Our wedding ceremony.

When Megan & Dad are at their spots, I will ask everyone to be seated. Uncle Wray will then come to the front for the reading. He should state title of the reading.

“Union”, by Robert Fulghum
You have known each other from the first glance of acquaintance to this point of commitment. At some point, 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. 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, and even teacher. 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.
Uncle Wray is seated.

Presentation of the Bride
Who presents this woman to be joined in holy matrimony to this man?
Her mother & I do.
Dad will kiss Megan on the cheek &/or hug her. Travis will step forward, shake Dad’s hand (&/or hug him!), then take Megan’s hand & take a small step towards the altar together. Megan continues to hold her flowers at this point.

Welcoming Statement
Family and friends, we have come together here in celebration of the joining together of Megan G*** and Travis H*****, on this their 6-year anniversary. There are many things to say about marriage, which is the most time-honored celebration of family. Much wisdom concerning the joining together of two souls has come our way through all paths of belief and from many cultures. With each union, more knowledge is gained and more wisdom gathered. Though we are unable to give all this knowledge to these two, who stand before us, we can hope to leave with them the knowledge of love and its strengths and the anticipation of the wisdom that comes with time.

In the midst of the selfishness, the competition, and the ambition of modern life, love intrudes its inexplicable and extraordinary softening influence. The marriage they are creating here has roots in the love, friendship, and guidance each of you has offered them. It should encourage all of us, because when a man and a woman find joy and happiness in giving and caring, in cooperating and compromising, it shows us that having the love of another is truly the greatest gift. And this gift has led them to each other and brought them to the place where they now stand.

Blessing of the Hands
Megan and Travis, please turn to face each other, hold the hands of your loved one palms up, so that both of you may see the gift that is before you.

These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever. These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future. 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. These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills your mind. These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow, and tears of joy. These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children. These are the hands that will help you to hold your family as one. These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it. 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.

We ask God’s blessings on these two sets of hands. 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 love and rich in caring. May Travis and Megan see their four hands as healer, protector, shelter and guide. May they always be held by one another.


Now, before I even met these two, I asked them to take time together to fill out a little questionnaire, to help me get to know them better. I asked them what they feel is the key to live a long and happy life together and it immediately became obvious to me how strongly influenced these two are by their parents’ relationships – Megan’s parents having been married for 24 years and Travis’s parents for 33 years. They already know the importance of always taking the time to listen to and support each other. And one thing they expressed that particularly touched me…making the effort to hold onto the things that are important to them. Megan and Travis, my advice to you at this early point in your marriage is to continue to look to your parents for their love, support, guidance, and INFINITE knowledge, and some day perhaps your own children will turn to you for the same inspiration.

UNITY CANDLE
In a symbolic gesture of the two lives and two families that are being united here today, I would like to ask the parents to come forward for the lighting of the Unity candle. [parents arrive]

Travis, the first candle represents you. We ask your parents to light your flame, as they provided you the spark of life years ago. [parents light candle]

Megan, the second candle represents you. We ask your parents to light your flame as they provided you the spark of life years ago. [parents light candle]

Travis and Megan, the single large unity candle represents your union from this day forward. If you are truly ready to merge your lives, we ask that you light the flame of the unity candle together. [light candle using personal candles. All 3 candles remain lit. Parents return to their seats.]

Exchanging of Vows
Megan and Travis, I remind you that marriage is a precious gift; a lifelong dedication to love…and a daily challenge to love one another more fully and more freely. Will you please turn to face each other, join hands, and look into the eyes of the person who will wake up next to for many days to come…

Travis, do you take Megan to be your wife, from this time onward, to join with you and to share all that is to come, to give and to receive, to speak and to listen, to inspire and to respond; a commitment made in love, kept in faith, and eternally made new?
I do.

Megan, do you take Travis to be your husband, from this time onward, to join with you and to share all that is to come, to give and to receive, to speak and to listen, to inspire and to respond;
a commitment made in love, kept in faith, and eternally made new?
I do.

Ladies and gentlemen, love is universal and it touches everyone, but for each person the experience is unique. Megan and Travis would like to share with all of you here a little of what it feels like to them to be in love. They’ve each taken the time to write a letter to each other, so that you can all hear what love is like for this special couple.

Travis…
"Always & forever is how we have summarized our love for each other over the years. Starting today I will stop summarizing and begin to show you the intricate details behind my feelings for you. I, Travis James H*****, take you, Megan Katie G***-H***** to be my friend, my lover, the mother of my children and my wife. I will trust you and respect you, laugh with you and cry with you, loving you faithfully through good times and bad, regardless of the obstacles we may face together. I pledge to be your faithful Husband, to speak and to listen, to inspire and to respond, and cherish you for all eternity."

Megan…
"Six years ago today we started a life together with no idea where it would lead us. Now as I stand before you, I know it has led me to a life of love, commitment, trust, and respect. Loving you is the only way that I know how to live. In your arms, I know safety and strength. With mine, I will always strive to give you comfort and hope. No matter how difficult the path may seem, I know our love will help us along the way.

I vow to love you the best way that I know how and to be faithful to you in all that life throws our way. I vow to listen to your words and trust in your judgment. I vow that for the rest of my days, all that I am and all that I will be is yours. "

Ring Exchange
As a symbol of your love and commitment to each other, you have chosen to exchange the rings that your friends now offer. Rings are received from MOH & BM
These rings are a seamless circle of joy, symbolizing the love that lives deep within your heart and soul, a sign of your willingness to share life's journey with each other; and of the seamless circle of joy that surrounds you both.

Travis, as you place the ring you have chosen for Megan onto her left hand, I ask you to repeat these words:
With this ring, I give you my heart.

Megan, as you place the ring you have chosen for Travis onto his left hand, I ask you to repeat these words:
With this ring, I give you my heart.

The Closing
Travis and Megan, together you are stronger then either of you alone...hand in hand, you'll face tomorrow and the world. To begin a new life together does not mean that you must forget the lives that each of you leaves behind; but rather you should remember the differences that brought you here; and keep alive the memories of who you both are...in your pursuit of what you will become together. Let it never be the case that you grow too weary, impatient or fearful, to just sit and talk to one another about your love. May you always remember that just sitting and talking to one another is how you discovered your love in the first place.

Apache Blessing
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 to enter into the days of your life together. And may your days be good and long upon the earth.

The Pronouncement
Travis and Megan, because you have showered our hearts with expressions of your love and promised each other the joy of all your days by pledging your vows and exchanging rings, it gives me great honor and pleasure to now pronounce you Husband and Wife.

Travis, you may now kiss your bride!

Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in greeting Mr. & Mrs. Travis & Megan H*****.