A true Lady and her Knight!
A Wiccan and a Christian who found the middle ground... So upon it they were wed. You will see some traditional elements from both religions in their ceremony below. I cannot take credit for most of this ceremony as the Bride was an exellent writer, and I did have another officiant by my side!
~ Handfasting ~
~ The Herald’s Introductions ~
As the people enter, The Herald announces them.
After all are assembled, Herald announces:
Herald: “Hear ye, hear ye! What ye are witnessing, on this fine day, is a testament to the love two people have for one another. On behalf of the Bride and Groom, we do ask that all ye people put away thy devices of wizardry, or turn off their infernal chirp (in a stage whisper - beepers and cell phones). For on this day, we do bring together friends and family to bear witness, to celebrate, and to revel in the love that Jacqueline and Scott hath wrought.”
Officiants enter as Herald introduces them
“Hark, the Reverends appear! Come forth, now, for without thy aid, this gathering shall be to no avail! M’Lords, M’Ladies, I introduce to thee, the good Reverends April Gismondi and Neil MacPhearson, from the temple by the Seaford canals!”
The Reverends April and Neil enter and proceed to the altar.
~ Preamble ~
HPS: “M’Lords, M’Ladies! Minstrels, Bards, Swordsmen and Sorcerers! Fair Maids, Dear Friends and Family! By the leave of our Bride and Groom, I bid thee a hearty Welcome! As our Mother Earth begins Her first harvest, so we are reminded to take for ourselves some of the fruits of our labors and hold close to us that which is so precious and dear. We are reminded to give thanks, and to celebrate the gifts of life.”
“All endings are but the birth of new beginnings. Jacqueline and Scott are ending one part of their lives, the part in which they were separate. And today they shall begin a new part, the part in which they are one. Together, they shall reap their fair harvest - the seeds of courtship they have sown have ripened to the fruits of magickal love. ‘Tis both an honor and privilege to share in this, their bounty, and to have known them through their journey.”
HP: “Their journey to this altar has been a tale of romance, fire, and passion. Their flaming desire and willful abandon to love hath created an unbreakable bond. Indeed, life for each without the other hath become unthinkable! With the words to their song of love now etched forever in stone, and laid upon the path for all to see, “I am yours forever” it doth read. And to this I say “So mote it be!”
“Thou who art our Bride and Grooms dear Friends and Family, ‘tis with an open heart that we do welcome all of you to share in this sacred space, and in this sacred ceremony of marriage. Thou art those who hath shared in Jacqueline and Scott’s lives, and thou art those who will share their happiness, in this, their finest hour! Thy presence here is as vital as the morning air. For, in our faith, sharing this celebration with friends and family, as well as with the Old Ones, and the spirits of the land, sea and sky, is the only way to greaten the joy in Jacqueline and Scott’s hearts. Henceforth, let thy spirits rejoice, and remember that in the love and emotion that pours forth from thee, lie the hopes, dreams and blessings that are thy gifts to Scott and Jacqueline on this day.”
“Let the handfasting begin!”
~ Elemental Blessing ~
HPS: “Since days of old, people have communed with Nature, the elements which giveth life to the Universe. It is within Nature that we all abide, and Nature abides within us, hence we ask for Jacqueline and Scott the blessings of Nature’s elements: Air, Fire, Water and Earth.“
HP: “Be with us here, O Powers of Air!
Let their words flow like birdsong on gentle breezes.
Bring with the dawn a future bright,
As freely as Air flows throughout the world
May their love grow without bounds.
Let them know the world, and each other
Speaking not only with their lips, but with their hearts.”
HPS: “Be with here, O Powers of Fire!
Give their love and passion
Your all consuming ardor!
May they ever remain strong and vital, one for the other.
As warmly as the noon sun shines,
May each day be as bright and vibrant.
Let them know the world, and each other
Loving not only with their bodies, but with their souls.”
HP: “Be with us here, O Powers of Water!
Give their lives the calmness
And serenity of the deep blue ocean.
May they love well, and be well loved.
May they take comfort in each other’s presence.
With the surety and endurance with which
Water makes it’s journey to the sea,
Let them know the world, and each other,
Embracing not only with their arms, but with their hearts.”
HPS: “Be with us here, O Powers of Earth!
Let your strength and constancy
Be theirs as long as they shall remain together.
May they sow the seeds to ensure a bountiful harvest.
With the solidity and fertility of the green Earth,
May their love be constant and rich.
Let them know the world, and each other,
Growing not only in their minds, but with their souls.”
HP: “Lord and Lady, descend and shine upon us.
She who is all knowing, all loving,
Creator of all that hath come to pass
And all that is yet to be.
He who is as ancient as the mighty oak,
And as bold as the Sun
Without whom there would be no life.
We giveth thanks unto thee for the gift of love
That thou hath bestowed upon this couple
May they become one in truth
And forever revel In the magick that is true love.”
