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HEBREW/ARAMAIC TEXT CHOICES
This is the accepted Orthodox
Hebrew/Aramaic text which has been used for centuries in Jewish
weddings. It is the only text approved for Orthodox couples. For
Conservative Couple, the Lieberman Clause can be added.
For couples who want both the Hebrew/Aramaic and Modern English,
this can be combined with English text (see choices below).

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COMBINATION TEXT 1:
On
the ____ Day of the Month ___________, in the Year _____, which
corresponds to the ____ Day of the Month of ________, in the
year_____, the Bride
__________ and the Groom, _______________ have said to each other:
"Beloved, as lovers and friends, we join our hearts and our lives
together this day
and
vow to live in love and unity. We promise to cherish, honor, and
respect each other; to support
each other through all that life brings our way. God's Word will be
our Light as we walk the road to
our
destinies together. We will love the Lord our God with all our
hearts, minds, and souls.
We
will honor the Torah and bring our children up to do the same.
I
now take you to be my spouse according to the Law of God and Man and
according to the customs of Israel." The two are now joined together
in the Holy Covenant of Marriage and declared to be Husband and
Wife, as attested to by:
Rabbi/Officiant __________________
Bride _____________ Groom ____________
Witness ____________ Witness ___________
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COMBINATION TEXT 2:
On
the ____day of the month of ______, in the year _______
since the creation of the world, the era according to which we
reckon, corresponding to the ____ day of the month of _____,
here in the city of ___________in the state of______________,
_____________ said to ____________, "Be my wife according
to the practice of Moses and Israel, and I will cherish, honor,
support and maintain you in accordance with God's Word. I
will be faithful to you and protect you and love you for as long
as we both shall live." And she said to him "I will be your wife
and love and respect you, allow you to be the one who leads
our family. I will be faithful and loyal to you for as long
as
we both shall live." They are now declared to
be
Husband and Wife under the Laws of God and Man.
Rabbi/Officiant_____________________________________
Bride_____________________________ Groom
______________________________________
Witness___________________________
Witness_____________________________________
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COMBINATION TEXT 3:
On the ____
Day of the Month ___________, in the Year _____,
which
corresponds to the ____ Day of the Month of ________, in the
year_____,
the
Bride__________ and the Groom, _______________ have said to each
other:
"Beloved, as
lovers and friends, we join our hearts and our lives together this
day and vow
to live in
love and unity. We promise to cherish, honor, and respect each
other; to support each
other through
all that life brings our way. God's Word will be our Light as we
walk the road to
our destinies
together. We will love the Lord our God with all our hearts, minds,
and souls.
We will honor
the Torah and bring our children up to do the same.
I now take
you to be my spouse according to the Law of God and Man and
according
to the customs of Israel." The two are now joined together in
the Holy
Covenant of
Marriage and declared to be Husband and Wife, as attested to by:
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COMBINATION TEXT 4: (can only be used
on 12 x 16 and 12 x 18)
I,_____________ take
you, _______________, to be my wife; according to
the traditions of
Moses and Israel. I will love you, cherish you, and honor you
above all others.. I will protect and care for you. I will provide
for you and for
our family. I will encourage you to express your individuality and
be the wife
that God created you to be.
I, __________________
take you, ___________________, to be my husband
according to the traditions of Moses and Israel. I will love you,
cherish you and
honor above all others. I will respect you and allow you to be the
man of the
house---the leader that God created you to be. (can be 'the man that
God created you to
be')
On the ______Day of
the Month of ___________in the Year , ________,
which corresponds to
the_____ Day of the Month of__________ in the Year
_______ ,
_________________ and __________________ and are declared
to be Husband and
Wife in the sight of God and Man. All is valid and binding.
Rabbi/Officiant
_______________________
Bride
__________________ Groom __________________
Witness ________________ Witness ________________
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COMBINATION #5- (can only be used on
12 x 16 and 12 x 18)
I am my Beloved's and
my Beloved is mine. We will love each other
until death parts us for a time. We will be faithful and loyal to
each
other throughout all the days of our lives, celebrating the special
gifts
and the unique attributes that each of us brings to this Marriage.
We will respect, cherish and honor each other, rejoicing in our
love.
