Facilitator:
It is clear that both of you feel a great joy about creating this partnership. I hear that you have a deep caring for one another. It is obvious that this marriage will have a strong base of love. Marriage also requires hard work at times. No matter how much you love your partner, there will be times when you will disagree and feel frustrated and disappointed. At these times you must remember the deeper commonality that you are basking in today, and find ways to work through the differences. Are you ready to exchange your vows?

Man:
I am.

Woman:
I am.

Facilitator:
[To ring bearer] Please come forward with the rings.

Man:
_____ I pledge to work hard to make this relationship a source of strength, comfort, laughter, and loving companionship. I hereby take you as my partner. I will be at your side to support you, and care for you as we continue our life journey, wherever it may lead.* [ Places ring on woman’s hand.]

Woman:
_____ I pledge to work hard to make this relationship a source of strength, comfort, laughter, and loving companionship. I hereby take you as my partner. I will be at your side to support you, and care for you as we continue our life journey, wherever it may lead.* [Places ring on man’s hand.]

Facilitator:
I have witnessed your expression of love for one another and the vows of love and commitments you have both made have today. I hereby pronounce you husband and wife.

Facilitator:
[To families and friends] Please support this couple through the years in manifesting the aspirations they have expressed here today.

AUTHOR’S NOTE:
*I know I have strongly advocated making references to the possibility of divorce as part of the marriage ceremony and have advised against making any “till death do us part” statements as well. However, I throw out this rule for a senior wedding ceremony. I think it is safe to assume that it will be lifelong. There are of course senior divorces, but I think they are rare enough that it is reasonable to bet on the odds of the marriage surviving. I don’t think most senior couples would bother getting married if they did not have a strong sense that they would not end up divorced. People’s personalities, values, and goals are much more developed when they are older so the likelihood of the two people growing and changing in ways that make them incompatible are much less than when people marry for the first time in their twenties or thirties.