I thought I would share the wedding ceremony that I made and performed for my friends, whom you can see on many episodes of the ORly Radio show.
Here it is, and I hope you enjoy it.
Good Evening! We are gathered here, not to witness the beginning of what will be, but rather what already is. Today they have been gracious enough to let us, their friends and family celebrate with them the love that has advanced them to the next level.
Marriage is a supreme sharing of experience; an adventure in the most intimate of human relationships. It is the union of two separate lives; forged in friendship, passion, love, understanding, and trust - flowered into romance and now commitment. Today, Michael and Jessica, proclaim their commitment to each other to the world, and we gather here to rejoice, with and for them, in the new life they now undertake - together.
Marriage is to belong to each other through a unique and diverse collaboration, like two threads crossing in different directions, yet weaving one tapestry together. The secret of love and marriage is similar to that of religion itself. It is the emergence of the larger self. It is the finding of one's direction by becoming lost in someone else; something greater. Such is the privilege of husband and wife - to be each himself, herself, and yet another; to face the world stronger than before, with the courage of two. It is a mutual enrichment, a give and take between two personalities, a mingling of two elements which diminishes neither yet enhances both.
Please note the vessels before us. In this "Sand Ceremony", each of these flasks represents the past of our bride and groom. Of course we are wrapped in symbolism today and sand has long been part of our traditions. Sand flowing through the hour glass. If we look closely at sand we will find amazing things from our planet's past. Sea creatures, tiny fossils, bits of gems, metals, the remains of mountains. As we fire sand we create glass: the amalgam of all these tiny components into a unique solid. Glass can be fragile while some glass is stronger than steel. Glass is often characterized by it's transparency and it's functional ability, like the simple task we have set before it today, holding sand. Rather fitting when thought of in this context. coming full circle to be fired and tempered, as we are in our own individual lives.
The individual containers represent Michael and Jessica. Every grain of sand is a symbol of your memories, experiences, friends, family, burdens, joys, hopes, and successes - All that you are today. All that is contained within each of you, is represented in these containers of sand.
*Each will take their container and exchange back and forth filling the third larger vessel, while Andy talks.*
As each of you pours your life into the larger vessel, you are sharing yourself with the other. Every grain of your pasts will become a single future, strengthened and enriched by each of your pasts. And as you can see, you will never be able to separate the two sands from each other again.
Through this co-operation, you give yourselves, your lives and love, into the hands of the one we love. You do so trustingly and generously and so, each of you receives a gift: the life and love of the other. You receive this gift, not only from the one you love, but also from our friends and families as well.
Michael and Jessica, this celebration is the outward token of your union of hearts, which the church may bless, and the state make legal, but which neither can create nor annul. It is a union created by your loving purpose and kept by your abiding will. It is in this spirit and for this purpose that you have come here to be joined together.
Do you, Jessica Horgan, take Michael Robinson, to be as your friend, your love, your husband, in laughter and in tears, in conflict and tranquility, asking that they be none other than themselves, loving what you know of him, trusting what you do not yet know, in all the ways that life may find you?
YES
Do you, Michael Robinson, take Jessica Horgan, to be as your friend, your love, your wife, in laughter and in tears, in conflict and tranquility, asking that they be none other than themselves, loving what you know of her, trusting what you do not yet know, in all the ways that life may find you?
YES
RINGS
These rings are a symbol of the unbroken circle of love. Love freely given has no beginning and no end, no giver and no receiver - for each is the giver and each is the receiver. May these rings always remind you of the vows you have taken in happiness.
(Each places the ring on the other’s finger and repeats this simple vow: or add your own here.)
"With this ring, I thee wed."
Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be the shelter for each other.
Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be the warmth for the other.
Now, you are two persons, but there is only one life before you.
Go now and enter into the days of your life together.
And may your days be good and long upon the earth.
Michael and Jessica, in so much as the two of you have agreed to live together in Matrimony, have promised your love for each other by these vows, and the giving of these rings, I now declare you to be Husband and Wife.
Congratulations, you may kiss your bride.
It is my privilege to present to you Mr. & Mrs. Robinson.
