Kathryn I. Cook B.A., M.Ed., Officiant, Humanist Association of Canada
email: kicook@sympatico.ca phone/fax 416 483-1370 cell 416 464-1370
at TORONTO on May
18th 2001
We are gathered here today as witnesses to the marriage of Sean and Uri. Their decision to enter into this union has not been taken unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, lovingly and with honesty. Marriage is an honorable estate symbolizing the companionship, help and comfort a man and a woman may give to one another, both in good times and in bad. Marriage is one of the most intimate of all human relationships. It is the sharing of experiences by two people in love.
Uri, do you take Sean to be your wife? Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her in sorrow and joy? Do you promise to cherish her in honesty, tenderness and faithfulness as you enter into this union of love and trust?
Answer: I do
Sean, do you take Uri to be your husband? Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him in sorrow and joy? Do you promise to cherish him in honesty, tenderness and faithfulness as you enter into this union of love and trust?
Answer: I do
You have come to love each other deeply and sincerely. That love has given you the desire to unite in marriage and to establish a home together. In this ceremony you are dedicating yourselves to give happiness and well-being, each to the other. Your marriage is an act of faith. It must not be based on the vain hope of what the other will do or will not do, might become or might not become. It must be based on the firm belief in your own individual worth and that of the other.
to be repeated phrase by
phrase after the officiator
I Uri take you Sean to be my wife, to have and to hold, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish from this day forward.
I Sean take you Uri to be my husband, , to have and to hold, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish from this day forward.
This ring symbolizes the unbroken circle of endless love. The custom of wearing it on the fourth finger of the left hand is based on the ancient belief that a vein from that finger leads directly to the heart which is a symbol of love and friendship.
Placing the rings on each others fingers the bride and groom repeat:
Sean, with this ring I marry you and promise you my love and respect
Uri, with this ring I marry you and promise you my love and respect.
Uri and Sean, inasmuch as you have pledged yourselves, each to the other, and inasmuch as you have declared the same in the presence of these witnesses by exchanging vows and by giving and receiving rings, I do now pronounce you husband and wife.
May you always communicate openly and honestly with each other.
May your relationship be on of love and of trust.
May each of you respect the individuality of the other, and may the happiness you share today be with you always.