Elizabeth and Mark's wedding ceremony

Port of Miami in Miami, Florida
Aboard the Celebrity Constellation
January 19, 2013


In what was truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, I had the privilege to marry my lifelong friend Elizabeth to her handsome sailor, Mark, aboard the cruise ship Constellation in the Port of Miami. I tailored their ceremony to meet their desire for a meaningful and unique service which reflected the way their relationship has grown and flourished since they first met.

Following the ceremony, the wedding party, family, and friends sailed to the Bahamas and back.

Introduction

[to audience]

Welcome friends and family, we are so thankful you are here with us to be a part of this special celebration.

[to bride and groom]

Mark and Elizabeth, it's truly an honor to be here with you, and with your loved ones.

Growing up with you, Elizabeth, I never could have predicted I'd have this privilege to perform your wedding ceremony. But I certainly could have predicted you'd choose a partner as good as Mark. He is the perfect complement to your sweet and generous spirit.

Three important factors brought us all together today. First, I understand pure chance played a role in how you two met. Elizabeth, you joined friends at a bar where you innocently sipped a pint of beer. Mark, you were there too, innocently sipping a girly drink made entirely of fruit and tiny paper umbrellas.

Next, lightning struck and you locked eyes. You spent the next few years falling in love not only with each another but also with one another's families.

So, first you were both ready to love, and then you both fell in love. Now, you will sustain that love into your marriage to another.

Ultimately, your commitment to one another is the reason we are here, for in marriage we not only say, "I love you today," but also, "I promise to love you for every one of our tomorrows."

Ceremony

Mark and Elizabeth, in the days ahead of you, there will be stormy times and good times, times of conflict and times of joy.

I give you this advice:

Hold hands when you argue.

Never go to bed angry.

Let your love be stronger than your anger.

Learn the wisdom of compromise, for it is better to bend than to break.

Believe the best of your beloved rather than the worst.

Confide in your partner and ask for help when you need it.

Remember that true friendship is the basis for any lasting relationship.

Give your spouse the same courtesies and kindnesses you bestow on your friends.

Say "I love you" every day.

Vows

Mark and Elizabeth, I remind you that marriage is a precious gift. It's both a lifelong commitment as well as a challenge to love one another more completely each and every day.

Please join hands and gaze lovingly into each other's eyes.

[Elizabeth, hand your bouquet to your sister.]

Mark, with this understanding, do you take Elizabeth to be your wedded wife, to live together in marriage?  Do you promise to love, comfort, and honor her, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, and to be faithful only to her, so long as you both shall live? If so, say I do.

Groom: “I do.”

Elizabeth, with this understanding, do you take Mark to be your wedded husband, to live together in marriage?  Do you promise to love, comfort, and honor him, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, and to be faithful only to him, so long as you both shall live? If so, say I do.

Bride:  “I do.”

Ring exchange

Dylan, may I have the rings please?

The ring is an unbroken, never-ending circle and a symbol of committed, unending love.

Mark, as you place this ring on Elizabeth's finger, repeat these words after me:

This ring, a gift for you, /

symbolizes my desire /

that you be my wife /

from this day forward./

As this ring has no end /

neither shall my love for you.

Elizabeth, as you place this ring on Mark's finger, repeat these words after me:

This ring, a gift for you, /

symbolizes my desire /

that you be my husband /

from this day forward. /

As this ring has no end /

neither shall my love for you.

Advising the couple

Mark and Elizabeth, in your journey of life together, remind yourselves often of the love and mai-tais that brought you together.

Give the highest priority to your love.  When challenges come, remember to focus on what is right between you.  In this way, you will ride out the storms.   

And when clouds hide the sun in your lives - remember, even if you lose sight of it for a moment, the sun is always there.

Apache blessing

And finally an Apache blessing.

Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter for the other. Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth for the other. Now there will be no loneliness, for each of you will be companion to the other.

Now you are two persons, but there are three lives before you; His life, Her life and Your life together.

Pronouncement

Mark and Elizabeth, you have committed yourselves to each other in marriage by the exchanging of vows, and by the giving of rings.  

With the authority vested in me by the state of Florida, and with great joy, I now pronounce you husband and wife.

May you live together in blissful happiness from this day forward.

YOU MAY SEAL YOUR VOWS WITH A KISS!

Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Page!

aboard the Constellation at Atlantis in Nassau

kind words from Elizabeth and Mark following their January 2012 wedding

Selecting Siobhan Reynolds as our wedding officiant was one of the best decisions we made for our entire wedding. We're so grateful for her dedication and commitment to personalizing our wedding and creating an environment of love and happiness! 

Before the wedding, we had several interviews with Siobhan so she could better understand our wishes for the ceremony, from the words spoken to the "feel" and flow of the event. She was always available to talk or text before the wedding, which made me feel wonderful! 

When we arrived at the destination two days before the wedding, Siobhan helped out with everything. She was fully involved in finalizing all the wedding details and was always there to help. My parents are so thankful she was there to help with everything! 

On our wedding day, she kept me calm and ensured all details were finalized. Seeing her at the end of the aisle, along with my now husband, made me very happy! 

