Ceremony
http://www.sarahandfred.com
Dearly beloved,
we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this company, to join together this man and this woman in holy Matrimony; which is an honorable estate, instituted of God in the time of man's innocence, signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and his Church. This holy estate Christ adorned and beautified with his presence, and first miracle that he wrought, in Cana of Galilee; and is commended in holy Scripture to be honorable among all men: and therefore is not by any to be entered upon, nor taken In hand, unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God; duly considering the causes for which Matrimony was ordained.
Into which holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined. Therefore if any man can show any just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter for ever hold his peace.
I require and charge you both in the Name of God, from whom no secrets are hid, that if either of you know any impediment, why you may not be lawfully joined together in Matrimony, you do now confess it. For be ye well assured, that if any persons are joined together otherwise than as God’s Word doth allow; their marriage is not lawful.
Fred wilt thou have this woman to be thy wedded wife, to live together according to God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor, and keep her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her, so long as you both shall live?
I will.
Sarah wilt thou have this man to be thy wedded husband, to live together according to God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love him, comfort him, honour, and keep him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him, so long as you both shall live?
I will.
Who giveth this woman to be married to this man?
Her mother and I do.
I Fred take thee Sarah to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth.
I Sarah take thee Fred to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth.
BLESS, O Lord, this Ring, that he who gives it and she who receives who wears it may abide in thy peace, and continue in thy favor, unto their life’s end; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
With this ring I thee wed: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
O ETERNAL God, Creator and Preserver of all mankind, Giver of all spiritual grace, the Author of everlasting life: Send thy blessing upon these thy servants, this Fred and Sarah, whom we bless in thy Name; that they may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant betwixt them made, whereof this ring given and received is a token and pledge, and may ever remain in perfect love and peace together, and live according to thy laws; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Now let us pray as Christ taught us to pray:
OUR FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN,
HALLOWED BE THY NAME.
THY KINGDOM COME.
THY WILL BE DONE
ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.
GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD.
AND FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES,
AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US.
AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION,
BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL.
FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM AND THE POWER AND THE GLORY, FOREVER.
AMEN.
Forasmuch as Fred and Sarah have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their troth either to other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving of a ring, and by joining of hands; I pronounce that they be man and wife together, In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
GOD the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost, bless, preserve, and keep you; the Lord mercifully with his favor look upon you, and so fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace, that you may live together faithfully in this world, and in the world to come you may inherit life everlasting. Amen.
The Fairytale Moment
Reverend Kevin told Fred he could kiss his beautiful bride and we gave each other a little peck on the lips and then hugged. (Sorry, we’re not a kiss in public kinda couple . . . just ask our photographer. She had a terrible time getting us to kiss!)
We fumbled around with our arms and hands a bit before assuming the proper escort stance and were about to go about our merry way when I see my mother shoving something in my direction. Oh yea! My bouquet . . . might need that, huh? By that time, Fred’s already moving so I quickly attempt to grab my bouquet from mom while being pulled in the other direction by Fred. It was a rather awkward moment for me, but everything worked out fine. We started on our way past the remaining parents and I was very interested to see whether my father was crying. WooHoo! He was! (Yes, I’m evil! I wanted them all to cry!)
Now, on the way up Major Domo told me that I needed to briefly pause after turning onto the ramp when we were exiting. He said that would give him enough time to make sure the train was straight. (I thought this was a very observant and nice idea, by the way.) After the problem with the bouquet, I wasn’t sure whether Fred would get the idea or not, but I was determined to make something work. (Which now leads me to wonder why in the word I was so obsessed with having my train straight.) I was concentrating so much on the task at hand that I walked right past our photographer without realizing (or looking directly at her for that matter) until we were halfway down the ramp.
Now, for all of you that are disappointed because I let my emotions ruin a fairytale entrance, take heart, there was a fairytale exit:
When we were almost to the bottom of the ramp, the music swelled, Fred took my hand, and we started running down the ramp to the waiting coach. It truly felt like the end of a movie. This all came as such a surprise to all our guests that they all started cheering and clapping. Their cheering in turn surprised us. It was all very surreal.
When we arrived at the coach, I was literally up and in within seconds. ( I still can figure out how that happened.) Fred made it in, and we managed to get situated just before the lead pony reared back and took off. As the coach was pulling away, we waved goodbye to our guests (who were still cheering and clapping) and rode off into our happily ever after. It was simply perfect.
My description of our exit doesn’t quite to it justice. If you want a more accurate representation just click play below.