Ashley & Cory- Favorite Ceremonies

One of my original favorites, Ashley & Cory's was originally written as an outdoor ceremony. Unfortunately, the sky did not agree with their plans so we moved things indoors. Unity candles are always risky outdoors. We decided to use unity lanterns rather an uncovered candles. It really played in well to their rustic surroundings.This ceremony is highly adaptable and personalizable (that's now a word) for a simple, easy and meaningful wedding.

The Wedding of Ashley Koch & Cory Hartman

May 14th, 2011

Convocation

We have gathered here for the marriage of Ashley and Cory

May they continue to grow together and to strengthen their love throughout their lives.

Presentation of the Bride

Who presents this woman to be married to this man?

Father-of-the-Bride: “I do” or “Her mother and I do”

Welcoming Words

If you ask most couples who have strong and abiding love what they like most about their partners,

usually they will say that they don’t have to pretend to be anything other than what they are.

They are able to express themselves without fear of being judged or rejected.

There is room in their relationship for both of them to be unique individuals.

They are free to surrender to the possibility of profound intimacy- to be known and loved without condition.

For quite some time now, Ashley and Cory have known and loved each other.

They have been strengthened by their loved and have received many blessings through its beauty and tenderness.

They have learned that they can depend on each other and that through each other they are becoming better people.

Today, they come before us to enter into the sacred covenant of marriage, vowing to be partners through the trials and triumphs of their shared life.

 They are declaring to each other and to all of us that they will be by each other’s side no matter what life brings their way.

Marriage is not created by a law or a ceremony; rather it occurs in the hearts, minds and souls of two human beings.

 It grows out of loving, caring and sharing ourselves with another.

 And so it is that Ashley and Cory have made this connection, one to the other, drawing upon the depths of their being, into the deep well of human need-

the need to live united, loving and complete.

In witnessing this ceremony today, we are observing only an outward sign of an inward union that already exists between Ashley and Cory.

Today, they have come before us to publicly affirm their love;

to promise to nurture themselves, each other, and this union;

to acknowledge its centrality in their lives.

They do so knowing that marriage is at once the most tender, yet challenging, of all relations in life.

We are now gathered to support them as they embark upon their voyage of discovery as life partners. We are here to see them off on this journey. Let us also be there to see them through.

In Memoriam

At this time, we would also like to honor those who could not be with us today.

Though we cannot see you, we know you are here.

Though we cannot touch you, we feel the warmth of your smile as Ashley and Cory begin a new chapter in their lives.

We pause now to reflect upon those who have shaped our character, molded our spirits and touched our hearts.

(Pause for a few moments.)

First Reading: excerpt from “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin” by Louis de Bernières

Read by Ashley’s cousin, Crystal

Second Reading: “I Like You” by Sandol Stoddard Warburg

Read by Cory’s friend, Ron

Minister’s Address

In our younger days, perhaps in those high school days when Ashley and Cory met, we often see Like as a stage that we pass through before we get to Love.

We find ourselves saying silly things such as “Well, I like him, but I don’t Like him, like him.”

As time passes and we have gone through relationships, we come to realize that Like isn’t merely a phase, it is the foundation on which Love is built.

We begin to see that the person we really want to spend our time with,

the person with whom we never want to part,

the person whom we want to spend the rest of our lives with is not only the person whom we shared a first, breathless kiss at the movies,

but is also the person who presses their lips to our forehead when we are sleeping.

They are not only the person, who takes us on long, windy walks on the beach in St. John;

they are also the person who rubs our tired feet after walking Stella and Tessa.

They accept that we have a passion for shoes that may border on insane, and try to understand why there are so many bikes in the garage.

They are our lover, our paramour, the candle to our flame, but most importantly of all, they are the one that we like the most and our greatest friend.

“It is not a lack of love, but a lack of friendship that makes unhappy marriages.”-- Friedrich Nietzsche

So, Groom, do you like Bride?

Bride, do you like Groom?

Do you like each other enough to spend the rest of your lives loving one another?

Now, it is true that marriage does require "love,"

Love carries many connotations: the love of friends, the love of family, romantic love,

but what we celebrate here today is that love that is found only when you meet the person who connects with you at the very level of your soul.

The one who loves us in that way gives us a unique gift: a piece of ourselves, but a piece that only they could give us.

We who love, can look at each other's life and say, "I touched his life," or, "I touched her life,"

I am a part of this life, and it is a part of me."  

Remember this moment in time, cherish it.

Remember the sights, the sounds, the fragrance of the flowers.

Remember the words of encouragement and joy from your families and friends.

Remember the look in your partner's eyes, the feel of their hands.

Take hold of this moment, engrave into the deepest recesses of your mind and treasure it.

Ashley and Cory, what you mean to each other, and how much you like and love each other, is obvious to us all here today.  

Even though all of us gathered here would like to give you the gift of happiness, it is not ours to give.

