Arrive at podium: Processional (greg ruby trio)- .Over the Hills and Far Away. Led Zepplin . Christine and Larry walk and join at the center, walk the aisle, take a glass of champagne off ceremony table and are seated . Burl and Karla walk and join at the center, walk the aisle, take a glass of champagne off ceremony table and are seated . Jay and Sarah walk and join at the center, walk the aisle, stop Introduction: Good afternoon, everyone. I would like to thank you all for gathering here to witness this joyous event: the marriage of Jay Dee Martin and Sarah Beatrice Hill. ---If bad weather (if, for example, held in Seattle in November)--- It is Seattle in November. The attendant dominance of cold soggy gray does not seem to yield the most picturesque of circumstances. But we have not come to vacation; we have been drawn here by a sort of social tidal force. We rush here to witness a great event at high tide, and then in a few hours we will disperse. Of the original question of composition, there is more to be said, however. A photographer does not compose a photograph by simply showing up to somewhere pretty and taking a picture! The photographer must first select a subject, and then manufacture some way for that subject to take the attention of the viewer; some trick of framing, of color. of light. And this is what our weather has produced for us; we have a dreary damp expanse, punctured by this! The warm tones of a gathering of friends and family here to celebrate the bond of love between Sarah and Jay. ---end if bad weather--- . Why has this event brought us together, and why it is significant? Why, for instance, am I not dressed in an Elvis costume conducting this ceremony in Las Vegas, uh-uh-yeah? Why the big party? Why the location? Why have you all been invited? We gather in Seattle, the social, if not geographic center of the Puget Sound. We are here nestled between the Olympic Mountains to the west, and the Cascade Mountains to the east, and a bit of ocean between. We have essentially gathered in Sarah and Jay's neighborhood. We are adjacent to Shilshole Marina, where Jay's boat is moored. Just up the hill is Sunset Hill Park, where Jay and Sarah go for evening strolls (in better weather), or to test their rain gear on more dreary days . We are even close to Zoe and June's favorite dog park. Thus, we are gathered in a place steeped in significance for both Sarah and Jay. We are those fortunate to attend; sadly, not everyone who wanted to be here, was able to be. In particular, Ernie and Betty Hill and Charline Ruddle are unable to travel for health reasons. Sarah's maternal grandfather and Jay's other grandparents are no longer with us, but would have surely wanted to attend. . On marriage (Josh) Everyone in this room surely has thoughts on the significance of marriage, but in this situation the thoughts of the bride and groom seem of paramount importance, as this is their wedding and this will be their marriage. Happily, I have received somewhat detailed notes on this topic from them, so we can avoid an extend bridegroom seminar of love (with all apologies to Walt Whitman). Observing the thread of humanity before us (and projecting after us) requires some notion of just who this "us" is. We are subtly and un-subtly inculcated with the stuff of our society, its traditions and its expectations throughout our lives, and the institution of marriage is a significant portion of this content. Jay and Sarah's parents brought them into this world, raised them, and provided them with a template for what a successful marriage is and what upkeep it requires, as their parents did before them, and so forth. This is acknowledged here by having Sarah and Jay's parents precede them down the aisle today. Both Sarah's parents, Larry and Christine, and Jay's parents, Burl and Karla, have been compelling role models by maintaining their own strong and long-lasting marriages. Through these examples, Jay and Sarah have seen that family forms the base of support for the individuals in the family. It is said that in every life a little rain must fall; literally taken, this is clearly true (particularly while living in the Pacific Northwest). Figuratively, this truth can be rather more jarring. Life includes both joy and despair, both soaring success and crushing failure, both inhale and exhale. Through all of this it is helpful to have some support. Someone who shares in the highs, and comforts in the lows. A spotter while climbing, a dive buddy while SCUBA diving, a mate while sailing, and someone to watch your back in the event of a zombie apocalypse; a team for the sport of life. In all of these situations, the central message of Sesame Street carries us forward: by working together, we can do better than we could if we didn't. To wit: as humans, we build groups. nations, states, churches, country clubs, etc. If you look for the center, the smallest, tightest and most fundamental of these groups, you arrive at the family. The family forms the base of support, the foundation that is built upon, the hardened zombie-resistant base. So, as Sarah and Jay have chosen to join their lives together, they have also joined their respective families. By looking around today, you will see that this is not purely a matter of family. All those here today were asked by Jay and Sarah because you are part of their community, which is composed of both their family, and their friends. Family, irrespective of foibles and failings, are family, no matter what. Friends, on the other hand, are friends by mutual choice! You are not incidental to this ceremony, and are certainly not incidental to Jay and Sarah's marriage. Jay and Sarah have chosen to declare their commitment in front of their entire community, both their friends and their family. As such, all of you are part of Sarah and Jay's lives, and by witnessing their marriage here today, are now a part of their marriage. A marriage, like every other social institution, does not exist in a vacuum (fortunate, as the whole blood-boiling thing is unsightly!) You may have come for the party, but you too have now acquired a responsibility: you are now enjoined to help Sarah and Jay grow, and flourish together. Finally, for my own comments, I'll mention that the very notion of the concept of time implies change. It is vital to recognize that you will change, as will your partner. You have some control over this change, so with this control, consider changing so that you grow together. . Short Reading Josh: Jay and Sarah would now like to share a passage they feel represents their love for each other. Sarah: Baby, when I met you There was peace unknown I set out to get you With a fine tooth comb I was soft inside There was something going on Jay: You do something to me That I can't explain Hold me closer and I feel no pain Every beat of my heart We got something going on Sarah: Tender love is blind It requires a dedication All this love we feel Needs no conversation We can ride it together, ah-ha Making love with each other, ah-ha Jay: Islands in the stream Sarah:That is what we are Jay: No one in between Sarah: How can we be wrong Jay: Sail away with me Sarah: To another world Both: And we rely on each other, ah-ha From one lover to another, ah-ha . Transition Josh: It seems that Kenny and Dolly (and/or the Bee Gees) had some notion of this. From pop-music, to solemn promises is a short road. We now move to Sarah and Jay's vows: Vows Sarah: My friend, my greatest supporter and most earnest critic, my love Today I promise to sail with you, through calm seas and swells. I promise to laugh with you and for you And to celebrate life.s joy and pain. May our days together be long and our bond be strengthened by our laughter. Jay: My friend, my greatest supporter and most earnest critic, my love Today I promise to sail with you, through calm seas and swells. I promise to laugh with you and for you And to celebrate life.s joy and pain. May our days together be long and our bond be strengthened by our laughter. . Josh hands Jay and Sarah the rings Josh: Will you, Jay, embrace Sarah as your wife and promise to love, trust, and respect her?. Jay: I will and may this ring be a symbol of that promise Josh: .Do you, Sarah, accept Jay as your husband and promise to love, trust and respect him?. Sarah: I do and may this ring be a symbol of that promise . Pronouncement Josh: Let us now raise our glass to Jay and Sarah as husband and wife: .To Sarah and Jay. Kiss . Recessional (greg ruby trio). .Islands in the Stream. . Jay and Sarah recess to photo booth for pic