We will create an atmosphere of peace and acceptance in our home.
We will fulfill our God-given destinies together and teach our
children
to follow God. They will look to us as an example of a Husband and
Wife who are joined together in an unbreakable and Holy Covenant.
On the____ Day of the Month of ________, in the Year _____, which
corresponds to the ____ Day of the Month of _________, in the Year
_______, in the City of ___________, the State of ____________, the
Bride, _________________, and the Groom, ________________, have
been joined together
in the Holy Covenant of Marriage according to the
Law of God and the Laws of Man. They are now declared to be
Husband and Wife and Bosor Echad: One Flesh in God's sight.
Rabbi/Officiant__________________________________
Bride___________________ Groom ______________________
Witness__________________ Witness _____________________
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ENGLISH TEXT CHOICES |
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MODERN
ENGLISH: LIVES EVER ENTWINED
On
the ___ day of the month of ________,
in the year _____, since
the creation of the world,
the era according to which we reckon,
corresponding to
the _____ day of the month of _________, in the year
______,
in the city of ____________,in the state of __________, the
Groom,
_______________ said to the Bride, ______________, "Be my
wife
according to the practice of Moses and Israel, and I will cherish,
honor, support,
and maintain you in accordance with God's Word. I will be
faithful to you and protect
you and love you for as long as we both
shall live." And she said to him, " I will be
your wife and love and
respect you. I will be faithful and loyal to you for as
long as we both shall live."
And, they both said, "We vow
to support, comfort and strengthen
each other through life's sorrows and
joys. We further promise to share our
hopes, our thoughts and our dreams
as we build our lives together. May
we grow together, our lives ever
entwined, our love bringing us closer
together. We shall endeavor to
establish a home that is kind and
compassionate to all who enter. May
our home be forever
filled with
peace, love and happiness...and may our
children be blessed."
They are now declared to
be husband and wife.
Rabbi/Officiant ________________
Bride ____________
Groom ___________
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MODERN
ENGLISH TEXT: THIS IS THE BEGINNING
You
are my Beloved, the one I pledge my life and devotion to.
I promise to respect, honor and cherish you, and to show my
love in all that I do and say. I know that we will encounter
many challenges in our journey through life, but we will face
them together and, in our unity, we will triumph.
We will build
our
home on the foundation of God's love and truth,
endeavoring to live in peace and harmony. We will treat
each other and all who enter with kindness, compassion, and respect.
I
love you with all my heart, but I know that my love for you
will grow even stronger as the years go by. This is only the
beginning, my Love. We are in this together for as long as we
both live. May God continually bless us and our marriage.
On
the _____ day of the month of ___________, in the year
__________, which corresponds to the ________ day of the
month of _____________, in the year _______, the Bride,
_______________, said to the Groom, ________________,
be my wife according to the traditions of Moses and Israel.
and I will love, honor, and cherish you till death parts us.
And, the Groom said to the Bride, I,_______________,
take you, _____________, to be my Bride according to
the traditions of Moses and Israel. I will love and cherish
you, and honor above all others.. I will respect you and
allow you to be the man that God created you to be.
Rabbi/Officiant ______________________
Bride ____________________________
Groom ______________________________
Witness _____________________________
Witness _____________________________
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MODERN ENGLISH: TODAY I TAKE YOU
Today, as we stand before our family and friends,, we join our
hearts and
our lives together. in the Holy Covenant of Marriage according to
the Laws
of God and Man.
We
promise to hold these vows sacred; to forsake all others and cleave
only
only to each other. We promise to love, respect and honor each
other; to be
faithful and true to each other and value one another, to regard
ourselves as
equal partners in this union. We promise to be honest and open in
all of our
communications and to never give up on each other.
"I,_____________ take you, _______________, to be my wife; according
to
the
traditions of Moses and Israel. I will love you, cherish you, and
honor you
above all others.. I will protect and care for you. I will provide
for you and for
our family. I will encourage you to express your individuality and
be the woman
that God created you to be.
"I,
__________________ take you, ___________________, to be my husband
according to the traditions of Moses and Israel. I will love you,
cherish you and
honor above all others. I will respect you and allow you to be the
man that
God created you to be."