~ Drawing Down of God and Goddess ~
HPS: “In the drawing down of the God and Goddess into this man and woman, we bring the Divine Spirits which dwell without us together with the Divine Spirit that abides within us. To become the embodiment of the God and Goddess also serves as a reminder that as above, so below.”
~ Drawing Down the Goddess into the Bride ~
HP: “Thou shalt be the star that rises from the sea,
The twilight sea..
Thou shalt bring a man dreams to rule his destiny
Thou shalt bring the moon tides
To the soul of a man,
The tides that flow and ebb, and flow again,
The promise of the future
And the creation that lies there-in
The Magick that moves in the moon and the sea,
These are thy secret and they belong to thee.
Thou art the Eternal Woman, thou art She,
The tides of a man’s soul belong unto thee.
Isis in heaven, On the Earth, Persephone
Diana of the moon, at the cross roads, Hecate
Athena bold with shield and sword,
Aphrodite from the foaming sea,
All these thou art and They are seen in Thee.”
~ Drawing Down the God into the Groom ~
HPS: “In thee may the Lord of Light return
to the Earth again,
Hear the ancient call and show thyself to men,
Pan of the forest with pipe in hand
And hoof to the ground,
Mighty Apollo, who drives the sun’s chariot
round and round,
Hephestos with his forge sparking the eternal flames
of passions fire,
And sweet Eros, child of man’s desire.
Shepherd of those upon the wild hill’s way,
Lead thy lost flock from darkness into day.
Forgotten are the ways of sleep and night,
Men seek for these whose eyes have lost the light.
Open the door, the door that hath no key,
The door of Dreams whereby men come unto thee.
Shepherd of wild things answer unto me!”
~ A Reading From the First Letter of Paul
to the Corinthians ~
Doug: “If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels,
but do not have love,
I am as a noisy gong, or a clanging cymbal.
And if I have prophetic powers,
and understand all mysteries and all knowledge,
and if I have faith, so as to move mountains,
but do not have love, I am nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind.
Love is not envious, or boastful, or arrogant, or rude.
It does not insist on it’s own way;
It is not irritable or resentful;
It does not rejoice in wrongdoings,
but rejoices with the truth..
Love bears all things, believes all things,
hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never ends.”
~ Sword, Chalice and Ring Exchange ~
HP: “Lord Scott, if it is truly thy desire to become one with this with this woman: Then present unto her a symbol of thy pledge, and a token of thy love.”
Groom drops to one knee, and presents Sword with ring on it
HP: “Lady Jacqueline, thou art the most gracious and lovely one that Scott has ever seen, for he understands the essence of thy true self. The beauty which radiates around thee can only be rivaled by the beauty which radiates from within thee. The pledge of his sword is as the pledge of his soul. It is his prowess, his fire, his passion, his strength & courage, His ability to protect, defend and care for thee. With the strength of his blade and the endurance of its steel to represent what is in his heart, take from him now, as his beloved, the ring that rests upon it, and choose him to be your own.”
Bride takes ring from Sword
Jacqueline: “I accept the pledge of thy blade and the eternal promise of this wedding band.”
Bride takes sword from Groom and places the blade from left shoulder to right shoulder to the top of his head. The motion, as in bestowing knighthood upon him while saying:
Jacqueline: “For the boy thou were,
For the man thee art,
And for the Husband thou shall be to me,
I do choose you to be mine own”
Bride returns sword
Jacqueline: “If thou wilt now place this ring upon mine finger,
I shall from this day forth,
‘till beyond the end of time,
Take thee to be mine own.”
Bride opens hand presenting Groom with the ring
which he then places upon her finger
Jacqueline: “When I met thee,
I knew the Gods had a reason for bringing us together.
Now, as it was back then, I see you,
and know my future lies within thy heart.
With thee at my side, my life has become rich with love,
passion, friendship and security.
Thou hast won my heart, I have given thee my soul.
Now I give to thee, the one thing that ye lack,
My promise.
I vow to be thy friend in all things, for all days.
I vow to be thy lover, for as long as I breathe.
I vow to catch thee when thou shalt falter,
And applaud when thou shalt succeed.
I vow to support thee in thy adventures,
And be the home thou shalt always return to.
I vow to give to thee my strength in times of hardship.
I vow to rejoice with thee in times of plenty.
I vow to come to thee when I am in need,
And make thy needs mine own.
The Goddess tell us,
‘A woman is not greater than a man,
and a man is not greater than a woman.
For what one lacks, the other has to give.’
Above all else, I vow, before the Gods and this company,
to love thee until the end of my days.
For thou are that which I lack, and I am grateful to
the Gods for their gift to me.”
HPS: “Lady Jacqueline, if it is truly your desire to become one with this man: Then present unto him a symbol
of thy pledge and a token of thy love.”
