Hey Everyone ...
A cookie cutter ceremony wasn't something we wanted. As you can tell by my previous posts (I hope you have read them) we wanted everything to have special meaning.
You will read the ceremony verbatim why we didn't have the traditional "line up" of the wedding party, why we didn't go with a typical sermon and that we wrote our own vows (those aren't written out here. I'll do that separate). We also didn't have my dad give me away. We had our families give US away ;) Again .. remember the theme .. TWO become ONE.
Since I write for a living I thought I would give writing our ceremony a shot. I googled formats and picked one and just started writing and writing and writing. Who knows how many times I tossed what I had and started over. But it took months. I of course didn't write the "reading" you will see .. but put a lot of thought into what it would be. You will see the significance ;)
My best friend and man of honor helped me fine tune and when it was all done Doug and I went to the park with him and read over it. It couldn't be more perfect for us.
While I had guidance from some poems, passages and scripture ... these are my words. From my heart. So I am asking anyone reading this to please not take it, use it, rip it off as your own. Not only would that be wrong. It would be super lame.
I am sharing because I want those not there to experience our day in some form. And for those that were to maybe remember that special moment in time.
I know it's not the same as hearing it being read .. Or watching as we stood in front of everyone. But maybe you can take your mind there ;)
Enjoy!
Mrs. Green
| Ceremony |
Our Ceremony |
OPENING REMARKS/CALL TO WORSHIP
Good evening everyone! You can go ahead and take a seat.
Here we meet to celebrate not the beginning of a relationship - but the continuation of one.
A single moment in what will become two lifetimes, joyously intertwined.
Love brought Stacy and Doug here... and that love has brought each of you here to witness their union.
This is one moment in time. We will enjoy it as it happens, and treasure it once it has passed.
To this sacred moment Doug and Stacy bring a lot with them as individuals. They bring their gifts, talents and unique personalities. They bring the dreams which make them who they are – but at the same time – the ones that bind them together in an eternal commitment. Most importantly they bring with them the spirits which God will unite together into one being as they build their life together.
As you are looking around at the wedding party that stands beside each of them - you may notice things look a little bit different. You see guys that are listed as Doug’s groomsmen standing next to Stacy and ladies listed as Stacy’s bridesmaids next to Doug.
The couple chose this placement to signify the theme of this day – that "Two become One". Doug's friends now become just as much Stacy's support system as they are Doug's....and Stacy's friends will be there for Doug just as they are his bride.
If you have ever talked to Doug or Stacy in any length – then you know that their meeting was certainly a fate chance. But you don’t have to know their back story at all to know that they were put on this earth to be together. They really are the definition of soul mates.
Let us rejoice with them in thankfulness to the Lord for creating this union of hearts, built on friendship, respect and love.
OPENING PRAYER
Our Heavenly Father .... We who are gathered here, ask that you would take this couple into your hands. Help them lord, to keep firm in the commitments they are about to make. Guide them as they become a family and as they each change through the years. May they be flexible as they are faithful. And Lord help us to all be your hands if there ever be a need.
In Jesus name we pray - Amen.
GIVING AWAY OF THE COUPLE:
At this time we would like to ask Stacy and Doug’s parents to please stand.
((parents stand))
As Stacy and Doug's union brings together two different roots, it is their hope to plant a new family tree that will grow and flourish. Theirs is a personal choice and decision for which they are responsible in undertaking. Yet their life is and always will be enriched with the support of the families from which each comes.
"Will you Sue Bray and Bill McCloud and you Joy and Ben Hadden encourage Stacy and Doug in their marriage. Will you celebrate with them the decision they have made to choose each other and will you continue to stand beside them and pray for them with each passing year"?
PARENTS SAY IN UNISON: "We Will"
You may be seated.
THE CHARGE
In an typical ceremony this is the time the officiant would address the couple. Tell them what marriage is, what the vows they are about to make mean. Maybe I would tell a story about the couple and the love they share. But you see... love is the only subject that can never be taught. Love is like the wind or the Holy Spirit. You can't see it. You just know it's there. You can feel the effects of it. But only the people in it can understand the depth of what it really means.
