Opening Words

“Welcome everyone! It is a joy to be here with Nicole and Tom, to witness the continuation of their journey and the beginning of what we know will be an extraordinary marriage. There is something magical about a winter wedding. As clean and fresh as the approaching New Year, so is this new chapter of the life that Nicole and Tom embark upon.

The location of today’s celebration has a very special meaning. Tom’s parents were the very first couple to be married here at the Jericho Terrace over 35 years ago on the opening day in April of 1979.

Today is a once in a lifetime event, and like the date of 12/13/14, it is something, rare and precious, a moment in time that we will never again see in our lifetime. They loved the way the sequence of numbers fell in to perfect alignment. Similarly, marriage celebrates the realization that by one another’s side is the place in this world that two people were meant to be. For Nicole and Tom today is not about all the pomp and circumstance that a “wedding” traditionally inspires. It is about the years of marriage that will follow and being able to share their joy with the people they love.

Nicole and Tom, today you accept the responsibility that the promise of marriage brings. It is a promise not to live life by accident or individually. But to look at it together, by choice, as a couple, remembering that your lives are forever intertwined and that one another’s happiness is an essential part of your own. Today you celebrate this promise by formally and publicly bestowing upon one another all the honor and respect that mirrors the place you hold in one another’s hearts and lives… All the honor and respect that comes with the title of Husband and Wife, titles; saying to the world “This is the one person that I choose, to be my own, to hold above all others, today and for all the days of my life.”

Welcome of the Guests

“It is not often enough in today’s world that we have the opportunity to gather all those who mean the most to us together in one place. Therefore Nicole and Tom would like to thank you all for taking the time and making the journey and all of the efforts that you have each made in order for you to be here with them today. Our bride and groom consider themselves to be truly blessed to both come from some large and wonderful families, and to have the support of this beautiful community. You are their family and friends, the people who mean the most to Nicole and Tom and those who play an important role in all of their favorite memories. You are the people who mean the most to them in this world and the people who they wanted present as they made the most important promise that two people can ever make to one another. You are also those who they know will be there with them, to watch as they live out those promises every day from this day forward. Nicole and Tom thank you for your presence here today, and for being there for them through all the days that it has taken to make this one a reality.”

Personal Vows

“Before we proceed to the ring exchange Nicole and Tom have chosen to write their own vows that they would like to share with one another at this time.

Tom will you now tell Nicole what is in your heart?”

Tom speaks his heart

“Nicole will you now tell Tom what is in your heart?”

Nicole speaks her heart

Presentation of the Rings

“May I have the rings please?

Officiant is given the rings

“The Circle is a perfect figure, without beginning, without end, with no area of weakness. It is a symbol of the Cycle of Life, of birth, death, and rebirth. This shall serve as a physical reminder of your vow, and that all things begin and end and begin anew. When you are engulfed in anger or in sadness, look to your hand and let these rings shall serve to remind you that life goes on, that moments pass, yet your love is constant. When life brings you it’s greatest joys look then to your hand as well, and remember that the Wheel turns forever onward, and it is love that turns the Wheel.”

Ring Vows

“Tom, the love, laughter, and friendship you share has been the foundation upon which all that is good in your lives has been built. Do you promise to nurture your friendship and the love that has blossomed from it, by sharing openly your thoughts and feelings and ideas, by truly listening, respecting, and supporting one another, by together sharing your successes and learning from your mistakes? Do you promise to encourage one another always to be more than you could be alone? Do you promise to do these things in the spirit of love and joy and hope that brings you here today, And do you take Nicole to be your wife?”

Tom: “I do.”

“Will you now place the ring on your beloved’s finger and repeat after me?”

Tom places the ring half way on to Nicole’s finger

“Nicole, you are my life, my love, my best friend, and with this ring, I thee wed. May it be a reminder of how much I love you, not only on this precious day, but every single day of my life.”

Tom places the ring the rest of the way on to Nicole’s finger

“Nicole, the love, laughter, and friendship you share has been the foundation upon which all that is good in your lives has been built. Do you promise to nurture your friendship and the love that has blossomed from it, by sharing openly your thoughts and feelings and ideas, by truly listening, respecting, and supporting one another, by together sharing your successes and learning from your mistakes? Do you promise to encourage one another always to be more than you could be alone? Do you promise to do these things, in the spirit of love and joy and hope that brings you here today, and do you take Tom to be your husband?”

“Nicole: “I do.”

“Will you now place the ring on your beloved’s finger and repeat after me?”

Nicole places the ring half way onto Tom’s finger

“Tom, you are my life, my love, my best friend, and with this ring, I thee wed. May it be a reminder of how much I love you, not only on this precious day, but every single day of my life.”

Nicole places the ring the rest of the way onto Tom’s finger

“I have in my hand another very special ring, Nicole’s engagement ring. The stone and it once belong to Tom’s grandmother Helen. It speaks of family blessings, and of the love stories that have graced both families, even before Nicole and Tom were born. Tom, please put this ring on Nicole’s finger, above her wedding band, so that your marriage will always be protected by the generations of love that have brought you to this today.”

Tom places the engagement ring back on his beautiful bride’s finger

Pronouncement and Presentation

“Mark Twain once said that ‘a marriage makes two fractional lives a whole. It gives to two questioning natures a reason for living. It brings a new gladness to the sunshine, a new fragrance to the flowers, a new beauty to the earth, and a new mystery to life.’

So, I would like to close this ceremony with our wish that your marriage will deepen and enrich every aspect of your lives. That it will touch the hearts of those who love you and some day inspire your children to believe in the promise of forever.

You are now as your hearts have always known you to be, Husband and Wife. You may kiss your beautiful Bride!

Bride and Groom kiss and exit to greet their guests!