Her professionalism, spirit, and commitment to personalizing our wedding really shined in the ceremony. Everyone loved her sense of humor and how well she incorporated our lives into the ceremony. Our guests (especially our parents!) were so thrilled with how she conducted the ceremony and how truly special she made our wedding. 

Siobhan was a critical piece of our wedding day and she exceeded all expectations. My husband and I consider her a lifelong friend and we're forever indebted to her for her meaningful and heartfelt contribution to our wedding. We love you, Siobhan!

marrying my lovely friends

Elizabeth & Alex’s Wedding Ceremony

July 7, 2012

Quivey's Grove in Madison, WI

I had the privilege to marry my dear friends Elizabeth and Alex on a beautiful summer day. I tailored their ceremony to suit their desire for a brief, intimate, and meaningful service which they'd remember for the rest of their lives.



Opening [Siobhan] - 2 min

[to guests]

Good afternoon, family and friends. We gather here today to witness and celebrate the love and commitment shared between Alex and Elizabeth.

In the time they have spent together, their love and understanding of one another has grown and matured. And now they are ready to spend their lives together as husband and wife.

---

Reading [Siobhan] - 3 min

[to guests]

Who gives this man to this woman?

Mr Fairchild: “Her mother and I do.”

Years ago, in a lucky turn of events, our work brought all three of us together and we have since formed a very special bond which has evolved into a cherished friendship.

In fact, the three of us are so close that when Elizabeth asked me if I wanted to marry her and Alex, I excitedly clapped my hands and said, “OOOH! Which one of you?!?”

As it turns out,  I have the privilege to marry Alex and Elizabeth to one another.

I’d like to take this opportunity to say that it’s truly an honor to be Stella’s dog-god-mother, it’s an honor to perform this ceremony, and most of all it’s an honor to call you each my friend.

[to Eliz & Alex]

Over these past few years, I have had the pleasure of watching you both grow as individuals and together in this relationship.

You’ve adapted beautifully to your Madison lives, establishing hobbies and building a social circle full of wonderful friends.

You’ve created a comfortable home already full of fond memories and family traditions.

You’ve each individually and together truly become the best version of yourselves.

As much as you both have changed, you have also remained admirably constant.

Elizabeth, you have always been kind and sweet, as well as bright and motivated.

Alex, you remain gentle and generous, driven and hard-working. These complementary traits will serve as the backbone for a partnership to last a lifetime.

Partners in marriage are, above all else, partners in li fe.

And it is this devotion to working through life’s inevitable challenges that will enable you to celebrate life’s inevitable triumphs together.

[to guests]

And now a poem read by Jim, a friend of the bride and groom.

---

Poem [Jim] - 5 min

Love

by Roy Croft                    

           

I love you,                             Not only for what you are,                             But for what I am                             When I am with you.                            I love you,                             Not only for what                             You have made of yourself,                             But for what                             You are making of me.                            I love you                             For the part of me                             That you bring out;                             I love you                             For putting your hand                             Into my heaped-up heart                             And passing over                             All the foolish, weak things                             That you can't help                             Dimly seeing there, And for drawing out             Into the light                             All the beautiful belongings                             That no one else had looked                             Quite far enough to find.

I love you because you                             Are helping me to make                             Of the lumber of my life                             Not a tavern                             But a temple;                             Out of the works                             Of my every day                             Not a reproach                             But a song.                            I love you                             Because you have done                             More than any creed                             Could have done                             To make me good,                             And more than any fate             To make me happy.                            You have done it                             Without a touch,                             Without a word,                             Without a sign.                             You have done it                             By being yourself.

---

Vows and Ring Exchange [Siobhan] - 5 min

Thank you, Jim.

Alex and Elizabeth, today, before your family and friends, you choose each other, you choose to begin your life together. For all the tomorrows that follow, you will choose each other over and over again, in the privacy of your hearts.

Let your love and friendship guide you, as you learn and grow together.

Experience the wonders of the world, even as patience and wisdom calm the restless nature.

Through your partnership, triumph over the challenges in your path. Through the comfort of loving arms, may you always find a safe place to call home.

Greg, please give Alex the ring.

Now, Alex and Elizabeth, please face one another, join hands, and gaze lovingly into one another’s eyes.

Alex, please place the ring on Elizabeth’s finger as I read these vows.

Do you, Alex, take Elizabeth to be your lawfully wedded wife; and promise to love and comfort her, honor and cherish her, and continue being a devoted father to Stella, for all of your days? If so, say “I do.”

Alex: I do.

Molly, please give Elizabeth the ring.

Elizabeth, please place the ring on Alex’s finger as I read these vows.

Do you, Elizabeth, take Alex to be your lawfully wedded husband; and promise to love and comfort him, honor and cherish him, for all of your days? If so, say “I do.”

Elizabeth: I do.

---

Pronouncement [Siobhan] - 0.5 minutes

It is my tremendous honor to now pronounce you husband and wife. Alex, you may kiss the bride!

Kiss & applause

I’d like to be the first to introduce to you Mr and Mrs Alex and Elizabeth Furst.

Applause & recessional

Please join the newlyweds for a champagne toast.

signing the marriage certificate