Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Marriage Ceremony

Now that we've mentioned the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in Baby-naming ceremonies, here's the way we refer to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in a Marriage ceremony.

The part of the ceremony called the "Intention", is where we ask each person if, being of legal age and "in sound mind and body", they are prepared to accept the other person as their legal spouse. Because not everyone in the world is given the right to decide FOR THEMSELVES when they will marry, and WHOM they will marry, we feel it is important to re-state this universal principle:

CELEBRANT:
Here is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 16

1) Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.

(2) Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.

CELEBRANT:
I will now [Name and Name] if they are willing and prepared to be married to each other.

"[Name] and [Name], Please face each other."

To each:
"[Name] are you ready to enter into this marriage with [Name], believing the love you share and your faith in each other will endure all things?"
RESPONSE: "I am."

or

Do you [name] now declare your willingness to take [name] to be your husband/wife, affirming that you have no knowledge of any impediment to your being lawfully joined in marriage? Is it your intention to wed _________ and thereby fully accept the rights and obligations of marriage?

RESPONSE: "It is my intention"

Note that this part of the ceremony is different from your wedding vows. After you have declared your INTENTION to marry, then you must say to each other that you accept the other person as your legal spouse: these are your WEDDING VOWS. You can say this in your own words, or in a traditional or modern way.