Union by Robert Fulghum

In a continuation in our series of wedding readings for non-religious ceremonies, we have the wonderful Union by Robert Fulghum. It’s a excerpt from his book From Beginning to End: The Rituals of Our Lives.

While the wording is traditional with husband and wife, it can easily be adapted to be inclusive for all couples.

Union wedding poem by Robert Fulghum

You have known each other from the first glance of acquaintance to this point of commitment.

At some point, you decided to marry. From that moment of yes, to this moment of yes, indeed, you have been making commitments in an informal way.

All of those conversations that were held in a car, or over a meal, or during long walks – all those conversations that began with, “When we’re married”, and continued with “I will” and “you will” and “we will”

All those late night talks that included “someday” and “somehow” and “maybe”

And all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart. All these common things, and more, are the real process of a wedding.

The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, “You know all those things that we’ve promised, and hoped, and dreamed

Well, I meant it all, every word.”

Look at one another and remember this moment in time.

Before this moment you have been many things to one another – acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, dancing partner, even teacher.

For you have learned much from one another these past few years.

Shortly you shall say a few words that will take you across a threshold of life, and things between you will never quite be the same.

For after today you shall say to the world;

This is my husband.

This is my wife.

Who is Robert Fulghum?

Robert Lee Fulghum is an American author and Unitarian Universalist minister, who’s book All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten was on the New York Times best-sellers list from 1988 to 1990.

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