Movin' right along...I finished writing the ceremony script. Tell me what you think.
Opening Words of the Officiant
Good morning friends! We have been invited here today to share with Gail and Ian a very important moment in their lives. In the years they have been together, their love and understanding of each other has grown and matured, and now they have decided to live their lives together as husband and wife.
Honoring Those Not Present
At this time, we would also like to honor those who could not be with us today. We offer a special remembrance of Cecilia Genaway, Leighton Genaway, Terry Genaway, and Geraldine Bernard. Although they are not here with us physically, we feel blessed they are with us in spirit on this beautiful day. We bow in silence to honor their memory.
The Meaning of Marriage
A good marriage must be created.
In the marriage, the little things are the big things.
It is never being too old to hold hands.
It is remembering to say "I love you" at least once each day,
It is never going to sleep angry.
It is having a mutual sense of values and objectives.
It is standing together and facing the world.
It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family.
It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.
It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.
It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each person can grow.
It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.
It is not only marrying the right person
It is being the right partner.
Reading by [insert name here]
1 Corinthians 13
Love. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child; I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Statement of Intent
Gail, do you take Ian to be your husband? Do you promise to love him, honor him, inspire him, protect and provide for him above all others and to be with him through all of lifes challenges, chaos and joys? Bride: I do.
Ian, do you take Gail to be your wife? Do you promise to love her, honor her, inspire her, protect and provide for her above all others and to be with her through all of lifes challenges, chaos and joys? Groom: I do.
Wedding Vows
Do we have the rings? Gail and Ian, please face each other and join your hands, and in so doing, join your hearts.
Ian, please repeat after me.
I, Ian, take you Gail / to be my wife / from this time onward. / To join with you / and to share all that is to come. / To be faithful and honest / 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.
Gail, would you please repeat after me.
I, Gail, take you Ian / to be my husband / from this time onward. / To join with you / and to share all that is to come. / To be faithful and honest / 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.
Lighting of Unity Candle
The two outside candles have been lit by their parents to represent their lives to this moment. The lights, representing the faith, wisdom, and love they have received from their parents, are distinct, each burning alone. They light the center candle to symbolize the union of their lives. From now on their thoughts shall be for each other rather than for their individual selves.
Declaration of Marriage and Introduction of Newlyweds
Ian, you may kiss your bride.
Ladies and gentleman, it is my great honor and privilege to present to you for the very first time, Mr. and Mrs. Ian S------!
I also picked our songs for the video:
Pre-Ceremony Montage - Cannon in D major by Beethoven
Post-Ceremony Montage - Bella's Lullaby by Carter Burwell (
yes, we're Twilight freaks!)
Dance Montage - Accidentally in Love by Counting Crows (fast song)
[insert slow song here] (in search of cell phone company love song - urg!
)
Recap Montage - When You Say Nothing at All by Alison Krauss
30 Picture Montage - Little Wonders by Rob Thomas
5 Months to go. 
