Our Ceremony
 JP: Who gives this woman in marriage to this man? Dad: I do.
JP: Jim, and Heather, know now before you go further, that since your lives have crossed in this life you have formed ties between each other. As you seek to enter this state of matrimony you should strive to make real, the ideals which give meaning to both this ceremony and the institution of marriage.

With full awareness, know that within this circle you are not only declaring your intent to be married before your friends and family, but you speak that intent also to your creative higher powers.

The promises made today and the ties that are bound here greatly strengthen your union; they will cross the years and lives of each soul's growth.

Do you still seek to enter this ceremony?

J&H: Yes, We Seek to Enter.

JP: In times past it was believed that the human soul shared characteristics with all things divine. It is this belief which assigned virtues to the cardinal directions; East, South, West and North. It is in this tradition that a blessing is offered in support of this ceremony.

Blessed be this union with the gifts of the East. Communication of the heart, mind, and body Fresh beginnings with the rising of each Sun. The knowledge of the growth found in the sharing of silences.

Blessed be this union with the gifts of the South. Warmth of hearth and home The heat of the heart's passion The light created by both To lighten the darkest of times.

Blessed be this union with the gifts of the West. The deep commitments of the lake The swift excitement of the river The refreshing cleansing of the rain The all encompassing passion of the sea.

Blessed be this union with the gifts of the North Firm foundation on which to build Fertility of the fields to enrich your lives A stable home to which you may always return.

Each of these blessings from the four cardinal directions emphasizes those things which will help you build a happy and successful union. Yet they are only tools. Tools which you must use together in order to create what you seek in this union.

Should anyone have reason why this man and this woman should not be joined in lawful wedlock, let them speak now, or forever hold their peace.

James, will you take this woman, Heather, to be your lawful wedded wife, to live together, in the lawful estate of matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others keep her, so long as you both shall live?

J: I will.

Heather, will you take this man, James, to be your lawful wedded husband, to live together, in the lawful estate of matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others keep him, so long as you both shall live?

H: I will.

I bid you look into each others eyes.






jim to heather:

heather, from the moment i met you, you have been the center of my world. in my heart i've always known that we would be together forever. you are so special to me. i love your compassion and sense of humor. i love the way that you see the world. you've taught me so much. nothing makes me happier than defining myself as your husband. i promise to always be here for you... to always support you... and to always make you smile. heather, i will love you forever.

heather to jim:

love, as i reflect upon the moments that have guided us to this day, i am fascinated by the phases through which our relationship has already passed. looking back, i smile as i remember our walk through vet's and how quickly we connected, the bet that sparked the passion, and each conversation that showed me who you really are. standing here now, know that i love you deeply and you are the perfect compliment to me. jim, without reservation, i pledge my unwavering faithfulness to you and our relationship; i pledge simple honesty and ease with it; and i pledge my unconditional love to you, my husband, lover and friend. today is the beginning of an exciting new journey; with an open mind and open heart i am honored to share it with you and to become your wife.

JP: The wedding ring is the outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual bond which unites two loyal hearts in endless love.

J: In token and pledge of our constant faith and abiding love, with this ring i do thee wed.

H: In token and pledge of our constant faith and abiding love, with this ring i do thee wed.

JP: As James and Heather have consented together in lawful wedlock and have witnessed the same before this company and thereto have pledged their faith each to the other, and have declared the same by joining hands and by giving and receiving a ring, by the powers vested in me, as a Justice of the Peace of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, I now pronounce you husband and wife.
Those whom God hath joined together, let no man put asunder. Amen.

You may now kiss the bride.