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.
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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.
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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.
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| signing the marriage certificate |
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