Secular wedding ceremonies: How to conduct it: speeches and vows?

 Religion in the world was created for goodness of humans and society. It was supposed to be a guidance for people to live properly in society. But just the opposite happened. It got into the grips of a few dishonest people who manipulated it to suit their needs. They twisted it and put it in society in such a way that they can exploit people as much and in the way they want. In backward countries such as India, these are the tools of politicians to win elections and expand vote banks to remain in power. The net and true result is that no one is happy with religion. Hence more and more people are going irreligious. On paper and records, they might belong to a particular religion by their birth, but by choice, they are irreligious. 

Irreligiousness and secular ceremonies 

As people no more have faith in religion, it is obvious that they would not want to be a part of any religious ceremonies. But most major milestones of life and major life transitions are linked with rituals determined by a particular religion. But irreligious people want freedom from all this. Hence secular ceremonies are coming in. It is a welcome step and a progressive step. Though it has increased significantly in the Western developed world in Asia and East, it has not gained momentum though more people want it. 

Humanist wedding vows (Source: Pinterest)

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Secular ceremonies are without the involvement of any religion in it. The plan of the ceremony is custom-made and non-traditional. People have a choice to do things as they want. There is no compulsion of any kind on the people holding the ceremony. Hence there is real happiness in having it. These ceremonies are a means to share one's happiness or sorrows with family members and friends. And it does need religion to intervene in it and spoil things. 

Secular wedding ceremonies 

As I said earlier, in Asia there is an increasing number of free thinkers who want to not involve religion or religious people in their weddings or other great days of life. But they lack the proper guidance and plan in it. Besides, there are no societies who are there to support these people. So here is a rough sketch of what one can do for such a wedding ceremony. 

Secular wedding is so much fun (Source: Texas for marriage)

A secular wedding ceremony depends on the wishes of the couple. That is of prime importance. It is their life that they are going to start anew. So their wishes should matter more than that of others. Old, dead traditions cannot be pushed on all couples. Variety is lost and hence fun is lost. 

The ideas for such secular weddings are endless. One can have fairy tale weddings or a themed wedding (such as star plus weddings or football weddings) or a wedding just for the two of them. One can choose their own speaker and officiant. They can have their own wedding vows. The venue can be any place the couple desires. 

Speech of the wedding 

The officiant delivers a speech and this would ideally provide a glimpse of their families and also the love story of the couple. There are also detailed description of both partners, some memorable anecdotes, and explanation of the meaning of marriage. The speech can be made serious, romantic, lively, or funny. 

One can have multi-lingual wedding speech if the two partners hail from different backgrounds with different languages and culture. 

Wedding vows

The couple can decide how they want to word their wedding vows. It does not have to be like the stereotypical wedding vows governed by religion. Many of those vows have lost significance in the modern world and should be totally deleted. In secular wedding ceremonies, you have the freedom to do so. Love is an essential component of marriages and ceremonies and hence also of the vows. 

The words might vary but the wedding is an occasion to take solemn vows to be together through thick or thin. It is a pledge to love each other and honor and respect each other. It is a promise to be with the person immaterial of the financial condition and health condition. It is the time to talk of being faithful to each other and not harm the other person. There are several websites that provide drafts of such vows and can be referred to in order to frame your own. 

So what are you waiting for? Gather courage and go ahead and have a secular wedding ceremony. Be the first to do it and you will see many follow suit. Enjoy the ceremony and make it a lifetime event to remember. After all, it is your life, your marriage, and your choice!