Russ’s Mom: “Tonight I have a new son.” We Love Love Love this couple and their family!
Opening Words
“Dear family, friends and theater goers, welcome to the marriage of Jim and Russell. What a wonderful sentence that is! They are here today because they have a dream that a generation ago would have seemed outrageous. “Boy… You can’t marry a boy, boy!“ Here, tonight, on the great white way, where “No you can’t” has so many times before become “Oh, yes I can!” Jim and Russell will be legally married.
It has been said that marriage is falling in love over and over again with the same person. How Jim and Russell will continue to accomplish this, that will be up to them, for every marriage is as unique as the people that it joins. Yet the ideals of love, and home and family are as universal as time itself, and the desire to spend a lifetime with the one we love transcends the differences of language and gender, to speak to the very core of what makes us truly human.
Marriage is a promise that says “You will always come first in my life.” Jim and Russell, this is an ideal that you have spent the last ten years living by. Yet there are a few insights from tonight’s show that we hope you will keep with you on your journey. Always remember that you have people in your life who love you and want to support you. They may not always have all the answers, but go to them anyway, and let them help where they can. Try to always put on your best face for one another! Yet also remember to always make it your truest face… the one you each fell in love with. Sure the bus will break, and a gig or two will flop… But life is a wonderful adventure, to be lived to it’s fullest without hesitation or fear of what might be, instead trusting in the inherent goodness of the dream, that through the power of love will become real.”
Presentation of the Rings
“May I have the rings please?
Officiant is given the rings
Although you each wear only one of them, these rings essentially belong to you both. For they are a symbol of the love you share and the promise that it will be a strong and lasting love. Through out the years they will speak softly of your vow to grow along with one another, to face the challenges life, to remain one another’s first priority and keep your relationship rich and full. They will give you strength and comfort in times of uncertainty and heighten life’s joys as you share them. Never again do you walk alone for your love will be with you always.”
Ring Vows
“Russell, do you take Jim to be your husband? Do you promise to continue to be loving, affectionate, faithful, loyal, honest and trustworthy? For better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, for as long as you both shall live?”
Russell: “I do.”
“Will you now place the ring on Jim’s finger and repeat after me?”
Russell places the ring half way on to Jim’s finger
“I Russell take you Jim to be my husband. I will love you, and honor you, respect and cherish you for all the days of my life.”
Russell places the ring the rest of the way on to Jim’s finger
“Jim, do you take Russell to be your husband? Do you promise to continue to be loving, affectionate, faithful, loyal, honest and trustworthy? For better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, for as long as you both shall live?”
Jim: “I do.”
“Will you now place the ring on your Russell’s finger and repeat after me?”
Jim places the ring half way onto Russell’s finger
“I Jim take you Russell to be my husband. I will love you, and honor you, respect and cherish you for all the days of my life.”
Jim places the ring the rest of the way onto Russell’s finger
Pronouncement of Marriage
“The two of you have been flying in for your theatre getaways for many years and I am overjoyed that New York, Broadway, and “Priscilla Queen of the Desert” have this opportunity to embrace you in return.
It is my honor and privilege to now pronounce you Legally Married Partners in Life, Love, and all things.
You may seal your promises with a kiss!”
Couple kiss and greet their guests as newlyweds!
