The Rose Ritual: A Non-Denominational Exchange of Wedding Rings

Each of the little steps taken during the wedding ceremony is filled with meaning. They are symbols of the joining of two people, and while the steps themselves may differ based on your culture or country, one thing remains the same: you and your partner are standing before people present who recognize the step you two are making.

Overwhelmingly, most married couples will say that the moment of the wedding which was most symbolic to them was the ring exchange. Wedding rings are exchanged after the exchange of vows, and usually just before you’re declared officially married. If you’re having a religious ceremony, your priest, minister, or rabbi will likely say a blessing over the rings âÂ?¦ but then, you’re on your own.

Some phrases used during the exchange of rings have been passed down to us through generations, but many couples want to take tradition a step further and add to it a touch that is all their own. The most simple and traditional phrase, “With this ring, I thee wed,” is not always enough anymore.

Traditional Ring Exchange Phrases

With the trend turning toward writing unique wedding vows, it comes as no surprise that many couples are choosing to write their own ring exchange phrases, too.

Before you pull your hair out coming up with your own verse, take a look at what is traditional for various religious ceremonies. Oftentimes, a bit of verse in a traditional phrase will strike your fancy and lead you into your own exchange verse without a single hesitation.

Protestant/Presbyterian: “In token and pledge of our constant faith and abiding love, with this ring I thee wed, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

Lutheran: “I give you this ring as a sign of my love and faithfulness.” OR “Receive this ring as a token of wedded love and faith.”

Episcopal: “I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you, in the name of God.”

Methodist: “I give you this ring as a sign of my vow, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you.”

Baptist: “With this ring I the wed, and all my worldly goods I thee endow. In sickness and in health, in poverty or in wealth, till death do us part.”

Catholic: “Take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

Unitarian: “With this ring, I wed you and pledge you my love now and forever.”

Jewish: “Be sanctified to me with this ring, in accordance with the laws of Moses and .”

Modern Ring Exchange Phrases

Many more couples than ever before are choosing to have nondenominational weddings. For this reason, there is very little religious phrasing in the ring exchange phrases used for their weddings but a lot of beauty. If you’re still stuck on how you want to word your ring exchange, take a breath and consider these verses.

“With this ring, a symbol of love that has neither beginning nor end, I thee wed.”

“As this ring circles your finger from this day forward, so will my love encircle you.”

“I give you this ring as a reminder that I love you today, and every day of your life.”

“I give you this ring to wear with love and in joy.”

“As I place this ring, I choose you to be my wife/husband – this day, and every day.”

“Let this ring that I place on your finger serve as a reminder that you are never again alone. Let my heart be your shelter, my arms be your home. I give you my heart until the end of time.”

“I offer you this ring as a symbol of my undying love. Please take this ring and wear it, so that all may know you are touched by my love.”

The Rose Ceremony

Regardless of culture or religion, almost all weddings contain a ritual that surrounds the exchanging of rings. This might be the exchange of flowers and food as a symbolic gesture, or they might exchange tangible items like money in addition to the wedding rings.

The Rose Ceremony is becoming popular because it is nondenominational in nature, and it incorporates a timeless symbol of love: the rose. In honor of the wedding day, this ceremony uses a white rose, but if you feel strongly that the rose should be another color – go for it. There’s nothing saying that your wedding has to go any particular way; it’s your day, make it something you and your partner will remember always.

GROOM (handing bride the rose): [Bride’s Name], please take this rose as a symbol of my love. It began as a tiny bud that blossomed, just as my love for you grows and blossoms every day.

BRIDE (placing rose into a bud vase filled with water): I do take this rose, a symbol of your love. I place it into water, a symbol of life. Just as this rose will not survive without water, I will not survive without you.

GROOM: In memory of this day, I will give you a white rose each year on our anniversary. Each rose will reaffirm my love, and the vows we have spoken today.

BRIDE: I will refill this vase with water each year, ready to receive your gift. Each year will reaffirm my love, and the vows we have spoken today.

(At this time, the couple may join hands around the vase to exchange the rings)