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Secular Wedding Ceremony

Judge Hogan:

"Marriage is a relationship which embodies all the warm and precious values that grow out of human companionship and love. We enter it joyfully and in the knowledge that love is both our highest achievement and life's most precious gift. Love is one of the highest experiences that we human beings can have, and it can add depth of meaning to our lives. When this is combined with real friendship both are infinitely enhanced. The day-to-day companionship - the pleasure in doing things together, or in doing separate things but in delighting to exchange experiences - is a continuous and central part of what two people who love each other can share.

"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, and a new fragrance to the flowers, and new beauty to the earth, a new mystery to life.’

"Into this relationship with deep commitment and high expectations Jessica and Jeff come now to join together."

"Giving Away":

Judge Hogan:

"Alice and Rick, as the parents of the bride you stand here representing the families of both the bride and the groom. As such, you are not here to give the bride away but rather to be recognized not only as Jessica's parents and an influence on her journey into adulthood, but also as a symbol of the familial love and guidance which shapes us all into the people we are today. Are you ready to wish Jessica and Jeff well on their new journey together?"

Alice & Rick:

"Yes."

Alice & Rick sit.

Readings:

Judge Hogan:

"The first reading will be from Jessica’s Godmother."

Judge Hogan sits

Martha goes to lectern

Martha; from Velveteen Rabbit

"What is REAL?" asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender, before Nana came to tidy the room. "Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?"

"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."

"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit.

"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt."

"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?"

"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in your joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."

Martha returns to seat

Judge Hogan returns to lectern

Judge Hogan:

"The second reading will be from a friend of Jeff & Jessica’s."

Judge Hogan sits

Bryan goes to lectern

Bryan; from A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court

"People talk about beautiful friendships between two persons of the same sex. What is the best of that sort, as compared with the friendship of man and wife, where the best impulses and highest ideals of both are the same. There is no place for comparison between the two friendships; the one is earthly, the other divine."

Bryan returns to seat

Judge Hogan returns to lectern

Judge Hogan:

"The final reading will be from another friend of Jeff & Jessica’s."

Judge Hogan sits

Jason goes to lectern

Jason; by Pablo Naruda

"Two happy lovers make one bread,
a single moon drop in the grass.
Walking, they cast two shadows that flow together;
waking, they leave one sun empty in their bed.

"Of all the possible truths, they chose the day;
they held it, not with ropes but with an aroma.
They did not shred the peace; they did not shatter words;
their happiness is a transparent tower.

"The air and wine accompany the lovers.
The night delights them with its joyous petals.
They have a right to all the carnations.

"Two happy lovers, without an ending, with no death,
they are born, they die, many times while they live:
they have the eternal life of the Natural."

Jason returns to seat

Judge Hogan returns to lectern

Statement of Intention:

Judge Hogan:

"Jessica and Jeff, you have invited us to witness the happiness that you have found in each other. Are you ready to make the pledges to which you commit yourselves to each other in love?"

Jessica & Jeff:

"Yes."

Vows:

Jessica gives bouquet to Lindsey. Jeff & Jessica face each other & take hands

Judge Hogan:

"Jeff, do you take Jessica to be your wife?"

Jeff:

"I do"

Judge Hogan:

"Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect her, forsaking all others and holding only unto her?"

Jeff:

"I do"

Judge Hogan:

"Jessica, do you take Jeff to be your husband?"

Jessica:

"I do"

Judge Hogan:

"Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect him, forsaking all others and holding only unto him?"

Jessica:

"I do"

Ring Exchange:

Judge Hogan:

"Jeff, have you a token of your love for Jessica?"

Jeff gets ring from Jim

"Jessica , have you a token of your love for Jeff?"

Jessica gets ring from Lindsey

"Traditionally, the marking of the passage to the status of husband and wife is marked by the exchange of rings. These rings are a symbol of the unbroken circle of love. Love freely given has no beginning and no end. Love freely given has no giver and no receiver - for each is the giver and each is the receiver. May these rings remind you always of the vows you have taken here today."

To Jeff

"Place the ring on her finger and repeat after me: ‘With this ring, I thee wed.’"

Jeff:

"With this ring, I thee wed."

Judge Hogan:

To Jessica

"Place the ring on his finger and repeat after me: ‘With this ring, I thee wed.’"

Jessica:

"With this ring, I thee wed."

Judge Hogan:

"Let these rings serve not as locks binding you together, but as keys, unlocking the secrets of your hearts for each other to know, bringing you closer together."

Prouncement:

Judge Hogan:

"Jessica and Jeff, having witnessed your vows for marriage with all who are assembled here, and by the authority vested in me by the State of Ohio, I announce with great joy that from this time on, you are husband and wife."

The Kiss:

Judge Hogan:

"You may now kiss."

Jeff & Jessica kiss

Words of celebration:

Judge Hogan:

"Jessica and Jeff, marriage is the joining of two people- the union of two hearts. It lives on the love you give each other and never grows old, but thrives on the joy of each new day. May you always have in your hearts the memory of this special 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 enjoy a lifetime of happiness."

Announcement:

Judge Hogan:

to the assembled

"Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Jeff and Jessica, husband and wife."

David rings bell AFTER "husband & wife"