The vows:
Robbie, do you take Sonja to be your wife, promising to be the partner of her life, her friend for eternity, to walk hand in hand in love with her, to laugh with her about silly little things and to learn to discuss big things with care and tenderness, to care for her in sickness and to enjoy her in health, to accept her faults and to pardon her mistakes, to strive to see her point of view, though it might differ from yours, to give without thought of return, to trust her when you are apart, and to honor her with your commitment, to forever search for ways to intensify your happiness together and to grow old with her?
I do.
Then please take the ring and place it on her finger.
Sonja, do you take Robbie to be your husband, promising to be the partner of his life, his friend for eternity, to walk hand in hand in love with him, to laugh with him about silly little things and to learn to discuss big things with care and tenderness, to care for him in sickness and to enjoy him in health, to accept his faults and to pardon his mistakes, to strive to see his point of view, though it might differ from yours, to give without thought of return, to trust him when you are apart, and to honor him with your commitment, to forever search for ways to intensify your happiness together and to grow old with him?
I do.
Then please take the ring and place it on his finger.
And a bonus… Here are some other texts from the ceremony:
Welcome
The Hawaiians have a special passage that speaks beautifully to our gathering here today and I would like to read it for you now.
Here all seeking is over, the lost has been found, a mate has been found to share the chills of winter.
Now Love asks that you be united. Here is a place to rest, a place to sleep, a place in heaven.
Now two are becoming one. The black night is scattered, the eastern sky grows bright. At last the great day has come!
Loving Hands Ceremony
Sonja, please hold Robbie’s hands, palms up, so you may see the gift that they are to you.
These are the hands of your best friend; young and strong and vibrant with love, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as he promises to love you all the days of his life.
These are the hands that will work along side yours, as together you build your future, as you laugh and cry, as you share your innermost secrets and dreams.
These are that hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness; the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes… tears of sorrow and tears of joy.
These are the hands that will comfort you in illness, and hold you when fear or grief wracks your mind.
These are the hands that will tenderly lift your chin as they raise your face to look into his eyes… eyes that are filled completely with his love and desire for you.
Robbie, please hold Sonja’s hands, palms up, where you may see the gift that they are to you.
These are the hands of your best friend; smooth, young and carefree, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as she pledges her love and commitment to you all the days of her life.
These are the hands that will massage tension from your neck and back in the evenings after you’ve both had a long hard day.
These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times.
These are the hands that will comfort you when you are sick, or console you when you are grieving. They are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness.
These are the hands that will give you support as she encourages you to chase down your dreams. Together as a team, everything you wish for can be realized.
Blessing of the Apaches
Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter for the other.
Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to the other.
Now there will be no loneliness, for each of you will be companion to the other.
Now you are two persons, but there is only one life before you.
May beauty surround you both in the journey ahead and through all the years.
May happiness be your companion and your days together be good and long upon the earth.