I have been thinking for 7 or 8 years that it would be wonderful to do this at our 20th. I wanted our children to witness it...and be involved.
And I am so glad they were...even if (ahem) some of them were a bit rascally and ended up in mine and Jason's arms.
I didn't know much back when I was 23 (even if I thought I did), but I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with Jas.
I had no idea what that "life" would look like.
Now I do.
And if there were do-overs...I would do it all over again, exactly the same.
Our Pastor officiated our ceremony. Chris spoke about biblical marriage and said a prayer over the ceremony, and then we said these vows...
At our wedding ceremony, I chose you to be my spouse.
I promised to live with you according to God’s holy Word.
On that life changing day, I promised to love you,
to comfort you,
to honor and keep you.
I swore to stand by you for better or worse,
in sickness and in health.
At our wedding I renounced all others and promised to give myself to only you, so long as we both shall live.
The pastor said, “Will you take this one?”
And I did.
I Do (Joli)
Today, I choose you to be my spouse.
I promise to continue living with you according to God’s holy Word.
On this ordinary day of our life together,
I promise to keep on loving you,
to keep on comforting you,
to keep on honoring and keeping you.
Today, I am standing by you
for better or worse,
in sickness and in health.
Today and every day, I renounce all others
I give myself to you and only you,
so long as we both shall live.
People may ask,
“Will you take this one?”
And, you must know, I do.
I Always Will (Jason and Joli)
Tomorrow and everyday God gives us,
I will choose you to be my spouse.
I will continue living with you according to God’s holy Word.
Every day we share by God’s grace,
I promise to always love you,
to always comfort you,
to always honor and keep you.
As long as I have breath,
I will stand by you for better or worse,
in sickness and in health.
I will always renounce all others
and always give myself to only you,
so long as we both shall live.
Our great-grandchildren may ask,
“Will you take this one?”
And, you can count on this, I always will.
I did.
I do.
I always will.
(Pastor Chris)
Jason and Joli, When you first joined in marriage 20 years ago, you did not know what life would bring you.
You promised to love, honor and cherish one another through it all. And while life has brought you both wonderful blessings and difficult challenges over the years, here you are today, having fulfilled the vows to love, honor and cherish each other. And God is smiling on you!
As you celebrate your renewed commitment here today, and as you reflect on your life together as husband and wife, do you now wish to reaffirm the vows you took 20 years ago?
WE DO
Please face each other and join hands.
Renewal of Vows Ceremony
Jason, will you continue to have Joli as your wife and continue to live in this happy, loving marriage?
Jason: I WILL
Do you reaffirm your love for her, and will you love, honor and cherish your wife in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, for better for worse, and forsaking all others, be faithful to her for as long as you both shall live?
Jason: I DO
Joli, will you continue to have Jason as your husband and continue to live in this happy, loving marriage?
Joli: I WILL
Do you reaffirm your love for him, and will you love, honor and cherish your husband in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, for better for worse, and forsaking all others, be faithful to him for as long as you both shall live?
Joli: I DO
Exchanges of Rings
Jason and Joli, on your wedding day many years ago you exchanged rings as a symbol of the never-ending circle that connects you to the eternal quality of God, unending strength, and unending love!
May you always wear your rings as a reminder of your vows to one another, and your commitment to continue to live in unity, love and happiness. To remind you of this commitment, you will now renew your vows.
Jason, please place the ring on Joli's hand and say the words, “With this ring I renew my pledge of love and commitment.”
Joli, please place the ring on Jason's hand with the words, “With this ring I renew my pledge of love and commitment.”
Involvement of children:
One of the great blessings of marriage is the joy and responsibility of raising a family. Jason and Joli have truly been blessed to be the parents of Elisabeth, Noah, Daniel, Lily Kay, Gabriel and Abigail.
As Jason and Joli renew their vows today, they also renew their commitment to be loving, caring parents to their children, recognizing with gratefulness the the happiness and fulfillment that they have brought to their marriage and family life.
(prayer)
Pronouncement
Jason and Joli, today you have renewed the vows you made to each other on your wedding day. You have symbolized this renewal by the joining of hands, the taking of vows, and the exchanging of rings.
It is with great pleasure that I conclude the ceremony of renewing your vows of marriage. Please celebrate this renewal of vows with a sign of affection….you may now kiss!
How very sweet! I love the new family picture! Your boys look sharp in their bow ties. :)
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