Bride bows before Groom and presents Chalice with ring inside
HPS: “Lord Scott, in the eyes of this woman thou art the only man in the world. Thine is the voice of sound reason and unwavering support. Thou art the spark to the bonfire of her passions and thine art the arms in which she would have lay down to rest. The pledge of her chalice is the pledge of all that is within her, Her felicity and devotion. The place in her heart where two souls can be sheltered and nourished, that they may grow together, ever closer, and flourish as the leaves on the trees and the fruits of the vine. As the depth and bounty of her chalice foretell the richness of your future together, take from her now the band that lies there within, and do choose her as thy own.”
Groom takes ring from Chalice, Bride still holding chalice
Scott: “I accept the pledge of your chalice and the eternal promise of this wedding band.”
Groom pours wine into chalice then takes it from his Bride
Scott: “For the girl thou were,
For the woman thou art
And for the wife that thee shall be to me,
I toast and drink to thee!
And do choose you to be mine own”
Groom makes toasting gesture, drinks and returns chalice to Bride
Scott: “If thou will now place this ring upon my finger,
I shall from this day forth,
‘till beyond the end of time,
Take you to be mine own.”
Groom opens hand presenting Bride with the ring
which she then places upon his finger
Scott: “With this ring, I take thee to be my wife,
my friend, my lover and my Queen.
All that I am, now belongs to you.
From this day forth, my heart will know no other.
I will dedicate all my quests to your honor.
My strength will be the rock of your dreams.
My sword will protect thee from all life’s advisories.
My shoulders will be there for you to seek comfort on.
Within my arms, you’ll be sheltered
like a cub in a mother’s touch.
I will ride steadfast into the fray
for your glory and devotion.
And if I fall in battle,
I will call on thy name for courage, and arise victorious.
I cannot picture a day without your warmth besides me,
your scent on me, or your love in me.
Without your breath gently caressing me like morning dew, I would die.
Without your touch surrounding me like a warm ocean,
I would grow cold.
Without your love shinning
like endless starlight in the heavens, I would become dark.
I would rather lie vigil in eternal damnation
than to never gaze into your eyes again.
For you are the sunrise of my soul,
radiating my life so that it consumes the moon less night.
I can accomplish anything with you behind me.
I will boldly ride, sword drawn, into the abyss
knowing that your love will be there for me when I return.
For you are the breath in my lungs,
the blood in my heart,
the strength in my bones,
And these I pledge to you my love,
now and for ever.”
~ Liana’s Ring Ceremony ~
HP: “Marriage is often seen as the union of two persons. Yet, marriages unite not only Brides and Grooms, but families, clans and kingdoms. Ere knowing that the number sacred to the Goddess is three, we bring forth the child, Liana. For children are as precious to the Gods as well as man - they love without fear, they press us forward when the world would rather we stand still. They are the treasures of the world, and they inspire us with nothing more than a smile.”
HPS: “Come forth Liana, and be received as a cherished member
of this union.”
Liana comes forward and stands in front of HP & HPS facing the guests Scott places the family medallion around Liana’s neck
Scott: “ In the placing of this necklace,
I pledge to thee, Liana,
a lifetime of my love and support.”
~ Handfasting ~
Bride and Groom’s hands are bound
HP: “Remember now, as thy hands are fasted, ‘tis not the strength of this cord and knotwork that binds thee; they are merely symbols for thy love. All things of this world eventually return to the Earth again, unlike the bond thy souls share, which is eternal and destined to ascend to the heavens.”
HPS: “As the Goddess, the God and Old Ones are witness to this rite, I now pronounce thee husband and wife. Thus art thy hands fasted... the two art now one. The work of joy is done, and yet begun! Thou shalt kiss the bride!”
~ Jumping The Broom & Sword ~
Matron of Honor lays down Besom
Best man crosses it with his sword
HP: “As the sword dost cut the ties to thy pasts, so dost the besom sweep away the traces. Step forward, and greet thy future as one!”
Jump and kiss again!
Circle is opened
HPS: “The rite has ended!”
Bride and Groom exit under the sword arch to greet their guests
as petals rain down
North Carolinians whe wed at the Historical Chapel in Woodbury to be with friends and Family
"Today is a celebration of love and of life! A celebration not to
create a bond or a union, but rather to rejoice in all that Makaria
and Thomas already share. The location of today's ceremony is not
only beautiful but also ripe with meaning.
The author David Mitchell once wrote: 'After all, what is the ocean
but a collection of drops?'
So I ask you now what is a good marriage but a collection of
moments, both great and seemingly insignificant, that take a
lifetime to collect. Moments that are created in love, celebrated,
and shared in the privacy of two hearts, become something so vast
and all encompassing that like molecules of water, they integrate
with every aspect of life. They fill the body and soul with
memories, bringing a richness and fullness to life. Every act of
kindness, every loving glance, every touch every kiss holds in it a
drop of life. When those drops are held in love and marriage the
rewards are so far reaching that there is nothing beyond that grasp
of a husband and wife joined by this all powerful force.
