Shanna and Tom
As guests arrive, they will be given a small stone by parents and godparents. We will sign license before the ceremony.
Processional
Tom's father, Jim and stepmother, Jan will begin the processional. Followed by Tom's mother, Julia and stepfather, Keith. Officiant will enter with the men: Phil, Ian, Best Man, Adam and Tom.
Women will enter unescorted: Nicky (11), Chandel, Simone, Maid of Honor, Sara. (Nicky will be seated.)
Flower girl, Jada (4) and ring bearer, Will (4). They will be seated.
Music will change.
Shanna will enter, escorted by her mother, Janine and her grandfather, Bill
We will wait for music to stop.
Officiant: Who gives Shanna in marriage?
Bill & Janine: We do
Bill and Janine will kiss Shanna good-bye and go to their seats. Shanna will hand her flowers to Officiant while Sara fixes her dress. Officiant will then hand flowers to Sara.
Officiant will informally welcome guests on behalf of Tom & Shanna.
Opening words
Before we begin our ceremony, Tom and Shanna would like us to take a moment to remember those family members who can be with them today only in spirit, especially their grandparents: Jim and Irma Smith and Ruby Jones.
We are gathered here today to witness the coming together of two people, Tom and Shanna whose hearts and spirits are entwined as one. They now desire to profess before all the world their intention henceforth to walk the road of life together.
To Tom and Shanna, 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 beauty of nature, we are inspired to thoughts of peace, beauty, strength and permanence. All is as it should be. This glorious summer day 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 Tom and Shanna 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.
Statement of Intention
Do you, Tom, take Shanna to be your wife? Do you promise to be her constant friend and partner in life? To love her without conditions, honor and respect her, protect her from harm, comfort her in times of distress, and grow with her in mind and spirit?
Tom: I do
Do you, Shanna, take Tom as your husband, joining with him today in spirit? Do you promise to care for him and share with him, to love him and learn with him, to laugh with him and listen to him? To grow with him in times of challenge as well as times of joy?
Shanna: I do
Vows
Officiant: having stated your intention to live together in marriage, I now ask that you repeat after me.
Tom: From this moment, I, Tom, take you, Shanna as my best friend for life. I promise to always cherish your emotions, and accept your feelings. I pledge to honor, encourage, and support you through our walk together. When our way becomes difficult, I promise to stand by you and uplift you, so that through our union we can accomplish more than we could alone. I promise to work at our love and always make you a priority in my life. With every beat of my heart, I will love you.
Shanna: From this moment, I, Shanna, take you, Tom, as my best friend for life. I promise to always cherish your emotions, and accept your feelings. To romance your heart, and entice your soul. To honor your independent self, and never take you for granted. To make you feel wonderful and always love you as you are. I also promise to speak from my heart, and let you see the depth of my soul. To be honest and open with you, and not hide my feelings. To not lose myself, and stay true to my nature. For the both of us I promise to take the path less traveled, to fill our lives with laughter and to never stop dreaming.
Exchange of Rings
Officiant: As physical tokens of the love you share, on this your wedding day, you have elected to exchange rings.
Officiant will get the rings from Adam
Officiant: The circle is the symbol of the sun and the earth and the universe. It is a symbol of unending love, and of perfection and of peace. This ring is a symbol of unity, in which your two lives are now joined in one unbroken circle.
Shanna will extend her left hand, Tom will place the ring on her finger, repeating:
Tom: Just as this circle is without end, my love for you is eternal. Just as it is made of indestructible material, my commitment to you will never fail. With this ring, I thee wed.
Tom will extend his left hand, Shanna will place the ring on his finger, repeating:
Shanna: 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 husband this day and forevermore.
Ceremony of the Elements
On the table behind Officiant, there will be a cylinder and a float candle. Phil and Chandel will have stones. Ian and Simone will have water. Sara and Adam will have tapers.
Tom and Shanna, you have just sealed your vows with the giving and receiving of rings. Together now you two will create a symbol of your union; a physical representation of the blessings and wisdom of the elements.
Begin with the joining of rocks a symbol of your hopes dreams, and goals together. Just as the earth is our foundation, let your dreams and goals be a cornerstone of your relationship. May the earth bless this union with strength and timelessness.
Next the combining of the water. Water is fluid and ever-changing, always adapting to its surrounding. As the river carves its path through the earth, so shall you two carve your path in life. This element teaches us patience and channels the flow of communication. May water bless this union with the ability to be fluid and adapt to the forces of change.
Finally will be the uniting of the flame. As the torch of life has been passed to each of you from your parents you shall now join your individual lights creating one united flame. May this light fill your home with love and warmth. We ask that fire bless this union with not only passion for each other, but passion for life, and those around you.
Song by Daniel while Shanna and Tom will place rocks, water, and tapers to light the float candle.
Bowl of Blessings
(Officiant) You have each been given a small stone that you have held in your hands while Shanna and Tom have expressed their vows of love and commitment. The rock, which was once a very part of the earth itself, is a very strong symbol of permanence, strength and beauty. It is fitting therefore that we use rocks to symbolize the strength and permanence of the vows that Shanna and Tom have proclaimed before all of us.
And yes, we have come here to day to celebrate with Tom and Shanna, but I remind you that we have come here for another reason as well, and that is to offer our ongoing love and support to them as they begin their married life. By our presence at this marriage ceremony, we have been called upon to uphold and bless this union. And in light of that, I ask that you now take your stone in your hand and in the quiet of your heart offer a small blessing for this couple...a wish that is uniquely from you.
Silence…
(Officiant) Perhaps you wish for them the graceful passage of time as they grow old together…
Perhaps it is strength to endure the hard times
Maybe you wish them eternal optimism and faith in each other
Or everlasting passion for life together
Silence...
After the ceremony, there will be a dish on the guest book table. The richness of the colors and the shine of the stones will be a symbol of the richness and blessings that they represent. Tom and Shanna will make this bowl a part of their home, where they will have it always as a reminder of this day and the love and support that will be forever extended to them by all of us gathered here today.
Tom and Shanna, may these small stones always be a reminder to you that you are surrounded by people who care about you and wish you well. May the blessings of all of us gathered here be reassurance that the love you have for one another will continue to grow and hold you close. May the true light within you guide your way together. May your dreams come true, and when they don't, may new dreams arise. And long, long years from now, when these stones are not quite as shiny and new, may you look at each other and say, "Because of you, I have lived the life I always wanted to live-because of you I have become the person I longed to be."
Pronouncement
Tom and Shanna in so much as the two of you have agreed to live together in matrimony, have promised your love for each other by these vows, the giving of these rings and the joining of your hands, I now declare you to be husband and wife.
Tom, you may kiss the bride!
Ladies and gentlemen, may I present for the first time as husband and wife-- the happy couple, Mr. & Mrs. Tom and Shanna Smith.
Recessional
Shanna and Tom will exit together, followed by the wedding party as couples. Officiant will give cylinder to Adam who will take it to the Bowl of Blessings.