[Start time 1pm] [Shield Bride during last piano song, take position near tree on path] ["In my life" begins approx 1:30] [Start walk with chime at end of "In my life". Walk path, proceed under arbor, move and adjust mike stand.] [1] Welcome to this most joyous and profoundly significant of events, the marriage of Chrystie DeMarco and Josh Richards. Before the processional, Chrystie and Josh would like to share a song that expresses the soul-stirring nature of falling in love and their gratitude for being fortunate enough to find one another. [Nora Sings "At Last"] [Processional to Pachabel Canon] Please be seated. [2] On this occasion, it is my duty and honor to say a few words regarding marriage; allow me the boon of discussing it somewhat broadly in the context of human experience. It is a harsh reality that we as humans are in some sense fundamentally isolated. Our thoughts and perceptions are uniquely our own, and so our experiences are particular to the small bubble of consciousness that we occupy. Our lumbering communications with others presents a pale shadow of our internal universe. It is hard enough to present thoroughly concrete information like "The tea is in the upper right cupboard"; our hopes, desires, goals and beliefs are so abstract that truly successful communication is nearly impossible. To further complicate matters, we make our perceptions through the lens of our hopes, desires, goals, and beliefs, so even simple messages can be misconstrued. With this separation being the norm in the course of daily human interactions, it is a strange and glorious thing to find another with whom a deeper connection can be forged; someone with whom the previously clumsy language takes on a new dimension; someone who really understands! Such is the sacrament of love. But this connection is not involatile; it must be employed to flourish and grow. Perceptions, thoughts, feelings: the core of your inner being; these things must be shared. Most importantly, you must listen, for ---- The first duty of love is to listen. -- Paul Tillich ---- Josh and Chrystie, you have found love in each other. ---- "To love is one of life's pure, irreducible epiphanies. To love the one true person who deserves that love is one of the few absolute rewards of being a human being, balancing all of the pain, loss, awkwardness, loneliness, idiocy, compromise and clumsiness that go with the human condition." -- Dan Simmons [bowdlerized] ---- Even with the wonderful connection of love between you, always bear in mind that as humans, our basic motivations are in essence irrational. As humans, ----- We cannot reason ourselves out of our basic irrationality. All we can do is learn the art of being irrational in a reasonable way. -- Aldous Huxley ----- Do not demand a wholly rational partner in life. Similarly, it is foolish and perilous to imagine that your own motivations are wholly rational. We are set in a universe of obvious changes. The hours and days slip by, so time's progression cannot be ignored externally. Somehow we often miss the changes that occur within ourselves, and we may expect our partner to in some sense remain fixed in time. Each of us changes with time; this is inherent in the definition of the word "time". ------ Nothing endures but change. (Heraclitus) ------ So, embrace time and embrace change, both in your partner and within yourself. You will both change, so you may as well actively attempt to change in a way that causes you to grow together, rather than apart. Finally, as you continue with your lives together, I ask that you ---- Remember that happiness is a way of travel, not a destination. -- Roy Goodman ---- Our ultimate destination is assured, it is the journey that marks a life well spent. ------------------ Chrystie and Josh would like to share a song which reflects the strength of their commitment to support and comfort one another in the darkest of times, as well as in those of joy and laughter. ----------------- [Nora Sings] [After song, give the vows to Chrystie.] The vows that Josh and Chrystie have chosen are loosely based on "I Promise" by Dorothy R. Colgan. [Vow and ring exchange] [3] Now that Chrystie and Josh have exchanged vows and rings, I pronounce that they are husband and wife. Those whom love has joined, let no one pull asunder. You may now share your first kiss as Husband and Wife! [Kiss occurs, lots of photos, Nora goes to piano] [4] I would like to ask the assembled friends and family who have witnessed this event to offer your support and encouragement to Josh and Chrystie. As witnesses to the wedding, you have heard Chrystie and Josh's vows, and recognized the commitment between them. It is now your responsibility to embrace them as a couple, help them fulfill the promises that they have spoken this day, and share your experiences in marriage with them, as ---- A good marriage is like a casserole, only those responsible for it really know what goes in it. -- Anonymous ---- [Recessional to Nora singing "When I'm 64"] [After song ends] * Invite guests to move to patio to mingle and enjoy refreshments and visit the guest table to sign a wedding wish card * The family and wedding party should remain in the circle for post-wedding photos * I would like to ask you to limit your pictures during this time to non-flash photographs taken from afar, in order to avoid interfering with the official wedding photographers. * Food will be served in 30-45 minutes * Walk out of the circle.