We will sign the license before the ceremony.

Processional

Curt will escort both mothers to their seats.

Jenn will enter, escorted by her dad, John. He and Jenn will stop at the foot of the bridge. Curt will walk over to the bridge, cross over, take Jenn's hand and escort her to the stage.

Opening Words

We are gathered here today to witness the coming together of two people, Curt and Jenn whose hearts and spirits are entwined as one. They now desire to profess before the entire world their intention henceforth to walk the road of life together.

This marriage signifies the birth of a new spirit, a spirit which is a part of each of us, yet not of any one of us alone. As we stand here so close to the glory of nature, we are inspired to thoughts of peace, beauty, strength and permanence. All is as it should be. This glorious summer evening and the gathering of us all here reminds us that we are better together than we are alone and that life is full of hope. Love's possibilities are as high and wide as the summer sky! It is appropriate, therefore, that this wedding of Curt and Jenn be under the open sky, where we are close to the earth and to the unity of life, the totality of living things of which we are a part.

Officiant will have Jenn and Curt turn toward one another and hold hands.

Statement of Intention

Do you, Curt take Jenn as your wife, joining with her today in spirit, offering your friendship and loving care? Do you promise to honor her growth and freedom as well as your own, to cherish and protect her, to love and embrace her in times of challenge, as well as times of joy?

Curt: I do
And do you Jenn, knowing this man's love for you and returning it, realizing his strengths and learning from them, recognizing his weaknesses and helping him to overcome them, take Curt to be your lawfully wedded husband?
Jenn: I do
At this time the Curt and Jenn wish to say their vows to each other for all to hear. (Vows will be on cards, which officiant will hand to Jenn and Curt to read.)

Vows

Curt: Jen, I love you with every part of my being.  You are my best friend, and on this day I give myself to you in marriage.  I promise to encourage and inspire you, to laugh with you, and cry with you, to comfort you in times of sorrow and struggle, and to celebrate with you in times of joy.  I promise to love you with all of my being in good times and in bad, when life seems easy and when it seems hard. There have been and always will be bumps in the road we take, but trust in your heart and our love and we will over come all.  Our love is simple, and its vibration resonates through the heavens, and will transcend all space and time.  It is with that love that I promise to cherish you always in this life and the next. These things I give to you on this day, and every day for as long as we both shall live.

Jenn: Curt I choose you to be my partner in love and in life. I promise to nurture your body, mind and spirit. I will laugh and cry with you. I will always stand by you. I will love and respect you. I will comfort and support you.  Let me be the shoulder upon which you lean, the rock upon which you rest, the companion of your life. You pulled me from the darkest place in my life and have helped me to see myself as I never thought possible. You have stood by me in the worst times and the best. You let me get a cat when we shouldn't have. I love you so much that I honestly can't express it.

Exchange of Rings

Officiant: With their love professed to each other in front of all, it is at this time that the Jenn and Curt would like to exchange their tokens. I would like to call forth Beth and Jim.

Beth and Jim will come forward and hand the rings to officiant. Officiant will hand Jenn's ring to Curt, asking Jenn to extend her left hand.

Curt:   I give you this ring to wear with love and joy. As a ring has no end, neither shall my love for you. I choose you to be my wife from this day hence forth and forevermore for as long as we both shall live.

Officiant will hand Curt's ring to Jenn, asking Curt to extend his left hand.

Jenn:   I give you this ring as a sign of our marriage. With my body and soul I honor you. All that I am I give to you. And all that I have, I share with you in all places, and in all ways, forever.