On
the ______Day of the Month of ___________in the Year , ________,
which corresponds to the_____ Day of the Month of__________ in the
Year
_______ , _________________ and __________________ and are declared
to
be Husband and Wife in the sight of God and Man. All is valid and
binding.
Rabbi/Officiant _______________________
Bride __________________ Groom __________________
Witness ________________ Witness ________________
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MODERN ENGLISH: TO YOU I GIVE MY HEART
To you, my Beloved, I give my heart
and know that you will treat it
well.
To you I give my trust and know
that you will not betray it.
I join my dreams to yours;
together, we will make them happen.
We will bring out the best in each
other
and cherish the unique gifts
each of us
bring to this union.
On the ____day of the month of _________
in the year ____
since the creation of the world, the era
according to which we reckon,
which corresponds to the ______
day of the month of _____ in the
year _____, here in the city of
_______, in the state of ___________,
that _________ son of __________ said to
________daughter of __________,
”Be my wife according to the practice of Moses and Israel, and I
will cherish,
honor, support and maintain you in accordance with God's Word. I
will be
faithful to you and protect you and love you for as long as we both
shall live."
And she said to him, "I will be your wife and love and respect you,
allow you to be
the man of the house and the one who leads our family. I will be
faithful and loyal
to you for as long as we both shall live." They are now declared to
be husband
and wife under the law of God and the laws of man.
Rabbi/Officiant_____________________________________
Bride_____________________________ Groom
______________________________________
Witness___________________________ Witness
______________________________________
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MODERN ENGLISH
REFORMED, INTERFAITH: BEST FRIENDS AND LOVERS
On the ___ day of the month of _______,
in the year ____, which corresponds to
the ___ day of the month of ________ in
the year ____, here in the city of ________,
in the state of _______, the Groom,
___________, son of _____________, said to
the Bride, ____________, daughter of
____________,"Be my wife according to
the practice of Moses and Israel,
and I will cherish, honor, support and maintain
you as is the custom among the sons of
Israel. I will be faithful to you and protect
you and love you for as long as we
both shall live." And she said to him, "I will be
your
wife and I will cherish, honor, love and respect you
as is the custom with the
daughters of Israel. I will be faithful
and loyal to you as long as we both shall live."
And they both said to each other, "We
will be best friends as well as lovers, valuing
the unique ideas and perspective we each
bring to this union. We will work at our
marriage, never taking for granted
the gift that God has given us in each other. Our
home will be a place of joy and peace.
We will keep the vows we make to each other this day."
The two are now joined together in the
Holy Covenant of Marriage under the Laws of
God and Man. All is valid and binding.
Rabbi__________________
Bride _____________ Groom ___________
Witness __________ Witness ___________
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This Ketubah
witnesses that on the_____day of the month of
_________ , in the year _______ , which corresponds to the
_____
day of the month of_________ , in the year____ , in the city
of__________ ,
in the state of____________ , the Bride, _________________,
Daughter of
__________________ and the Groom_______________ , Son of
____________________ were joined together in the Holy Covenant
of Marriage, according to the Laws of Man and the Law of God.
They have
promised to love, honor, and cherish each other; to celebrate and
encourage
each other's uniqueness, to confide in each other and listen
when the other speaks,
to fulfill their God-given destinies togeher, to support each
other in all Godly
endeavors. They have promised to pray together and follow
God's Word
together for as long as they live. They have promised to be
faitful and,
forsaking all others, to cleave only to each other. Each has
said to the other:
"Wherever you go, I shall go, and wherever you live I shall
live. Your people
shall be my people and your God is my God. Everything we do in
life
Shall be a reflection of our commitment to God and to each
other."
These Holy vows are witnessed to and attested to by: |
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MODERN ENGLISH INTERFAITH REFORMED:
LOVING FRIENDS AND PARTNERS
This Ketubah certifies before God
and all those present that on the ____ Day
of the Month of ________ in the Year _____,
corresponding to the _____ Day of the Month
of _________, in the Year _____, in the City of
__________, in the State of __________, the Holy
Covenant of Marriage was entered into between the
Groom, ____________, and the Bride, ____________.
