(Processional music)
Officiant:
Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in this beautiful
place to witness the joining of Dawn and David in
marriage.
They particularly wanted to invite you here because
their sense of spirituality and the growth of their
love is connected to this place.
They've come here many afternoons like this one and
walked quietly, enjoying the company of ducks, of each
other, and of the variety of people who have come
together to share this beauty. It's given them a sense
of joy and of peace, and a sense of connectedness to
life. And it is this that they wanted to share with
you on the day of their wedding.
A wedding ceremony is an outward form. To be true, it
must be a symbol of something inner and real: a sacred
personal union which nature might mirror, a church
solemnize, or a state declare legal, but which only
love can create and mutual loyalty fulfill.
To last, the marriage of these two must be a
consecration of each to the other, and of both to the
wider community of which they are a part.
The first reading will be a poem by Juan Jiménez, read
by Shirin Leclere.
(First reading)
Officiant:
Who presents the bride in marriage?
(Bride's parents stand)
Bride's parents:
We do.
Officiant:
Who presents the bridegroom in marriage?
(Groom's parents stand)
Groom's parents:
We do.
Officiant to groom:
David, will you have this woman to be your wife, to
live together in the holy estate of marriage? Will you
love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness
and in health, in sorrow and in joy, and be faithful to
her, as long as you both shall live?
Groom:
I will.
Officiant to bride:
Dawn, will you have this man to be your husband, to
live together in the holy estate of marriage? Will you
love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness
and in health, in sorrow and in joy, and be faithful to
him, as long as you both shall live?
Bride:
I will.
Officiant:
The second reading will be an Apache song, read by
Michael Mann and Karyn Szalach.
(Second reading)
Officiant:
Dawn and David, it's time to say the pledges which will
marry you. Please face each other and repeat after me.
Groom:
I, David Robert Rose, take you, Dawn Dove Wyatt, to be my wife,
to be the mother of my children, to be the companion of my heart,
to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better
or for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in
health, to love and to cherish, as long as we both
shall live.
Bride:
I, Dawn Dove Wyatt, take you, David Robert Rose, to be my husband,
to be the father of my children, to be the companion of my heart,
to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better
or for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in
health, to love and to cherish, as long as we both
shall live.
Officiant:
Will you who witness these pledges do your utmost to
support this marriage? If so, I invite you to signify
this by saying, "We will."
Guests:
We will.
(The rings are presented)
Officiant:
Rings are an ancient symbol, blessed and simple. Round
like the sun, like the eye, like arms that embrace.
Circles, for love that is given comes back round again
and again. Therefore, may these symbols remind you
that your love, like the sun, illumines; that your
love, like the eye, must see clearly; and that your
love, like arms that embrace, is a grace upon this
world.
Groom:
Dawn, with this ring I thee wed.
Bride:
David, with this ring I thee wed.
(Officiant's reading)
Officiant:
The final reading, a poem by e. e. cummings, will be
read by Mary McLean.
(Third reading)
Officiant:
David and Dawn have chosen each other from the many men
and women of the earth, have declared their love and
purpose before this gathering, and have made their
pledge each to the other symbolized by the holding of
hands and the giving and receiving of rings.
Therefore, I declare that they are husband and wife.
May they find here the good beginning of their married
life and the fruitfulness of many years.
I present Mr. and Mrs. Rose!
(The wedding kiss)
(Recessional music)