Welcome
family and friends of Daniel Sherman and Dawn Hillegas. Today in
this beautiful park, in this beautiful gazebo, on this beautiful
day — we gather together to formalize, witness, and celebrate the
marriage of Daniel and Dawn.
Insomuch
as Daniel and Dawn share an appreciation of the Renaissance period
we will conduct this ceremony in a style reminiscent of a truly
romantic time in human history. An
appreciation of history is not the only thing shared between Daniel
and Dawn. They have been together long enough to know that they
share a commitment to family, truthfulness, values, and love.
To
symbolize the philosophical life stance they share, Daniel and Dawn
will exchange vows as they drink of nature’s sweet nectar.
(I turn to Dawn and Daniel. Andy gives Daniel the chalice
to hold. Amber hands me the wine bottle.
Daniel
and Dawn face each other.)
As I pour nectar into this chalice cup, think of the wonderful times
you have shared, the love you feel today, and the wonderful future
ahead of you.
Daniel,
please take a sip and tell Dawn that you are committed to this marriage
and intend to remain honest and loving until death do you part.
(Daniel
takes a sip, repeats the above, and passes the cup to Dawn, keeping
his hand on the chalice. They remain looking at each other.)
Dawn, please take a sip and tell Daniel that you are committed
to this marriage and intend to remain honest and loving until death
do you part. (Dawn
takes a sip and repeats the above. The chalice is then given to
Margaret who holds it up for all to see – still facing Daniel and
Dawn, however.)
You
have shared this sweet nectar while professing your love to each
other. As I commit the remainder of the nectar back to the
earth (Margaret steps to the side and pours the rest of the nectar
on the ground), I remind you that just as nature gives us sweetness
to enjoy – nature and unforeseeable circumstances can also bring
us pain.
The people sharing this day with you have hopes that your marriage
will endure all obstacles. Your commitment to each other in the
presence of those who love you has strengthened your determination
to succeed in forming a loving marriage. A
loving marriage will endure the difficult times and result in stronger
ties. Savory the joyous times and use their memory to help you overcome
hardships.
Daniel, what
token do you offer Dawn as a symbol of your commitment to her?
(Ring
is handed to Daniel.)
Daniel,
"This ring."
Do you Daniel
take Dawn to be your wife and pledge to her your respect and faithful
love from this day forward? (Daniel
affirms) Please
place Dawn’s ring on her finger.
Dawn,
what token do you offer Daniel as a symbol of your commitment to
her? (Ring
is handed to Dawn.)
Dawn,
"This ring."
Do you Dawn,
take Daniel to be your husband and pledge to him your respect and
faithful love from this day forward? (Dawn
affirms)
Please place Daniel’s ring on his finger.
Daniel
and Dawn, you will be reminded each day of your commitment to this
marriage by the wearing of these rings.
Just as the
circle is without end, your love for each other is eternal. Just
as your rings are constant, your commitment to each other will never
fail. With
the exchange of these rings and the sharing of nature’s sweet nectar,
you have taken each other as partners for life. As your Secular
Humanist Celebrant, I join you together, man to woman, husband to
wife, Daniel to Dawn.
Please
embrace and kiss for the first time as a married couple.
I
now present to you Daniel and Dawn Sherman.
