Ceremony Text

Mothers light candles

Officiant: Ask parents something like who brings these people here today? Parents respond.

Officiant: Welcome

Officiant: Explanation of chuppah
The chuppah is the symbol of the home Katie and Brian are creating together. Its four sides are open, symbolizing the importance of community in their lives. Friends and family fill the home. The roof of the chuppah symbolizes the importance of what is beyond ourselves and the presence, in our hearts, of those whom we love who cannot rejoice with us today. The fragility of the chuppah is a reminder that a home is only as strong as the love of its inhabitants who choose to be together, to be a family. Katie and Brian's only anchor is in their shared love, seen in the grasping of their hands

Officiant: Loved Ones
There are also those who were close to Katie and Brian who are no longer with us but who we remember today, because they have been such an important part in their lives. Their spirits touched them and helped make them the individuals they are. Let us remember them now in a moment of silence. (insert names here)

Officiant: Acknowledge two traditions
Katie and Brian have created this ceremony. They have woven from threads of two traditions, a fabric that represents who they are together. They wish to share with you their reflections on marriage and their hopes for the future.

Officiant: Charge

Officiant: Address

Officiant: Reading 1: I Love You by Roy Croft

I love you,
Not only for what you are,
But for what I am when I am with you.

I love you,
Not only for what you have made of yourself,
But for what you are making of me.

I love you for
the part of me that you bring out;
I love you for
putting your hand into my heaped-up heart
And passing over all the foolish, weak things
that you can't help dimly seeing there,
And for drawing out into the light
All the beautiful belongings
that no one else had looked
Quite far enough to find.

I love you because you
Are helping me to make
Of the lumber of my life
Not a tavern, but a temple;
Out of the works
Of my every day
Not a reproach
But a song.

Officiant: Unity Candle
"From every human being there rises a light that reaches straight to heaven. And when two souls are destined to find one another, their two streams of light flow together and a single brighter light goes forth from their united being." (Katie and Brian light candle, while Officiant speaks)

Officiant: Reading 2: Apache Blessing

Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be the shelter for each other.
Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be the warmth for the other.
Now you are two persons, but there is only one life before.
Go now to your dwelling place to enter into the days of your life together.
And may your days be good and long upon the earth.

Vows

I promise to always be your best friend.
I promise to always stand with you through the difficult times in life.
I promise to always listen to you with an open heart.
I promise to always nurture your spirit and encourage your dreams.
I promise to always love you for who your are,
because I know you will always love me for who I am.
These are my vows to you.

Rings
Best Man gives rings
"With this ring I join my life with yours. You are my beloved and you are my friend."

Officiant: Blessing

Officiant: Pronouncement

Kiss

Break Glass
Best Man: places glass in front of groom
Brian: Break Glass (explanation was in our program)

Kiss again

Officiant: introduces new names

Program Text

The Unity Candle is a visual expression of the unity of people with each other. With flames taken from the candles lit by their mothers, the unity candle will be lit to symbolize the new unity of the bride and groom.

The Breaking of the Glass is a tradition with several meanings. It teaches us that in times of joy we must also realize life has sadness and sorrow. Some people say that the breaking of the glass symbolizes the irrevocable change in the lives of the couple. The sound of the breaking glass is said to frighten away evil spirits from the couple. It also warns us that love, like glass, is fragile and must be protected. And, of course, the breaking of the glass marks the beginning of the celebration.

After the groom breaks the glass, you are invited to shout the Hebrew words "Mazel Tov," which means "Good Luck" and "Congratulations."

The single roses on the alter are in memory ...

My feet dance more lightly because of you.
My heart beats more strongly because of you.
My eyes see more clearly because of you.
My mouth smiles more easily because of you.
And I will love you always because you are you.
based on an Eskimo love song

A marriage…
makes of two fractional lives
a whole;
It gives to two purposeless lives
a work,
and doubles the strength
of each to perform it;
it gives to two
questioning natures
a reason for living,
and something to live for;
it will give a new gladness
to the sunshine,
a new fragrance to the flowers,
a new beauty to the earth,
and a new mystery to life.
Mark Twain

I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine
Song of Songs

Invitation Text

Together with their parents
Katherine Marie Miller
and
Brian Samuel Kleinman
invite you to share in the celebration of their marriage
as they begin their new life together
on Tuesday, the thirty-first of December
Two thousand and two
at seven-thirty in the evening
Touch of Elegance
5959 Kellogg Avenue
Cincinnati, Ohio
Reception to follow at a Touch of Elegance