Wedding Ceremony

of

Kali

 and

Esteban

at the

Location Name – City

12:30 p.m. – Friday – September 27th 2013

Officiant: Hon. Joey

Prelude

Air from Water Music – George Frederic Handel

Allegro from Brandenburg Concerto #4 in G – Johann Sebastian Bach

Processional

Wedding Party – Trumpet Voluntary – Jeremiah Clarke

Bride – Bridal Chorus – Lohengrin – Richard Wagner

Presentation of the Bride

       Who gives Kali to be married to Esteban?

Father of the Bride:   Her Mother and I do.

The Bride is presented by her Father and Mother, James and Ann.

To Guests:    Please be seated.

Welcome

Welcome to Esteban and Kali’s wedding.  We know that many of you have traveled far and taken time out of your busy lives to be here today and be a part of this occasion.  Thank you for being here to share the joy of this occasion.

Convocation

Dear Kali and Esteban,

Today you are surrounded by your friends and family, all of whom are gathered to witness your marriage and to share in the joy of this occasion which should be one of the most memorable and happy days of your life.

Life has no singular meaning so much as it is composed of many meaningful events, some of which can be specified and planned for.  One of these events is marriage.

As you know, no wedding officiant can marry you.  Only you can marry yourselves, by a mutual commitment to love each other, to work toward creating an atmosphere of care and consideration and respect.  By a willingness to face the tensions and anxieties that underlie human life you can make your wedded life come alive.

On this, the day of your marriage, you stand somewhat apart from all other human beings.  You stand within the charmed circle of your love, and this is as it should be.  But love is not meant to be the possession of two people alone.  Rather, it should serve as a source of common energy, as a form in which you find the strength to live your lives with courage.  From this day onward you must come closer together than ever before.  You must love one another in sickness and in health, for better and for worse, but, at the same time, your love should give you the strength to stand apart, to seek out your unique destinies, to make your special contribution to the world which is always part of us and really more than us.

The surest basis for marriage is friendship, the sharing of real interests, the ability to discuss ideas together and understand each other’s thoughts and dreams.

Reading

       The Bride and Groom have asked Kristine Doe, the Bride’s Sister, to read I Will Be Here by Steven Curtis Chapman.

       Today, as you join yourselves in marriage, there is a vast and unknown future stretching out before you.  The possibilities and potentials of your married life are great and exciting.

Kali and Esteban, I hope you both will remember that love and loyalty alone can avail as the foundation of a happy and enduring home.  No other ties are more tender, no other vows more sacred than those you now assume.  If you constantly work to keep these vows, your life will be full of joy and the home which you are establishing will abide in peace.

Marriage Vows

       Esteban and Kali, please join hands and give your vows.

The Bride hands her flowers to the Maid of Honor.

The Bride and Groom face each other and hold both hands.

To Groom:    Esteban, please repeat after me.

I, Esteban, / take you Kali, / to be my wife. / To laugh with in joy, / to cry with in sorrow, / and to grow with in love. / I humbly give you my hands and my heart / as a sanctuary of warmth and peace, / and pledge my faith and love to you.

To Bride:      Kali, please repeat after me.

I, Kali, / take you Esteban, / to be my husband. / To laugh with in joy, / to cry with in sorrow, / and to grow with in love. / I humbly give you my hands and my heart / as a sanctuary of warmth and peace, / and pledge my faith and love to you.

Exchange of Rings

The Best Man hands the Bride’s ring to the Groom.

To Groom:    Esteban, this ring is a beautiful and fitting symbol of a perfect marriage, for it has no end.  In token of your love and faithfulness, please place it upon Kali’s finger telling her these following words.

With this ring, / I thee wed, / and may it always be a symbol / of my eternal love / and faithfulness to you.

The Maid of Honor hands the Groom’s ring to Bride. 

To Bride:      Kali, let this ring bespeak of the tenderness of your heart, and be a symbol of your love and faithfulness.  Please place it upon Esteban’s finger telling him these following words.

With this ring, / I thee wed, / and I pledge to you / my loving understanding, / my faithfulness, / and my true devotion.

May you both keep this marriage harmonious and happy wherever you go with true love, for only true love will sustain you, enfold you, and prosper you all the days of your life.

Lighting of the Unity Candle

       The flames of life from these two families are now being united as one.  May the light and warmth of this new single flame grow ever stronger through the years protecting and giving joy and strength to all those whose lives it may touch.  May it also serve to remind Esteban and Kali of God’s eternal light and love, especially in times of trouble and sorrow.

Music

From This Moment – Shania Twain and Bryan White

The Bride and Groom each take a lighted candle and join the flames of the two candles to light the Unity Candle.

Presentation of Roses

The Best Man gets the roses ready while the Unity Candle is being lit.

The Best Man gives the roses to the Bride and Groom.

The Bride and Groom present roses to their Mothers.

Pronouncement of Marriage

       Inasmuch as you have accepted the vows that bind you together in your love, and, by the giving and receiving of the rings, you have pledged yourselves to each other in the presence of God and this company of family and friends, by the authority vested in me by the State of North Carolina, I pronounce you husband and wife.

Please seal your vows with a kiss.

The Maid of Honor returns the Bride’s flowers.

Benediction

An Apache Prayer

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 is no loneliness for you,

For each of you will be companion to the other.

Now you are two persons,

But there is only one life before you.

Go now to your dwelling and enter into the days of your togetherness.

And may your days be good and long upon the earth.

Introduction

       It is my pleasure to introduce Esteban and Kali.

Recessional

Wedding March – A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Felix Mendelssohn

Announcement

After the Wedding party leaves. 

Please remain seated.  The ushers will be releasing you row-by-row.  Kali and Esteban will greet you just outside the entrance to this room.

Postlude

Cannon in D – Johann Pachelbel