We wrote our vows together on a Sunday afternoon while I was recovering from abdominal surgery 5 weeks before the wedding.  It is one of the most special memories we have from the whole wedding-planning gig.

LOIS: We are gathered today to unite Sarah Louise and Paul Thomas in marriage. This celebration is but an outward sign of an inward union of heart, mind and spirit. This is a celebration of the joining of two souls already attuned to each other. When such a true bond already exists between a man and a woman, it is fitting that an outer acknowledgment be made. We are here to bear witness to the entry into the closer relationship of husband and wife of these beloved friends who are already one in spirit.

LOIS (to John): Who gives this women to be married to this man?

JOHN: Her Mother and I do. (John lifts Sarah’s veil, kisses her, shakes Paul’s hand and gives Sarah’s hand to Paul.)

LOIS: Paul and Sarah, it is this day you take a giant step of courage and commitment to love, understand and grow. When a commitment this strong is made by two people, the force of that commitment, of that love, of that courage, reaches out and touches all of us around you, so that our lives are changed and we share a part of your love. Like a stone dropped in a still pond, the ripples of the love from this celebration extend and change the world we live in.

You are now taking into your care and keeping the happiness of the one person in all the world whom you love best. You are adding to your life not only the affection of each other, but also the companionship and blessing of a deep trust as well. You are agreeing to share strength, responsibilities and to share love.

In our long history we have never discovered a better way of life than sharing it together in love in a lasting and responsible way. This arrangement seems to meet our deepest human needs for love and companionship, for someone with whom we can share in an intimate and trusting way all the hopes and joy and dreams of life. But real love, Paul and Sarah, is something beyond the warmth and glow, the excitement and romance of being deeply in love. It is caring as much about the welfare and happiness of your life partner as about your own. Real love is not total absorption into each other, it is looking outward in the same direction together. Love makes burdens lighter because you divide them. It makes joys more intense because you share them. It makes you stronger, so you can be involved with life in ways you dare not risk alone.

Jesus was once asked, "What is the greatest law that mankind must follow?" And he answered them by saying that "we must love God with all our hearts, and love our neighbors as we love ourselves." Jesus touched upon something we all feel very deeply in our hearts, that love is the greatest gift that we can offer to one another. That is what makes marriage so very special, and a cause for joy and celebration for all of us who have come here today to share in this event. It is my personal hope and prayer that those of you who have already taken the vows of marriage will witness the love of these two people, and as you listen to them share their vows, perhaps it will strengthen for you the memory of your happy day, and remind you of the meaning of the vows you yourselves once took. Perhaps it will even strengthen just a little bit the bond of love that have been growing between you, and if any of this should happen, it would certainly be the greatest gift that Sarah and Paul could offer all of us on their wedding day.

LOIS (to P&S): Paul and Sarah, please face each other and take each other’s hands. (Sarah gives her flowers to Lisa, and takes Paul’s hands, as they face each other)

LOIS (to Paul): Paul, do you take this woman to be your wedded wife? Do you promise before God and this company that you will love her, honor her, comfort and keep her in sickness and in health and that forsaking all others for her alone will you perform unto her all of the duties and respect that a husband graciously bestows upon his wife?

PAUL: I do.

LOIS (to Sarah): Sarah, do you take this man to be your wedded husband? Do you promise before God and this company that you will love him, honor him, comfort and keep him in sickness and in health and that forsaking all others for him alone will you perform unto him all of the duties and respect that a wife graciously bestows upon her husband?

SARAH: I do.

LOIS (to Paul): Paul please repeat after me as you enter in the covenant of Marriage:

PAUL: I, Paul take you Sarah to be my wife. I will cherish our friendship and love you today, tomorrow and forever. I will trust you and honor you. I will love you faithfully through the best and the worst; what may come I will always be there. I come into this union letting go of my deepest fears and embracing all my faith; and if I doubt, I will remember this time and why we came together this day. As I have given you my hands to hold, so I give you my life to keep; so help me God.

LOIS (to Sarah): Sarah please repeat after me as you enter in the covenant of Marriage.

SARAH: I, Sarah take you Paul to be my husband. I will cherish our friendship and love you today, tomorrow and forever. I will trust you and honor you. I will love you faithfully through the best and the worst; what may come I will always be there. I come into this union letting go of my deepest fears and embracing all my faith; and if I doubt, I will remember this time and why we came together this day. As I have given you my hands to hold, so I give you my life to keep; so help me God.

LOIS: May I have the rings, please? (David places the rings on Lois’ Bible/book thing)

Paul and Sarah, as these rings are designed without an ending, they speak of eternity. May the incorruptible substance of these rings represent a love glowing with increasing luster through the years. May God bless these rings which you give to each other as the sign of your eternal love, trust, and faithfulness. May their inscription always be a reminder of the way you feel this day, that only God could love you more that you love each other.

LOIS (to Paul): Paul, take Sarah’s ring, and as you place it on her finger and bind her to yourself, repeat after me.

PAUL: Sarah, my love: With this ring, I thee wed, and say to the world "This is my wife, whom I cherish above all others." In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, Amen. (Paul slips the ring over the fingertip of Sarah’s thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers as he says the last)

LOIS (to Sarah): Sarah, take Paul’s ring, and as you place it on his finger and bind him to yourself, repeat after me.

SARAH: Paul, my love: With this ring, I thee wed, and say to the world "This is my husband, whom I cherish above all others." In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, Amen. (Sarah slips the ring over the fingertip of Paul’s thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers as she says the last)

LOIS (to all): Please join me in prayer.

Father, our hearts are filled with great happiness. This Paul and Sarah’s wedding day. They come before you, pledging their lives and their hearts to one another. Grant that they may be ever true and loving, living together in such a way as to never bring heartache into their marriage. Temper their hearts with kindness and help them to be sweethearts, helpmates, friend and guide, and together, may they meet the cares and problems of life more bravely. Let them remember the value of each other as individuals, and never take each other for granted. And as time takes away their youthful charm, may they find contentment in the greater joys of rich companionship. May their home truly be a place of love and harmony where your Spirit is ever present. Bless their wedding day, we pray, and walk beside them, through all their life together. May their love continue through life and finally blend into the life eternal. Amen.

Now that you have joined yourselves in holy matrimony, may you strive always to meet this commitment with the same spirit you now exhibit. We all bear witness to this ceremony you have just performed, and you are now Husband and Wife. May God bless this union. Paul, you may kiss your bride.

LOIS: Ladies and Gentlemen, I take great pleasure in presenting to you Mr. and Mrs. Paul Gorman!