Shattered Vows
My wedding day was one of the happiest days of my life. I didn't experience any nerves at all because it felt so right. We were not worried about formalities at the reception or the style of shoes our chosen bridal party wore, because these things were not what our marriage was about. Neither of us were worried about the superficial things in relation to our wedding but our wedding was perfect.
We were married in the most amazing country setting, set beneath a huge tree looking out over a gorgeous valley and river in the company of our closest family and friends. Our wedding photos were taken on a country property overlooking distant mountains at sunset.
And as we lay in bed the following morning in our Presidential Suite at the local 5 star hotel where we held our reception and reflected over the previous day neither of us would have changed anything.
As I went through another box of papers in an effort to declutter my life, I came across the copy of my marriage ceremony written by me and my husband. I experienced mixed emotions as I read it. But here it is....
THE MARRIAGE OF JOHN AND JANE - March 30th
Celebrant - We are here today to celebrate and participate in the marriage of Jane and John who have asked us to join them on this special occasion. My name is Peter Smith, I am a civil celebrant, and I am here today to share with you the ceremony that John and Jane have composed for their marriage.
READING - "The Miracle of Love"
Love doesn't mean that you will never feel pain or live a life free from care. It doesn't mean that you will never be hurt or that your life will be perfect, with every moment consumed by happiness.
Love does mean that you will always have a companion, someone to help you through the difficult times and rejoice with you in your times of celebration. Love does mean that each argument is followed by a time of forgiveness, and each time of sorrow is far outweighed by all the tender moments spent in each other's arms.
Love is the miracle that can take two lives and mould them into one, take two souls and bind them for life, take two hearts and fill them with enough passion and tenderness to last a lifetime.
Love is a blessing that will lead you down life's most beautiful path.
To Jane and John
Jane and John before celebrating your marriage I am to say to you in the presence of your family and friends that I am duly authorised by law to solemnise marriages according to law. Moreover before you are joined in marriage in my presence and in the presence of these witnesses, I am to remind you of the solemn and binding nature of the relationship into which you are about to enter.
Marriage according to law is the union of a man and a woman to the exclusion of others, voluntarily entered into for life.
To Family and Friends
This day marks the formal acknowledgment between two people who love each other. In these times, it is not always seen as a necessary step, but for Jane and John it has become so.
They want you to understand that they are willing to share their lives to the fullest as long as they live. We are here to acknowledge their shared hopes for the future, based on trust, friendship, mutual respect and making a home together.
For John and Jane, this ceremony is a public affirmation of their love; a chance to say proudly yet simply that they love and respect each other, and intend spending the rest of their lives together; and to include us in that affirmation.
They have shared the pleasures of parenthood, they have a home full of love and peace, a home with books and music, a home with lively discussion, frequent and valued visits from friends and family members. They have provided their children with security, dignity and love, and the opportunities to make the most of their lives.
They have learned the meaning of deep friendship, and have discovered that their love is in fact the ultimate expression of their friendship. It is this friendship that serves as the cornerstone of their relationship and as the reason for their decision to marry.
"It is often said that it is love that makes the world go round.
However, without doubt, it is friendship which keeps our spinning existence on an even keel. True friendship provides so many of the essentials for a happy life - it is the strong foundation on which to build an enduring relationship, it is the mortar which bonds us together in harmony, and it is the calm, warm protection we sometimes need when the world outside seems cold and chaotic. True friendship holds a mirror to our foibles and failings, without destroying our sense of worthiness.
Jane and John come together as friends. Today, they pledge to each other not only their love, but also the strength, warmth and most importantly, the fun of true friendship.
Next chapter -the handwritten vows of Jane and John
We were married in the most amazing country setting, set beneath a huge tree looking out over a gorgeous valley and river in the company of our closest family and friends. Our wedding photos were taken on a country property overlooking distant mountains at sunset.
And as we lay in bed the following morning in our Presidential Suite at the local 5 star hotel where we held our reception and reflected over the previous day neither of us would have changed anything.
As I went through another box of papers in an effort to declutter my life, I came across the copy of my marriage ceremony written by me and my husband. I experienced mixed emotions as I read it. But here it is....
Celebrant - We are here today to celebrate and participate in the marriage of Jane and John who have asked us to join them on this special occasion. My name is Peter Smith, I am a civil celebrant, and I am here today to share with you the ceremony that John and Jane have composed for their marriage.
Love doesn't mean that you will never feel pain or live a life free from care. It doesn't mean that you will never be hurt or that your life will be perfect, with every moment consumed by happiness.
Love does mean that you will always have a companion, someone to help you through the difficult times and rejoice with you in your times of celebration. Love does mean that each argument is followed by a time of forgiveness, and each time of sorrow is far outweighed by all the tender moments spent in each other's arms.
Love is the miracle that can take two lives and mould them into one, take two souls and bind them for life, take two hearts and fill them with enough passion and tenderness to last a lifetime.
Love is a blessing that will lead you down life's most beautiful path.
Jane and John before celebrating your marriage I am to say to you in the presence of your family and friends that I am duly authorised by law to solemnise marriages according to law. Moreover before you are joined in marriage in my presence and in the presence of these witnesses, I am to remind you of the solemn and binding nature of the relationship into which you are about to enter.
Marriage according to law is the union of a man and a woman to the exclusion of others, voluntarily entered into for life.
This day marks the formal acknowledgment between two people who love each other. In these times, it is not always seen as a necessary step, but for Jane and John it has become so.
They want you to understand that they are willing to share their lives to the fullest as long as they live. We are here to acknowledge their shared hopes for the future, based on trust, friendship, mutual respect and making a home together.
For John and Jane, this ceremony is a public affirmation of their love; a chance to say proudly yet simply that they love and respect each other, and intend spending the rest of their lives together; and to include us in that affirmation.
They have shared the pleasures of parenthood, they have a home full of love and peace, a home with books and music, a home with lively discussion, frequent and valued visits from friends and family members. They have provided their children with security, dignity and love, and the opportunities to make the most of their lives.
They have learned the meaning of deep friendship, and have discovered that their love is in fact the ultimate expression of their friendship. It is this friendship that serves as the cornerstone of their relationship and as the reason for their decision to marry.
READING - Friendship by Judy Bielicki
"It is often said that it is love that makes the world go round.
However, without doubt, it is friendship which keeps our spinning existence on an even keel. True friendship provides so many of the essentials for a happy life - it is the strong foundation on which to build an enduring relationship, it is the mortar which bonds us together in harmony, and it is the calm, warm protection we sometimes need when the world outside seems cold and chaotic. True friendship holds a mirror to our foibles and failings, without destroying our sense of worthiness.
True friendship nutures our hopes, supports us in our disappointments, and encourages us to grow to our best potential."
Jane and John come together as friends. Today, they pledge to each other not only their love, but also the strength, warmth and most importantly, the fun of true friendship.
posted by kissmekate at 6:56 pm
2 Comments:
bah - don't dwell too much. I put all of my wedding things in a box deep in a closet.
Everyone deals with pain in thieir own way, I became a metallica fan ( LOL I know ) I found comfort in James s Lyrics, such classic hits as " Justice for all" Die Die Die my Darling and who could forget Holier than Thou. I do hope I make a smile turn on those lips of you Shattered, cos it is kinda funny right?
Anyway my point is whatever it is that gives you what you need is okay, everyone walks the same road at their own pace to their own beat. Bang the Drum !
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