Opening Words

“People always say that they don’t expect marriage to change them or their love. With the promises you made on your wedding day, you felt you had reached the height of your relationship. For it’s true, it doesn’t get any grander 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 an inner growth that two people become interwoven into the fabric of one another’s life. This is what we are truly celebrating today. Today we appreciate all the care and time and work you have both given, that have brought you to the realization that you’d do it all over again. For marriage, like life, is a journey and like this city you have chosen to renew your vows in, there is no obstacle that shared love and dedication cannot over come and even make better.

Your original ceremony was about all of your hopes and dreams for the future. Today you have the opportunity to say “thank you” to one another, to say that you’d do it all over again, and to reaffirming your commitment to making all of your tomorrow’s as good as your yesterdays have been.

(Here Mickey and Rachel can say a few things to one another if they desire.)

The Ring Exchange

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 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 has proven itself to be true through out your life. Therefore that these rings shall not only celebrate the past, but hold the promise of your continuing journey is appropriate. Let them speak to your hearts again.

Mickey do you have Rachel’s Ring to renew your vows?

Mickey: “Yes.”

Slowly place it back on her finger and say to her.

“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.”

Rachel do you have Mickey’s Ring to renew your vows?

Rachel: “Yes”

Slowly place the ring on Mickey’s finger and say to him.

“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

Now that you have again spoken words of love while placing of rings on each others fingers. Those rings will continue to keep those words of love alive in your hearts for many more years to come. Mickey and Rachel today you came knowingly to renew your promises of love for one another, not as newly weds but as committed husband and wife. With the knowledge that life is a journey you have committed to travel together. Go now and enjoy the love you share forevermore as husband and wife.

You may now kiss one another.