|
|
|
We are gathered here at Sunset Crater to witness and to celebrate the coming together of two special but separate
lives. We have come to join David Edmeades and Michelle Edwards in marriage, to be with them and rejoice with them
in the making of this most important commitment. The essence of this commitment is the taking of another person in
his or her entirety, as a lover, as a companion, and as a friend. It is therefore a decision that is not to be
entered into lightly but rather one which is to be undertaken with great consideration and respect for both
oneself and the other person. Love is one of the highest experiences that we human beings can enjoy. It adds depth of meaning to our lives and length to our years upon this earth. The marriage relationship born of love is one of life’s greatest blessings and when this is combined with true friendship, both are infinitely enhanced. The day-to-day companionship, the delight of shared experiences or in doing things separately, but in delighting to share those experiences with each other is a continuous and central part of what a man and a woman who love each other can enjoy. You, David, welcome Michelle’s love of astronomy and have learned to speak the language of her science in order to share in her accomplishments and frustrations. You, Michelle, have learned to appreciate David’s fascination with living creatures and plants, leading to mutual joy in gardening and butterfly collecting. Both of you enjoy cooking and have developed the techniques that most compliment the other. Over the last seven years you have both brought new beliefs and interests into your relationship and therefore into each other’s lives and you have grown and broadened to accept all aspects of each other. Marriage symbolizes the intimate sharing of two lives, yet this sharing must not diminish but rather enhance the individuality of each partner. Those who enter into this relationship should cherish a mutual love and respect for their spouse, share each other’s joys, bear with each other’s weaknesses, comfort each other in trouble, sickness, or sorrow. And inasmuch as you David and you Michelle have indicated your desire to enter into this marriage, it is necessary that you truthfully declare your intent to be bound by this relationship in front of your parents, Linda and Walter, Paul and Marie, and your dear friends, Dave, Rachel, and Marcus. (To David) Please repeat after me: I David, take you Michelle, to be my lawfully wedded wife. I will love you, comfort you, honor and cherish you, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer as long as we both shall live. David reads: I pledge to you that yours will be the eyes into which I smile in the morning; I pledge to you the first bite of my meat and the first drink of my cup; I pledge to you my life as you will pledge me yours. I shall be a shield for your back and you for mine. I shall not slander you, nor you me. I shall honor you above all others and you shall honor me and when we quarrel we shall do so in private and tell no stranger our grievances. This is my wedding vow to you; this is a marriage of equals. (To Michelle) Please repeat after me: I Michelle, take you David, to be my lawfully wedded husband. I will love you, comfort you, honor and cherish you, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer as long as we both shall live. Michelle reads: You cannot possess me; nor I you for we belong to ourselves, but whilst we both wish it, I give you that which is mine to give and take that which you offer to me. You cannot command me, nor I you for we are free people, but I shall serve you in those ways you require. The honeycomb will taste sweeter coming from my hand; the wine will taste richer from your cup. This is my wedding vow to you; this is the marriage of equals. Rings: The rings that you are about to place on each other’s fingers are never-ending circles. They symbolize the vows and promises that you have made to each other this day and they are a continuing pledge of your love and daily commitment for each other. A Celtic love knot adorns each ring to remind you that you are now tied to each other with bonds of trust, commitment, love, and security. To the Groom: Place this ring on Michelle’s left ring finger. Please repeat after me: “With this ring, I thee wed” To the Bride: Place this ring on David’s left ring finger, Please repeat after me: “With this ring, I thee wed” Marriage is a relationship that is entered into thoughtfully with gratitude for the past and hope for the future. Michelle and David, your past is represented here today by your parents and friends who have stood by your side as you walked toward this day. Each of you has something to say to the people who are here now to witness this joyous occasion. Michelle: Mom and dad, I want to thank both of you for coming to be with me here on this day. I know that my path has not always been obvious, easy, or commonplace and I have relied on the knowledge that no matter how many times I stumbled, you were always behind me. Thank you for helping me to be a strong woman. I know you are happy to find a partner who supports me and my dreams and who compliments me so well. I love you both very much. Dave, Thank you for being a friend to both of us in times of trouble and need. We have grown to love you very much over the last five years and we are so happy to share our special day with you. Thank you for coming to witness our wedding. David: Mom and Dad. When I was trying to find a way to say thank you, Michelle and I decided that everything sounded strange because I don’t often say how much you both mean to me. We are more likely to show each other with little things: conversations shared over glasses of wine and well cooked food, e-mails snippets about things we’ve seen in our everyday lives that remind us of each other, and good-natured jokes that come only from knowing and loving each other well. I learned how to love someone without reservation from you and it is something that will make my marriage very strong. Thank you. I love you. Rachel & Marcus: The way to a man’s heart is to his stomach and you understood this about me right away. At Dickinson you always had a way to comfort me, usually involving Thai food. Even though we are far away and you can’t quite feed me over the phone, Michelle and I have both learned to call on you for anything. Thank you for being here today CATHLEEN reads: Keep in mind to be respectful of each other that your marriage will be built on love, hope, and daily commitment to each other. This will be our solemn trust in both of you. Now you will feel no rain for each of you will be shelter to the other. Now you will feel no cold for each of you will be warmth to the other. Now you will feel no loneliness for each of you will be a companion to the other. Now you are two bodies, but there is only one life between you. Go now to your dwelling place in joy to enter into the days of your togetherness and may your days be long and filled with love and laughter upon this earth. Now by the authority vested in me as a judge for the state of Arizona, and the county of the Coconino, it is my honor and privilege to pronounce that you are husband and wife. |