Commitment

A commitment ceremony is a way for a couple to make a commitment before God, friends, and family without the government getting involved. This is for those who cannot legally marry (same-sex couples), those who will be harmed (i.e. those collecting Social Security or financial aid for school), or those who have their own reasons for not wishing to be legally wed.

I believe that these commitments are just as beautiful and important as those involving a marriage license. I always offer to fill out the paperwork at a later time if a couple changes their minds or their circumstances change. I do not push that they do so, however. One of my favorite sections I often say in ceremonies sums this up well, I think:

"While a faith may bless, and the state may make this commitment legal, neither state nor faith can invalidate this union. It is a sacred commitment between these two people responsible only unto each other, held true by their values and beliefs."

The type of ceremony itself varies according to the desires of the couples involved. They may choose to have a Traditional wedding with all of the trimmings (except the marriage license of course!). In contrast, many people want to keep this uncomplicated and choose a Simple ceremony. However the couple wants it, that's how I do it. I even provide a certificate of their choice as a keepsake to mark the occasion.