Our wedding was completely wonderful and fully embraced Joe and I as a couple. We wrote our own ceremony and had my uncle officiate it. Because he didn't want to step on any spiritual toes, we got married in my hometown church in front of my mom, aunt and uncle a week before. Not many people knew that, or know that even today! After our wedding we went to a local casino for the night and then had a big family BBQ party at the alpaca ranch in New London, MO the following day.
Venue: Japanese Garden, Missouri Botanical Garden
Photographer: John Gaughan
String Quartet: Laclede
Invitations: Kayla Thompson
The full text of our wedding ceremony
Seating of Guests: Let it Be, Two of Us
Processional
Song: Canon D by Pachabel
Seating of Readers
Seating of Grandparents
Seating of Mothers
Song: Something by the Beatles
Bridesmaid5 walks down
Bridesmaid4 walks down
Bridesmaid3 walks down
Bridesmaid2walks down
MOH walks down
Flower girls + ring bearer walk down, sit front row with parents behind them.
Song: Here comes the Sun by the Beatles
Alyse and Dad walk down together
Dad and Joseph shake hands and Dad of bride sits down
Celebrant:
This is the day the Lord has made, Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
Good afternoon all! On behalf of the Alyse, Joseph, and their families I extend a heartfelt welcome to all of you. My name is Buck Green and I am honored to lead today's ceremony of marriage between Joseph and Alyse
I would like to start the ceremony with a prayer
Lord, behold our family here assembled.
We thank you for this place in which we dwell,
for the love that unites us,
for the peace accorded us this day,
for the hope with which we expect the morrow,
for the health, the work, the food,
and the bright skies that make our lives delightful;
for our friends in all parts of the earth.
Amen.
Joseph and Alyse, we have gathered here today in this beautiful garden in your honor as you commit a lifetime of love to each other. We have come with hopes and dreams and joy in our hearts as we celebrate the decision you have made to marry. And as we come together in the blooming glory of this garden, we are not alone. We are joined by those of our family who could not be here today in body, but rather in spirit and love. Let us take a moment to breathe, admire the beautiful setting, and remember those who we miss.
Moment of silence of reflection
Celebrant: Reader #1 will now share a poem Alyse has dedicated to Joseph.
(Reader #1 comes to the front to read a poem)
Reader #1:
"I carry your Heart with Me" by e e cummings
i carry your heart with me
(i carry it in my heart)
i am never without it
(anywhere i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing, my darling)
i fear no fate
(for you are my fate, my sweet)
i want no world
(for beautiful you are my world, my true)
and it's you -- whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing -- is you
here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows
higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart
i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)
Reader #1 sits down
Celebrant: Family and friends, we are present on this joyful occasion because in some way our lives have touched the lives of Joseph and Alyse. Today we rejoice with them. Today we pray for them. But let our care, our thoughts and prayers for them continue beyond this day. Will you, family and friends, stand beside Joseph and Alyse, celebrating the decision they have made to marry; pray for them, and do all in your power to support and uphold this marriage in the days and years ahead?
If so, please say we will.
--Interlude as all of family say they will, and Grandmas bring up empty terra cotta pot, hug Joseph and Alyse and place it on the table-- Song: Grow Old Along with Me by John Lennon --
Celebrant: Will Mom of bride and Mom of groom, Dad of bride please come forward. (pause)
The union of Joseph and Alyse brings together family traditions and roots in the hope that a new family tree may become strong and fruitful. Theirs is a personal choice and a decision for which they are primarily responsible. Yet their life together will be greatly enriched by the support of the families from which they come.
Mom of bride, Dad of bride, and Mom of groom, you have raised Alyse and Joseph to be the adults they are today. Through your love, support and guidance they flourished, and now it is time for them begin their own family.
Will you, their parents, offer your blessing and encouragement to them in their marriage? If so, please say we will.
--Parents say "We will", get the sapling and place it in the pot, mothers hand Joseph the dirt and Alyse the watering can, we hug and they sit down -- Song: In My Life by the Beatles
Celebrant: Those that truly love have roots that grow towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom have fallen from their branches, they find that they are one tree and not two.
Celebrant: Do you, Joseph, with clear eyes, and love in your heart, freely choose now to speak the words that will unite yours and Alyse’s lives in marriage? Do you promise to always be open, honest, and patient, trust Alyse, and be worthy of her trust? Do you promise to communicate with Alyse fully and fearlessly as you find your way together? As your life unfolds before you, you will remain true to the promises you make this day?
