after me.
I
commit my life to our partnership
I
promise to comfort you,
To
encourage you in all walks of life
I
promise to express my thoughts and emotions to you,
And
to listen to you when you are happy or sad.
I
promise to do my best
to
take care of you and be there for you.
I
love you,
you
are my best friend, companion, and soul mate.
Will
you let me share my life
and
all that I am with you?
Ring Exchange
A circle is the symbol of the sun and the earth, and of
the universe. It is a symbol of wholeness, and perfection, and of peace. The
rings you give and receive this day, then, are symbols of the circle of shared
love into which you enter together.
(Name) please repeat after me as you place the ring on your partner's finger.
As
a circle is never ending,
this
ring's meaning is the same.
Please
accept this ring as a symbol
of
my never ending love,
devotion
and commitment to you.
Benediction
(Apache Blessing)
Now
you will feel no rain
For
each of you will be shelter to the other
Now
you will feel no cold
For
each of you will be warmth to the other
Now
there is no more loneliness
Now
you have committed your hearts
And
lives to one another as one
Your
lives are now together
May
your days be good and long upon this earth
Minister's Declaration
(Name) and (Name), you have publicly declared your intent to join together.
You have made special promises to each other, symbolized by the joining of
hands, taking of vows and the giving and receiving of rings. I am honored and
pleased to pronounce you committed in loving union from this moment on.
Commitment Ceremony Two
- Presentation of the Couple
- Opening Words
- Reading
- Affirmation of Marriage
- Exchange of Vows
-
Exchange of Rings
- Flower Ceremony
- Marriage Blessing
- Minister's Declaration
Presentation of the Couple
Who brings these two to be joined as one this day?
Honored escorts: We do
Opening Words
We come together this day to celebrate the love ____ and ____ have for one
another. Their mutual regard has brought them to the decision to pledge
themselves to one another in love and fidelity, forsaking all others from this
day forward. We have been invited here today because of the love and support we
give unconditionally to ____ and ____. Their marriage enriches us all as
an affirmation that love is the greatest gift of all. Our greatest happiness is
the knowledge we are loved for who we are, not for what we do or what we have,
but for simply being ourselves. If there is anything better than being loved, it
is loving. This is the union of two individuals in heart, body, mind, and
spirit, Therefore, marriage is not to be entered into lightly, but reverently,
honestly, and deliberately. It is into this union that _____ and _____ will now
be joined.
Reading
I am yours, you are mine
My feet shall run because of you
My feet shall dance because of you
My heart shall beat because of you
My eyes shall see because of you
My mind thinks because of you
And I shall love, because of you
Affirmation of Marriage
_____ and ____, your separate journeys through life are now united on a
single pathway. I ask you both as we stand in the presence of these witnesses to
remember that love and fidelity are the foundation of a happy and lasting
marriage. Let kind words, gentle touches, and compassionate deeds keep your love
alive. Encourage one another to pursue your dreams and aspirations. If your vows
are to be kept, take reverently your declarations of love. Your lives will thus
be filled with joy and your home become an abode of abiding peace. The vows you
are about to exchange belong entirely to you and shape the future you build
together.
Exchange of Vows
_____ and ____, please turn towards one another and join your hands.
_____ please look into _____'s eyes as you repeat after me.
I love you ______
with all my heart and soul,
a
s you are everything
that I could ever hope to
find in a woman/man.
You are loving, thoughtful,
and caring,
Your
love always makes me feel l
ike the happiest and
luckiest man/woman alive.
I am proud to have you as
my life's partner
I promise that I will
always be at your side,
I give to you all that I am
and all I will be
to assure your health and
happiness
for as long as I live.
I am yours forever.
Blessing of the Rings
Do we have the rings?
As a circle composed of precious metal, the ring has long symbolized the
unending love necessary to sustain a healthy marriage. A circle has no beginning
and no end, which mirrors the feelings we have for the person we recognize as
our life partner. We feel we have known him/her forever and cannot imagine our
future without him/her. This is an amazing gift. May _____ and _____ see these
rings as remembrances of the feelings they share this day.
Exchange of Rings
____, please look into _____'s eyes as you repeat after me and placed the
ring on ____'s finger.
This ring I place on your
finger
as
a symbol of the undying love
that exists between us.
The substance of which it
is composed
is a symbol of purity,
which shall ever
characterize
my mind and heart
in our partnership
from this day forward.
Flower Ceremony
As _____ and _____ have just exchanged their marriage vows and given one
another the gift of rings uniting them as one, their union is further symbolized
by the joining of their families and friends in a visible representation of love
and support. I invite everyone to come forward to place the flower they were
given as they arrived today in the vase at the front table. Your flower
represents the circle of love that nurtured and raised the person _____ and
_____ holds most dear in this world. Will the first row come forward......? (all
guests are instructed to come forward in an orderly manner to place their flower
in the vase. Music is played as the guests participate in the flower ceremony.)
Marriage Blessing
May your mornings bring
joy and your evenings bring peace. May your troubles grow few as your blessings
increase. May the saddest day of your future be no worse than the happiest day
of your past. May your hands be forever clasped in friendship and your hearts
joined forever in love. Your lives are very special, love has touched you in
many ways. May countless blessings rest upon you and fill all your coming days.
Declaration of Marriage
_____ and ____, we have heard you pledge to share your
lives in marriage. We recognize and respect the covenant you have made
here this day. Therefore in the honesty and sincerity of what you have
said and done here today, it is my honor and joy to declare you united
as partners for life. You may seal your vows with a kiss.
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Commitment Service
