Wedding Ceremony

 

of

 

Dean Alex Barker

 

and

 

Kirsti Smith

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Dean to play guitar for Kirsti's entrance)

 

Introduction

 

 

I would like to welcome all family and friends to this very special occasion - the wedding of Kirsti and Dean.

 

Kirsti and Dean enter into this marriage with the greatest respect for one another.  Within its framework of commitment and loyalty, marriage enables the establishment of a home where, through tolerance, patience and courage, the love and affection that these two people bear for one another will develop into a deep and lasting relationship.

 

Although it is not the intention of Kirsti and Dean to view themselves, in marriage, as a couple so inseparable that they have no existence apart from each other, they will, through loving and sharing, work to build a happy life and a lasting friendship together.

 

 

                Today's celebration is the outward sign of a sacred and inward commitment, which religious societies may consecrate, states may legalize, but which neither can create nor annul. Such union can only be created by loving purpose, be maintained by abiding will, and be renewed by human feelings and intentions. In this spirit these two persons stand before us and we are gathered here merely to acknowledge the true marriage which already dwells within them.

 

Marriage is the sharing of all aspects of their lives, and the total acceptance of each other - the faults and weaknesses as well as the positive qualities.  It is taking time with each other and accepting love in the same way that it is given.  It is continuing to grow in your understanding of each other and themselves as individuals. 

 

As they join together in marriage today, Kirsti and Dean will remember the importance of allowing each other to develop as an individual.  By growing together and separately, they will continue to be the interesting people they are today, to each complement the other, and to share their growth.  This will enable them to become even stronger in their relationship and in life.

 

 

Kirsti and Dean come to this day with no illusions about what it takes to sustain a loving relationship.   They have experienced exciting times since they have been together, and they have come to appreciate each other's qualities and the support and encouragement they receive from each other.   How special it is to accept a person for who they are, and what they can bring to your life in expected and unexpected ways.

 

 

I would now like to invite Peter to please come forward and read "Apache Blessing

 

 

 

Apache Blessing

 

Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter for each other.

Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be the warmth for the other.

Now there is no more loneliness for you, for each of you will be companion to the other.

Now you are two bodies, but there is only one life before you.

Go now to your dwelling place and enter into the days of your life together.

And may your days be good and long upon the earth.

 

Treat yourselves and each other with respect, and remind your selves often of what brought you together.

Give the highest priority to the tenderness, gentle and kindness that your connection deserves.

When frustrations, difficulty and fear assail your relationship - as they threaten all relationships at one time or another - remember to focus on what is right between you, not only the part which seems wrong.  In this way, you can ride out the storms when clouds hide the face of the sun in your lives - remembering that even if you lose sight of it for a moment, the sun is still there.

And if each of you takes responsibility for the quality of your life together, it will be marked by abundance and delight.

 

 

 

 

Monitum

 

My name is Sandy Holland, and I am duly authorized by law to solemnize marriages according to the laws of Australia.

 

Dean and Kirsti, before you are joined in marriage in my presence and in the presence of these witnesses, I am to remind you of the solemn and binding nature of the relationship into which you are now about to enter. 

 

Marriage according to law in Australia is the union of a man and a woman, to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life.

 

 

 

 

 

Giving Away

 

I now ask who on behalf of this gathering of family and friends presents this woman to be married to this man?

 

Dad (David):- I do

 

 

 

 

 

The Asking

 

Dean

 

Will you Dean, take Kirsti, to be your wife and lifelong partner?   Will you promise to respect Kirsti as her own person and to realize that her interests, desires and needs are no less important than your own. Will you promise to share with Kirsti your time and attention and to bring joy, strength and imagination to your relationship. 

 

Dean:- I will

 

.

 

 

Kirsti

 

Will you Kirsti, take Dean, to be your husband and lifelong partner?   Will you promise to respect Dean as his own person and to realize that his interests, desires and needs are no less important than your own. Will you promise to share with Dean your time and attention and to bring joy, strength and imagination to your relationship. 

 

Kirsti:- I will

 

 

Vows

 

Dean:

(Please say your vows to Kirsti)

 

I call upon the persons here present to witness that I Dean Alex Barker take you Kirsti Smith to be my lawful wedded wife. As we face this life together, my promise to you is this,

 I will always love you. You are my best friend.

Today I give myself to you in marriage.
I promise to encourage and inspire you, to laugh with you,
and to comfort you in times of sorrow.
I promise to love you in good times and in bad,
when life seems easy and when it seems hard,
when our love is simple, and when it is an effort.
I promise to cherish you, and to always hold you in highest regard
And trust that the promise I make today is a promise for life.

 

 

 

(Dean) Will you accept my love and the promise I've made to you today.

