This is an interesting one – your words are so important there is quite a bit of debate on what might be said these days.   I feel that whatever you want to say, however outlandish, funny or sentimental, you should be free enough to say just what feels right for you!

These words below were requested by a couple I was working with recently and I have permission to reproduce them here …

“Darren, by placing this ring on Leanne’s finger, will you have Leanne as your partner in life? Will you love her, care for her and respect her? Will you appreciate her impulsive and easy-going nature and will you enjoy her sense of humour and laugh with her?”

“Leanne, by placing this ring on Darren’s finger, will you have Darren as your partner in life?  Will you love him, care for him and respect him? Will you appreciate his patience and his ability to read your moods? And will you continue to support him and share your laughter and humour with him?”

Short and sweet!

or  … you could have

“I promise faithfulness and patience, respect and lightheartedness, attentiveness and self-improvement. I will celebrate your triumphs, and love you all the more for your failures.”

or … you could be conventional and go with tradition.

“Will you have XXXX to be your wife/husband, to live together in wedlock? Will you love her/him, comfort her/him, honour, and keep her/him in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, be faithful to her/him as long as you both shall live?”

Although I must admit, this text above is unusual in a Humanist Ceremony!    Now let’s work out what is best and arrive at the greatest day for you both.