paul and madelin wedding vows

Paul and Madelin
Oct 9, 2009
Paul and Madeline, you have asked us here today to bear witness to your sacred vow to love one another for the rest of your lives. Many moments and memories have added up and brought you to this spot where you will affirm before your family and friends (and any bounty hunters that may have tracked you down) that you believe there is no one in the world more suited for you than the other.
It is a bold commitment, but one that you both arrive at with wisdom and grace. Out of all the world, you have found the person who makes you complete. And we who have gathered offer to you our love and support as you make these sacred vows.
Giving Away
Paul and Madeline have been shaped and formed by many people. Your support, your blessing, and your love have helped them become who they are. Their union brings together two distinct families, each with their own strengths and traditions. From separate roots comes the hope that this new family will become strong and fruitful. Though Paul and Madeline will be henceforth joined as husband and wife, they are still part of something larger. As you take each others’ hand, know that the deepest desire from all of us is that your life together be lived as part of this larger circle of community. In all that you do, in all that you will become, know that you are loved and supported, not only as individuals, but now as a couple.
I ask the parents of Paul and Madeline to be the voice of all who have gathered, do you welcome one another into your families? If so, please say, we do.
Parents: We do.

DECLARATION OF INTENTION
And so I ask you, Madeline, do you come of your own free will to unite with Paul in marriage?
And do you, Paul, come of your own free will to unite with Madeline in marriage?



HOMILY
One of the great parts about being a wedding officiant is that I have the opportunity to hear great stories of how couples meet. More often than not, couples know immediately when they have found the person with whom they are going to share their lives.
Paul and Madeline met when Paul was a Chippendale model (oh sorry- this is the wrong script). Here’s how the legend goes:
Paul was making a grain delivery to a working horse farm. He pulled up and asked the attractive farm hand where she wanted the grain. She ignored him.
Not being one to let that go, he promptly asked for her hand in marriage. And rightly so, she walked away to tend to other chores.
The next day, unable to get her off his mind, he began down the long, und ultimately fruitful path of courting. Flowers, chocolates, handguns, ATV rides, deer skinning- you know all those romantic things.
Paul confessed that he knew he would propose pretty much after that grain delivery.
And so, years later, here we are witnessing their union.
And, to use one of their favorite expressions, Not for Nuttin’, it’s a beautiful thing.
Paul and Madeline are a perfect team- in love in friendship and even in business. We wish them joy in the fun times life has to offer. We wish them strength in the hard times life has to offer. We want them to know that each person here loves them and supports them, and while they are usually here for all of us, at least on this front, we will be there for them. And Paul and Madeline, may this knowledge come as support in those trying times.

The symbols they have chosen to signify their marriage are not uncommon. They are rings. To the outside world, the rings will symbolize that these two persons have made a commitment to one another. But to them, these rings symbolize more. They symbolize the continuity of life—that there is no ending without a new beginning. These rings symbolize the circular nature of life—that which has past--- will come around again, whether day goes into night, summer into fall, winter into spring. And these rings symbolize their vow to one another to take each cycle of life, each beginning and ending with one another.
As they say their vows to one another, let those of us who are gathered as witnesses, send them goodwill and blessing from our hearts. And Paul and Madeline, as you say them to one another, know that these are words which express the depth of your commitment. Remember them often for they are not just words to be said in this moment, these words are meant to guide your relationship for a lifetime.
EXCHANGE OF VOWS
Before our family and friends
I ________ take you___________
To be my husband/wife
I promise to love you now and forever
I Promise To be faithful to you and to respect you
To love you when life is simple
And to love you when it is not.
I promise to honor your individual spirit, and
Support your goals and dreams.
Above all
I promise to be open and honest with you
For all the days of my life.
Exchange of Rings
_________take and wear this ring as symbol of our marriage and my faithful love for you.


BLESSINGMay the road rise to meet you,May the wind be always at your back.May the sun shine warm upon your face,The rains fall soft upon your fields.May you see your children's children.May you be poor in misfortune,Rich in blessings,May you know nothing but happinessFrom this day forward.
May the road rise to meet youMay the wind be always at your backMay the warm rays of sun fall upon your homeAnd may the hand of a friend always be near.
May green be the grass you walk on,May blue be the skies above you,May pure be the joys that surround you,May true be the hearts that love you.

READING by Leslie


PRONOUNCEMENT
Maddy and Paul have decided to memorialize this ceremony with a tradition that comes from the religious faith- They will take this glass, wrap it in a cloth and together, step on it to remember that love and marriage are fragile and thus must be protected and not taken for granted. A broken glass, like a couple in a marriage, is forever changed and must take on a new form. And finally, may your happiness be as plentiful as the shards of glass!


Now that Paul and Madeline have given themselves to each other by solemn vows, with the joining of hands, and the giving and receiving of rings, I announce to you that they are husband and wife.

You may kiss!

OK, Let’s eat!