Officiant: At this time I would like to Bless the hands of the couple and then call forth the corners to bless this union:
Blessing of the Hands Jenn please turn and face Curt  and hold his hands palms up, where you can see the gift that they are to you.
These are the hands, young and strong and vibrant with love, that hold yours on your wedding day, as he promises to love you all the days of his life.
These are the hands you will place with expectant joy against your stomach, until he too, feels his child stir within your womb.
These are the hands that look so large and clumsy, yet will be so gentle as he holds your baby for the first time.
These are the hands that will work long hours to earn money for you and your family.
These are the hands that will be nicked and bruised from fixing things around the house to make you more comfortable.
These are the hands that will caress your body through the years, to make the passion of love come alive in you.
These are the hands that will countless times wipe tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow and tears of joy.
These are the hands that will comfort you in illness, and hold you when fear or grief rack your mind.
These are the hands that will tenderly lift your chin and brush your cheek as they raise your face to look into his eyes; eyes that are filled completely with his overwhelming love and desire for you.
Curt, please face Jenn hold her palms up, so you may see the gift they are to you.
These are the hands hold yours on your wedding day as she gives you her pledge to love you, and accepts your ring.
These are the hands that are smooth and young and carefree now, but will be lined and rougher, working to make you comfortable.
These are the hands that will hold each child in tender love, soothing them through illness, disciplining them when naughty, and wringing themselves in worry when trouble comes.
These are the hands that will hold your face and wipe tears from your eyes - in wonder and awe that you would cry for her.
These are the hands that will hold you in joy, excitement and hope each time she tells you that you are to have another child; that together you have created a new life.
Perhaps these are the hands that will comfort you when you are told you cannot have a child, and will convince you that together you will create a new life in other ways.
These are the hands that through the years will caress your body in the passion of love, to enhance your intimacy.
These are the hands that will enter the Sacrament of Matrimony. These four hands will be your armor and shield against the evils and temptations of the world.
These are the hands that will reach out, first to each other, then united, will spread your love and your sacrament to all they touch.
These are the hands that will ease your parents' loneliness as you leave the nest, will first teach your own children the marvels of married life, and will be a sign to friends and strangers alike as to just how wonderful married life can be.
Through these four hands, the spirits will work their will. These hands are the hope of renewed faith. These are the hands that will change the world.
Blessing of the Four Directions

Officiant: Now, join hands and walk the circle of time, traveling through the elements and seasons.

Jenn and Curt join hands and face the south.

Officiant: Your love, like the seasons will face many changes, and like the tides, it will ebb and flow. Will your love survive the harsh fires of change? 
Jenn & Curt together: It Will.

Officiant will tie a red ribbon around the joined hands of the Jenn and Curt.

Officiant: Then accept the blessing of fire in this place of summer.  May your home be filled with warmth.

Jenn and Curt will turn together and face the west

Officiant: You have found one another and you relationship has held both times of joy and moments of sadness. Will your love survive the ebb and flow of feeling?
Jenn & Curt together: It Will.

Officiant will tie a blue ribbon around the joined hands of the Jenn and Curt.
Officiant: Then accept the blessing of water in this place of autumn.    May your life together be filled with love.

Jenn and Curt will turn together and face the north.

Officiant: We live in a world that rewards us with instant gratification, yet married life must be rooted in patience and often in the need to simply be still with one another. Will your love survive the times of stillness and restriction?
Jenn & Curt together: It Will.

Officiant will tie a green ribbon around the joined hands of the Jenn and Curt.
Officiant: Then accept the blessing of Earth in this time of winter.  May your union be strong and fruitful.

Jenn and Curt will turn together and face the east.

Officiant: Many days in your marriage, you will love easily and freely. On other days, it may not be so easy and when the sun comes up, you will have to make a conscious decision to choose to love your partner. Will your love survive the clear light of day?
Jenn & Curt together: It Will.

Officiant will tie a yellow ribbon around the joined hands of the Jenn and Curt.

Then accept the blessing of air in this place of spring.  May your marriage be blessed by the light of every new dawn. 
Officiant:
Blessed be this union with the gifts of the East. Communication of the heart, mind, and body Fresh beginnings with the rising of each Sun. The knowledge of the growth found in the sharing of silences.
Blessed be this union with the gifts of the South. Warmth of hearth and home The heat of the heart's passion The light created by both to illuminate the darkest of times.
Blessed be this union with the gifts of the West. The deep commitments of the lake The swift excitement of the river The refreshing cleansing of the rain The all encompassing passion of the sea.
Blessed be this union with the gifts of the North Firm foundation on which to build Fertility of the fields to enrich your livesA stable home to which you may always return.


Blessing (Read by Curt's father)

May your marriage bring you all the exquisite excitements a marriage should bring, and may life grant you also patience, tolerance, and understanding.  May you always need one another - not so much to fill your emptiness as to help you know your fullness. A mountain needs a valley to be complete;the valley does not make the mountain less but more; and the valley is more a valley because it has a mountain towering over it. So let it be with you and you.May you need one another, but not out of weakness.May you want one another, but not out of lack.May you entice one another, but not compel one another.May you succeed in all important ways with one another, and not fail in the little graces. May you look for things to praise, often say, "I love you!" and take no notice of small faults.If you have quarrels that push you apart, may both of you hope to have good sense enough to take the first step back.May you enter into the mystery which is the awareness of one another's presence - no more physical than spiritual, warm and near when you are side by side, and warm and near when you are in separate rooms or even distant cities. May you have happiness, and may you find it making one another happy. May you have love, and may you find it loving one another!

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