More wedding stuff
Here's our ceremony, the finished product. We finished it 2 days before the wedding:p The ring promise we were gonna do got thrown out, because Betsy told us that day we were required to have something in there where we stated we took the other one as husband/wife. I'd asked about that before and people said it wasn't required. *shrug* Oh well, less to write:p
When we watched the recording the whole thing took about 8 minutes.
Betsy: We are gathered here today to witness and support one of life's greatest events, to give recognition to the worth and depth of love; the ceremony which shall unite Stephen and Kristine forever in marriage.
(During this part we stood side by side facing the officiant not holding hands. Dunno why, it just happened)
Betsy: Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens. A good marriage must be built. In the art of marriage the little things are big things:
It is never being too old to hold hands.
It is remembering to say "I love you" at least once a day.
It is never going to sleep angry.
It is at no time taking the other for granted; the courtship shouldn't end with the honeymoon, it should continue through all the years.
It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives; it is standing together to face the world.
It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family.
It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy.
It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.
It is not expecting the husband to wear a halo and the wife to have wings. It is not looking for perfection in each other.
It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humor.
It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.
It is in giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow.
It is finding room for things of the spirit.
It is a common search for the good and the beautiful. It is in establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, the dependence is mutual and the obligation in reciprocal.
It is not only marrying the right partner, it is in being the right partner.
Betsy: Stephen, Kristine - Please face each other and hold hands, so you may feel the gift that you are to one another.
(Then when this part came we faced each other and held hands.)
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 wracks 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 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.
Betsy: Stephen and Kristine have prepared vows of their love for each other, and wish to proclaim them for all to hear.
Stephen: *says vow*
Kristine: *says vow*
Betsy: Then place these rings on each others hands as a symbol of your commitment
Stephen: With this ring I take you to be my wife *puts ring on her hand*
Kristine: With this ring I take you to be my husband *puts ring on his hand*
(After this part we held all 4 hands in a big ball)
Betsy: Stephen and Kristine - as the two of you come into this marriage uniting you as husband and wife, and as you this day affirm your faith and love for one another, I would ask that you always remember to cherish each other as special and unique individuals, that you respect the thoughts, ideas and suggestions of one another. Be able to forgive, do not hold grudges, and live each day that you may share it together - as from this day forward you shall be each other's home, comfort and refuge, your marriage strengthened by your love and respect for each other.
It will take trust, to know in your hearts that you truly want the best for each other. It will take true dedication to stay open to one another - and to learn and grow together. It will take faith to go forward together without knowing exactly what the future brings. And it will take commitment to hold true to the journey you both pledge today to share together.
By the power given me by the state of Washington, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.
Stephen + Kristine: *kiss*
I feel all wedding-y still, and I want to post more about the day (like they do in weddingplans. Oh no, I'm all corrupted now:p So I will post more later. Looks like we are not leaving the house today either:p
When we watched the recording the whole thing took about 8 minutes.
Betsy: We are gathered here today to witness and support one of life's greatest events, to give recognition to the worth and depth of love; the ceremony which shall unite Stephen and Kristine forever in marriage.
(During this part we stood side by side facing the officiant not holding hands. Dunno why, it just happened)
Betsy: Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens. A good marriage must be built. In the art of marriage the little things are big things:
It is never being too old to hold hands.
It is remembering to say "I love you" at least once a day.
It is never going to sleep angry.
It is at no time taking the other for granted; the courtship shouldn't end with the honeymoon, it should continue through all the years.
It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives; it is standing together to face the world.
It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family.
It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy.
It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.
It is not expecting the husband to wear a halo and the wife to have wings. It is not looking for perfection in each other.
It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humor.
It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.
It is in giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow.
It is finding room for things of the spirit.
It is a common search for the good and the beautiful. It is in establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, the dependence is mutual and the obligation in reciprocal.
It is not only marrying the right partner, it is in being the right partner.
Betsy: Stephen, Kristine - Please face each other and hold hands, so you may feel the gift that you are to one another.
(Then when this part came we faced each other and held hands.)
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 wracks 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 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.
Betsy: Stephen and Kristine have prepared vows of their love for each other, and wish to proclaim them for all to hear.
Stephen: *says vow*
Kristine: *says vow*
Betsy: Then place these rings on each others hands as a symbol of your commitment
Stephen: With this ring I take you to be my wife *puts ring on her hand*
Kristine: With this ring I take you to be my husband *puts ring on his hand*
(After this part we held all 4 hands in a big ball)
Betsy: Stephen and Kristine - as the two of you come into this marriage uniting you as husband and wife, and as you this day affirm your faith and love for one another, I would ask that you always remember to cherish each other as special and unique individuals, that you respect the thoughts, ideas and suggestions of one another. Be able to forgive, do not hold grudges, and live each day that you may share it together - as from this day forward you shall be each other's home, comfort and refuge, your marriage strengthened by your love and respect for each other.
It will take trust, to know in your hearts that you truly want the best for each other. It will take true dedication to stay open to one another - and to learn and grow together. It will take faith to go forward together without knowing exactly what the future brings. And it will take commitment to hold true to the journey you both pledge today to share together.
By the power given me by the state of Washington, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.
Stephen + Kristine: *kiss*
I feel all wedding-y still, and I want to post more about the day (like they do in weddingplans. Oh no, I'm all corrupted now:p So I will post more later. Looks like we are not leaving the house today either:p