The fact that we are at a lighthouse is also symbolic in that the
light of love and the strength of the promises made this day shall
be as a beacon through the dark times when it is sometimes hard to
find our way through the cold and night to the safety and shelter
that is the harbor of a good marriage.
addressing Bride and Groom
Today is the public affirmation and acknowledgment of all that you
are to each other. Seemingly your relationship will be as it has
always been, yet there is a power in the spoken word. May that power
bring you all the warmth and closeness, security and comfort, joy
and happiness that this world has to offer."
New York City is a popular place for elopements! I was lucky enough to spend Christmas Eve with these two Texas love birds. As beautiful a couple on the inside as they are to look upon. They have a firm foundation and I doubt that even the sky is not high enough to be their limit!
"This place that Leah and Hal have chosen for their wedding day is ripe with so many wonderful and appropriate metaphors. It is a place of peace amid the activity of the busy city. One of the statues proudly wears a plaque that says “Liberty and Union, Now and Forever, One and Inseparable” Can you think of a better analogy for a good marriage? The security and trust that their love provides is the firmest of all foundations from which to move forward into making their dreams a reality. This park, like their relationship, did not happen by accident. It was created. Care and attention went into it’s planning. The things that were brought in were as carefully chosen as the things that were decidedly left out and even the smallest of details are celebrated with wrought iron for strength and durability. Space and closeness, art, form and function have all grown together in a place that originally had no purpose. The Gilded Age of this parks inception was one of wonder, invention, and naturalists. There was a sense of hope for the future, of a spirituality that includes a social responsibility, a goal of deriving pleasure by giving joy to others, and reverence for all life were in the minds of those who planned this place. Nature has always inspired a connection to something larger than ourselves. In marriage we gladly accept that love is the greatest thing in our lives and that through surrendering to it we ourselves are become infinite and limitless.
With just a touch of red to honor their Chinese ancestry they were married in Brooklyn's Prospect Park.
"What beauty Janine and Bob have chosen to share with us on their wedding Their love and the vineyards are themselves beautiful in nature, as pristine as a new beginning. Each vine and the fruit that it bares is unique unto
itself, yet it is the human care and nurturing that they receive over
time which enables them to thrive and to reach their full potential.
The process of wine making likewise tales great care and dedication.
As with a good marriage, all the ingredients brought in are as carefully chosen, as the things that are decidedly left out, to create a unique and vibrant spirit with it's own personality.
That we are here during the season of the harvest is also
speaks to the core of our beings. The harvest has always been the time in
which the earth'¦s bounty has been collected and celebrated and shared
with loved ones, much in this same way do Janine and Bob allow us to
partake in their joy this day. It also serves as a reminder that of
all the wondrous blessings poured forth upon the earth. our Bride and
Groom have chosen to take unto themselves each other above all else.
Today is one year to the day that Janine made Bob the happiest man in
the world by accepting his proposal of marriage and agreeing that
they should indeed spend the rest of their lives together. They met
through friends and their relationship progressed quickly. Bob knew who he was, what he believed and what was important to him. Janine found his strength of character very attractive.
For Bob it was not only the fact that Janine was a woman who knew what she wanted but her kindness that captured his heart. There is an unmistakable connection and a certain spark they share when their eyes meet. They look at one another as if they just know that they share something very special, so much so that I'm sure had many of you suspecting this day would come even before our Bride and Groom themselves. They have just completed building a house, are looking forward to making it a home, and building a marriage and a lifetime together.
Thomas Merton once said:
'The beginning of love,
is to let those we love be perfectly themselves,
and not to twist them to fit our own image.
Otherwise we love only the reflection of ourselves
we see in them.'
This is what Janine and Bob have found in each other, hope to give to
their children some day, and are thankful beyond words to receive
from all of you who have loved them and supported them through
everything that it has taken them and us all to be here this day.
Ring Vows and Sharing of Wine
Within a marriage each person is both their own and each others.
Their personal integrity does not diminish by their union. In fact it
is enhanced and supported by this new creation that is their
marriage. You will see this beautifully exemplified in the sharing
and combining of wines that Janine and Bob have incorporated into
their ring vows.
Marriage is a joint venture, to be embarked upon wholeheartedly with
full expectation that in order for it to be a long and happy
marriage, there are certain things that you will have to work on
together. It is with this in mind that I ask...
Do you vow to keep open your hearts and minds that neither words nor
the lack of them shall ever cause a silence to dwell between you that
your love cannot bridge?"
Janine and Bob: "We do."
"Do you vow to ever remember to take joy in life, and in each other,
never forgetting it is the matters of the heart that are real?"
Janine and Bob: "We do."