Joseph: I do
(Joseph scoops dirt with a hand trowel and puts it in the pot around the sapling)
Celebrant: Do you, Alyse, with clear eyes, and love in your heart, freely choose now to speak the words that will unite yours and Joseph’s lives in marriage? Do you promise to always be open, honest, and patient, trust Joseph, and be worthy of his trust? Do you promise to communicate with Joseph fully and fearlessly as you find your way together? As your life unfolds before you, you will remain true to the promises you make this day?
Alyse: I do
(Alyse waters the sapling)
Celebrant: Reader #2 will now read a poem Joseph has dedicated to Alyse.
Reading #2
"Rose of my heart" by Johnny Cash
We're the best partners this world's ever seen,
Together as close as can be.
Sometimes it's hard to find time in between,
To tell you what you are to me.
You are the rose of my heart,
You are the love of my life.
A flower not fading nor falling apart,
If you're tired, rest your head on my arm.
Rose of my heart.
When sorrow holds you in her arms of clay,
It's rain drops that fall from your eyes.
Your smile's like the sun come to earth for a day,
You brighten my blackest of skies.
You are the rose of my heart,
You are the love of my life.
A flower not fading nor falling apart,
If you're cold, let my love make you warm.
Rose of my heart.
So hard times or easy times, what do I care,
There's nothing I'd change if I could.
The tears and the laughter are things that we share,
Your hand in mine makes all times good.
Reader #2 sits down
Vows
Celebrant: From that moment of yes when your engagement began until this moment of yes, you have been making promises and reaching agreements together. All those conversations that were held while riding in the car, while cooking dinner or while walking your dog Dewey—those late-night talks that included "someday" and "somehow" and "maybe"—and all those words written to each other when you were far apart; All these common things, and more, are the real process of wedding.
The symbolic vows you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, "You know all those things we've promised and hoped and dreamed—well, I meant it all, every word."
Please join hands and recite your vows.
Joseph:
I love you. You are my best friend.
Today I give myself to you
I promise to encourage and inspire you, to laugh with you,
and to comfort you in times of sorrow and struggle.
I promise to love you in good times and in bad,
when life seems easy and when it seems hard,
I promise to continue to love you faithfully,
as it is your heart that moves me,
your mind that challenges and inspires me,
and your hands that I wish to hold forever
Alyse:
I love you. You are my best friend.
Today I give myself to you
I promise to encourage and inspire you, to laugh with you,
and to comfort you in times of sorrow and struggle.
I promise to love you in good times and in bad,
when life seems easy and when it seems hard,
I promise to continue to love you faithfully,
as it is your heart that moves me,
your mind that challenges and inspires me,
and your hands that I wish to hold forever
Ring Vows
Celebrant: The wedding ring is a circle, a symbol of wholeness, and peace; a representation of the seasons and of life itself, and the symbol of your love and commitment to one another. We all bless these rings with our best wishes for your continued happiness together.
best man, will you please hand Joseph Alyse's ring?
Joseph: Joseph puts ring on Alyse’s finger while saying:
Today, tomorrow, always,
My love surrounds you.
May this ring remind you of my constant heart.
A commitment made in love, kept in faith,
lived in hope, and eternally made new.
Celebrant: MOH, will you please hand Alyse Joseph's ring?
Alyse puts ring on Josephs finger while saying:
Today, tomorrow, always,
My love surrounds you.
May this ring remind you of my constant heart.
A commitment made in love, kept in faith,
lived in hope, and eternally made new.
Celebrant:
"I really do believe that both of you are at the beginning of a wonderful journey. As you start traveling down that road of life, remember this: There are never enough comfort stops. The places you are going to are never on the map. And once you get that map out, you won’t be able to refold it no matter how smart you are.
“So forget the map, roll down the windows, and whenever you can, pull over and have a picnic."
Joseph and Alyse,
before this ceremony
you signed the legal papers.
You have received the blessing
of your family and friends,
made vows,
and exchanged rings.
Congratulations, you are now married!
So start your marriage now, with a kiss!
[Joseph and Alyse kisses, everyone cheers!]
Celebrant: I now present Joseph and Alyse!
Cue "All you need is Love"
[Joseph and Alyse exit down the aisle]