Doug and Stacy know why they are here today. They understand the commitment they are making to each other. So instead of me telling you all what love and marriage is - Doug and Stacy have chosen to share with you the story of two people that many years ago - on this same date april 22nd - were joined together as one. They first heard the story of Danny and Annie about a year ago and never thought of it again until Stacy was writing the ceremony you hear today. Now, for many reasons, they want to share this couples story wtih you - because to them their story is what it means to marry the one that you love. After the first recording this couple made, as you will hear - Danny becomes very sick. As you are about to discover, the love they shared, the same love shared by Stacy and Doug, not only withstood the hardship of sicknesss, but blossomed and grew even in Danny's final days. To Doug and Stacy they are the epitimy of for Richer or poorer .. in good times and in bad .. in sickness and in health.
( PLAY DANNY AND ANNIE)
Stacy and Doug put a link in your program so that you can hear the story of Danny and Annie again from home. It's their hope that their marriage be just as plentiful and beautiful.
THE PLEDGE - (VOWS)
*writing own vows*
RINGS
May I please have the rings (to Rod)
(holding up rings) These are the rings that Stacy and Doug will wear for the rest of their lives.They express the love that they have for one another.
Doug and Stacy - The hand you freely give to each other, is both the strongest and the most tender part of your body. In the years ahead you will need both strength and tenderness. Be firm in your commitment. Don't let your grip become weak. And yet, be flexible as you go through change. Don't let your hold become intolerable.
Doug as you place this ring on Stacy's finger repeat after me.
"WITH THIS RING I THE WED. TAKE IT AND WEAR IT AS A PLEDGE OF MY LOVE, FIDELITY AND SYMBOL OF ALL WE SHARE"
(Doug Repeats)
Stacy as you place this ring on Doug's finger repeat after me.
"WITH THIS RING I THE WED. TAKE IT AND WEAR IT AS A PLEDGE OF MY LOVE, FIDELITY AND SYMBOL OF ALL WE SHARE"
(Stacy Repeats)
In addition to these rings, Stacy and Doug have decided that they will have permanent marks signifying their commitment to each other. Each is going to have a skelton key tattooed on their ribs .. reminding them of "The Key To Love".
(THIS WILL BE READ BY MY FRIEND CHASTITY)
The key to love is understanding …
The ability to comprehend not only the spoken word,
but those unspoken gestures,
the little things that say so much by themselves.
The key to love is forgiveness ….
to accept each others faults and pardon mistakes,
without forgetting, but with rememberingwhat you learn from them.
The key to love is sharing …
Facing your good fortunes as well as the bad, together;
both conquering problems, forever searching for ways to intensify your happiness.
The key to love is giving … without thought of return, but with the hope of just a simple smile,
and by giving in but never giving up.
The key to love is respect … realizing that you are two separate people,
with different ideas; that you don’t belong to each other, that you belong with each other, and share a mutual bond.
The key to love is inside us all …
It takes time and patience to unlock all the ingredients that will take you to its threshold;
it is the continual learning process that demands a lot of work … but the rewards are more than worth the effort …
and that is the key to love.
FINAL PRAYER
Kyle prays
Nikki Williams sings "Answered Prayer"
The Pronouncement
Now that Stacy and Doug have given themselves to each other by the promises they have exchanged,
I am honored as their friend and officiant to pronounce them husband and wife.
(start exit music)
The Kiss
Doug, kiss your wifey!!!
(face guests)
Ladies and Gentleman - Mr & Mrs Doug Green!
***** Note*****
We did get those tattoos! One of Doug's best friends and groomsmen is a very talented tattoo artist in Franklin (Will Bledsoe at Lone Wolf). So of course we had him do them!! We didn't do them exactly as we planned. I went against the ribs and did a larger piece on my hip. The bird is in memory of my granny. She loves blue birds. The bird has the our key in it's mouth ... carrying it to the lock that Doug got in addition to his key (he did go for the ribs). They are forever on us .. they mark us with purpose .. these tattoos will always remind us of that day and the words that my dear friend Chas said ... The Key To Love :)
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