Exchange of Vows & Rings

Jillian Pransky

I first met Lisa when she was an enthusiastic  

bright-eyed student  --  in my yoga teacher training   

and I immediately felt a sisterhood with her; Love and appreciation. 

You all know by now that Lisa is not only  Warm and Welcoming, 

but Passionate  and   a Big Brilliant thinker. 

She's a visionary, a leader, and a healer. 

And at the heart of all of her creations, 

is the desire to contribute to a more 

Peaceful, kind, and inclusive world.

When Lisa decided to bring Barry to my yoga retreat, 

I knew this guy must be special. 

The moment I met him - I immediately knew that Lisa found 

the right partner to match her Depth, Authenticity, Sincerity, 

and Willingness to be Present. 

Barry beautifully compliments Lisa 

with his Creativity, Insightfulness, his Intelligence 

and desire to also contribute to 

a more Peaceful, Kind and Inclusive world.

Lisa and Barry are a very special kind of Power Couple; 

a gifted match. 

Honoring  each  other's own commitment 

to their personal & spiritual growth - 

while also supporting each other to be of service and engaged in the world.

I am Honored to join Lisa and Barry together, in marriage, on this day.

Lisa, Barry, and I spent a lot of time 

together talking about what this day means to them. 

I know that they took time to look at this day, 

and marriage, from every angle. 

And they shared with me - their

joys and hopes 

As well as the concerns and trepidations. 

What we all know to be true is 

That there will always be an ebb and flow 

between what feels Easeful and what feels difficult.

There is no blueprint for how to cultivate 

and keep your marriage nourished, robust, vibrant.

It’s a very personal year to year dance; day to day dance. 

Sometimes -as many of us know - minute to minute dance.

If anyone tells you   “This is the secret to a happy marriage”, 

I suggest you listen loosely. 

Only you two,  alone,  can discover how to create your marriage. 

But, what I can tell you, 

is that Long-term relationships 

are built on choosing to show up 

to meet each other for both the joys and challenges; 

Just like you have been doing since you have met.

So if I have any advice --  or more like a wish for you, 

It is:

May you Choose to love each other, 

even in those moments when you struggle to be on the same page. Love is a commitment, not just a feeling. 

May you choose to return; to come back - over & over again - to each other -- to Love. 

In this spirit, I’d like to share a writing from Rilke, as prayer and an inspiration as you step into your marriage.

The point of marriage is not to create a quick commonality 

by tearing down all boundaries; 

On the contrary, 

a good marriage is one in which each partner 

appoints the other to be the guardian of his solitude, 

and thus they show each other the greatest possible trust. 

A merging of two people is an impossibility, 

and where it seems to exist, it is a hemming-in, 

a mutual consent that robs one party or both parties of their fullest freedom and development. 

But once the realization is accepted 

that even between the closest people infinite distances exist, 

a marvelous living side-by-side can grow up for them, 

if they succeed in loving the expanse between them, 

which gives them   the possibility   

of always seeing each other as a whole and before an immense sky.”

-Ranier Maria Rilke

Please join me in offering a silent blessing upon this union - 

as we pause for a moment before the vows are taken.

Lisa and Barry, as your officiant, 

it is my responsibility to remind each of you of the significance of the relationship you are on the threshold of entering.

Marriage is a commitment to life—

to the best that two people can find 

and bring out in each other. 

It offers opportunities for sharing and growth 

no other relationship can equal, 

a spiritual and emotional joining that is promised for a lifetime.

Marriage deepens and enriches every facet of life. 

It encourages and nurtures a new life together, 

new experiences, 

and new ways of expressing love through the many seasons of life.

When two people pledge to love 

and care for each other in marriage, 

they create a spirit unique to themselves, 

how you create and live in this marriage - is your art alone.

I would now like to read your Vows 

These vows you have created together to ensure your bond grows and matures; they nurture both of you individuals and this union as a couple.

Celebrating each other

Listening to each other with open hearts

Being faithful and true

Turning to each other for friendship, advice and comfort

Being available and caring when the other is sick

Being honest and kind with how we communicate with each other

Cherishing each other’s friends and family

Teaching each other new things and expanding each other’s lives

Protecting each other’s solitude

Being playful and silly and going on fun dates

Being on our own creative path

A healthy lifestyle 

Commitment to personal and spiritual growth

Enjoying delicious meals and making food together

Equal share in household chores, responsibilities and care

Surprising each other with sweet presents, gestures and help

Exploring nature and taking trips near and far

Cultivating a beautiful, sacred and nourishing home

Being of service and engaged with the world

These Vows are the promises you are making to each other as you come together in Marriage. 

Marriage is a promise, a potential, 

made in the hearts of two people who love, 

which takes a lifetime to fulfill. 

Now, to declare your commitment to each other

Please join hands and look into each other’s eyes.

Do you Lisa, take Barry, to be your loving husband?

 Lisa: “I do.”

Then repeat after me:

I, Lisa, take you, Barry, to be my husband.

 I commit to Listening to you with an open heart

To be faithful and true. 

To love and to cherish and honor 

all the commitments that we have created together

From this day forward

Do you Barry take Lisa to be your loving wife?

 Barry: “I do.”

Then repeat after me:

I, Barry, take you, Lisa, to be my wife.

I commit to Listening to you with an open heart

To be faithful and true. 

To love and to cherish

and honor all the commitments that we have created together

From this day forward

Exchange of Rings

May I have the rings?

These rings are symbols of eternity 

and the unbroken circle of love. 

Love freely given has no beginning and no end. 

Today you have chosen to exchange rings, 

as a sign of your love for each other, 

and as a seal of the promises you make this day. 

We ask that everyone here, the village, the universe, 

nature and all the energies around us 

bless these rings and this union of souls.

Lisa, place the ring on Barry's finger and repeat after me:

With this ring

I give you my heart

I promise from this day forward

You shall not walk alone

May my heart be your shelter

And my arms be your home.

Barry, place the ring on Lisa's finger and repeat after me: 

With this ring

I give you my heart

I promise from this day forward

You shall not walk alone

May my heart be your shelter

And my arms be your home.

Your two lives are now joined in one unbroken circle. 

Wherever you go, 

may you always return to one another in your togetherness. 

May you two find in each other 

the love that all people long for. 

May you grow in understanding and compassion. 

And may these two rings symbolize 

the spirit of undying love

in the hearts of both of you.

And with that, in as much as you, Lisa, and you, Barry, 

have announced the truths 

that are already written in your hearts, 

by the power vested in me by the City of New York, 

I pronounce you souls wedded in love, 

which may be now sealed with a kiss!