Friday, November 11, 2016

Mary & Jeremiah's Wedding

Approach

[Father of the bride walks Mary down aisle]


[Father of the bride hands off Mary to Jeremiah]

Introduction: Siobhan

[To all]

Welcome family and friends. Please be seated.

On behalf of Mary and Jeremiah, we are so thankful you’re here to participate in this joyous occasion. Some logistical items of note: the couple has professional photographers here to capture the best version of events, so please put away cell phones for now.

Following the ceremony, the bride and groom will depart to the Capitol Square for photographs and meantime invite you to enjoy cocktails in the ballroom. We will have ushers to show you the way downstairs.

[To bride and groom]

Mary, at this time, I’ll have you hand your bouquet to Becca

[MARY sets down bouquet]


Reading: Siobhan
Mary and Jeremiah, today you are surrounded by your loved ones, all of whom have made a journey, some of great distances and some… not so much… to be here with you and witness your wedding ceremony. Take a moment to look around you and let it all soak in.

Mary, you and I have known each other for nearly a decade. Back when we worked together at Epic, you showed me the same unwavering kindness, support, and whip-smart humor that has allowed the same kinds of friendships to grow and deepen between you and all the other girls up here today. I am so honored to be your friend every day, and especially honored to be here with you today.

And Jeremiah, as I’ve gotten to know you, I can see your big heart, great sense of humor, and kind demeanor are the perfect complement to Mary.

So let me tell y'all a little story about what brings us together today. About a year and a half ago, both Mary and Jeremiah set up Tinder profiles and, luckily for us all, they both swiped right. Despite the distance and some logistical challenges, from their first date on, Mary and Jeremiah spent every possible moment together, getting to know and adore one another, and one another's family and friends.

They fell in love. They fell in a unique and special kind of love that leads somewhere meaningful.

Mary and Jeremiah, in the time that you’ve known one another, you’ve begun building a fantastic life together full of laughter and joy, quality time with family and friends, and equally importantly quality time you invest simply in one another and in your relationship.

Ultimately, your commitment to grow with one another is the reason we’re here, for in marriage we say, "I love you today," and also "I promise to love you for every one of our tomorrows." This deep and meaningful love along with your unwavering respect for one another will be the bedrock upon which you build your future together.



Reading
Would the bride's godmother Jean and brother-in-law John please step forward to share a reading.

[Guest reader(s) step forward]

>>Reading<<

[Guest reader(s) step back]

Thank you, that was beautiful.


Advising the Couple: Siobhan
Mary and Jeremiah, in the days ahead of you,
you will see stormy times and calm times,
times of conflict and times of joy.

Allow these thoughts to be your guide:

Hold hands when you argue.
Do your fair share of chores.
Try new things and visit new places together. Build new traditions together.
Continually embrace the wisdom of compromise, for it is better to bend than break.
Always believe the best of one another rather than the worst.
Remain communicative, especially when something is hard to talk about.
Confide in and trust your partner. Ask for help when you need it.
Remember that true friendship is the basis for any lasting relationship.
Ask one another out on dates. When you get asked out on that date, get excited. Go on the date. Flirt with one another.
And finally during those stormy times ahead, remember this moment. Remember the depth of love you feel for one another right now.


Vows

With a few of these things in mind, Mary and Jeremiah please join hands and gaze lovingly into one another's eyes.

Jeremiah, please repeat after me.

I, Jeremiah,
Take you, Mary,
To be my wife,
My partner in life and my one true love.
I will cherish our friendship
and love you today, tomorrow, and forever.
I will trust and honor you.
I will laugh and cry with you.
I will love you faithfully through the best and the worst,
Through the difficult and the easy.
What may come, I will always be there.
As I have given you my hand to hold
So I give you my life to keep
So help me God.

Mary, please repeat after me.

I, Mary,
Take you, Jeremiah,
To be my husband,
My partner in life and my one true love.
I will cherish our friendship
and love you today, tomorrow, and forever.
I will trust and honor you.
I will laugh and cry with you.
I will love you faithfully through the best and the worst,
Through the difficult and the easy.
What may come, I will always be there.
As I have given you my hand to hold
So I give you my life to keep
So help me God.


Ring Exchange: Siobhan
Mary and Jeremiah, I remind you that marriage is a precious gift. It's a lifelong commitment as well as a challenge to love one another more completely each and every day.

Just as the first chapter of your relationship has been full of love and joy, so too may the upcoming years bring you endless happiness.

May I please have the rings?

[Best man hands rings to Siobhan]

[GROOM hold Mary's ring]

Jeremiah, please place the ring on Mary's finger.

Do you, Jeremiah,
take Mary to be your lawfully wedded wife;
and promise to love and comfort her,
honor and cherish her,
for all of your days?
If so, say “I do.”

JEREMIAH: "I do."

Mary, please place the ring on Jeremiah's finger.

Do you, Mary,
take Jeremiah, 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.”

MARY: I do.



Pronouncement: Siobhan
Jeremiah and Mary, you have committed yourselves to each other in marriage by the exchanging of vows and rings in the presence of your friends and family.

May you live together in happiness from this day forward.

By the authority vested in me by the state of Wisconsin, it is with great joy I now pronounce you husband and wife.

Jeremiah, you may kiss your wife!

[Kiss]

I now present Mr and Mrs Jeremiah Johnson!!!




