by Manny Olds
10 May 2003
Flower girls enter from rear of hall. Each flower girl processes around the opposite sides of the audience to the center front of hall. ing bearer enters from rear of hall and processes around one side of audience to the center front of the hall.
Bride and Groom enter from rear of hall, led by Bridesmaid and Groomsman respectively. Each pair processes around opposite sides of the audience to the center front of the hall.
Bridesmaid introduces Bride
I have the honor to present Amber Clare Patterson, daughter of Lloyd and Sue, granddaughter of Eda and Ronald, Elizabeth and Arthur. (Followed by some appropriate boasting on her behalf.)
Groomsman introduces Groom
I have the honor to present Peter Asher Siegel, son of Laurence and Phyllis, grandson of Harold and Ann, Milton and Miriam. (Followed by some appropriate boasting on his behalf).
To Audience
The lonely fir tree on the ridge, with no bark or needles to shelter it, leads a cold, stunted life. Humans are by their nature social creatures. We require bonds with other humans for the survival of our bodies and of our spirits.
I was young once, I traveled alone.
Then I found myself going astray.
I considered myself wealthy when I found a friend.
Man is the joy of man.
We naturally and essentially inhabit families and communities. They are our shield wall against adversity, the welcoming hall in which we share our tales of glory and woe, the mold that shapes our next generation.
Marriage is one of the fundamental building blocks of those structures, the way they are renewed and extended. A marriage is a partnership of individuals pledged to provide practical and emotional support to each other, a present refuge and a hopeful investment in the future.
To Couple
A wedding is a joyous occasion, but a marriage is a significant obligation and an enduring bond that is not to be entered into lightly. Are you here of your own free choice and are you prepared to solemnize your commitment?
Presumably, they say "yes" and we proceed.
To Audience
Does anyone here know of any legal or other impediment to this marriage?
Presumably, no one says anything and we proceed.
To Bride
Do you agree to take Peter as your husband, to give him an honored place in your home, comfort and sustenance, and a respectful ear while you are married? Do you agree to accept responsibility for any children of the marriage forever?
Presuming Bride says yes, we proceed.
To Groom
Do you agree to take Amber as your wife, to give her an honored place in your home, comfort and sustenance, and a respectful ear while you are married? Do you agree to accept responsibility for any children of the marriage forever? ring
Presuming Groom says yes, we proceed.
To Audience
Will all you who have witnessed this contract do all in your power to uphold these two persons in their marriage?
Presuming there is a sense of assent, we proceed.
To Audience
By our customs, Peter and Amber are now married. They have chosen to bind themselves further by sacred oath. An oath is a powerful and unbreakable commitment that has the deepest significance. Oaths reach deep into the Well and spread their ripples across generations.
To Couple
Are you prepared to proceed?
Presuming they assent, Gothi signals for ring-bearer to come forward.
The marriage ring represents the Well into which each oath is spoken. It is unbroken, reminding us of the permanence of an oath.
Gothi takes the rings. Passes the Bride's ring to the Groom and the Groom's ring to the bride.
Bride recites her oath. Groom recites his oath.
Couple exchanges rings.
To Couple
May you be blessed with peace and prosperity, wit and wisdom, healing hands, a good memory for what brought you here today and a poor memory for the petty irritations of daily life together.
To Audience
Hail to the Amber and Peter! Hail to the new couple!
Last Modified 10 May 2003
Comments to Manny Olds,
oldsma@pobox.com