The Script (what was supposed to happen, anyway)
The snow threw a major spanner into the works, and the ring bearer and flower girl didn't show up. David McNickle took the ring bearer's place. Here's the ceremony script as originally written. It did happen mostly like this, with the exception of no small children. :)
The content of these vows was taken from a ceremony on our officiant, Carolyn J. Hayek's web page, and from a few other ceremonies we found on the web and on the wedding newsgroups. I combined a few of them to say what we wanted to say. So it's not really my original writing.
Here it is:
(When we are ready to begin the ceremony, Terri starts the "Processional" tape. Groom Jason, best man John, and officiant Carolyn will already be standing at the front of the room. When the processional ends, remember to take out the Processional tape and replace it with the "Post-Ceremony" tape, because it will be played next!)
(A small processional with flower girl Kayleigh [carrying battery-operated candle], ring bearer Eryk [carrying battery-operated candle], maid of honor Shari, and bride Wendi will go from the hallway through the dining room to the living room. Wendi will hand her bouquet to Shari to hold during the ceremony. Eryk will give his candle -- to which the rings are attached with ribbons -- to John. John will take the rings and give the candle back to Eryk to hold during the ceremony. John will give the groom's ring to Shari and keep the bride's ring. At this point Wendi and Jason should stand hand in hand.)
(Carolyn says:)
Dear friends, out of love and affection for Wendi and Jason we have gathered together to witness and bless their mutual vows which will unite them in marriage. To this moment they bring the fullness of their hearts as a treasure to share with one another. They bring the dreams which bind them together. They bring that particular personality and spirit which is uniquely their own, and out of which will grow the reality of their life together. We rejoice with them at the outward declaration of an inward union of hearts, a union created by friendship, respect and love.
(To Jason and Wendi:)
The union into which you are about to enter is the closest and tenderest into which human beings can come. Your paths will be parallel, your responsibilities will increase, but your joy will be multiplied if you are sincere and earnest with one another.
May you be faithful friends, each a help and support to the other in all that befalls you. Let there be tenderness between you. May you be gentle and understanding, and quick to forgive each other's faults. In joy and sorrow, may you work together to achieve the happiness you seek.
I now ask you, Jason, do you take Wendi to be your wedded wife? And do you promise to love, honor and cherish her, in joy and in sorrow, in health and in sickness, in prosperity and adversity and to be faithful to her as becomes a good husband, as long as you both shall live?
(Jason: "I do.")
I now ask you, Wendi, do you take Jason to be your wedded husband? And do you promise to love, honor and cherish him, in joy and in sorrow, in health and in sickness, in prosperity and adversity and to be faithful to him as becomes a good wife, as long as you both shall live?
(Wendi: "I do.")
Jason and Wendi wish to exchange rings as symbols of their vows.
(John gives Jason the bride's ring.)
Jason, please place the ring on Wendi's finger and say: With this ring, I thee wed.
(Shari gives Wendi the groom's ring.)
Wendi, please place the ring on the Jason's finger and say: With this ring I thee wed. Let these rings be given and received as a token of your affection, sincerity and fidelity to one another. Let them continue to be to you both symbols of the purity and constancy of true married life, and a sign and seal of those vows to which you now set your hands.
Before these loved ones and friends, Wendi and Jason have pledged themselves to each other and have symbolized this by giving and receiving rings. By the authority vested in me by the State of Washington, I pronounce you husband and wife. (You may kiss.)
(Terri plays the "post-ceremony" tape as Jason and Wendi kiss! then leave the tape playing.)
© 1997 by Wendi Dunlap Simpson and Jason Simpson