This marriage will be created by the two of you.

Each day, as you face your lives together, you will renew the wedding vows you make today when you act toward one another from a place of love and caring;

when you consider each other's integrity and intentions;

when you support each others dreams and goals, and when you keep yourselves well-acquainted with laughter and joy.

When there are troubles, stand by each other as you weather the storms together.

 Don't ever try to change each other, because if you do, you will lose exactly what you fell in love with.

So, each day try to find one more thing that is beautiful in your mate and each day know that the next day will be more beautiful than the one before.

As long as you are doing this, you are seeking beauty, joy, love-and Like- in each other.  

Declaration of Intent

Ashley and Cory, today I ask you to make a promise:
That whatever happens, you shall never walk alone;
That your hearts will be shelter to each other and your arms will be your
home;
That you’ll stand side by side and sleep in each other’s arms:
That Cory, you’ll watch over Ashley and keep her from harm;
That Ashley, you’ll be the joy in Cory’s heart and the food for his soul;
May you feel deeply loved  for indeed you are; through your brightest days and your darkest nights.

And so I ask, will you now take each other into your hearts and pledge your love in this moment and forever?

Consecration

You have always had dreams of the potential of your tomorrow's believing that anything was possible.

As you set out to live in this world and make a difference in it, it stirs your hearts to know that you will be side by side.

Your desires for redeeming the promises of tomorrow are strong.

Having found each other, you have made a decision that there is no moment in your lives more profoundly significant than this one, the moment you offer yourselves to become husband and wife.

You are joining because you love each other, you respect one another, and you will honor each other, and because you are committed to sharing equally in both the triumphs and trials of the days to come.

As you begin this new chapter in your lives, remember, all of your yesterdays have led you to today, and your love will lead you into tomorrow.

Personal Vows

Marriage vows are not only promises made between those who care for and love each other,

they are also an outward expression of those intimate thoughts, those feelings that cannot be defined and those unspoken matters of the heart.

Ashley and Cory have chosen to write vows to each other and to read them before us today. 

Cory, take your bride's hand as she reads the vows she has written just for you.

Ashley reads.

Cory, hearing the words spoken by your beloved bride; do you take this woman to be your wife?

Ashley, take Cory's hand as he reads the vows he has written just for you.

Cory Reads

Ashley, hearing the words spoken by your beloved groom; do you take this man to be your husband?

Ring Ceremony

Wedding rings are symbolic reminders of the unbroken circle of a healthy and abiding love.

Within the safety and comfort of a true marriage, love freely given has no beginning and no end.

Love freely given has no separate giver and receiver.

Each of you gives your love to the other and each of you receives love from the other.

The circle of love goes around and around.

Bless O Lord, the giving and receiving of these rings. May they abide in you grace and be forever true to this union. Amen.

Ashley/ Cory, I give you this ring,

as a symbol of my commitment

to love honor and respect you.

Let these rings serve not as locks binding you together, but as keys, unlocking the secrets of your hearts for each other to know, and thus bringing you closer together forever.

Unity Candle

The lighting of the Unity Candle is a ritual symbolizing the union of a man and a woman as they enter into marriage.

Today, Ashley and Cory will light this lantern.

It represents the oneness that is being created by the joining of their individual lives and the love, hope and faith in each other that will illuminate their shared journey.

The individual candles symbolize the uniqueness of Ashley and Cory as they walk side by side heading in the same direction.

They are separate, yet one.

(Ashley and Cory light)

Ashley and Cory, may the lighting of this lantern serve as a symbol of your two hearts, united in one life.

May it remind you of the warmth of your love and serve as a beacon of hope in the dark.

Mothers Rose Presentation

Marriage is a coming together of two lives and a celebration of the love of two people.

But it is more.

The love that Ashley and Cory feel for one another is the flowering of a seed their parents planted in their hearts years ago.

As they embrace one another in their love, so do they embrace the families which have been brought together on this happy occasion.

As a sign of their love for their families, Ashley and Cory would like to offer these symbols of eternal love, these roses, to their mothers, Kelly and Debby.  

Ashley and Cory want you to know that your efforts were not in vain and that your love is very much appreciated, they thank you for everything you’ve instilled in them.

These Roses are a promise that no matter how far apart you are that you are not forgotten and a reminder that you forever remain in their hearts. 

PRONOUNCEMENT

Ashley and Cory, I wish you the strength to keep the vows you have made today.

May you always have the wisdom to cherish the love you share and support each other with patience, understanding and honesty.

May you continue to find delight in each other and in your being together.

Remember the promises you have made to each other today, carry them close in your heart, but most of all live them, each and every day.

With the power vested in me by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, it is my great honor to pronounce you husband and wife.

Cory, you may kiss your bride!

Family and friends, please join me in celebration as we greet for the first time Mr. and Mrs. Cory and Ashley Hartman!