Ceremony for Gabrielle and James 21 June 2002 Midsummer Night (Summer Solstice)

Ceremony written by the couple with assistance of Father Dave



PRE - CEREMONY

Since Father Dave (bless him) made sure we were going ahead of the menfolk, I actually DID get my private ritual time. We took Mom along as my witness and maid of honor, but Father assisted in the preparation. I already mentioned that he consecrated the wedding grove and tree with the smudge stick, prayers, and empowerment, and also included my body in that part of the ritual. I was shaking like a leaf at that point, and could surely use every ounce of Reiki and anchoring he provided.....

My own ritual was meant to be a variation of 'drawing down the moon, only I wanted to incorporate all aspects of 'my' Mother Earth.

As representatives I chose our Weddingtree, the Wind, the Earth, and the departing Sun, drawing on its fading light and soaking up the energy. The Sun and the Moon became one, standing beside each other in the evening sky.
Its symbolism of departing one, and entering a new part of my life could not have been timed more appropriately.

I did not ground on purpose after the ritual, but let the glow soak back into my surroundings slowly over the next few days.



BRIDE's RITUAL

(touching the tree)

Watch over me Brother
and witness my plea

(hugging the wind)

Stay with me Sister
and guard our key

(touching the ground)

Walk with me Mother
by day and by night

(raising arms, drawing down sun/moon)

Surround me Father
and fill me with light

Then I went to fade into the bushes to wait for the groom to walk down the 'isle'

Wedding song: Keeper of the Stars (Tracy Byrd)



THE WEDDING

I – GATHERING

Dearly beloved:
We have come together in the presence of God to witness and bless the joining together of this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony.
May the place of this Rite be consecrated before Almighty God.
For we gather here in a ritual of love with two who would be wedded.
If any of you can show just cause why they may not be married speak now;
or forever hold your peace.

Into this holy union James and Gabrielle now come to be joined.
Stand here before me and before God and Nature:

Be with us here, O Spirit of the Air!
With thy clever fingers
Tie closely the bonds between these two!

Be with us here, O Spirit of Fire!
Give their love and passion
Thine all consuming Ardor!

Be with us here, O Spirit of Water!
Give them the deepest of love
And richness of body, of soul and of Spirit!

Be with us here, O Spirit of Earth!
Let thy strength and constancy
Be theirs so long as they desire to remain one with the other!

Gracious and Almighty God
Give to these before me, I do Ask,
Thy Love and Protection
Amen



II - CHARGE TO THE COUPLE

The future is unknown to any of us. Yet your love for one another and trust in the goodness of god’s will make possible the act of faith you now make in our midst. As you exchange your vows of faithfulness, we will be listening and supporting you with our love. As you make your promises to each other, we will be reminded of promises we have made and be moved to renew our own.



III - DECLARATION OF CONSENT

Father Dave: Is it your wish Gabrielle, to become one with this man?
Gabby: It is.
Father Dave: Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, and forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?
Gabby: I will

Father Dave: Is it your wish James, to become one with this woman?
James: It is.
Father Dave: Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, and forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?
James: I will



IV - PRESENTATION OF THE BRIDE

Father Dave: Will all of you witnessing these promises do all in your power to uphold these two persons in their marriage?
People: We will.
Father Dave: Who gives this woman to be married to this man?
Dad Creswell: I do
Father Dave: Who stands with this woman to symbolize the traditions and family out of which she comes?
Mom Creswell: I do

Thou shalt be the star that rises from the sea, the twilight Sea!
Thou shalt bring this man’s dreams to rule his destiny.
Thou shalt bring the moon-tides to the soul of this man
The tides that flow and ebb, and flow again.
The magic that moves in the Moon and the Sea;
These are thy secrets, they belong unto thee.
Thou are the eternal woman, thou art She
The tide of this man’s soul belongs unto thee...
All these thou art, and they are seen in thee!