"We vow to be loving friends and partners in our marriage,
treating each other with respect and kindness, cherishing each
other's uniqueness. We will trust each other, living in openness;
sharing our thoughts, our hopes, and our dreams as we build
our lives together. May we continue to grow together, our
lives and hearts joined as one, as we establish a home that is
filled with joy and laughter, love and kindness, peace and
contentment. May all who enter feel the blessing of God
that rests upon us and our family. May our children
always feel secure, knowing the love their parents
have for them, for each other, and for God."
Rabbi _________________
Bride_______________
Groom _______________
Witness ____________
Witness ___________ |
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MODERN ENGLISH INTERFAITH
OR REFORMED: THIS IS THE DAY
This
is the day we have waited for; the moment when we are joined as
husband and wife and become united
before God and man.
Although we each have distinct gifts and
talents, different ways
of looking at life, we now submit them
and ourselves to each other,
promising to listen and value the
opinions we each bring into this union.
We vow before God to remain
faithful to each other and keep ourselves
from all others; to love and cherish
each other an to never take each
other for granted. We vow to live
our lives before God and each
other in transparency,
remaining open to one another and to God.
On the ____ day of the month of
__________, in the year _____,
corresponding to the _____
day
of the month of
__________, in the year
___________, in the city of
__________, the state of __________,
the Bride, ________________ and the
Groom, ___________________, have
made the promise to love, cherish,
respect, and honor one another;
to regard with reverence the faith that
each brings to this union.
They vow to be best friends as
well as lovers and consider
each other's feeling in all words and
actions. They promise
to make their home a place of
love, understanding and peace;
a place where friends and family
are welcome. They now are declared
to be husband and wife under the Laws
of God and Man.
Rabbi__________________
Bride _____________________ Groom
_________________________
Witnesses____________________
____________________________
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MODERN ENGLISH: GOD'S
WORD OUR LIGHT
(This can be
combined with Hebrew/Aramaic on 12 x 16 or 12 x 18 ketubahs)
On
the ____ Day of the Month ___________, in the Year _____,
which
corresponds to the ____ Day of the Month of ________, in the
year_____,
the
Bride__________ and the Groom, _______________ have said to each
other:
"Beloved, as
lovers and friends, we join our hearts and our lives together this
day
and vow
to live in love and unity. We promise to cherish, honor, and respect
each other;
to support
each other through all that life brings our way. God's Word will be
our
Light
as we walk the road to our destinies together. We will love the Lord
our
God
with all our hearts, minds, and souls. We will honor the Torah
and bring our
children up to do the same.
I now take
you to be my spouse according to the Law of God and Man
and
according to the customs of Israel." The two are now
joined
together in the Holy Covenant of Marriage
and
declared to be Husband and Wife, as attested to by:
Rabbi__________________
Bride _____________________ Groom
_________________________
Witnesses____________________
____________________________
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MODERN
ENGLISH: I AM MY BELOVED'S AND MY BELOVED IS MINE
I
am my Beloved's and my Beloved is mine. We will love each other
until death parts us for a time. We will be faithful and loyal to
each
other throughout all the days of our lives, celebrating the special
gifts
and the unique attributes that each of us brings to this Marriage.
We will respect, cherish and honor each other, rejoicing in our
love.
We will create an atmosphere of peace and acceptance in our home.
We will fulfill our God-given destinies together and teach our
children
to follow God. They will look to us as an example of a Husband and
Wife who are joined together in an unbreakable and Holy Covenant.
On the____ Day of the Month of ________, in the Year _____, which
corresponds to the ____ Day of the Month of _________, in the Year
_______, in the City of ___________, the State of ____________, the
Bride, _________________, and the Groom, ________________, have
been joined together in the Holy Covenant of Marriage according to
the
Law of God and the Laws of Man. They are now declared to be
Husband and Wife and Bosor Echad: One Flesh in God's sight.
Rabbi/Officiant__________________________________
Bride___________________ Groom ______________________
Witness__________________ Witness _____________________
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MODERN ENGLISH WITH
SCRIPTURE: HOW BEAUTIFUL MY DARLING
How beautiful you are,
my darling, how beautiful!
You are so handsome, my love, pleasing beyond words!
Like a lily among thistles is my darling among young
women
Like the finest apple tree in the orchard
is my lover among other young men.
