Vow Renewal Ceremony Script

Officiant Speech / Introduction

Officiant (to couple):

_______________ and _______________, you were first joined in marriage ___ years ago. At the time, you did not know what direction your careers would take, where you might live, or what surprises the future would bring. But today, you have found yourselves here—commemorating another year of your union. Though I already know the answer, ceremony dictates that I ask: do you wish to renew the marriage vows that you made ___ years ago?

Officiant (to Partner 1):

_______________, do you reaffirm your love for _______________?

Officiant:

And will you continue to love, honor, and cherish _______________ in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, for better for worse, and be faithful for as long as you both shall live?

Officiant (to Partner 2):

_______________, do you reaffirm your love for _______________?

Officiant:

And will you continue to love, honor, and cherish _______________ in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, for better for worse, and be faithful for as long as you both shall live?

Officiant (to couple):

On your wedding day, you both exchanged wedding bands as a symbol of your continued commitment and love toward one another. I hope that throughout your marriage you have had the opportunity to reflect on moments of strength and love that fulfilled the meaning of the rings. Would you both please take off your rings now and exchange them with one another.

Officiant (to Partner 1):

_______________, place your ring on _______________’s finger and repeat after me. “With this ring, I renew our marriage vows and promise my continued love and commitment.”

Officiant (to Partner 2):

_______________, place your ring on _______________’s finger and repeat after me. “With this ring, I renew our marriage vows and promise my continued love and commitment.”

Officiant (to guests):

To commemorate the renewal of _______________ and _______________’s vows, I have prepared a reading. Here is the reading of the couple’s choosing:

I don’t love you as if you were a rose of salt, topaz,   

or arrow of carnations that propagate fire:   

I love you as one loves certain obscure things,   

secretly, between the shadow and the soul.

I love you as the plant that doesn’t bloom but carries   

the light of those flowers, hidden, within itself,   

and thanks to your love the tight aroma that arose   

from the earth lives dimly in my body.

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where,   

I love you directly without problems or pride:

I love you like this because I don’t know any other way to love,

except in this form in which I am not nor are you,   

so close that your hand upon my chest is mine,   

so close that your eyes close with my dreams.

Sonnet 17, Pablo Neruda

Officiant (to guests):

Before we conclude the renewal of vows, I’d like to invite everyone to stand and bow their heads in prayer.

Lord, we are gathered here today to celebrate the union of two of your devoted servants, (name of husband) and (name of wife). We are thankful you have blessed them with many years of marriage; they have benefited, as have the rest of us from knowing them. May you bring them many more.

Officiant (to guests):

It is my pleasure to announce that this concludes _______________ and _______________’s renewal of vows. I hope that you have enjoyed and will continue to enjoy many more years of fruitful marriage. But before you go, celebrate! Kiss one another!