We put a fair bit of thought into our ceremony. Our Celebrant was very patient with us, we kept chopping it and changing it around. We wanted it to be just right.
Here are the the highlights from our ceremony- our readings and our vows. I think you may have read them all at other places on the blog but I like to see them all in one post.
The first reading was Union by Robert Fulgham, which our celebrant used for the part of the ceremony where he usually describes what marriage means to the couple. We thought this reading summed it up perfectly and wanted it incorporated seamlessly into the ceremony, rather than announced as a reading per se. We got him to modify it slightly to better reflect our circumstances.
"You have known each other from the first glance of acquaintance to this point of commitment. At some point, you decided to marry. From that moment of yes, to this moment of yes, indeed, you have been making commitments in an informal way. All of those conversations that were held in a car, or over a meal, or during long walks – all those conversations that began with, “When we’re married”, and continued with “I will” and “you will” and “we will” – all those late night talks that included “someday” and “somehow” and “maybe” – and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart. All these common things, and more, are the real process of a wedding.
The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, “You know all those things that we’ve promised, and hoped, and dreamed – well, I meant it all, every word.”Look at one another and remember this moment in time. Before this moment you have been many things to one another – acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, dancing partner, even teacher, for you have learned much from one another these past few years. Shortly you shall say a few words that will take you across a threshold of life, and things between you will never quite be the same.
For after today you shall say to the world –This is my husband. This is my wife."
We opted for a very traditional Asking. I know these lines are old, but in our opinion that is what made them so powerful.
MrWestAussie, will you take WestAussie to be your lawful wedded wife?
Will you love her, comfort her, honour and respect her in sickness and in health?
Will you stand by her through whatever may come, and forsaking all others, keep only to her as long as you both shall live?
I will
And I said exactly the same thing..
Then these were our vows (the promises we made each other were identical):
I WestAussie call upon the people who are present here today to witness that I take you MrWestAussie to be my lawful wedded husband. This is my solemn vow, and these are my promises to you
I promise to stay present when I want to turn away
I promise to be compassionate when it is easy to be angry
I promise to give and receive comfort during the hard times
I promise to embrace your needs and make them my own
I promise to share my heart with those you love
After we said our vows and exchanged our rings My Aunty did her reading.
We held hands while she read out the Hand Blessing.
"These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever.
These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future.
These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch, will comfort you like no other.
These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills your mind.
These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow, and tears of joy. These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children.
These are the hands that will help you to hold your family as one.
These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it.
And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch
Then our Celebrant did the Declaration of Marriage and we had a big kiss. Mwah!