I've posted excerpts of our ceremony wording here, in green italics. If you are planning your own ceremony and want to see our entire script, shoot me an email and I'll be happy to send it to you!
Our officiant, Mr K. He got ordained online just for us and did an amazing job! We couldn't have asked for a better officiant.Mr. K:
Welcome! We have been invited here today to share a very important moment with Ghenet and Steve. In the years they have been together, their relationship has grown and matured, and now they have decided to live their lives together as husband and wife.
Marriage is a bold step into an unknown future. It is risking who we are for the sake of who we can be. In marriage, two lives are intimately shared; and the blending of the two must not diminish either one. Rather, it should enhance the individuality of each partner.
Welcome! We have been invited here today to share a very important moment with Ghenet and Steve. In the years they have been together, their relationship has grown and matured, and now they have decided to live their lives together as husband and wife.
Marriage is a bold step into an unknown future. It is risking who we are for the sake of who we can be. In marriage, two lives are intimately shared; and the blending of the two must not diminish either one. Rather, it should enhance the individuality of each partner.
Each of us knows that law or a ceremony does not create a marriage; rather it occurs in the hearts of two human beings. It grows out of loving, caring, and sharing ourselves with another. This ceremony is not magic, it will not create a relationship that does not already exist and has not already been celebrated in all the commitments Ghenet and Steve have made to each other, both large and small, in the days since they first met and recognized their connection to one another. So, in witnessing this ceremony today, we are observing only an outward sign of an inward union that already exists between them. This ceremony is their promise to love each other solely and above all others.
Our first reading was a selection from the children’s book “I Like You” by Sandol Warburg, read by groomsman Mr. M. It was the perfect reading for us because children's literature is a big part of my life. I work in book publishing and have an MFA in children's book writing. Plus this story is so sweet and made our guests smile.
Mr. M:
I like you
And I know why
I like you because
You are a good person
To like...
I like you
And I know why
I like you because
You are a good person
To like...
...I like you because
When I tell you something special,
You know it’s special,
And you remember it
A long, long time.
You say,
Remember when you told me
Something special?
And both of us remember.
When I tell you something special,
You know it’s special,
And you remember it
A long, long time.
You say,
Remember when you told me
Something special?
And both of us remember.
Then we had bridesmaid Ms. M read “Union” by Robert Fulghum.
Ms. M:
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, and even teacher, for you have learned much from one another in these last few years. Now you shall say a few words that take you across a threshold of life, and things will never quite be the same between you. For after these vows, you shall say to the world, this is my husband, this is my wife.
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, and even teacher, for you have learned much from one another in these last few years. Now you shall say a few words that take you across a threshold of life, and things will never quite be the same between you. For after these vows, you shall say to the world, this is my husband, this is my wife.
We liked the idea of having a group declaration of support, so our guests could be more involved in our ceremony. After asking our guests to stand up, Mr. K said the following words.
Mr. K:
As their families and friends, you form the community of support that surrounds Ghenet and Steve. Each of you, by your presence here today, is being called upon to uphold them in loving each other. Always stand beside them, never between them. Offer them your love and support, not your judgment. Encourage them when encouragement is needed, and listen to them when they ask for advice. In these ways, you can honor this marriage into which they have come to be joined today. Do you offer your love and support to strengthen their marriage and bless this family created by their union? Please answer by saying: WE DO.
Our guests: WE DO!
As their families and friends, you form the community of support that surrounds Ghenet and Steve. Each of you, by your presence here today, is being called upon to uphold them in loving each other. Always stand beside them, never between them. Offer them your love and support, not your judgment. Encourage them when encouragement is needed, and listen to them when they ask for advice. In these ways, you can honor this marriage into which they have come to be joined today. Do you offer your love and support to strengthen their marriage and bless this family created by their union? Please answer by saying: WE DO.
Our guests: WE DO!
It was such an incredible moment to hear our guests vocalize their support for us. :)
Mr K:
Steve, will you take Ghenet to be your lawfully wedded wife and travel the rest of life’s road with her? Will you love her, laugh with her, comfort her, honor and protect her, and forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?
Steve: I do.
Mr. K:
Ghenet, will you take Steve to be your lawfully wedded Husband and travel the rest of life’s road with him? Will you love him, laugh with him, comfort him, honor and protect him, and forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?
Ghenet: I do.
Steve: I do.
Mr. K:
Ghenet, will you take Steve to be your lawfully wedded Husband and travel the rest of life’s road with him? Will you love him, laugh with him, comfort him, honor and protect him, and forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?
Ghenet: I do.
Then it was time for us to read our vows, which we had written ourselves. Steve's vows were very him - funny but sweet - and they made me cry.
Steve:
In the words of Jason Mraz, “I'm overjoyed and I'm over-loved.”
It's been more than 7 years since we've met.
Back when every email received came from someone you knew and SPAM was just canned meat.
Back when I didn't let the AOL Screen name Drama Queen deter me from dating you.
I’m glad I didn't.
Because, that day led to this day and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I promise to hold, to cherish and never disrespect the love we share.
I promise to do the dishes more often and pause my favorite show when you say it's important.
I promise to make you smile as much as I do and hold you when you cry.
I promise to accept you the way you are...Because I like playing with fire...Let it burn forever.
