Uniquely, I Do's Couples

Mike & Natalie

 09-03-210

Kennewick Lighthouse

This was the first ceremony at the new lighthouse in Kennewick, WA. See the article IN THE NEWS!

The Vows:

Welcome family and friends. We are gathered today to celebrate the wedding of Mike and Natalie. The location of today's ceremony is not only powerful and beautiful, but ripe with symbolic meaning. This lighthouse is the first to be built in the United States since 1962 and this is the first wedding ceremony to take place before it.

The purpose of a lighthouse is to guide vessels. Night and day, in any kind of weather, its light illuminates the safe harbor to travelers on water and land. Its beam falls on everyone alike. Pilgrim or pirate, saint or sinner. Its rays are available equally, without condition or limitation.

True love displays many of the same characteristics as a lighthouse.

So it is fitting that today Mike and Natalie exchange their marriage vows before this beautiful new lighthouse. The light of their love and the strength of the promises made shall be a beacon through their lives, shall guide them home when it is seems hard to find their way, will remain solid and strong even after the storms to come, will be their safety and shelter in the harbor of marriage.

Mike and Natalie, you have found in each other great passion, love and romance. You have a need, want, desire to forever commit to the one you have found the deepest love, formed the deepest bonds, given the deepest trust.  So I ask now,

Mike, do you take Natalie to be your lawful wedded wife?

Will you promise to love, honor, and protect her? Share the good times as well as the hard times? Keep her in sickness and in health and to be faithful to her forevermore?

Natalie, do you take Mike to be your lawful wedded husband?

Will you promise to love, honor, and protect him? Share the good times as well as the hard times? Keep him in sickness and in health and to be faithful to him forevermore?

Mike, please place the ring on Natalie’s finger and repeat after me, “With this ring I thee wed, pledging to you all my love and faithfulness forevermore.”

Natalie, please place the ring on Mike’s finger and repeat after me, “With this ring I thee wed, pledging to you all my love and faithfulness forevermore.”

From this moment forth I ask you both to remember these vows, this commitment, the meaning of the rings you now wear.  Remember to always need one another, not so much to fill the emptiness as to help each other know your fullness. Want one another, but not out of lack. Love and be loved.

Mike and Natalie, by the light of your love, the power of your commitment and the authority vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife.

Before you seal your marriage with a kiss, I would like you to exchange your first gift as husband and wife. (Take roses)

The rose has always been considered a symbol of love and a single rose always means only one thing, I love you.

I would like you to pick a location in your home for the roses and the roses to come. On each anniversary of this day, both of you should take a rose to that spot, as a recommitment of your marriage, your commitment and your love. 

 Each year as you lay a rose, remember this marriage ceremony, and the love that brought you here today. Remember, it is only love that can make this a glorious union, and it is by love which your marriage shall endure throughout  the years.

 In the days, weeks and years of your lives together, there will be difficult times. It might be hard sometimes to find the words to say "I am sorry" or "I forgive you"; "I need you" or "I am hurting.”  When either of you struggle for these words, leave a rose to your spot and allow it to open the dialogue, for that single rose will say what matters most of all, ‘I love you.”

 Mike, do you accept Natalie’s gift of a rose, to be a symbol of her love today, and a lovely reminder and guide in her tomorrows?

 Natalie, do you accept Mike’s gift of a rose, to be a symbol of his love today, and a lovely reminder and guide in her tomorrows?

Mike and Natalie, you now wear the rings you have chosen to symbolize your marriage and have exchanged your first gift. The commitment of this marriage will strengthen the home you have established with your children. Like this lighthouse, may your love stand the test of time.

 I ask that you now seal this ceremony… Mike, you may kiss your bride.

Friends and family, I present to you Mr. & Mrs….