PRESENTATION OF THE GROOM

Father Dave: Who stands with this man to symbolize the traditions and family out of which he comes?
Best Man: I do

In thee may the Lord of the forests return to earth again.
Here the ancient call,
Open the door, the door that hath no key... The door of dreams



V - EXCHANGE OF VOWS

Gabrielle to James:

I never thought this day would come for me
that I would feel so strong, giving in

I never dreamed I would find the one
to look upon me, and see perfection

You completed me – with one embrace
You smiled at me – and gave me wings

You took my hand – and gave me the courage to fly
Never doubting that I could

All that I am – and could ever hope to be
I am because you chose me
For there was no light and no peace
before you

I come to you willingly, without reservation - without fear or doubt
I bring you my heart, faith and trust - to keep you safe and sound

To proudly walk beside you - wherever our path may lead
For my life began with you



James to Gabrielle:

My dearest Gabrielle
The love, joy and peace you have given me fills my heart with great exitement and makes me understand the true meaning of love. With you as my soulmate, you have already shown me that my future with you will be full of love and understanding. A calming peace from within can only come from a woman that holds my hand and stands beside me.

I promise to take you as my wife,
in the presence of all those who have joined us
to witness this marriage
You are my Love, my savior, my soulmate and my equal
I will stand behind you in everything
your heart desires
I have never loved like this before
The warmth of my love that I hold in my heart is inmeasurable
I promise to give you the best days of your life

I love you.



Father Dave: Place your right hands over this Holy Bible. And your rings... His hand over hers.

James: (repeat after me) I give you this ring, as a symbol of my love and my commitment to you through our lives.

In the name of the Almighty God, I, James take you, Gabrielle to be my lawfully wedded wife,
to have and to hold
for better or worse,
for richer or poorer,
in sickness and in health,
to love and to cherish, until death do us part

(at this time we realized that the rings didn't quite 'fit' anymore. Whether I had swollen fingers from the altitude or the ring shrank, I was horrified and whispered to my beloved to 'lick the finger dammmit'. So he did. Everybody had a good laugh and we proceeded on with big grins)

Gabby: (repeat after me) I give you this ring, as a symbol of my devotion and faith in our future. The Magick of my soul shall always be yours.

In the name of the Goddess, I, Gabrielle take you, James to be my lawfully wedded husband,
to have and to hold
for better or worse,
for richer or poorer,
in sickness and in health,
to love and to cherish, until death do us part

(When it was time to slide HIS ring on, I faltered, and -rather loudly, I'm afraid - stated that 'hey, I wanna lick toooo'. So I did. And gave my hubby to be a nice shiver down to his boots. Father Dave had a hard time keeping his composure, and wiping supressed laughter tears out of the corner of his eyes said: "that alone was worth driving out here for". Sorcyism at its finest - grins)



VII - WEDDING PRAYER

Eternal God, we give thanks to you for the gift of life, and for its renewal with each day. We gather as in the presence of a loving Parent to celebrate this time which brings James and Gabrielle to the threshold of marriage. For the dreams they have dreamed, and for their hopes for themselves, for the love and trust in which they enter this holy covenant, and for each other we give thanks. We pray that the words and spirit of our gathering may be filled with meaning, which will deepen with the passing years. Amen



IX - BENEDICTION

Father Dave: Above you are the stars, below you are the stones.
As time passes, remember...
like a star should thy love be constant,
like the earth should thy love be firm.
Possess one another, yet be understanding.
Have patience, each with the other,
For storms will come, but they will go quickly.
Be free in giving of affection and of warmth.
Have no fear, and let not the ways or words of the
un-enlightened give you unease.
For ALL Gods ways and words are with thee.
Now and Always.

Go into the world and fulfill your lives. Hold fast your ideals. Give to one another new experiences of joy. Challenge one another that you may grow. May the love you hold for each other, now sealed in marriage, continue to mature, that your life together may be a source of strength and inspiration to the community of your family and to the wider circle of the world.



X - CLOSURE

Father Dave: Fills chalice

Gabby: Raises chalice, drinks, passing on to Jamie to drink
Both together spill the last sip onto the ground as sacrifice
Jamie and Gabby each light a prayer incense stick from one flame,
pause, watch smoke curl to the sky, and then together raise both sticks:

Gabby's Prayer: As above, so below – The sky is NOT the limit.
Mother Nature be my witness - (both together) As we will, so mote it be
(Place stick into the ground in front of altar to burn on…)



XI - ANNOUNCEMENT OF COUPLE

Father Dave: Then as Almighty God is witness to this Rite,
and thus by the power vested in me,
I now proclaim you betrothed!
The two are one, The work of joy is done!
And yet Begun!
Those whom God hath joined together, let no one put asunder.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Amen.



Music starts playing: I cross my heart (George Strait)

Father Dave: You know, you may kiss your lovely bride my friend





Carol's (Mom) dedication:
May you live as long as you want
and want to as looong as you live



Move on to the Actual Wedding Photos