Saturday, July 16, 2016

Kind words from Jenny and Kon

Siobhan, we cannot thank you enough for officiating our wedding! There aren't enough words to describe the ceremony that you created...heartfelt, loving, personal, extremely thoughtful, and absolutely beautiful. I'm tearing up just remembering that day. 

We've been friends for a LONG time and, knowing your character, I knew you'd be the perfect choice and you absolutely nailed it. 

Your suggestions and ideas for all aspects of the wedding including the reading by our niece and independently providing feedback on our vows were spot-on. 

We so appreciated your guidance and organization not only the day of the ceremony but also meeting with us well beforehand, being part of our rehearsal and dinner, and just being you. 

You fit right in with all of our friends and family as if they had all been friends with you for just as long as I have! 

Thank you, thank you, thank you Siobhan! 

Monday, June 13, 2016

Jenny and Kon's Wedding Ceremony

The mercury hit the mid-90s and the sun baked us all. Only the slight breeze through shade trees, a delicious bourbon cocktail, and the excitement of the day kept us all going through Jenny and Kon's mercifully short, yet sweet, wedding ceremony. Read on to see how we accomplished a swift and still traditional outdoor wedding.


Approach

[Father of the Jenny walks Jenny down aisle]

[Father of the Jenny hands off Jenny to Kon]



Introduction: Siobhรกn

[To all]

Welcome family and friends. Please be seated.

On behalf of Jenny and Kon, we are so thankful you’re here to participate in this joyous occasion. The bride and groom have arranged for a professional photographer to capture these moments and kindly request that you join them in feeling fully present in the moment, so please turn off your cell phones for now.

Following the ceremony, the wedding party will gather by the tree to take some pictures. We ask guests to make your way toward the dancing tent for pre-dinner cocktails, appetizers, and lawn games. Ready to get started?


Reading: Siobhan

Jenny and Kon, today you are surrounded by your loved ones, all of whom have made a journey, some of great distance and some… not so much… to be here with you and witness your wedding ceremony. Take a moment to look around you and let it all soak in.

Jenny, you and I have been friends for nearly a decade. Back when we traveled to such exotic locales as Independence, Kansas, and Rogers, Arkansas, I couldn’t have predicted I’d be the one to perform your wedding ceremony. But I certainly could have predicted you’d choose a partner as awesome as Kon.

And Kon as I’ve gotten to know you I can see that your kindness and good humor, and willingness to go for a long run, are the perfect complement to Jenny’s sweet and generous spirit.

Jenny and Kon, in the time that you’ve known one another, you’ve begun building a fantastic life together full of travel, laughter, quality time with family and friends, and equally important, quality time you invest simply in one another and in your relationship.

Ultimately, your commitment to grow with one another is the reason we’re here, for in marriage we say, "I love you today," and also "I promise to love you for every one of our tomorrows." This deep and meaningful love along with your unwavering respect for one another will be the bedrock upon which you build your future together.



Reading: Zane

Now Jenny and Kon’s niece Zane will step forward to share a reading.

[Guest reader(s) step forward]

>>Reading<<

[Guest reader(s) step back]

Thank you, that was so sweet.



Advising the Couple: Siobhan 

Jenny and Kon, in the days ahead of you,
you will see stormy times and calm times,
times of conflict and times of joy.

Allow these thoughts to be your guide:

Hold hands when you argue.
Do your fair share of chores.
Try new things and visit new places together. Build new traditions together.
Continually embrace the wisdom of compromise, for it is better to bend than break.
Always believe the best of one another rather than the worst.
Remain communicative, especially when something is hard to talk about.
Confide in and trust your partner. Ask for help when you need it.
Remember that true friendship is the basis for any lasting relationship.
Ask one another out on dates. When you get asked out on that date, get excited. Go on the date. Flirt with one another.
And finally during those stormy times ahead, remember this moment. Remember the depth of love you feel for one another right now.



Vows: Jenny & Kon

With a few of these things in mind, we’d now like to hear what you promise to and mean to one another.

You have written your own vows; Kon we’ll start with you. Please share your vows with Jenny.

[Kon reads vows]

Jenny, please share your vows with Kon.

            [Jenny reads vows to Kon]



Ring Exchange: Siobhan
Jenny and Kon, I remind you that marriage is a precious gift. It’s both a lifelong commitment as well as a challenge to you both to love one another more completely each and every day.

Jenny at this time, I’ll have you hand off your bouquet.

May I please have the rings?

[step forward and hand rings to Siobhan and returns to seat]

Jenny and Kon please join hands and gaze lovingly into one another’s eyes.

            [Kon hold Jenny’s ring]

Kon, please place the ring on Jenny’s finger.

Do you, Kon,
Take Jenny
To be your lawfully wedded wife,
To love and comfort her,
Honor and cherish her,
For all of your days?
If so, say, “I do.”

            [Jenny hold Kon’s ring]

Jenny, please place the ring on Kon’s finger.

Do you, Jenny,
Take Kon
To be your lawfully wedded husband,
To love and comfort him,
Honor and cherish him,
For all of your days?
If so, say, “I do.”



Pronouncement: Siobhan

Kon and Jenny, you have committed yourselves to one another in marriage by the exchanging of vows and rings in the presence of your friends and family.

May you live in happiness from this day forward.

By the authority vested in me by the state of Wisconsin, it is with great joy I now pronounce you husband and wife.

Kon, you may kiss your wife!