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| Do your rings have a special story? Be sure to include it as part of your ceremony. 
Bill panned the gold for his and Ginny's bands near their home in Alaska. He chose the woven design in her ring because it reminded
him of knitting stitches (Ginny is an avid knitter). We told the story in
their ceremony just before the ring exchange. Doerr photo
 The rings Craig and Dorothy chose reflected
their love for history and their love of Ireland. These Celtic Claddagh rings
have 3 unique elements to them: the hands represent friendship; the heart,
love; the crown, loyalty. Both rings contained their birthstones, so they
may always feel connected to each other, even when apart.
Sample Ring Exchanges. The words in black are spoken by the minister. The italicized green words are spoken by the couple. You can mix and match the selections any way you like. God we ask that you bless these symbols of love and commitment. The circle of the ring represents wholeness. Where nothing is missing and everything is possible. Please bless the wearers, and bless this family. The rings you give and receive this day are symbols of the endless love into which you enter as husband/wife and wife/husband. Such a love has no beginning and no ending, no giver and no receiver. You are each the beginning and the ending, each the giver and the receiver. I give this ring in remembrance of this hour, a symbol of love that is complete, beautiful and endless.
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I hold in my hand two beautiful rings, symbolic of a binding contract to be given and received as bonds of never ending love and devoted friendship, circles of life and circles of love. These rings are symbols of the beginning of a life long commitment: a journey together filled with wonder, laughter, tears, work and surprise. May God bless these rings and may they remind you of the promises you have made to each other today.
I give you this ring as a sign that I choose you to be my husband/wife/spouse today, tomorrow, and always.
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Marriage is a state in which two people come together and create a union that is greater than the mere sum of two individuals. It is difficult to express in words the profound relationship that is love. What emblems do you have of your love and regard for one another? [Rings are handed to officiant.] From time immemorial, the circlet of metal has been an emblem of the sincerity and permanence of a couple's love and regard for one another and their union. As the precious metal turns again upon itself, so does a good marriage turn upon itself for its refreshment and renewal. Take these rings and exchange them in the spirit of love.
I give you this ring as a symbol of our vows, with all that I am and all that I have. I honor, cherish and love you. With this ring I thee wed.
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Rings are made precious by our wearing them. They carry our meaning; they say who we are, where we have been, and where we are going. They are a symbol of our truest essence. Your wedding rings are most special because they say that even in your uniqueness your have chosen to be bonded, to allow the presence of another human being to enhance who you are. Your rings carry a dual message: We are individuals and yet we belong; we are not alone. As you wear them through time, they will reflect not only who you are, but also the union you are making today. You are demonstrating the fact that through the rest of your lives each of you will be imprinted by the other, yet as yourself remain.
As a sign of my love and that I am choosing to share my whole life’s journey with you
and of my knowing that in marrying you, I shall become more than I am, I give you this ring with the pledge that with you, I shall become most truly myself and offer such gifts
as I have and I am to the world.
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I will now ask you to seal the vows that you have just made by the giving and receiving of rings. Let us remember the form of the wedding ring is a circle. Like your love, this shape and these rings have no beginning and no end. The gold band has taken on the symbol of the highest significance, the symbol of a marital relationship. Your willingness to wear this symbol bears witness to your marital fidelity.
I give you this ring that you may wear it as a symbol of the vows we have made this day.
This is the point in
the ceremony where we usually talk about the wedding bands being a perfect
circle, with no beginning and no end. But we all know that these rings do
have a beginning. Rock is dug up from the earth. Metal is liquefied
in a furnace at a thousand degrees, then molded, cooled, and painstakingly
polished. Something beautiful is made from raw elements. Love is
like that. It's hot, dirty work. It comes from humble beginnings,
made by imperfect beings. It's the process of making something beautiful
where there was once nothing at all.
This ring is my promise to accept your imperfections and recognize your beauty.
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