On the ____day of the month
of ______, in the year _______
since the creation of the world, the era according to
which we
reckon, corresponding to the ____ day of the month of
_____,
here in the city of
___________in the state of______________,
_____________ said to ____________, "Be my wife
according
to the practice of Moses and Israel, and I will cherish,
honor,
support and maintain you in accordance with God's Word.
I
will be faithful to you and protect you and love you for
as long
as we both shall live." And she said to him "I will be
your wife
and love and respect you, allow you to be the one who
leads
our family. I will be faithful and loyal to you for as
long as we
both shall live."
They are now declared to be
Husband and Wife under the
Laws of God and Man.
Rabbi/Officiant_____________________________________
Bride_____________________________ Groom
______________________________________
Witness___________________________ Witness
______________________________________
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INTERFAITH
EGALITARIAN--UNDER THE CHUPPAH
On the ____ day of the
month of __________, in the year _____,
which
corresponds to the ____ day
of the month of ________, in
the year ________,
the bride, _______________, and the groom,
__________________have entered into
the Holy Covenant of
Marriage
according to the Laws of God and Man.
And, they both said
"today, we stand under the Chuppah in front of
family
and friends to join our hearts and
our lives together. Although
we each
have different roles and sometimes differing viewpoints, we
we will be equal
partners in our marriage and make
our decisions together. Our destinies are
intertwined and, together, we
will make this journey through life. loving,
cherishing, and respecting
one another. Our home will be filled with kindness and love;
it will be a place of
peace and goodness, where all are welcome.
Together,
we will live our
lives to the fullest, celebrating the love we have for each
other and our family. Our children
will be blessed and taught to follow the Torah
and the traditions of our
Jewish heritage. We promise to be faithful to
each other and never take
lightly the vows we make on
this day."
They are now declared to
be Husband and Wife. All is valid
and binding,
as attested by:
Rabbi/Officiant
__________________
Bride
_______________ Groom _________________
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MODERN ENGLISH: THE GROOM SAYS, THE
BRIDE SAYS
On the___ day of the month of
_______, in the year
____, which corresponds to the ____ day of the month
of ______, in the year ____, in the city of ________,
in the state of _______, the Groom, ____________,
and the Bride. _______________, have been joined
together in the Holy Covenant of Marriage according
to the Laws of God and Man.
The groom says to the bride: "I take
you to be my wife
according to the tradition of Moses and Israel. I will
cherish you and honor you as is customary among the
sons of Israel who have cherished and honored their
wives in faithfulness and in integrity."
The bride says to the groom: "I take
you to be my husband
according to the tradition of Moses and Israel. I will cherish
you and honor you, as is customary among the daughters of
Israel who have cherished and honored their husbands in
faithfulness and in integrity."
They are now declared to be Husband
and Wife
and One Flesh in the sight of God and Man.
Rabbi ____________________
Bride ____________________
Groom ____________________
Witness ____________________
Witness ____________________
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MODERN
ENGLISH--SIDE BY SIDE UNDER THE CHUPPAH
(This
text may be combined with Hebrew/Aramaic)
On
the _____ Day of the Month of _________, in the Year _______,
which corresponds to the _____ Day of the Month of ___________,
in the Year ______, in the City of _______________ , in the State of
_______________ ,the Bride, ___________________ and the Groom,
_______________________, pledge their love to each other as they
stand side by side under the Chuppah.
They promise to respect, honor, cherish,and trust one another;
to
listen to each other and value the attributes
and unique gifts each bring to this union. They promise to be
faithful
to each other and hold their marriage vows sacred.
They are now joined together in the Holy Covenant of Marriage
according
to the Laws of God and Man.
Rabbi/Officiant _________________________
Bride ____________________ Groom ____________________
Witnesses: ____________________
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MODERN ENGLISH TEXT: AS LOVERS AND
FRIENDS
(This
text may be combined with Hebrew/Aramaic)
"Beloved, as lovers and friends,
we join our hearts and our lives together
this day and vow to live in love and unity.
We promise to cherish, honor and respect each other;
to support each other through all that life brings our way.