"Do you vow to share whatever burdens the mundane world may present,
in that overcoming them together your spirits shall grow towards a
common hope, dream and reality?"
Janine and Bob: "We do."
"Do you vow to love and cherish each other keeping sacred above all
else, the place your hearts hold for one another?"
Janine and Bob: "We do."
"Bob will you now place the ring on Janine's finger and repeat after
me?"
"All that I am, All that I do.
All that I shall dream shall be ours together.
I take you as my wife, my friend, my lover
From this day forth."
Bob places the ring on Janine's finger, picks up his glass, toasts
and drinks to her then pours one third of his wine into the center
chalice and places his glass back on the table
"Janine will you now place the ring on Bob's finger and repeat after
me?"
"All that I am, All that I do.
All that I shall dream shall be ours together.
I take you as my wife, my friend, my lover
From this day forth."
Janine places the ring on Bobˇ¦s finger, picks up her glass, toasts
and drinks to him then pours one third of her wine into the center
chalice and places her glass back on the table
Bride and Groom then together pick up the center chalice, each with
both hands on the chalice, they then together drink from it as
celebrant continues, then return it to the table
"Within this new essence they create today, dwells the spirit of
their union. Now they are forever joined by something
larger than themselves, yet as we can see, who they were and are,
still stand whole and strong in and of themselves to the left and
right, supporting this new creation that is their life together."
They chose a mix of Beach and Renaissance at the Sunken Meadow Pavilion. Yes, the sky and water really were that blue, no doubt foreshadowing the fair days ahead for these two
“Good afternoon and welcome! As we will be beginning shortly I would ask that those of you with telecommunications devices, Cell phones, beepers and such, if you will please turn them off or switch them to vibrate at this time.
What you are about to witness today is a celebration of love and of life. The words and traditions you will hear and see reflected in this ceremony are based on our Bride and Groom’s connection to each other, and to the divine nature that is alive in all things, from the world around them to their relationship itself. It speaks of the importance of Friends and of Family, and the honor rightly given to these things, as well as the highest of honors that they pay unto each other this day as they lay the groundwork for that which shall be their life together.
Michael if you now join me with your Best Man Eric and your Groomsmen James, Keith, Robert, and Donald, your beautiful Bride awaits!”
Processional begins
Theentrances are made
With all in place we begin!
~ Declaration of Intent ~
“Marriage is a bond to be entered into only after considerable thought and reflection. As with any aspect of life, it has its cycles, its ups and its downs, its trials and its triumphs. A couple who wed are joined not only by the mutual affection and love they share, but also by their hopes, dreams and by their resolve, come what may, to remain together through time. The promises and vows that they make together shall aid them in this pursuit, and guide them into their common future. Therefore a wedding is more than a celebration of the Love which lives in our Bride and Groom’s hearts today. It reaches into the future and proclaims their intentions for that which tomorrow shall hold, fixing like a star on the horizon their worthy goal. I will ask you now if you are prepared to make these promises.
Others would ask, at this time, who gives the bride in marriage, but, as a woman is not property to be bought and sold, given and taken, I ask simply if she comes of her own will and if she has her family’s blessing.
Sandra, is it true that you come here today of your own free will and accord?“
Sandra: “Yes, it is true."
“With whom do you come,
and whose blessings accompany you?"
Leopoldo: “She comes with us, her mother and Father,
and is accompanied by all her family and friends blessings.”
“Sandra, Will you love Michael, comfort him, honor and keep him all the days of your journey?”
Sandra: “I will.”
“Michael, Have you come here today of your own free will to take Sandra to be your wife, that you may live together as equal partners sharing all that life has to offer?”
Michael: “I have.”
“Will you love her comfort her, honor and keep her all the days of your journey?”
Michael: “I will.”
“Living by these promises that you make today, may your future be blessed even beyond that which all of those who are gathered here, who love you both so dearly, would dare to wish for you.”
~ Traditional Celtic Blessing ~
by Ed Fitch
“Please join hands with your betrothed and listen to that
which I am about to say.
Above you are the stars,
below you are the stones,
as time doth pass, remember...
Like a stone should your love be firm
like a star should your love be constant.
Let the powers of the mind and of the intellect
guide you in your marriage,
let the strength of your wills bind you together,
let the power of love and desire make you happy,
and the strength of your dedication make you inseparable.
Be close, but not too close.
Possess one another, yet be understanding.
Have patience with one another,
for storms will come, but they will pass quickly.
Be free in giving affection and warmth.
Have no fear and let not the ways nor the words
of the unenlightened give you unease,
For your Love shall be with you now and always."
~ Elemental Blessing ~
“Since ancient times, people have communed with nature to learn more about themselves by example. Since it is within nature that we all do abide, we ask for Sandra and Michael the blessings of Nature’s Elements, Air, Fire, Water and Earth. We do this that they may fully come to understand the lessons each element has to offer. The attributes of which are examples of those aspects they mirror not only within divinity but within ourselves as well.”
