Handfasting at the Vows

Officiant: Please join hands. As your hands are joined, so your lives, Holding each other, Caressing each other, Supporting each other, Loving each other. (Officiant ties the ribbon around joined hands). Spouse 1 (repeating after Officiant): I, (name), promise you, (name), that I will be your husband/wife/partner, From this day forward, To love and respect you, To support and to hold you, To make you laugh And to be there when you cry, To softly kiss you when you are hurting, And to be your companion and your friend, On this journey that we will now make together. Spouse 2: (same thing, names switched) Officiant: These two people are now bound to each other. (Couple unclasp hands and remove themselves from binding while leaving ribbon tied. The knot is to be left tied to symbolize the permanence of their union. Ribbon may be placed on the signing table and the couple will take it home afterward.)