 

(Kirsti)" I will"

 

 

Kirsti

(Please say your vows to Dean)

 

 

I call upon the persons here present to witness that I Kirsti Smith

take you Dean Alex Barker to be my lawful wedded husband. 

As we face this life together, my promise to you is this;

 I will always love you. You are my best friend.

Today I give myself to you in marriage.
I promise to encourage and inspire you, to laugh with you,
and to comfort you in times of sorrow.
I promise to love you in good times and in bad,
when life seems easy and when it seems hard,
when our love is simple, and when it is an effort.
I promise to cherish you, and to always hold you in highest regard
And trust that the promise I make today is a promise for life.

 

(Kirsti) Will you accept my love and the promise I've made to you today.

 

(Dean)" I will"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A commitment made by two people very much in love is quite special.   The reasons that Dean and Kirsti are here before us today are reflected in the following poem called "On Your Wedding Day" which will now be read for us by Toni

 

 

 

 

 

 

On your Wedding Day

 

Author Unknown

 

Today is a day you will always remember

The greatest in anyone's life

You'll start off the day just two people in love

And end it as husband and wife.

 

It's a brand new beginning, the start of a journey

With moments to cherish and treasure

And although there'll be times when you both disagree

These will surely be outweighed by pleasure

 

You will have heard many words of advice in the past

When the secrets of marriage were spoken

But you know that the answers lie hidden inside

Where the bond of true love lies unbroken

 

So live happy forever as lovers and friends

It is the dawn of a new life for you

As you stand there together with love in your eyes

From the moment you whisper "I do".

 

And with luck, all your hopes and your dreams can be real

May success find it's way to your hearts

Tomorrow can bring you the greatest of joys

But today is the day it all starts.

 

 

 

 

I would now like the introduce Andrew, how will explain the meaning of the rings.

 

 

The meaning of the rings

 

During this ceremony Dean and Kirsti will exchange rings.   These rings are the visible signs of their commitment to one another.  They have entrusted the keeping of the rings with Brendan.

 

The rings that Dean and Kirsti exchange today have been uniquely designed by one for the other.

 

 

The symbol of a wedding ring signifies togetherness, purity and unending love.

May it be the sign of your future life together.   The perfect circle of a ring symbolizes eternity.   Gold is the symbol of all that is holy and pure.   As you give these to each other, our wish is that your love will be as eternal and everlasting as these rings.   In the years to come, they will remind you of the overwhelming joy of this special occasion.

 

May the happiness you share today be with you always.

 

 

 

Dean 

Placing the ring on Kirsti's left finger:

 

Dean, repeat these words after me…….

"Kirsti, I choose you above all others.   I give you my promise that from this day forward you shall not walk alone.   Wear this ring as a symbol of my favor, my loyalty and my love."

 

 

Kirsti   

Placing the ring on Dean's left finger:

 

Kirsti, repeat these words after me ……..

"Dean, I choose you above all others.   I give you my promise that from this day forward you shall not walk alone.   Wear this ring as a symbol of my favor, my loyalty and my love."

 

 

 

"Dean and Kirsti, may you always be blessed in your hearts with the wonder of this day.   May you always be able to talk things over, to confide in each other, to laugh with each other, to enjoy life together, and to share moments of quiet and peace, when the day is done.   May you be blessed with a lifetime of happiness.

 

 

Dean and Kirsti, it is with great pleasure that I now declare you to be husband and wife.

 

 

Dean - you may kiss your bride.

 

 

Signing of Register

 

Ladies and gentlemen we will be taking a few minutes to sign the marriage register, and I would like to invite Brooke to please come forward and read a slightly plagiarised by Pam Ayers poem called "Yes, I'll marry you". 

 

 

 

Yes I'll marry you

 

Yes I'll marry you, my dear, and here's the reason why;

So I can push you out of bed when Holly starts to cry.

 

And if we hear a knocking, and it's creepy and it's late,

I hand you the torch you see, and you investigate.

 

 

Yes I'll marry you, my dear, you may not apprehend it,

But when the tumble drier goes, it's you that has to mend it.

 

You have to face the neighbour, should our Holly dog attack him.

 

And if a drunkard fondles me, it's you that has to whack him.

 

Yes I'll marry you, my dear, you're virile and you're lean,

My house is like a pigsty; you can help me keep it clean.

 

That sexy little dinner, which you served by candlelight,

Is better than my bolognaise, you can cook it every night!

 

It's  you who has to thrill the kids, to keep them off your back,

And when I've got the PMT, it's you that cops the flack.

 

I do see great advantages, but none of them for you.

 

And so, before you see the light,

 

I do! …..I do!……I do !

 

Witnesses:- Toni and Philip

 

 

Please congratulate:

 

Ladies and gentlemen can I officially introduce Mr and Mrs Barker.