I promise to keep myself open to you and give my all.
I promise to love you forever and ever and ever and a couple years after that.
I promise to build a beautiful life with you.
We will tell our kids and they will tell their kids what mommy and daddy did here today.
In the words of Jason Mraz, “I'm overjoyed and I'm over-loved.”
It's been more than 7 years since we've met.
Back when every email received came from someone you knew and SPAM was just canned meat.
Back when I didn't let the AOL Screen name Drama Queen deter me from dating you.
I’m glad I didn't.
Because, that day led to this day and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I promise to hold, to cherish and never disrespect the love we share.
I promise to do the dishes more often and pause my favorite show when you say it's important.
I promise to make you smile as much as I do and hold you when you cry.
I promise to accept you the way you are...Because I like playing with fire...Let it burn forever.
I promise to keep myself open to you and give my all.
I promise to love you forever and ever and ever and a couple years after that.
I promise to build a beautiful life with you.
We will tell our kids and they will tell their kids what mommy and daddy did here today.
My vows were 100% me - VERY sentimental and reading them also made me cry. :)
Ghenet:
I remember the first moment I realized you were "The One." It was our sophomore year at Tufts University and I'd recently found out that I was accepted into the Madrid full-year study abroad program. We had a conversation about whether we would stay together or break up since I was going away for so long. I cried because the thought of not being with you devastated me. I didn't want us to break up, not just because the idea of you dating someone else horrified me, but also because I was in love with you. Thankfully, we didn't break up. Instead, we wracked up long distance phone bills and spoke to each other every single day for the nine months I was gone. By the time we were reunited, I knew that I would marry you someday...
I remember the first moment I realized you were "The One." It was our sophomore year at Tufts University and I'd recently found out that I was accepted into the Madrid full-year study abroad program. We had a conversation about whether we would stay together or break up since I was going away for so long. I cried because the thought of not being with you devastated me. I didn't want us to break up, not just because the idea of you dating someone else horrified me, but also because I was in love with you. Thankfully, we didn't break up. Instead, we wracked up long distance phone bills and spoke to each other every single day for the nine months I was gone. By the time we were reunited, I knew that I would marry you someday...
...And here we are. I'm about to become your wife and I couldn't be happier. You are my first and only love. You've been there for me and with me through the good and the bad over the past seven years. You make me smile. You calm me when I'm anxious. You love me unconditionally and make me feel safe. Among all the changes and instability I've had in my life, the one constant thing I could always rely on has been you. I'm so excited to spend the rest of my life with you and I promise to love you always and forever.
Then came the time to exchange rings.
Mr. K:
The promises, which you have spoken to each other today, are inscribed forever in your minds, in your hearts. But words are fleeting so let these rings serve as a reminder of the feelings you have in your hearts at this very moment. These rings are visible symbols of your commitment to one another. In exchanging these bands, you knit your two lives together as one. When you look at your wedding band, remember the great gift that you have been given and all that you have in one another. Remember that you have someone to share this life with. Never again will you have to walk alone.
Steve and I each repeated the following words:
I give you this ring as a sign that I choose you to be my lover, my partner and my best friend, to the end of my days. Wear it, think of me, and know that I love you.
Mr. K:
May the love that has brought you together continue to grow and enrich your lives. May you meet with courage the problems that arise to challenge you, and may your relationship always be one of love and trust. May the happiness you share today be with you always and may every word you have pledged here be a living truth in your lives.
It is my joyful responsibility to officially acknowledge your union as Husband and Wife. You may now seal your marriage with a kiss.
It is my joyful responsibility to officially acknowledge your union as Husband and Wife. You may now seal your marriage with a kiss.
Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my privilege to present to you for the very first time as husband and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Steve and Ghenet M___!
We did it! We were FINALLY married!
Up next: we make our way back down the aisle and take a few family photos...
Catch up!
Up next: we make our way back down the aisle and take a few family photos...
Catch up!
Such a beautiful and meaningful ceremony! Everything was perfect, and I love the bright sun in all of the photos :)
ReplyDeleteYour DIY vows were beautiful. And I love the wording for the exchanging of the rings - I'd never seen that wording before but it's perfect, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful and personal ceremony! The one thing I regret about our religious ceremony is that it did not allow for much personalization, whether in the vows or otherwise. It was still beautiful, but just had a bit more formal tone.
ReplyDeleteahh so special!!! amazing.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh! I am bawling! Ahh! I'm so glad you posted this! Now I have words to go along with all the pictures!
ReplyDeleteMust have been amazing when all your family and friends shouted out "we do"! What a gorgeous ceremony lady!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful ceremony! Both of your vows are so great! I teared up reading them! Your husband seems like SUCH a nice guy... you're a lucky girl! :) I hope you don't mind that I found your vows to be very inspirational for mine... I would like to "borrow" this part in particular as it really does speak to my heart...
ReplyDelete"Amont all the changes and instability in my life, the one constant thing I could rely on was you" Do you mind? :)
Lovely pictures... I love seeing them. Everything looks so natural and beautiful. :)
What a lovely ceremony - gave me chills!
ReplyDeleteAwesome awesome!! I love the vows the best. Drama Queen huh? ;) LOL
ReplyDelete