Welcome

J. E.: Good evening and welcome.

My name is J. E. Johnson and I’ve had the pleasure of being a longtime friend to Kate and Lowell and it is an honor to be asked to officiate this wedding ceremony.

We are here today to witness Kate and Lowell tie the knot. This is an ancient symbol of marriage with which we are all familiar. But if we analyze this concept of “tying the knot” a bit more deeply (which I’m sure these two have) we have to ask: which knot? Will they choose the more traditional Figure Eight? Or the balance and elegance of the Double Fisherman’s? Perhaps on some days the efficiency and simplicity of the Overhand will suffice? My guess is they will find use for each of these knots throughout their marriage -- as well as just about every page from The Ashley Book of Knots. At the reception I encourage you to ask them which knot they have chosen for today.

We are here to celebrate the union of Kate Wightman and Lowell Vaughn. We are here to celebrate families. We are here to celebrate friends. We are here to celebrate a beautiful sunset. We are here celebrate this moment. We are here to celebrate that which has come before us and that which is yet to be.

Invocation

J. E.: Let us take a moment to center and reflect.

This community of friends and family
has drawn together
to this place,
at this time,
to bear witness
and bless this ceremony of marriage
between Kate and Lowell.

Inspired by their love,
let each of us rededicate ourselves
to the loving relationships in our own lives.
And may we all be enriched
for having shared this day together.

Music

"Simple Gifts," performed by Tara Lebar, Megan King, and Ryann Steging

Introduction

J. E.: It is always an honor to be asked to perform a wedding ceremony. But if you are known to be a close associate of the bride and groom it can also be a weighty responsibility.

Traditionally, performing a ceremony before a large assembly such as this, the Officiant is charged with not only ensuring that the ceremony clips along smoothly from invocation to kiss, they are often tacitly called upon to provide some assurances as to the suitability of the couple and to assist those among us who have some years of personal experience with marriage to remember why anyone would willingly embark down this long and uncertain path of matrimony.

Now if the Officiant is a known friend of the couple the pressure is especially great to offer some personal details on the bride and groom. Naturally, it is preferable for these details to be embarrassing. This is to be followed up by additional anecdotes that exhibit reassuring proof of their dedication and love. If such information is not available the Officiant may call upon a venerable passage of scripture or, as a last resort, some all purpose pabulum is recited.

Blessedly, at this wedding, none of us will have to suffer through any of that because anyone who has seen Kate and Lowell together for 30 seconds knows that they are perfectly suitable for one another. Clearly they make each other very happy and fulfilled. Therefore, we have no need of reassurances as to the benefits and appeal of marriage. Seeing Kate and Lowell in the presence of one another is enough.

Of course everyone knows that a successful marriage is built upon more than happiness. I mean really, a person can only take so much happiness before getting a little bored. Luckily, any marriage will inevitably provide bouts of acrimonious conflict to pass the time and it is obvious that these two independent and willful spirits have many boredom-assuaging hours of discord to look forward to. But again, anyone who has watched Kate and Lowell work together knows that they will navigate the waters of conflict and strife with the loving grace and assurance that many couples who can boast decades of marriage may lack. Indeed in hard times as well as bliss they will continue to strengthen one another.

I don’t need to reassure anyone here of the intrinsic rightness of this union just as I don’t need to explain the beauty of this sky and this moment. You can all look at Kate and Lowell standing here together, hand in hand, and know that this marriage is right and good and requires no explanation.

In fact, I’ve already said too much.

Statement of Intent

J. E.:
Do you, Lowell, take Kate,
to be your wife,
to have and to hold,
from this day forward,
for better, for worse,
for richer, for poorer,
in sickness and in health,
to love and cherish,
as long as you both shall live?

Lowell: I do.

J. E.:
Do you, Kate, take Lowell,
to be your husband,
to have and to hold,
from this day forward,
for better, for worse,
for richer, for poorer,
in sickness and in health,
to love and cherish,
as long as you both shall live?

Kate: I do.

Vows and Exchange of Rings

J. E.:
These rings are symbols of the love
that joins you, spirit to spirit.
They represent the oneness, eternity, and renewal
inherent in the marriage union.

May these rings serve you
and those who see them upon your fingers
as reminders of the vows you have made here today
and of our need to be faithful in all our relationships.

Lowell, please place the ring on Kate’s finger, look at her and repeat after me:

With this ring,
I give you my promise to honor you,
to be faithful to you,
and to share my love and my life with you always.

Kate, please place the ring on Lowell’s finger, look at him and repeat after me:

With this ring,
I give you my promise to honor you,
to be faithful to you,
and to share my love and my life with you always.

Declaration of Support

J. E.:

Kate and Lowell,
today we have come together
to celebrate the love you have found with each other.
By being here with you,
each of us is declaring our support
for your decision to join together in marriage.

[to guests]

As families and friends,
you form the community of support
that surrounds Kate and Lowell.
Each of you, by your presence here today,
is being called upon
to uphold them in honoring and loving each other.

Always stand beside them, never between them.
Offer them your love and support,
not your judgment.
Encourage them with your kindness and loving hearts,
and honor this marriage
into which they have come to be joined today.

I now introduce: Lowell and Kate Vaughn!