Rolling right along... ceremonial matters

Posted Thursday, July 05, 2007 2:22 AM

..we've just sent out the invitations for our out of town guests and now it's now on to making the final batch of local invitations.  By our count, we should only have a small number of extras from the invite batches (less than 10!) which means we've estimated our supply needs pretty well so far.

On to one of the next projects-- drafting a ceremony.  We've selected one reading (a poem) and have encouraged one of our readers to select the other (a passage from a piece of literature).  We've assembled the pieces of the order of the ceremony, which will convey a humanist message.  I'll post our first draft for the vows in a moment... the overall order will be:

MUSIC AS PEOPLE GATHER

PROCESSIONAL

CALL TO GATHER

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

READING #1

STATEMENT OF INTENT

READING #2

VOWS

EXCHANGE OF RINGS

EXCHANGE OF SWORDS

SAN SAN KUDO (a fusion version)

SERVING SAKE TO PARENTS

PRONOUNCEMENT AND BLESSING

RECESSIONAL

We actually have talked about vows quite a lot.  And rather than exchanging them, we will be answering them together.  We wanted some very important concepts regarding our relationship to be reflected, and my FI felt that having 7 vows would be lucky, so this is our first draft.  We're still editing a bit but we found these on line and edited them once-- we like the ideas reflected in this set.

Just as you will face your future decisions together, please join together in taking your vows:

Do you pledge to help each other in developing your hearts and minds and in cultivating compassion, generosity, ethics, patience, enthusiasm, concentration and wisdom through all of the circumstances of life? [We do.]

Do you pledge to support each other in life's journey, to continually shine light on each other's virtue and to reinforce each other in spirit?[We do]

 

Understanding that just as we are a mystery to ourselves, each person is also a mystery to us. Do you pledge to examine yourselves, each other and all living beings and to regard all of the mysteries of life with openness and joy?[We do.]

With compassion, wisdom and skill, do you pledge to work for the good of your community and to acknowledge the kindness of others? [We do.]

Recognizing that the external conditions in life will not always be smooth, do you pledge to strive to see these circumstances as opportunities for growth, to open your hearts to each other, and to accept each other, just as you are? [We do.]

As your marriage progresses through the years, do you pledge to take time to reflect on your time together with thankfulness for the ways in which you have grown, with gratitude for the boundless gifts you have received from one another and with joy that you have met and shared what you have? [We do.]

Finally, do you pledge to preserve and enrich your affection for each other and to take the love you have for each other as an example from which to extend goodwill and kindness to those around you? [We do.]

Other than that, one of the items I really like from our draft ceremony is the Pronouncement and Blessing--

______ and ______, from this day forward your lives shall be woven of one design and your perils and your joys shall not be known apart. As you increase and love and understanding, may your joys stand victoriously against the storm of circumstance that beats impartially on all our doors. From the rich encouragement of your affection, may you be inspired to open your doors to the needs you perceive in the world. In the embrace of mutual respect, may you each complete the unfinished pattern of your true selves. Let the passing of the days and years depend the love of your union and make it full of tenderness and grace.

May all that is noble, lovely, and true abide with you forever. You may kiss the bride