God's Word will be our Light as we walk the road to our
destinies together. We will love the Lord our God with all our
hearts, minds, and souls. We will honor the Torah and our mutual
traditions, and bring our children up to do the same.
On
the ___Day of the Month of _______, in the Year ______, which
corresponds to the _____ Day of the Month of _______, in the Year
______,
here in the City of ___________, in the State of _________, the
Bride,
_________________, and the Groom, _____________ have been joined
together in the Holy Covenant of Marriage according to the custom
of Israel and the Law of God and Man. They are now declared
to be Husband and Wife and One Flesh in God.
Rabbi/Officiant _________________________
Bride ____________________ Groom ____________________
Witnesses: ____________________
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AS MOUNT ZION
My Beloved,
we shall build our marriage on trust;
Trust in the Lord and in each other,
And we shall be as Mount Zion,
Which cannot be moved.
Our Love and our Marriage shall abide forever.
As the mountains are around Jerusalem,
So the Lord shall be around us and our family.
On the _____
day of the month of ___________,in the year _________,
which
corresponds to the _____ day of the month of _____________, in the
year
________,
in the city of __________, in the state of ____________, the Groom,
_______________________,
and the Bride, ________________________, have
said to each
other, "You are my Beloved and I take you this day
to be my
Spouse, to love, cherish, honor, and protect. We will be
joined as one
and be
faithful to each other and support one another through all of life's
trials.
I make
this vow to cleave only to you. I will never leave you or forsake
you for
as long as we both shall live.
They are now
declared to be Husband and Wife.
Rabbi/Officiant
___________________
Bride _________________________
Groom_______________________
Witness ________________________
Witness ________________________
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MODERN ENGLISH -TODAY
BEFORE FAMILY AND FRIENDS
Today, we stand together
before family, loved ones, and friends and
declare our love for one another. We promise to
love, cherish, honor, and trust one another; to
listen to and support one another, and be faithful
to each other for as long as we both shall live. We
promise to respect and treasure the values and
traditions we each bring to this union; to believe
in and to bring out the best in each other. We will
treasure the gift of love God gave us and hold our
marriage vows sacred.
On the _____ Day of the
Month of ____________, in the Year _________, which
corresponds to the _____Day of the Month of
_____________, in the Year ______, in the City of
_____________, in the State of _________________,
the Bride, ________________, and the Groom,
_________________, have been joined together in the
Holy Covenant of Marriage according to the Law of
God and Man. TThe two are now declared to be One
Flesh in God and Husband and Wife as attested by:
Rabbi (you may
substitute Officiant) __________________
Bride ________________
Groom ___________________
Witnesses
________________ _____________________
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ANNIVERSARY/RECOMMITMENT TEXT 1
Today,
on the ____ day
of the month
of_______, in the year_____,
corresponding
to the ___ day of the month of ____,
in the
year _____, which is the _____ anniversary of our marriage,
we recommit
ourselves to one another, knowing that we love each
other even more today than when we first joined our hearts and our
lives
together.
Beloved, you are my soul mate and the love of my life. I thank
God for bringingus together and keeping us together all these
years. I, ___________ renew my vows to love,
protect, and honor you as my wife, to continue to value
everything you bring to this union. I, __________,
renew my vows to love, respect, cherish and honor you as
my husband. We both pledge to be faithful to each
other, and never to take each other for granted.
May the coming years we spend together be
many and blessed as we serve God
together and follow in His Word.
Husband
_______________
Wife
_________________
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ANNIVERSARY/RECOMMITMENT TEXT 2
Today, on the day of the___
anniversary of our marriage, we
recommit ourselves to one
another, knowing
that we love each other even more today than
when we first joined our hearts and our lives together.
Beloved, you are my soul mate and the love of my life. I thank
God for bringing us together and keeping us
together all these
years.
I, ___________ renew my vows to love, protect, and honor
you
as my wife, to continue to value everything that you bring
to this
union. I, ________________, renew my vows to love,
respect,
cherish and honor you as my husband. We both
pledge to be
faithful to each other, and never to take
each other for granted.
May the coming years we
spend together be many and be blessed as we
serve God together and follow in His Word.
Rabbi/Officiant _________________
Bride ____________________
Groom ____________________
Witness____________________
Witness____________________ |
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