How to Close a Vow Reaffirmation Ceremony

Marriage renewal ceremonies look backwards and forwards at the same time

Couples who choose to reaffirm their vows do so acknowledging that the promise to love and be faithful to another person is one that needs to be made again and again throughout a marriage. If you are part of a couple planning to reaffirm your vows, and you are wondering how to close with a flourish, you can choose words that express your commitment, exchange rings and perform a ritual that symbolizes your renewed union.

Instructions

1. Choose words that express your commitment. You can have the ceremony leader say something such as, "Marriage is the beginning, not the end, of a couple's promise to be together as life-long partners. Though that commitment may be tested by time, you have gathered here today in the presence of friends and family to show your enduring love and commitment to each other. May this ceremony serve as a reminder of the blessings of your union and a sign of the happiness and joy in the years to come."

2. Exchange rings. These may be the rings you already have, perhaps with a new engraving to mark the occasion, or new rings. You can accompany this part of the ceremony by having the leader say something such as, "Do you solemnly reaffirm your vows to love, cherish, and provide for each other, remaining true and faithful for as long as you both shall live?"

3. Symbolize your commitment through a ritual such as the blending of sands or lighting a unity candle. In the blending of sands ritual, the partners each take a vial of differently colored sand and pour them into one vial. If children are involved, they can participate by adding their own vials of colored sand. The unity candle ritual involves the two partners each taking a lit candle or taper and using it to light a single candle.

References

• Celebrate Intimate Weddings; Renewal of Vows Ceremony;
• The Marriage Man: Renewal of Vows Ceremonies