“We ask the spirits of Air to keep open the lines of communication between this couple. May their future be as bright as the dawn on the horizon. As Air flows freely to and from and through us all, may their hearts and minds and souls come to know the world and each other in this manner. Seeing not only with their eyes, may they together grow wise with wisdom.”
“Spirits of Fire, we ask that Sandra and Michael’s passion for each other and for life itself remain ever strong and vital, fortifying each day with a vibrancy rooted in boldness, and courage. As Fire clears the way for new growth, may they know that this power is theirs: to create change and bring about the richness and quality that comes with a true love of life.”
“We ask the Spirits of Water, that their love for each other and the comfort of loved ones, like the serenity of the deep blue ocean, be the oasis that forever surrounds our Bride and Groom. May they be well loved, and love well, letting the surety with which Water makes its journey to the sea, flowing over rocks or around trees, even turning into vapor and riding a cloud, ever serve as a reminder that with love all is well and will endure.”
“Spirits of Earth, we ask that you give unto those you see standing before you this day, the rock solid place to stand and fulfill his destiny. May their journey mirror the vast planes and fertile fields, expansive and alive. May they find the right seeds to sow to ensure a bountiful harvest. And when they look up at the Northern Star, may they know that it is as bright and constant as their love for each other as well as the love of the divine is for them.
May Eternal Love forever continue to shine upon
And from Sandra and Michael,
Blessing them with prosperity and abundance,
Health and happiness, joy and peace
In both the physical and spiritual world
All the days of their journey.”
~ Binah number IV ~
by Ly de Angeles
Christopher steps forward to deliver the reading
“Love is in detachment from the strings
that end up tying tighter than love was ever meant to be.
Love without fear of what may come tomorrow-
for that is what love is.
It belongs to no one but yourself
and cannot be taken or given as a token of or a gift.
Your worries and fears have nothing to do with love-
they are either extensions of the world around you
or your own shortcomings.
Compare them not to love
or you will lose your choice in the matter of love...
...And if love be not free and exhilarating
then it is not love but demand and desire
for that which you are not.
Love allows,
It is a perspective of self-self in reflection and glory,
mirrored in a feeling that is beautiful to feel.
Anything else is not love but obligation...
and that is something else to be dealt with.”
~ The Key to Love ~
by Anon, 1st Century BC, China
Nicole steps forward to deliver the reading
“The key to love is understanding ...
The ability to comprehend not only the spoken word,
but those unspoken gestures,
the little things that say so much by themselves.
The key to love is forgiveness ....
to accept each others faults and pardon mistakes,
without forgetting, but with remembering
what you learn from them.
The key to love is sharing ...
Facing your good fortunes as well as the bad, together;
both conquering problems, forever searching for ways
to intensify your happiness.
The key to love is giving ...
without thought of return,
but with the hope of just a simple smile,
and by giving in but never giving up.
The key to love is respect ...
realizing that you are two separate people,
with different ideas; that you don’t belong to each other,
that you belong with each other, and share a mutual bond.
The key to love is inside us all ...
It takes time and patience to unlock all the ingredients
that will take you to its threshold;
it is the continual learning process
that demands a lot of work ...
but the rewards are more than worth the effort ...
and that is the key to love.”
~ The Sand Ceremony ~
“Will you now step up to the altar and hold close to your heart the bag of sand representing the essence of all that you are and all that you possess. As you do so, embody the grains with all your hopes and dreams for the future. Bring to mind all that you are, all that you aspire to be and all the particles that make you unique and wonderful in the eyes of your beloved.”
Bride and Groom each take their own bag from the altar
“Within a marriage each person is both their own and each others. Their personal integrity does not diminish by their union, in fact it is enhanced. Their hopes and dreams remain their own, as individual as each grain of sand. Yet they have a new life ahead with endless possibilities and new dreams that are theirs together.”
Addressing the Bride and Groom
“Will you now join the contents of that which you hold in the palm of your hand, join your essences, and create this physical representation of the sacred place in which souls touch.”
Bride and Groom intermingle their sand
~ Presentation of The Rings ~
“May I have the rings please?
A circle is the symbol of the sun and the earth and the universe. It is a symbol of holiness and of perfection and of peace. In these rings it is the symbol of unity, in which your lives are now joined in one unbroken circle, in which, wherever you go, you will always return to one another and to your togetherness. The circle, is one of nature’s simplest forms. The arc of the rainbow, the halo of the moon and the smallest of raindrops simulate the circle. Even when a stone is cast upon a pond, it generates waves in ever expanding circles. Consider this marriage as being two stones meeting the water simultaneously. The ensuing waves interlock, and the growth of the enlarging circles show the combined energies of the lives of Sandra and Michael. The joining of these two lives will be symbolized in the exchange of rings.”
