i’d marry you with paper rings

A couple dressed in wedding attire standing close together on a mat, holding hands, with desert hills in the background. The woman holds a bouquet, and about three decorative vases and a large vase with pampas grass are placed in front of them.
vows in gothic yellow font

earthly vow inspiration

take inspiration from your relationship & environment

A young couple with closed eyes and big smiles embracing outdoors, with the woman holding a bouquet of flowers, the sky overcast and the scenery in warm tones.

For small creatures such as we, the vastness is bearable only through love.

“We are gathered here in the presence of the natural world, before friends and family, to join together these two wonderful people in matrimony.

We are here to celebrate love.

Love organizes our large and sometimes unpredictable world.

It is that which enshrines and ennobles our human experience.

In the words of the late Carl Sagan, “For small creatures such as we, the vastness is bearable only through love.”

Today, [name] & [name] have come before us to publicly affirm their love and to promise to nurture themselves, each other, and this union.

All of you are present today because you, in one way or another, have been part of [name] & [name]s lives. On their behalf, I welcome you all to share with us on this day of joy and unity.

In this spirit of unity, [name] & [name] have chosen to give their vows jointly.

A couple in wedding attire standing on rocky terrain with large beige cliffs in the background. The bride is holding a bouquet of flowers and has her hand behind her head, while the groom holds the bouquet and looks at her.

[name] & [name], do you pledge to help each other develop your hearts and minds, cultivating generosity, patience, enthusiasm, and wisdom as you age and experience all that life has
to offer?

“We do.”

A woman with long brown hair and earrings is holding a bouquet of flowers, standing outdoors with a soft, natural background, her eyes closed and face relaxed in a peaceful expression.

The wedding ring is the outward sign
of a spiritual bond which unites two loyal hearts in partnership.

You both possess each other's rings and you may now exchange them on each other's fingers.

[Partners put rings on
at same time]

[They then hold hands]

A man and woman in wedding attire embracing in a desert landscape of Badlands National Park in South Dakota at sunset.

Do you pledge to
avoid becoming cynical or closed-minded, and, to the best of your abilities, to make ethical decisions?

“We do”

Recognizing that the external conditions in life will not always be smooth, and that internally your own minds and emotions will sometimes get stuck in negativity,

do you pledge to see all these circumstances as a challenge to help you grow; to accept yourselves, and each other; and to generate compassion for others who are suffering?

“We do”

Understanding that, just as we are a mystery to ourselves, each other person is also a mystery to us,

do you pledge to seek to understand yourselves, each other, and all living beings, and to regard all the mysteries of life with curiosity and joy?

“We do”

Do you pledge day-to-day, to be forgiving of yourselves and others, knowing that change comes slowly and gradually, and to seek inspiration from your teachers and not to become discouraged?

“We do”

A man and woman are looking at each other closely, with their faces inches apart, outside during the daytime.
A man in a maroon suit and tie stands on a rocky landscape with a woman in a white dress behind him in a desert-like area of Badlands National Park in the background.

Will you strive to understand and embrace the impermanence of life
and cherish your relationship as the precious gift that it is? When it comes time to part, do you pledge to look back at your time together with gratitude

and acceptance that we cannot hold
on to anything forever?

“We do”

[Name] & [name], you have declared your deep love for each other and pledged to share a life well-lived. Therefore, it is my pleasure to officially acknowledge your union as life partners. You may now seal your marriage with a kiss.

A man in formal attire holding a bouquet of flowers in a desert landscape.

And Lastly, Do you

  • accept each other as life partners

  • joining today in matrimony

  • offering your friendship and loving care

  • honoring each other's growth and freedom

  • cherishing and respecting each other, promising to love and embrace one another in times of adversity and times of abundance?

    “We do”

Cartoon scene with a human and alien-like creatures in a meeting room. The human is standing with arms crossed, saying, 'I am not staring at you. I am a cyborg photographer. Just act natural. This is a candid shot.'