These are the words I'll say...

Sometimes I think about my marriage vows and what I want to say. 

Here are some of my thoughts....

First I want to have traditional Christian vows. We'd both say this to each other.

I take you to be my wedded wife

With deepest joy

I receive you into my life

 That together we may be one

As is Christ to his body the church

So I will be to you

A loving and faithful wife

Knowing that Christ’s lordship

is one of the holiest desires for my life

I promise you my deepest love

My fullest devotion

My tenderest care

And my unwavering fidelity

I promise I will live first unto God

I promise that I will lead our lives into a life of faith

And hope in Christ Jesus

Ever honoring God’s guidance

By his spirit through the word

So throughout life

No matter what may lie ahead of us

I pledge to you my life

Loving you

Caring for you

And ever seeking to please you

God has prepared me for you

And so I will ever strengthen, help, comfort, and encourage you

Until death do us part

Or the Lord comes for His own

Next I want to write  personal vows.

I don't know what I'm going to say but that last line will be something like

I've found in you a priceless intangible. You are my home.

Brides people Part! 

This is a blessing I want read by our brides people after those two sets of vows. I really liked the idea that the people who stand with you believe in and are rooting for your marriage. Also they've been our closest friends up and until this point and in a way these words are taking the major responsibility for companionship and friendship from our friends and placing them on our spouse.  

Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter for the other.

Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to the other.

Now there will be no loneliness, for each of you will be companion to the other.

Now you are two persons, but there is only one life before you.

May beauty surround you both in the journey ahead and through all the years,

May happiness be your companion and your days together be good and long upon the earth.

And we stand here, affirming our commitment to help you uphold the vows you've made today before God and these witnesses.

Lastly, I want to have a Hands ceremony. This is a nod to my Native American roots and also a very practical way of letting our witnesses know what we plan to do in our marriage and family going forward.

These are the hands of your best friend that are holding yours on our wedding day, as I promise to love you all the days of my life.

These are the hands that will work along side yours, as together we build our future, as we laugh and cry, sharing our innermost secrets and dreams.

These are the hands you will place with expectant joy against your stomach, until I too, feels our child stir within you.

These are the hands that will be so gentle as I hold our baby for the first time.

These are that hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness.

These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes: tears of sorrow and tears of joy

These are the hands that will comfort you in illness, and hold you when fear or grief wrack your mind.

These are the hands that will tenderly lift your chin and brush your cheek as they raise your face to look into my eyes: eyes that are filled completely with overwhelming love and desire for you.

These are the hands of your best friend that are holding yours on your wedding day, as I pledges my love and commitment to you all the days of my life.

These are the hands that will hold each child in tender love, soothing them through illness and hurt, supporting and encouraging them along the way, and knowing when it is time to let go.

These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times

These are the hands that will comfort you when you are sick, or console you when you are grieving.

They are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness.

These are the hands that will hold you in joy and excitement and hope, each time that we create new life together.

These are the hands that will give you support as you to chase your dreams and I chase mine.

Minister:

God, bless these hands that you see before you this day. May they always be held by one another. Give them the strength to hold on during the storms of stress and the dark of disillusionment. Keep them tender and gentle as they nurture each other in their wondrous love. Help these hands to continue building a relationship founded in your grace, rich in caring, and devoted in reaching for your perfection. May they see their four hands as healer, protector, shelter and guide.

We ask this in your name, Amen.

That's it! Then its a done deal...until God calls us home, she'll be mine forever!