The Ceremony

 

 

Processional:
     Music: Somewhere over the Rainbow

Gathering words [Elliott]:

Welcome

Alice and Andrew have brought us here today for an occasion of great joy and a cause for great celebration.
Having found each other, they have built the kind of relationship that will serve them well as the foundation for their marriage.
They have chosen each and every one of us to be here with them to witness their wedding vows as they join together as husband and wife.

Each of us knows that a marriage is not created by a law or a ceremony; rather it occurs in the hearts of two human beings. 
It grows out of loving, caring, and sharing ourselves with another.

 

 

 

And so it is that Alice and Andrew have connected their hearts and souls, one to the other, drawing upon the depths of their being, into the deep well of human need – the need to live united, loving, and complete.

So, in witnessing the ceremony today, we are observing only the outward sign of an inward union that already exists between Alice and Andrew.
Today, they have come before us to publicly affirm their love; to promise to nurture themselves, each other, and this union; and to acknowledge its centrality in their lives.
And they do so knowing that marriage is at once the most tender, yet challenging, of all relations in life.

And so, we have gathered here together as family and friends to witness and to celebrate the coming together of Alice and Andrew as they enter into the sacred and joyous covenant of marriage.

Readings:

 Falling in love is like owning a dog
an epithalamion by Taylor Mali  read by Brett

First of all, it's a big responsibility,
especially in a city like New York.
So think long and hard before deciding on love.
On the other hand, love gives you a sense of security:
when you're walking down the street late at night
and you have a leash on love
ain't no one going to mess with you.
Because crooks and muggers think love is unpredictable.
Who knows what love could do in its own defense?

On cold winter nights, love is warm.
It lies between you and lives and breathes
and makes funny noises.
Love wakes you up all hours of the night with its needs.
It needs to be fed so it will grow and stay healthy.

Love doesn't like being left alone for long.
But come home and love is always happy to see you.
It may break a few things accidentally in its passion for life,
but you can never be mad at love for long.

Is love good all the time? No! No!
Love can be bad. Bad, love, bad! Very bad love.

Love makes messes.
Love leaves you little surprises here and there.
Love needs lots of cleaning up after.
Sometimes you just want to get love fixed.
Sometimes you want to roll up a piece of newspaper
and swat love on the nose,
not so much to cause pain,
just to let love know Don't you ever do that again!

 

Sometimes love just wants to go for a nice long walk.
Because love loves exercise.
It runs you around the block and leaves you panting.
It pulls you in several different directions at once,
or winds around and around you
until you're all wound up and can't move.

But love makes you meet people wherever you go.
People who have nothing in common but love
stop and talk to each other on the street.

Throw things away and love will bring them back,
again, and again, and again.
But most of all, love needs love, lots of it.
And in return, love loves you and never stops.

 

A Sonnet by Shakespeare read by Claire

Introduction to Couples readings[Elliott]:

The commitment of a man and a woman in marriage is of the heart, body, mind, and spirit,
and is for the intention of mutual love, help, and comfort through the trials and triumphs of life.

It is a relationship not to be entered into lightly,
but deliberately, lovingly, and reverently.

Andrew and Alice have asked four couples who have been committed to each other for many years to speak on four aspects of marriage:

--First we will hear from Alice’s parents, Alan and Elizabeth about the importance of Humor
[they spoke]   *We will add these parts as we get them*

--Next, we will hear from Andrew’s parents, Henry and Naomi about Commitment
[they spoke]

--Next, we will hear from Alice’s Aunt and Uncle, Meg and Nick about Partnership

 

They spoke]

--Lastly, we will hear from Andrew’s long time family friends, Art and Sharon, about Balance

 

 

They spoke]

Marriage Address[Elliott]:

Alice and Andrew, your marriage will, no doubt, be filled with surprises.
some you will welcome, while other will test the strength and flexibility of your bond.

Your life together will present many opportunities to refine and deepen your love
and to explore the profound depths of your being.

May you be compassionate with each other and nurture yourselves, each other, and this union with tender loving care.

May your love create a safe haven for you both on the journey that lays ahead of you

Lead with your hearts, and take the time to do the simple things that will nurture your love.

Do not just be married or in love; but let your marriage be an active process of loving each other

Be playful in finding ways to give your love anew to each other everyday

Let your love be an inspiration to others, to reach for what is good within us all, may your love be so abundant that you have plenty to share with the rest of us as well.

It is your love that has brought us together here today.
may it grow deeper and sweeter with each passing year

If anyone here sees a reason for these two to not be joined in marriage, speak now or forever hold you peace.

At this time Andrew and Alice will exchange their vows:

[Alice to Drew]:
Andrew, you are my best friend, my partner in life, and my true love,
Everyday I fall deeper in love with you
I love you bigger than the moon when you are standing on it
I am so honored and lucky to become your wife today

Andrew, in front of our friends and family today I vow to you:

to try in every way to make you as happy as you make me

to love you for who you are, to honor you as my equal, and to respect your individuality

to nurture, support, and care for you no matter what life brings our way

to be faithful and honest, and to always put our relationship first

and to make your hopess and dreams as important to me as my own, wherever our path leads us, it takes us together

May our home always be a place of peace,
may we always be proud of the life and family we have together.

I promise to love you without condition ,completely, and forever.

 

[Drew to Alice]:
Alice, you are my best friend, my partner in life, and my love
Everyday I fall deeper in love with you
I am honored and lucky to become your husband

In front of our friends and family today I vow to you:

to try in every way to make you as happy as you make me

to love you for who you are, to honor you as my equal, and to respect your individuality

to nurture, support, and care for you no matter what life brings our way

to be faithful and honest, and to always put our relationship first

and to make your hopes and dreams as important to me as my own

I know that our life together will include sadness as well as joy,
but I also know that together we have the strength to protect, nurture and grow our love
through all of life’s ups and downs

I promise to love you without condition, completely, and forever.

Rings[Elliott]:

May I have the rings

These rings are symbols of the love that join you spirit to spirit.
May these rings serve you and those who see them upon your fingers, as reminders of the vows you have made here today, and of our need to be faithful in all of our relationships.
May these rings serve to remind you of the freedom, and the power of your love.

Alice please repeat after me[give ring to Alice]:

I give you this ring as a sign that I choose you
to be my lover, my partner, and my best friend,
 today tomorrow and forever
[Alice repeats]

 

Andrew please repeat after me[give ring to Andrew]:

I give you this ring as a sign that I choose you
to be my lover, my  partner, and my best friend,
 today tomorrow and forever
[Andrew repeats]

Do you Andrew take Alice to be your lawfully wedded wife to love and to cherish from this day forward?

{I do}

Do you Alice take Andrew to be your lawfully wedded husband to love and to cherish from this day forward?

[I do]

 

{Music starts: All I Want is you by Barry Louis Polisar}

By the power vested in me, by the State of Washington, I now pronounce you husband and wife.

You may now kiss the bride!

I now present to you Mr. and Mrs. Andrew and Alice Lombard!

--Let’s all meet downstairs to toast to the new couple!