Wedding Ceremony

We pieced this ceremony together from various sources on the internet.  Special thanks to Derek and Heather Powazek, for the lines about the rings.

Let your presence be welcome, let your hearts be glad.  For everything there is a season, and a time and a purpose. And this is the time and this is the place to celebrate the wedding of Chris and Heather - and we are happy and we are grateful!

Since you are all here, I take it that this is token enough of your approval, and invite Heather's father, Mr. Ivan Bemis to speak on behalf of all present.  Who, then, on behalf of all of us, presents this woman to be married to this man?  (Her Mother and I do)

Chris and Heather have asked me to extend a very warm welcome to each and every one of you on this, their wedding day.  We have gathered together today to witness and bless Chris and Heather's vows that will unite them in marriage. To this moment, they bring the dreams that bind them together. They bring personalities and spirits which are uniquely their own, and out of which will grow the reality of their life together. Let our rejoicing be the outward symbol of an inward union of hearts, a union created by friendship, respect and love.

Albert Einstein said: “Strange is our situation here upon Earth. Each of us comes for a short visit, not knowing why, yet sometimes seeming to a divine purpose. However, there is one thing that we do know, that we are here for the sake of others. Above all, for those upon whose smile and well-being our own happiness depends, and also for the countless unknown souls with whose fate we are connected by a bond of sympathy.”

As two people who's smiles and happiness depend upon each other, we hope the spirit of trust, understanding, and love may be with Chris and Heather through all the years that lie ahead. Whatever trials and testings may come, may they trust each other wholly, for without such faith, marriage is a mockery.

May they understand each other, for without understanding there is neither acceptance nor forgiveness; and may they truly love each other-for without love, marriage is only an empty shell.

As they build together a new life and new home, may that home be bright with the laughter of children -eventually- and of many friends; may it be a wellspring of strength and a haven from the tensions of our time; and in all the world may it be the one place they most want to be, the place where they discover the ultimate human mystery - the secret of sharing life together.

So may this shining hour be an open door through which Chris and Heather will go forth to build that finest of all relationships, a happy, harmonious marriage. May the years deal gently with them; as they walk together, may they find far more in life than either would have found alone; and, above all, may they come to know this one supreme truth: that life is worthwhile and love is its crown.

Chris and Heather, since it is your intention to join in marriage..will you now please join your hands as well as your hearts?

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.”

Chris, Do you take Heather to be your wife, will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, remaining faithful to her as long as you both shall live?  (I do.)

Heather, Do you take Chris to be your husband, will you love him, comfort him. honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, remaining faithful to him as long as you both shall live? (I do.)

Now this is the point in the ceremony when I usually talk about the wedding bands being a perfect circle, having no beginning and no end. But we all know that these rings do have a beginning. Rock is dug up from the earth. Metal is liquefied in a furnace at a thousand degrees. Hot metal is poured into a mold, cooled, and then painstakingly polished. Something beautiful is made from raw elements.

Love is like that. It’s hot, dirty work. It comes from humble beginnings, made by imperfect beings. It’s the process of making something beautiful where there was once nothing at all.  With that in mind, repeat after me:

I take you, Heather, to be my wife, To have and to hold from this day forward, For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, To love and to cherish as long as we both shall live.

With this ring, I thee wed. Wear it as a symbol of my eternal love for you

I take you Chris to be my husband, To have and to hold from this day forward, For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, To love and to cherish as long as we both shall live.

With this ring, I thee wed. Wear it as a symbol of my eternal love for you

May these rings quietly sit on your fingers, reminding you of the power of love and the pledge of your partnership.  And when you have been together for a long, long time, you will look at your rings, and you will feel the indentation they have made on your fingers. And you will know that these rings contain all of the memories of what your lives and your relationship have been.

Chris and Heather, the two lighted candies that your mothers lit symbolize your separate lives, your separate families and your separate sets of friends. I ask that you each take one candle and that together you light the center candle.  From the uniqueness of these separate flames, you are kindling a larger and brighter flame which represents that your two lives are now joined to one light.

Now you have consented together in lawful marriage in the presence of your family and friends. You have made special promises to each other, which have been symbolized by the joining of hands, taking of vows, the giving and receiving of rings, and the lighting of the Unity Candle.

I now bless you with the ancient words of the Apaches:
Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter for the other.
Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to the other.
Now there will be no loneliness, for each of you will be companion to the other.
Now you are two persons, but there is only one life before you.
May beauty surround you both in the journey ahead and through all the years,
May happiness be your companion and your days together be good and long upon the earth.

By the authority vested in me as a Minister in the State of Missouri, I now pronounce you to be husband and wife.

Chris, you may now kiss the bride

Now that the ceremony is over and the experience of living day by day as married people is about to begin, we wish you every happiness in your life together, go and meet it gladly.  Families and friends, it is with great pleasure I introduce you to Mr and Mrs Christopher Miller!