Justice of the Peace weddings are sometimes referred to as civil wedding ceremonies because they are not conducted in a church, synagogue or other religious venue. Couples who choose these types of weddings may want the flexibility of reading their own vows rather than ones proscribed by a religion, or they may want a quick and affordable ceremony.
Traditional Vows
Though civil ceremonies often eschew the trappings of a traditional wedding, some couples choose to recite traditional vows in which the bride and groom pledge allegiance to each other no matter what circumstances may come. A version of this vow may sound something like, "I, Jack Smith, in the presence of these witnesses, do take you, Jill, to be my lawful wedded wife to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part."
Contemporary Vows
Some couples who wed in a civil ceremony create their own special vows, which can be recited in the form of a poem or written in any style that conveys the love and affection the couple has for each other. An example of this kind of vow is, "On this wonderful day, I feel so blessed to take you, Jill, as my wife, to honor you with my loyalty and friendship and to gratefully receive the joy of knowing you and I are now one entity, committed to one purpose, supporting and loving each other through light and darkness."
Official Pronouncement
During the exchange of rings, the Justice of the Peace will often ask the couple to join hands and then ask them if they want to marry each other. He then makes a statement that officially unites the bride and groom. This is very similar to the way a priest or pastor proclaims his authority to sanctify a religious marriage. The Justice of the Peace might say something along the lines of, "By joining hands, you are consenting to be bound together as husband and wife. You are promising to honor, love and support each other for the rest of your lives. By the authority vested in me by the laws of the state of California, I now pronounce you husband and wife."
Closing Remarks
At the conclusion of the ceremony the Justice of the Peace often says a few closing words wishing the new couple luck in their marriage. He then officially introduces them to the world. The Justice of the Peace may use words such as, "You are now joined to each other by love and respect, two qualities you must always remember, even when times are difficult. I wish you the best of luck in your marriage, and it is my honor to introduce Mr. and Mrs. John Smith."