~ Ring Exchange ~
“Michael, I have not the right to bind you to Sandra, only you have this right. If it be your wish, say so at this time and place your ring in her hand.”
Michael: “It is my wish.”
Michael places the ring on Sandra’s finger
“Sandra, I have not the right to bind you to Michael, only you have this right. If it be your wish, say so at this time and place your ring in his hand.”
Sandra: “It is my wish.”
Sandra places the ring on Michael’s finger
~ Ring Vows ~
“Michael as it is your wish for Sandra to be bound to you, repeating after me, will you now give voice to that which is in your heart:
I Michael,
In the name of the spirit of Love that resides within us all,
By the life that courses within my blood,
And the love that resides within my heart,
Promise that I shall not seek to change thee in any way.
I shall respect thee, thy beliefs, thy people, and thy ways
As I respect myself.
I take thee Sandra to my hand,
My heart and my spirit, to be my chosen one.
To desire thee, and be desired by thee,
Without sin or shame,
For naught can exist in the purity of my love for thee.
I promise to love thee wholly and completely
Without restraint, in sickness and in health,
In plenty and in poverty, in life and beyond,
Where we shall meet, remember, and love again.”
“Sandra as it is your wish for Michael to be bound to you, repeating after me, will you now give voice to that which is in your heart:
I Sandra,
In the name of the spirit of Love that resides within us all,
By the life that courses within my blood,
And the love that resides within my heart,
Promise that I shall not seek to change thee in any way.
I shall respect thee, thy beliefs, thy people, and thy ways,
As I respect myself.
I take thee Michael to my hand,
My heart and my spirit, to be my chosen one,
To desire thee, and be desired by thee,
Without sin or shame,
For naught can exist in the purity of my love for thee.
I promise to love thee wholly and completely
Without restraint, in sickness and in health,
In plenty and in poverty, in life and beyond,
Where we shall meet, remember, and love again.”
~ Cakes and Ale ~
Celebrant hands chalice of mead to the Bride and Groom saying
“May you drink your fill from the cup of love.”
Groom offers chalice to bride while she sips
then bride takes chalice and holds it for groom while he sips.
The chalice is then handed back and put on the altar.
The plate of bread is then offered to the couple.
“As food nourished the body so does love nourish the soul.
In this way shall each of you be as sustenance to the other.“
The Groom feeds the Bride, the Bride feeds the Groom
and the plate is placed on the altar.
~ Handfasting ~
“As this knot is tied, so are your lives now bound.
Woven into this cord, imbued into its very fibers, are all the hopes of your friends and family, and of yourselves, for your new life together. With the fashioning of this knot do I tie all the desires, dreams, love, and happiness wished here in this place to your lives for as long as you both shall live.”
Bride and Groom’s hands are bound
“By the power vested in me by the State of New York, I now pronounce that you are now as your hearts have always known you to be, Husband and Wife. May your love so endure that its flame remains a guiding light unto you.”
“You may kiss your beautiful Bride!”
~ The Broom & Sword ~
“Both in every day and magikal terms brooms are used for sweeping away the remnants of the past which no longer serve us, while the sword symbolizes the wielding of power and personal responsibility. As the Bride and Groom jump they are reminded that remaining vigilant over these aspects of life shall help them to achieve the quality of life they aspire to.”
Maid of Honor lays down Broom
Best man crosses it with his sword
“Now putting the past behind you,
and remembering always that the power
to create your tomorrow is your own,
jump together into your common future!”
Couple jump, kiss again, and exit to greet their guests
“So here we are among the clouds, sitting in the same plane where you first met. Now you’ve come here to make your promises to one another, the promises that shall enable you to take your relationship to new heights. There are many metaphors that I could use for this unique situation. There is all the daily care maintenance that it takes to get to where we are, there is the road less traveled, however I think the most appropriate one for you is the freedom of the air and of flight. The trust and security that you have in your plane, your vehicle, the faith that you have in your abilities, it all brings you so much joy! It allows your hearts to soar, not to mention the rush of it all! I believe that this is the stuff that your marriage shall be made of. The interdependence that you share makes you as integral in one another’s life as the individual pieces of machinery that allow this plane to fly. Yet the faith that you have in your love, in your relationship and in each other has brought you to feelings of freedom and independence. The firm foundation that you have means that you have the freedom to realize your full potential, and to rise above the storms of life. The sky’s the limit so to speak! But as we all know any flight is only as good as the landing. This is yet another gift that you give to each other, the strong, safe place to return to at the end of the day.
One of my favorite aspects of the element of Air is that it is an ideal model for communication. It is the embodiment thoughts, feelings and emotions all being shared as effortlessly as the molecules of air that you share in every breath. For you this often needs no words. Yet in order to fulfill the criteria necessary to fill out the paperwork held so dear by the laws of man and state I must now ask you.....
Archer do you take Nina to be your wife?
