We've researched this topic and come up with some terrific sources of ideas for a unique and memorable wedding or civil union ceremony.  Click on a link below to learn more about each item and order it if you like.

Non-sectarian and interfaith material Ideas to adapt from religious ceremonies Resources for gay ceremonies Free stuff on the Web

Search Amazon.com for books or music using your own keywords. Search: Books Popular Music Classical Music Keywords:

Words for the Wedding

The Everything Wedding Vows Book : Anything and Everything You Could Possibly Say at the Altar - And Then Some

Wedding Vows: How to Express Your Love in Your Own Words 

Interfaith Wedding Ceremonies: Samples and Sources edited by Joan C. Hawxhurst

Religious Ceremonies
The New Jewish Wedding by Anita Diamant. A thorough and well-written review of "kosher" Jewish customs, with many examples and prayers you may modify. If you are departing from traditional customs, know from where you are leaving. 
Sample tidbits from this book.

The Complete Book of Christian Wedding Vows : The Importance of How You Say 'I Do' by H. Norman Wright.  A Christian marriage manual and more.

Gay Weddings and Civil Union Ceremonies
 For Justices of the Peace who officiate at the growing number of ceremonies for gay couples, here are some resources that offer help writing special vows for the occasion

Gay Weddings Without Nightmare Bills by Robert Melillo. Vows plus information on planning the whole wedding.

Alternative Weddings: An Essential Guide for Creating Your Own Ceremonies by Jane Ross-MacDonald includes suggestions for writing vows, readings, music, invitations, clothing, flowers, and venues.

and some websites...

Union of Love - sample passages from which to create your own service.

BeliefNet - actual ceremonies from many faiths and religious traditions

Gay Rites - poetry, ceremony templates, and personal views contributed by readers, and a library of links to other sites

A Ceremony for Civil Parnerships -  offered by the UK Association of Registration & Celebratory Services

Web Wedding in the UK  - religious blessings and exchange of promises from the Lesbian and Gay Christian movement

Web Wedding in the UK - samples of humanistic and non-religious ceremonies from the British Humanist Association 

Beverly's Same Sex Relationship Resources - links to personal websites of gay couples.

Secular Same Sex Ceremonies  - complete non-religious GLBT commitment ceremonies from officiants who perform them

On the Web
 If you're writing your own vows, here are some websites that provide excellent poetry and prose selections for wedding ceremonies.

Ultimate Wedding - No kidding, this is a huge selection of vows, both non-denominational and religious. Also actual vows submitted by readers. How about vows from the soaps? They're there too! 

A Collection of Vows and Verses - If you want to say something meaningful to your beloved but you're at a loss. here are some beautiful ones to inspire you -- from different cultures and religions, contemporary and traditional.

About.com - This online encyclopedia has human guides who focus on a single specialty. You can peruse suggestions from the New Age Guide (aka Alternative Religion Guide) and the Marriage Guides (who are a married couple).

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