I recently spoke with Cathy and Matt (names changed) who will be getting married at the end of the month.
When I asked what they had decided to do for their vows, Cathy told me that she loved a reading in the collection I’d sent them that’s simply entitled “Celtic Reading.” She wondered if it could somehow be used for their vows as they were not comfortable writing personal vows and yet were hoping for something with richer texture that mere traditional vows.
I played around with the reading and here’s what I came up with.
Essentially, I divided the reading so that they will antiphonally offer the verses to each other and then, segueing from the reading’s last line, they will seal these sentiments with the traditional vows.
They loved the creativity and heart of these vows AND I will say, I think they are desperately romantic!
What say you?!
A.
You are not the air that I breathe, you are the sweet scent that drifts upon it
B.
You are not the sounds that I hear, you are the music of my life
A.
You are not the food that I need, you are the nourishment of my soul
B.
You are not my will to survive, you are my reason for living
A.
It is with you that I experience the wonders of the world
It is with you that I triumph over the challenges in my path
B.
It is your partnership that will lead me to the fulfillment of my dreams
It is your friendship that guides me as I grow and learn
A.
It is your patience and wisdom that calms my restless nature
B.
It is through you that I know my true self
A.
I do not take you for granted, I cherish you
B.
I do not need you, I choose you
A.
I do not need you, I choose you
And then here you each segue into the traditional wording,
I,_____, in witness of the people who love us, today choose you,_____, to be my wife / husband, promising to be true to you, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, I will love you and honor you, all the days of my life.
I,______, in witness of the people who love us, today choose you,_______, to be my wife / husband, promising to be true to you, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, I will love you and honor you, all the days of my life.
Are you thinking of writing personal vows to each other?
If so, I invite you to check out my book –