We spent quite a bit of time thinking about our ceremony, and pulled from various sources – Clare’s parents’ ceremony, favorite quotes, suggestions from the judge, and of course, the internet. Several people mentioned that they would like to see the text, so we have provided it here. One of the things that made our ceremony particularly special was the speeches our friends gave.
Entrance of Robert
Entrance of Clare
Welcome
We have gathered here in celebration of the joining together of Clare Jessamyn Dibble and Robert Albert Felty.
Others would ask, at this time, who gives the bride in marriage, but, as persons are not property to be bought and sold, given and taken, I ask simply if the bride and groom come of their own will and if they have their familys’ blessings.
Clare, is it true that you come of your own free will and accord?
[Clare]
Yes, it is true.
[Officiant]
With whom do you come and whose blessings accompany you.
[Ellen and Dave]
She comes with us, her parents, and is accompanied by all of her family’s blessings.
[Officiant]
Robert, is it true that you come of your own free will and accord?
[Robert]
Yes, it is true.
[Officiant]
With whom do you come and whose blessings accompany you?
[Fran and Harold]
He comes with us, his parents, and is accompanied by all of his family’s blessings.
{parents shake hands/hug and sit down}
[Officiant]
You may be seated.
In the marriage ceremony, that moment when falling in love is replaced by the arduous drama of staying in love, the words ‘in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, till death do us part’ set love in the temporal context in which it achieves its meaning. As time begins to elapse, one begins to love the other because they have shared the same experience. Selves may not intertwine; but lives do, and shared memory becomes as much of a bond as the bond of the flesh. Family love is this dynastic awareness of time, this shared belonging to a chain of generations. We collaborate together to root each other in a dimension of time longer than our own lives.
_ROBERT_ and _CLARE_ as you come here to take the vows of marriage, we know that you come with a full realization of the responsibilities and joys which will be yours together. We cherish with you your hopes, your dreams, your love for each other.
Your married life will give you the opportunity to grow together. Each of you must seek to know, to understand, and to love. Each of you must be as open and as honest as possible, for beyond that which you know of each other lie your deepest selves, inexhaustible, mysterious and challenging. May your knowledge become wisdom and may your wisdom bless your love and concern for each other.
Be your true selves, but do not fear change. The secrets of the universe lie between you; they are yours to discover and to cherish.
Vows:
Will you _ROBERT_ take _CLARE_, to be your wedded wife, and will you promise to comfort and to challenge, to give and to take, to love and to sustain, in all the circumstances of life until death shall you separate?
(I will it so
and so it is
past all accident.)
Will you _CLARE_ take _ROBERT_, to be your wedded husband, and will you promise to comfort and to challenge, to give and to take, to love and to sustain in all the circumstances of life, until death shall you separate?
(I will it so
and so it is
past all accident.)
Repeat after me:
I, _ROBERT_ take thee _CLARE_, to be my wedded wife, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, forevermore.
I, _CLARE_ take thee _ROBERT_, to be my wedded husband, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, forevermore.
Exchange of rings
Now join your hands, and with your hands your hearts.
Clare:
With this ring, I thee wed, and pledge my faith and all my worldly goods do thee endow.
Robert:
With this ring, I thee wed, and pledge my faith and all my worldly goods do thee endow.
May these rings be the changeless symbols of your love and admiration for each other. Just as these rings have no ending, so may your happiness and love be endless.
Announcement:
Inasmuch as you _ROBERT_, and you _CLARE_ have in the presence of this company pledged yourselves to each other in love and fidelity, I therefore, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the State of Michigan, do pronounce you husband and wife.
And may all that is noble and lovely and true abide with you,
forever.
(You may kiss the bride.)
Other things may change us, but we start and end with the family. Please welcome Robert and Clare as husband and wife.