These two were such fun to be with! As fellow travellers through the forests of Geekdom, I had the pleasure of being able to include a little bit of geek-humor into there ceremony address. Regrettably, I cannot include it here at the moment. However, the remaining text of their ceremony is great and it features their own take on the Rock Ceremony (aka Stone Ceremony, Pebble Tradition).
Instead of giving the stones to everyone present, Natasha and Jesse opted to use their parents and bridal party as representatives of their families and friends, respectively. They all came foward in turn to greet the couple and be the first to say congratulations to the newlyweds. Set to music, it was a beautiful, joyous moment! Then, we incorporated the beloved reading "These Are the Hands" before Natasha and Jesse topped-off the jar with their own stones. Wonderful!
The Wedding of Natasha Goldberg & Jesse Lewis
The Wedding of Natasha Goldberg & Jesse Lewis
December 27th, 2014
Convocation
It is said that love is the communication of the good life.
When we find a person who communicates the good life to us, and whose answering resonance tells us that we have been sharing something significant together, then we may make the decision to continue sharing permanently.
Natasha and Jesse have found much to share and much to enrich their lives together.
They seek to continue the commitment, which does not begin today, but which began some time ago when they found this love in each other.
There are many stages and kinds of commitment among persons in our culture, but this one is the deepest, the most sacred that comes out of the clear choice of two people.
Natasha and Jesse welcome you today, in gratitude for the important roles you have played in their lives.
You have each played a part in the wonderful people they have become.
Your love and support has enabled them to grow and to be able to share their love with each other here today.
Presentation Of The Natasha
Who presents Natasha to be united with Jesse?
FATHER-OF-THE-Natasha: “I do” or “Her mother and I do”
Honoring Those Not Present
At this time, we would also like to honor those who could not be with us today. We offer a special remembrance of Jesse’s mom, Sylvia . Although they are not here with us physically, we feel blessed they are with us in spirit on this beautiful day. We bow in silence to honor their memory. (Pause for a few moments.)
Prayer
Dear God, we call upon you in the midst of this celebration to be with this man and woman and walk with them during their days together as husband and wife. Grant that they both be filled with faith and trust. Give them grace to live with each other in peace and harmony.
May they always bear one another's weakness and grow from each other's strength. Help them to forgive one another's failings and grant them patience, kindness, cheerfulness and the spirit of placing the well-being of one another ahead of one's self. Amen
Address
Declaration Of Intent
Natasha and Jesse, 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 Jesse, you’ll watch over Natasha and keep her from harm;
That Natasha, you’ll be the joy in Jesse’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 take each other into your hearts and pledge your love at this moment and forever?
Natasha and Jesse: “We will.”
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 yourself to become husband and wife. May you share with each other, from this day on, the unending joy of growth and discovery.
For many years to come you will remember this day; yet, beyond the fragrant flowers, beyond the melodious music, beyond the expressions of joy and encouragement from family and friends, beyond albums filled with picturesque memories, may you celebrate through the years that which is most fundamental about your union. You are joining because your 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.
Lasting Vows
Jesse, do you promise to love, respect and care for Natasha for life, remaining faithful to your love as it enters into new meanings and definitions?
I do.
Natasha, do you promise to love, respect and care for Jesse for life, remaining faithful to your love as it enters into new meanings and definitions?
I do.
Ring Ceremony
May I have the rings please?
Rings are an ancient symbol, blessed and simple. Round like the sun, round like the eye, and round like arms that embrace. May these rings symbolize that your love, like the sun, illuminates and warms the others heart, like the eye, you must see clearly even amid the adversity of life, and like arms that embrace as grace upon the world. May they also remind you that love given comes back around again and again.
Natasha/Jesse take this ring and place it on Jesse/Natasha ‘s finger and repeat after me.
I, Jesse, take you, Natasha, to be my wife/husband, in equal love, as a partner and companion, to have and to hold, to honor and to cherish, in joy and in sorrow, from this day forward.
Unity Ceremony
Marriage is a coming together of two lives and a celebration of the love of two people. But it is more. Family and friends are the true foundation of a good marriage. Today, each member of our bridal party carries a stone. These stones represent not only themselves and their participation, but symbolically that of all of the friends who have given Natasha and Jesse love and support along their way. Most importantly, Natasha and Jesse’s parents, David, Gail and Johnny also carry stones, for as Natasha and Jesse build their marriage together in love, they build it upon the families which have been brought together on this happy occasion.
Johnny, David, Gail and our bridal party, please take out the stone you have been given. As the stones are collected, let us all take this moment to make a wish or silent blessing of happiness and good will for Natasha and Jesse and the future of their marriage.
Music begins, nice and low
Family and bridal party place their stones.
Music ends.
Natasha and Jesse, you also each brought a stone of your own that symbolizes your previous separate lives, separate sets of friends, separate families and the different life's journeys you once traveled. Natasha and Jesse, will you now each take your stones into your hands. At this moment, I would like you to look at the hands that hold these stones so you may see the gift that they are to you.
A Reading: "These Are The Hands"
These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you. These are the hands that are holding yours on your wedding day as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow and forever. These are the hands that will work alongside yours as together you build your future. These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years and with the slightest touch will comfort you like no other. These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief wracks your mind. These are hands that will countless times wipe tears from your eyes, tears of joy and tears of sorrow. These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children. These are the hands that will help hold your family together as one. These are hands that will give you strength when you need it. These are the hands that even when wrinkled with age will still be reaching for yours, still giving the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.
[The couple adds their stones to the container.]
With the combining of these stones, you have now symbolically joined your once separate lives. As the stones have been combined with love into one container, so now are your friends and family joined, through you, into one. And your once solitary life's paths are also now one. All that was once separate is now shared, and in this sharing you both will find new strength and joy as together you forge a new life's path and destination.
Apache Wedding Blessing
Now you will feel no rain,
For each of you will be shelter to the other.
Now you will feel no cold,
For each of you will be warmth to the other.
Now there is no more loneliness,
For each of you will be companion to the other.
Now you are two bodies,
But there is only one life before you.
Go now to your dwelling place,
To enter into the days of your togetherness.
And may your days be good and long upon the earth.
Pronouncement
And so, as you have chosen each other, declared your love and purpose before family and friends, and have made your pledges to each other, symbolized by the giving and receiving of rings by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, I pronounce that you are now what you have long known yourselves to be, husband and wife. You may kiss!
Announcement
Family and friends, it is my great honor and privilege to present to you for the very first time, Jesse and Natasha Lewis!
