Processional:
Judge, Brandon, Sean, Gene, Casey, Brent, Brian Rachel, Maggie, Allison, Amy, Hannah & Noah Kim

Welcome (Brandon)
Welcome family and friends. We have come together today to celebrate the union of two souls as they join themselves to one another. It is a wonderful thing when two people vow to share life's triumphs and endure its burdens together. Thank you for offering your love and support today as Brian and Kim make their vows.

Reading (Allison) - 1 Corinthians 13

(Amy takes Allison's place as Allison reads. Allison steps into Amy's place after the reading.)

(Brandon)

Love is one of the most powerful forces in the universe. It brings hearts together to find greater peace than they ever could alone. Love is an expression and assertion of self - esteem, a response to one's own values in the person of another. The declaration of one's love for another, then, is not a vow to be taken lightly. To love another, to allow yourself to be loved, is a challenging endeavor. It is a brave person who can open his soul to share it with another.

For as long as people have loved, couples have sought to publicly declare their love through ceremony. The ceremony that Brian and Kim have chosen to perform today is intended to reflect their unique nature while drawing from and honoring the traditions of the past. What you will witness today is a handfasting. It has it's roots in both Celtic and Christian history. It began as a form of trial marriage in rural areas where priests and ministers were not readily available. This practice diminished when clergy became more readily available to rural populations, yet the handfasting ceremony continued as people adapted it into becoming the actual marriage ceremony when performed by the clergy. The influence of this ceremony is still seen today in the cliché for getting married, "Tying the knot." In choosing to perform this type of ceremony, Brian and Kim seek to acknowledge the ability of love to transcend cultural barriers. They honor the many other couples who, throughout history, have joined in a similar union.

(join hands)

The hands offered by each of you are extensions of yourself. Cherish the touch, for you touch not only your own but another life. Honor this connection with the utmost reverence. The vows you make and the ties that are bound serve to strengthen the union you two have formed.

I bid you look into each others eyes.

Brian, Will you cause her pain?
I May
Is that you intent?
No

Kim, Will you cause him pain?
I may
Is that you intent?
No

(to Both)
Will you share each other's pain and seek to ease it?
Yes

And so the binding is made.

(Purple cord is draped across the bride and grooms hands)

Brian, Will you share her laughter?
Yes
Kim, Will you share his laughter?
Yes

(To Both)
Will both of you look for the brightness in life and the positive in each other?
Yes
And so the binding is made.

(Blue cord is draped across the couples hands)

Kim, Will you burden him?
I may
Is that you intent?
No

Brian, Will you burden her?
I may (... he actually said "umm.. no")
Is that your intent?
No

(To Both)
Will you share the burdens of each so that your spirits may grow in this union?
Yes

And so the binding is made.
(brown cord)

Brian, will you share her dreams?
Yes

Kim, will you share his dreams?
Yes

(To Both)
Will you dream together to create new realities and hopes?
Yes

And so the binding is made.
(white cord)

Brian, will you cause her anger?
I may
Is that you intent?
No

Kim, will you cause him anger?
I may
Is that your intent?
No

(To Both)
Will you take the heat of anger and use it to temper the strength of this union?
We Will

And so the binding is made.
(red cord)

Brian, Will you honor her?
I will

Kim, Will you honor him?
I will

(To Both)
Will you seek to never give cause to break that honor?
We shall never do so

And so the binding is made.
(gold cord)

(Tie cords together while saying:) The knots of this binding are not formed by these cords but instead by your vows. Either of you may drop the chords, for, as always, you hold in your own hands the making of breaking of this union.
(Judge steps forward, Brandon back)

Vows (Judge)
Repeat after me:
I Brian take you Kim to be my wife. I will ease your pain and share in your laughter. I will take up your burdens and make real your dreams. I will temper your anger and honor your spirit. I will love and cherish you all the days of my life.

I Kim take you Brian to be my husband. I will ease your pain and share in your laughter. I will take up your burdens and make real your dreams. I will temper your anger and honor your spirit. I will love and cherish you all the days of my life.

(Cords are then removed)

Rings (Judge)

The circle is a powerful symbol of eternity. These rings have neither beginning nor end. They represent the timelessness of love. The metal is strong, as love is strong enough to overcome any hardship. The metal is brilliant, as love's guiding force lights the path these two now begin to follow.

Brian, place the ring on Kim's finger and repeat after me:
Take this ring as an outward symbol of our bond. As this circle has no end neither shall my love for you.

Kim, place this ring on Brian's finger and repeat after me:
Take this ring as an outward symbol of our bond. As this circle has no end neither shall my love for you.

May this be but the beginning of a relationship that will grow and mature with each passing year until the latter days become even more wonderful than the first.

I now pronounce you husband and wife.
You may kiss the bride.

(Cheesy reads Shakespeare Sonnet CXVI:Let me not to the marriage of true minds admit impediments)

Closing (Brandon)
Thank you friends and family for joining with us today to celebrate this union. Love was at the heart of this ceremony, but the love here today extends beyond the couple before you. The love and friendship you offer are significant. Your presence here today is appreciated.

May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be always at your back, May the sun shine warm on your faces, The rain fall soft upon you, and may life hold you in the hollow of its hand.

Ladies and gentlemen, may I now present to you for the first time, Kimberly and Brian Naylor.
(Recessional)
Brian & Kim
Brandon & Judge
Noah & Hannah
Allison & Brent
Casey & Amy
Gene & Maggie
Sean & Rachel