Do you promise to do everything in your power
to help her remain the bold and bright,
beautiful woman that she is today?
Do you promise to love her and honor her,
to respect and cherish her
for as long as you both shall live?”
Archer: “I do.”
“You may place the ring on her finger.”
Archer places the ring on Nina’s finger
“Is there anything else that your heart would have say to your beloved?"
Archer speaks his heart
"Nina do you take Archer to be your husband?
Do you promise to do everything in your power
to help him remain the bold and bright,
beautiful man that he is today?
Do you promise to love him and honor him,
to respect and cherish him
for as long as you both shall live?”
Nina: “I do.”
“You may place the ring on his finger.”
Nina places the ring on Archer’s finger
“Is there anything else that your heart would have say to your beloved?”
Nina speaks her heart
“You are now as your hearts have already known you to be,
husband and wife, you may kiss your beautiful Bride!”
Married in Flushing Queens. They had both Western and Chinese influences through out the day making it wonderfully diverse and rich in flavor and culture.
St. Thomas may just be the place you are looking for.
~ Beach Wedding ~
Let us take a moment to mediate on the sacrament of marriage, open our hearts to our Creator to enter this ceremony, and give thanks for the beauty that surrounds us.
(Names) we are about to experience a miracle. This miracle is the joining of two lives in peace which becomes this inspiration that forms a family.
All of your moments together have led up to this exchange of vows and have prepared you as you promise to be each other's lifetime partner. This is a most special gift which you are about to share, which has been carefully nurtured and polished to give to one another. This gift cannot be bought in a store or found under a tree. This is the gift of love that can only be shared in marriage. May its radiance never diminish, even as the sea around us.
We are joyfully gathered today to witness and to celebrate the joining of two lives in marriage, Let us rejoice with each other in the making of this important covenant. The essence of this covenant is the taking of each other in entirety, as an everlasting lover, friend and companion. It is, therefore, a decision which has not been entered into lightly but rather undertaken with great consideration and respect for one another.
We have come together in the hope that the love which has brought you both to this union may go out beyond itself into the lives of others. Thus, we ask that your promises and hopes be realized. We ask that you both be granted the patience to listen, the capacity to understand, the compassion to give comfort and the joy to laugh and just to be together.. Most importantly, let your marriage make a home where neither person is a stranger, and, remember, it is just as important to be the right partner as it is to choose the right partner.
Let your marriage offer illumination and growth. Bask in the joy of shared discoveries. Let your union be strong enough to endure the darkness of all things. May silence and despair never separate you; may you always return to each other.
~ The Exchange of Vows ~
(To be spoken to each other)
I, (name), will share my life openly with you, (name).
I will walk hand in hand with you.
I will grow with you, not away from you, in each of our discoveries.
I will support your strengths with love and honesty and protect you,
as we go forth together into this world as two yet one.
~ The Exchange of Rings ~
(Minister holds rings)
Let these rings which you are about to exchange, serve to remind us that a circle is a symbol of the sun, the earth and the universe, of wholeness, peace and unity. Your rings are circles which have no beginning and no ending. They are tokens of this growing relationship you have come here today to celebrate and confirm, emblems of eternity which can never be tarnished, and which are without end, to show how imperishable is the faith that you have now mutually pledged before witness and to God.
As a symbol of your faithfulness, and then to the other, place the rings on each other's finger and repeat after me, "I accept you (name), as my partner, as my friend, and as my (husband/wife), through all of the experiences life holds for us, in abiding faith and love."
~ Wedding Blessing ~
Be together in harmony and let the winds of the heavens dance between you. Empower each other and allow your relationship to evolve to its highest purpose. Nourish each others possibilities and lift up each others spirits. Care for one another, share your love openly and let it be a moving sea between the shores of your souls. Sing and dance together and be joyful. Share your lives with each other and unite your love with our Creator. May your union last through all of your moments together, so that in the triumphs and the trials that lie ahead, you will feel just as you do now - happy to be in love and married to one another. Go then, in peace, and live more and more in the present, which is beautiful and stretches away beyond the limits of the past and towards the horizons of the future.
Having witnessed the vows you have just made to each other, surrounded by your love, (and by the sand, the sun and the sea of the Virgin Islands), by the loving grace of our Highest Power and by the authority vested in me, upheld by the laws of the U.S. Virgin Islands, I now pronounce you husband and wife,
Mr. and Mrs. _____________
Optional Nautical Reading for marriages on sailboats, yachts and cruise ships.
May you be each other's navigator in the course of life's voyages, and each other's anchor in the rough seas that may lie ahead, so that through this journey your love may have the strength of the powerful sun which can break away any dark cloud that may come your way. And as each other's mate for life, may you be at the helm of your own and each other's destiny.
We ask our Creator now for your safety and to bless you as you complete your voyage on the seas and in the course of your marriage.
516-785-4191
Anytime!
