These Are the Non-Religious Vows We Used at My Wedding

I’ve heard from a lot of people that it’s tough to have a non-religious wedding. You have to find an officiant who’s not a priest. You have to use (or write) a ceremony script and vows that don’t bring God into the mix. And, perhaps most importantly, you want to do it in a way that doesn’t draw attention to the fact that God’s not in there (because it might bother some of your guests).

That’s what we was going for, anyway. With the help of our officiant, my wife and I were able to create something that made both of us very happy. (And by “create,” I mean we swiped things heavily from the Internet.) In case anyone wants to know what a secular ceremony script looks like, though, this is pretty much what we ended up using. (Special thanks to Adam Lee for giving us the idea for the first reading.)

…

The bride and groom have asked you here this evening because each one of you has touched their lives in some special way. They hold you, their family and friends, as a valued part of what they are as individuals, and what they will become as a married couple. Your presence is a gift of support and caring, and they appreciate your sharing in this celebration.

We are gathered here, not to witness the beginning of what will be, but rather what already is! We do not create this marriage, because we cannot. We can and do, however, celebrate with the bride, the groom, and their families the wondrous and joyful occurrence that has already taken place in their lives.

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2014/06/02/these-are-the-non-religious-vows-we-used-at-my-wedding/