So, the lady and I are tying the knot soon. We are having a non-religious ceremony, and a family friend is officiating (we are utilizing the self-uniting marriage license in PA). In the vein of the phrase "tying the knot", would anyone like to share any non-religious things they incorporated into their ceremony? We have a couple ideas, but are open to some cool/unique suggestions. Thanks in advance for the advice.
So obviously I don't have much experience with this, but I will say that the form of the liturgy/ceremony that we use in the Episcopal Church is historic and well-thought out, and with that comes some natural beauty.
Here is the "form" of the service (I've omitted the parts that wouldn't apply to you, such as Communion):
2. The intention of the man and the woman to enter the state of
matrimony, and their free consent, is publicly ascertained.
3. One or more Readings, one of which is always from Holy Scripture,
may precede the exchange of vows. If there is to be a Communion,
a Reading from the Gospel is always included.
4. The vows of the man and woman are exchanged, using the following
form-
In the Name of God, I, N., take you, N., to be my
(wife) (husband), to have and to hold from this day forward,
for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in
health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death.
This is my solemn vow.
6. Prayers are offered for the husband and wife, for their life together, for
the Christian community, and for the world.
7. A priest or bishop pronounces a solemn blessing upon the couple.
Again, I realize some of that won't fit, but it does give you a sense of the flow: A) commitment, B) readings/poem/song= something that grounds and locates the wedding as a part of something larger (love, relationship), C) vow/promises (rings also fall in here), D) prayers in a secular wedding could be something such as "may this couple..." (see below for the standard prayers, which could easily be adapted to omit the "prayer" part of them), and D) some sort of pronouncement that the marriage is complete/legit.
Hope that helps, and congrats!
*Prayer addendum:
Give them wisdom and devotion in the ordering of their
common life, that each may be to the other a strength in need, a
counselor in perplexity, a comfort in sorrow, and a companion
in joy. Amen.
Grant that their wills may be so knit together in your will,
and their spirits in your Spirit, that they may grow in love
and peace with you and one another all the days of their life.
Amen.
Give them grace, when they hurt each other, to recognize and
acknowledge their fault, and to seek each other's forgiveness
and yours. Amen.
Make their life together a sign of Christ's love to this sinful
and broken world, that unity may overcome estrangement,
forgiveness heal guilt, and joy conquer despair. Amen.
Bestow on them, if it is your will, the gift and heritage of
children, and the grace to bring them up to know you, to love you,
and to serve you. Amen.
Give them such fulfillment of their mutual affection that they
may reach out in love and concern for others. Amen.
Grant that all married persons who have witnessed these
vows may find their lives strengthened and their loyalties
confirmed. Amen.