2007-10-23 07:41:42 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
we are a straight couple
2007-10-23 10:29:46 · update #1
Amazingly enough--its for those that are afraid of commitment. You get the ceremony but it doesn't end up with you being legally wed. You get together with some friends and have someone pretend to marry you, by saying something close to vows. But since you are no more than just boyfriend and girlfriend--its more like "I promise to honor and cherish you until we break up. I promise to love you forever until I find someone else".
Sorry to those that are in love with commitment ceremonies but when it comes down to it--its meaningless. You don't get any marital rights and if you live together 15 yrs and break up, its just like it would have been without a commitment ceremony. No splitting of assets. Just a "thanks for the good times".
It's only really sweet if you are gay and legally can't get married. Then it shows you would like to get married and plan to be together forever.
2007-10-23 07:47:10 · answer #1 · answered by phantom_of_valkyrie 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Only commitment ceremony I know of is the one with the Gay and Lesbian Community. Here is what I found for you:
There are as many types of commitment ceremony as there are reasons for two people to want to perform one. Wedding ceremonies have at least one factor in common, they must be performed by a minister, officiate or judge licensed by the state in order to make them legally binding. Commitment ceremonies are not legally binding, which gives everyone involved the liberty to choose to honor traditional customs associated with wedding ceremonies or completely make up their own rituals.
Commitment ceremonies are most often associated with same gender couples since no state at this time recognizes the legality of these unions as marriage. However, many opposite gender couples who have various reasons for not wanting to legally "tie the knot" are turning to commitment ceremonies to affirm their dedication and love for each other.
The central element of both marriage and commitment ceremonies is the exchange of vows. The nature of these vows should be the guiding principle for the theme or atmosphere of the rest of the celebration. Some couple's relationship lends itself to having a big party for their "going public". Others may want a formal wedding-like event in a church or chapel complete with tuxedo's and gowns, rice thrown and champagne corks popping. Very popular these days is a simple ceremony with the couple, an officiate who need not be licensed and may be just a trusted friend, and a few close relatives and friends.
The power of the commitment ceremony, however it is conducted, comes from making mutual declarations of love, commitment and loyalty spoken aloud in front of a third party (the minister) or the couple's extended social group. These public vows stem from oaths and promises made privately within the intimacy of the couples precious realizations of the depths of their love. The courage and beauty of these public commitments are the true cause for the celebration surrounding this ceremony.
When planning a commitment ceremony, start with the vows and expand outward as far as is comfortable. If the relationship is based on lots of socializing or sports activity, then the vows and ceremony need to include at least some of the people who share that kind of fun. On the other hand, the partners may be very private people, perhaps basing their relationship on shared spiritual values or mutual support in dealing with personal difficulties.
Whatever the motivation, there is no wrong way to plan a commitment ceremony. Whatever satisfies the needs of each person in the union is the right way to do it.
2007-10-23 07:51:45 · answer #2 · answered by OFFICIALLY MRS. HOWARD! 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
a wedding ceremony ceremony demands a marriage License and a legally qualified officiant to habit the wedding ceremony ceremony. on the top of the wedding ceremony ceremony the officiant (decide, magistrate, minister, rabbi or priest) proclaims the guy and female HUSBAND AND spouse. After the ceremony the officiant indications the certificates of Marriage it relatively is the Bride and Groom's criminal DECUMENT OF MARRIAGE. A dedication ceremony would not require a marriage License nor a legally qualified officiant by way of fact on the top of the ceremony the guy and female are actually not legally married. The word MARRIAGE isn't used for the duration of the dedication ceremony and the guy and female are actually not reported husband and spouse. And there are actually not any records given to the guy and female. on the top of the dedication ceremony the guy and female are nonetheless legally 2 single people and that they do no longer seem to be entitled to any marriage centers or reward (family contributors medical health insurance or social secure practices reward or submitting a joint earnings tax return as a married couple). responded by making use of: a authorized wedding ceremony expert / a expert bridal representative / a wedding ceremony ceremony officiant
2016-10-07 11:36:06 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A commitment ceremony is often very similar to many other kinds of weddings. The difference is that rather than being a legally binding ceremony, it is simply a public affirmation of a couples commitment to one another. Generally, the couple is a lesbian, gay, or transgender couple, and thus are unable to marry under the law.
A commitment ceremony may be religious or secular, formal and traditional or loose and unstructured. The makeup of the ceremony will depend on the rules of the officiant/house-of-worship and the couple's own preferences. However, generally speaking, these are the key elements:
Greeting
The officiant welcomes guests to a celebration of the love and commitment between the couple. He or she will probably also say a few words about their relationship, or about marriage/commitment in general.
Vows
This is the part where the couple declares their intent to be a committed or married couple. As in any kind of wedding, they will make promises about what that commitment means. They may promise to love in sickness and in health, in richness and poverty, till death do they part. Alternatively they may write their own vows.
Readings/Music
A religious commitment ceremony will likely incorporate hymns and scripture readings that focus on love. (Many religious officiants will have a standard set of music and readings that are often used at commitment ceremonies and weddings.) A secular ceremony will usually also include music and readings about love, including poems, passages of literature, famous quotes, personal writing, pop songs, and classic wedding music. It may be gay/lesbian/transgender focused or very general, depending on the couple's personal preference.
Exchange of Rings
The couple exchanges rings, and says a few words about what these rings mean. It may be
With this ring, I thee wed
I give you this ring as an expression of my love and commitment to you
I'm honored to give you this ring as a symbol of the promises I've made to you today, and a proclamation to the world of the love I have for you.
Or anything else the couple wishes to say (working with their officiant to craft it - some religions may have rules regarding the ring ceremony)
Pronouncement of Marriage
The officiant announces to the guests or congregation that the couple is now married (joined/united/wed - whatever word you prefer to say) and invites the couple to kiss. Some couples may not be used to kissing in public and thus may only have a very small kiss, or forgo this part altogether. Others will relish the moment to have the opportunity to kiss each other in front of their loved ones, proclaiming their love, and pride in having that love.
Reception
Most couples will follow the ceremony with a reception of some kind. As with all weddings, there are no rules as to what this should be - it can be very formal and traditional, or as casual as a backyard picnic. It may include traditional wedding elements such as the first dance, cake cutting, and bouquet toss, or may just be an unstructured party. Generally the invitation will give some clues as to what it will be like (e.g. Please join us after the ceremony to toast the happy couple or A reception at the Springfield Country Club will immediately follow the wedding)
2007-10-23 07:48:33 · answer #4 · answered by heathermichelle9 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Usually it's a phrase used to describe a commitment ceremony between a gay couple. Since marriage is not legal.
2007-10-23 07:55:29 · answer #5 · answered by L H 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
when you commit by saying I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you.
2007-10-31 06:52:21 · answer #6 · answered by TTC 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a non-legally binding wedding, so to speak.
2007-10-23 08:39:30 · answer #7 · answered by melouofs 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when u say something u really mean like "I LOVE U" to your boyfriend!!!!
2007-10-23 07:46:04 · answer #8 · answered by Rakiya Mommy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