More custom-crafted ceremonies that reflect the ideals of the bride and groom:

Marah and Nick’s Wedding Ceremony

10-09-2005

Top of the Town

Arlington, Virginia

Celebrant: If you look about, you will readily see what an extraordinary gathering we are. We come from so many different times and places and moments in the life of Mariah and Nick and their families. But no matter how, or where, or when, over these last few days, each of us has had the opportunity to eat and drink and talk about the wonderful stories of our friendships. But this night, the story that we celebrate is the story of your friendship. A friendship that began at Cape Cod, a magical place, and then wound its way to Washington, DC to this most unique and special moment in which Mariah and Nick will become partners in marriage. What a seeming surprise: two people who considered each other friends, who shared much time on the phone and a year as roommates, realized that they truly loved one another and wanted to now spend the rest of their lives together as each other’s beloved.

All of you are here because THEY want you to share in their JOY! They could not imagine this celebration without each one of your presence here today. Mariah and Nick ask then for you to participate in this most unique ceremony in which you are now here to witness. They ask for your warm loving thoughts and prayers be shared with them on this night.

So, Nick tonight, Mariah stands before you in her beautiful wedding dress, but unlike the night you proposed to her when she was dressed to the “nines,” you won’t have to get on your knee, Mariah has already said yes! Both of you STAND before one another and all of us to pledge your love and become husband and wife.

Celebrant: And now we honor your parents and ask for their support…

As our sons and daughters find partners and find homes for the next generation, each family is enriched and enlarged. Would the parents of the bride and groom please stand?

This occasion is a special celebration for you, the parents who have brought these children into the world, and nurtured them into adulthood. Today you are witnessing another stage in the lives of your son and daughter. Your continuing support and encouragement will be needed as Mariah and Nick unite in marriage.

Will you who have loved and nurtured these two, try with the greatest love and wisdom you have, to support this new couple and help in every way? If so, please say “We Will.”

Parents: We Will.

Celebrant: And now we honor all those family members who have gone before us…

The Empty Chair that has been placed here in front of all you by Mariah and Nick is symbolic of family members who have passed on, specifically of their maternal grandfathers. Their presence is felt this night by both of them through this Empty Chair and their love is remembered and cherished as Mariah and Nick commit themselves as husband and wife.

Reading: “Union” by Robert Fulghum, Read by Kelly Riddell (in separate binder)

You have known each other for years, through the first glance of acquaintance to this moment of commitment. At some moment, you decided to marry.

From that moment of yes to this moment of yes, indeed, you have been making promises and agreements in an informal way. All those conversations that were held riding in a car or over a meal or during long walks - all those sentences that began with “When we’re married” and continued with “I will" and "you will" and "we will” - those late night talks that included “someday” and “somehow” and “maybe” - and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart. Just two people working out what they want, what they believe, what they hope for each other.

All these common things, and more, are the real process of a wedding. The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, “You know all those things we’ve promised and hoped and dreamed - well, I meant it all, every word.”

Look at one another and remember this moment in time. Before this moment you have been many things to one another - acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, dancing partner, and even teacher, for you have learned much from one another in these last few years. You have learned that good company and friendship count for more than wealth, good looks or position. And you’ve learned that marriage is a maze into which we wander – a maze that is best got through with a great

companion.

Now you shall say a few words that take you across a threshold of life, and things will never quite be the same between you. For after these vows, you shall say to the world, this - is my husband, this - is my wife

Celebrant:

Mariah and Nick, tonight you stand side by side as each other’s best and truest friend. And so it is we who are your family and friends now bear witness as you pledge your lives to each other.

Kaitlyn/Mike – You will now present the vows please.

Vows

What you have composed on cards and read singly; Nick first and then Mariah

So be it.

Hands Ceremony

Read by each person singly, alternating side to side (on cards)

Celebrant: Mariah and Nick, if you’d join hands please…

Mariah, please face Nick, and hold his hands, palms up so you may see the gift that they are to you.

