Moment of Remembrance

“Lauren and Joseph would like to begin this ceremony with a moment to honor and remember:

Lauren’s mother Janice (12/12 was her birthday), Lauren’s grandparents Vito, Vincent, & Rose, and Joe’s grandfather, Joseph,

Although death separates us physically, faith and love bind us eternally. Though we cannot see you, we know you are here. Though we cannot touch you, we feel the warmth of your smile, as we begin a new chapter in our lives. Today we pause to reflect upon those who have shaped our character, molded our spirits and touched our hearts. May this moment of silence be a reminder of the memories we have shared, a representation of the everlasting impact you have made upon our lives.”

Pause

Opening Words

“Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here today to re-celebrate, re-invigorate and re-affirm a love that has been growing for quite some time now. As most of you already know, Lauren and Joseph were married last year in a private church ceremony. Today we honor that first step of the journey as Lauren and Joseph renew their vows and celebrate their love properly, publicly, and with all of the pomp and circumstance it deserves.

People always say that they don’t expect marriage to change them or their love. Lauren and Joseph, with the promises you made on your wedding day, perhaps you felt you had reached the height of your relationship. For it’s true, it doesn’t get any grander on the inner-landscape than it is on that day! But what it does get as time goes by is deeper, and richer, and fuller as you grow together.

The rewards of a good marriage are inner growth and the experience of two people becoming interwoven into the fabric of one another’s life. This is what we are truly celebrating today. This, and also your growing family! Today is also a chance to publicly celebrate the commitment you make to nurturing and raising your family together.

Today we stop to appreciate all the care and time and work you have both given, that has brought you to the realization that you’d do it all over again.

For marriage, like life, is a journey and there is no obstacle that your shared love and dedication cannot overcome and even make better.

Your original ceremony was about stepping into the future together as one. Today you have the opportunity to say “thank you” to one another, to say that you’d do it all over again, and to reaffirm your commitment to making all of your tomorrow’s as good as your yesterdays have been.
Statement of Intent

“Lauren, have you come here today with love in your heart to once again take Joseph as your husband, so that you may continue to live together as equal partners sharing all that life has to offer?”

Lauren: “I have.”

“Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him all the days of your life?”

Lauren: “I will.”

“Joseph, have you come here today with love in your heart to once again take Lauren as your wife, so that you may continue to live together as equal partners sharing all that life has to offer?”

Joseph: “I have.”

“Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her all the days of your life?”

Joseph: “I will.”

“Living by these promises that you make today, may your lives together continue to be blessed with love and laughter, wisdom and wonder”

All I Want

Author Unknown

All I want is to love you for the rest of my life…. To wake up every morning with you by my side, knowing that no matter what happens I’ll be able to come home to your loving arms. All I want is to share everything with you….To talk to you about our ideas, our dreams, the little everyday things that make us laugh, and the not-so-little things that we can’t help worrying about. All I want is to give you my love…. As a place you can always come to for acceptance, or the simple comfort that silence brings when things left unspoken can still be understood. All I want is to grow old with you…To watch our life unfold, our dreams, one by one, come true. All I want is to love you forever.

Invocation

“Lauren and Joseph come before us today with precious gifts, Their Love, their Faith in each other, And their trust in many bright tomorrows. Let us each pray in our own way that they may find life’s deepest meaning and richest happiness. That blessings shall forever continue to shine upon them, Granting them prosperity and abundance, Health and happiness, joy and peace For all the days of their journey.”

The Ring Exchange

Rev Joe: “May I have the rings?”

“The ring finger of the left hand, the side of the body that holds the heart, was chosen for the wedding band because for centuries people believed that there was a vein that ran directly from that finger to the heart. They also believed that the words spoken during the placing of the wedding band would resonate over and over again through the heart and soul of both the giver and the receiver of the promises made on the marriage date. The promise of a lifetime as husband and wife.

What may sound like an old wives tale to some perhaps has proven itself to be true throughout your life. Therefore, these rings shall not only celebrate the past, but hold the promise of your continuing journey together.

Let them speak to your hearts again.”

Ring Vows

“Joseph, place this ring on your love’s finger and repeat after me.”

“Lauren, this ring I give you in celebration of the love we share and all that the future shall bring, and with my heart, I pledge to you once again, that I am yours forever.”

“Lauren, place the ring on your love’s finger and repeat after me.”

“Joseph, this ring I give you in celebration of the love we share and all that the future shall bring, and with my heart, I pledge to you once again, that I am yours forever.”

Closing Words

“Lauren and Joseph, now that you have again spoken words of love and placed the rings on each other’s fingers; know that those rings will continue to keep those words of love alive in your hearts for many more years to come. And that’s what we all wish for you… A lifetime of love, laughter and adventure.

Today, you came joyously to renew your promises of love for one another, not as newlyweds, but as lifelong and committed soulmates on a journey you have pledged to travel together. Go now and enjoy the love you share forevermore as husband and wife.”

You may now kiss.

Couple kisses and then exits to greet their guests.