Kaitlyn: Mariah, these are the hands of your best friend, young, strong, and vibrant with love, they are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever

Rachel: These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future, as you laugh and cry, as you share your innermost secrets and dreams.

Jenny: These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children and work with you to hold your family together as one.

Lindsay: These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it.

Mindy: These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief wracks your mind.

Ashley: These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes, some tears of sorrow and others of joy

Ellie: 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.

Jen: And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.

Celebrant: Nick, please face Mariah, and hold her hands, palms up so you may see the gift that they are to you.

Mike: Nick, these are the hands of your best friend, smooth, young and carefree, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as she pledges her love and commitment to you all the days of her life.

Chris: These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times.

Will: These are the hands that will calm you when you are angry, comfort you when you are sick and console you when you are grieving

Ryan: They are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness.

Steve: These are the hands that will hold you in joy and excitement and hope during the many new adventures you will share

Bob: These are the hands that will give you support as she encourages you to pursue your dreams. Together as a team, everything you wish for can be realized.

Paul: These are the hands that will hold each child in tender love, soothing them through illness and hurt, supporting and encouraging them along the way, and knowing when it is time to let go.

Don: And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.

Celebrant: Bless these hands that you see before you this day. May they always be held by one another. Give them the strength to hold on during the storms of stress and the dark of disillusionment. Keep them tender and gentle as they nurture each other in their wondrous love. Help these hands to continue building a relationship founded in your grace, rich in caring, and devoted in reaching for your perfection. May Mariah and Nick see their four hands as healer, protector, shelter and guide.

Kaitlyn and Mike, please present the rings.

Celebrant: A circle is one of nature’s simplest forms. A perfect circle symbolizes eternity: no beginning and no end. It is the arc of the rainbow, and the halo of the moon. It is the shape of the sun and the earth. And today, Mariah and Nick give and receive these rings as an outward and visible sign of their inward and spiritual bond which unites two souls in endless love. May these rings remind you both that wherever you go, you will always return to each another’s love.

Please repeat after me:

Mariah: Nick, with this ring, I give you my word that from this day forward you shall not walk alone. May this ring forever represent my unending love for you and the eternal friendship and commitment we share.

Nick: Mariah, with this ring, I give you my word that from this day forward you shall not walk alone. May this ring forever represent my unending love for you and the eternal friendship and commitment we share.

Celebrant: Family and friends, will you promise to continue to love and support Mariah and Nick in their life together and will you always remind them of the love that you bore witness to and celebrated with them this night?

If so, shout out “We Will”!

So be it.

Reading: “Apache Marriage Blessing,” Read by Stephanie Frankfurt (in Separate binder)

Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be the shelter for each other. Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be the warmth for the other. Now you are two persons, but there is only one life before. Go now to your dwelling place to enter into the days of your life together. And may your days be good and long upon the earth.

Treat yourselves and each other with respect, and remind yourselves often of what brought you together. Give the highest priority to the tenderness, gentleness and kindness that your connection deserves. When frustration, difficulty and fear assail your relationship - as they threaten all relationships at one time or another - remember to focus on what is right between you, not only the part which seems wrong. In this way, you can ride out the storms when clouds hide the face of the sun in your lives - remembering that even if you lose sight of it for a moment, the sun is still there. And if each of you takes responsibility for the quality of your life together, it will be marked by abundance and delight.

Celebrant:

Mariah and Nick, surrounded by the love of your family and friends as it bids you both great joy, May you always love like you’ve never been hurt. May you always comfort with gentle whispers. May you always dance like no one is watching and may your marriage grant you peace. Peace in your lives, peace in your hearts, peace in your home, peace in your united lives, indeed peace into eternity.

And now, by the power invested in me, it is my honor and sweet delight to present for the first time, Mr. Nick Fadziewicz and Mrs. Mariah McKechnie-Fadziewicz…. you may kiss your bride…