Adam & Maria

07-04-2010

Photos by Jaymie Darden Photography

Location: Stone Ridge Event Center, Pasco

The Ceremony & Vows:

~Welcome~

Welcome family, friends and loved ones. We are gathered here today to celebrate the wedding of Adam and Maria.

The tradition of the father giving away his daughter began as a symbol of his blessing of the marriage. Clemente and Bill, you have had the honor, responsibility and privilege to watch Maria grow into a beautiful woman. Today, she will become a wife and each of you will welcome Adam as a son and trust in him the responsibility once yours. So I ask now for the declaration of this trust and blessing,

Who gives this woman to this man?

Her mother and I. [Clemente says, gives Maria a kiss and shakes Adam’s hand and is seated.]

Sheree and I. [ Billy says, gives Maria a kiss and shakes Adam’s hand and is seated.]

Every marriage ceremony is unique, and today, not only are two special people being joined together, but two cultures as well. From two different and families and traditions, Maria and Adam appreciate their differences, and confirm that love, which is spoken in all languages, is our true home, our true meeting place. May we all see that our love for each other is truly a gift. Happy are those who come in the name of life. Happy are those who come in the name of love."

~Opening Prayer~

Let us begin with an opening prayer.

"Behold the Light of Love.
There is no Grace more glorious.
Only Love turns our heads away
so as not to see small faults or lackings in another.
And it is just that action which imitates Divine Mercy,
which is the Path to Peace.
May Love shine, and Peace prevail,
over all of us gathered here today. Amen."

Maria and Adam would like to thank you for being here today, and for supporting them through the 7 years it has taken to make this day a reality. They want you all to know the deep appreciation and gratitude they feel in their hearts. You are the most important people in their lives. You have shared their best and worst days. You are an irreplaceable part of their yesterdays, their today, and all of their tomorrows.

Today Maria and Adam will give and receive a precious gift from one another. They give each other a promise to be deserving of the faith and trust that they place in one another as husband and wife. This responsibility is not taken lightly.

~Declaration of Intent~

Adam and Maria, marriage is an opportunity for happiness. It is also risky business. Two people who choose the partnership of love and loyalty need many skills to make it work. Along with excitement, suspense, outrageous beauty and amazing charm, you need patience, kindness, generosity, good humor, and the ability to compromise. You need to remember never to go to bed angry, or leave home upset. Be persistent, genuine and nurturing. Trust one another, motivate one another, respect one another and be willing to be vulnerable. And always, Adam, keep Maria’s I-touch filled lovingly with new music, she likes that.

Risky business it may be, almost nothing offers a greater possibility for living life well than marriage. When marriage works, it justifies all the effort. Life is richer when experience and adventures are shared. We are more ourselves when we are responding to the mutual gift of love. A truly loving relationship brings out the best in each other.

To choose marriage is to accept a great challenge. Through the never ending stages of life, from becoming parents, to personal changes, triumphs and disappoints, your love will be tried, your patience tested, your determination weakened. Remember these times will pass, and from it your love and commitment will deepen. Love will see you grow old, and keep you company in this life.

Adam and Maria, are you ready for this challenge to love one another through every chapter of your lives? (in unison, We are)

~Reading by Alexis~

Some of the most tender moments and tender words come from children. Alexis, will you please come share the poem you have for Adam and Maria?

Give each other room to grow,

yet find a place to share and call home,

Always let each other know

how tenderly you care...

Learn to fill each other's lives

with laughter, warmth and fun,

AND you will  know the miracle

of two becoming one!!!

~Lazo Ceremony~

Adam and Maria have chosen to incorporate the Lasso into their wedding ceremony today. The Lasso is a Spanish wedding ritual in which the couple is bound together.

Alec and Marisela, will you please take the lasso and bind Adam and Maria?

Adam and Maria, with full awareness, know that with the draping of the Lasso across both of your hearts, you are showing your own free will to be bound together before your friends and family. The lasso signifies that your souls are becoming one and your love will be everlasting.

~Vow & Ring Exchange~

Alec and Marisela, will you hold in your hands the rings entrusted to you by Maria and Adam? (they hold out the wedding bands in the palm of their hands) Your hands serve as a symbol of how Maria and Adam are supported by the love of their friends and family. May these rings be blessed and keep Adam and Maria safe through their journey through life together.

Adam, do you promise, in the spirit of love and joy and hope that brings you here today, to take Maria to be your lawfully wedded wife?"


 

If you will please repeat your vows to Maria after me:

“Maria, with you, I have discovered the passions of life.

You are the girl of my dreams,

The woman who makes my life amazing.

You will always have my respect,

As my best friend, lover,

And someday, mother of my children.

I will always be proud to call you my wife.”

“I thank you for accepting me for who I am,

For recognizing my strengths,

For seeing in me the type of man you want to spend your life with.

You are the one person I can relate to,

Laugh and enjoy life with.”

“There are no boundaries as to what we can,

And will, accomplish together.”

I promise to always motivate you,

And help you overcome challenges.

I will learn with you,

And embrace each adventure,

As we share our lives together.”

Will you now place the ring, a symbol of your forever love, on Maria's finger and repeat after me? (takes ring from BM.)

Adam places the ring half way on to Maria's finger

"I, Adam, take you Maria to be my wife
I will love you, and honor you,
respect and cherish you
All the days of my life."

Maria, do you promise, in the spirit of love and joy and hope that brings you here today, to take Adam to be your lawfully wedded husband?

If you will please repeat your vows to Adam after me:

“Adam, with you, I have discovered the passions of life.

You are the man of my dreams,

You make my life sweet as the candies you surprise me with,

Beautiful as the flowers you bring me, just because.

You will always have my respect,

As my best friend, lover,

And someday, father of my children.

I will always be proud to call you my husband.”

“I thank you for accepting me for who I am,

For recognizing my strengths.

I never feel more beautiful,

Then when I see my reflection in your eyes.

You are the one person I can relate to,

Laugh and enjoy life with.”

“There are no boundaries as to what we can,

And will, accomplish together.”

I promise to always motivate you,

And help you overcome challenges.

I will learn with you,

And embrace each adventure,

As we share the chapter of our lives together.”

Will you now place the ring, a symbol of your forever love, on Adam's finger and repeat after me?"

"I, Maria, take you, Adam, to be my husband.
I will love you, and honor you,
respect and cherish you
All the days of my life."


 

Alec and Marisela, will you please remove the lasso.

~Unity Candle~

Adam and Maria, you have chosen to affirm your love by the lighting of a unity candle. If you will please move to stand before the candles.

It is said, ‘From every human being there rises a light that reaches straight to heaven. And when two souls are destined for each other and find each other, their streams of light flow together and a single, brighter light goes forth from their united being.’ (by Baal Shem Tov)

If you will please take your individual candles and together light the center candle symbolizing the unity of your hearts and souls.

~Declaration of Marriage~

Adam and Maria, it is with great honor and by the authority vested in me to pronounce you as your hearts have always known you to be, Husband and Wife. Adam, you may kiss your beautiful Bride!"

~Blessing~

I would like to close this ceremony with  a blessing for Maria and Adam’s marriage:

Life and love are the greatest gifts bestowed upon humanity.

May your union grant you patience, tolerance, and understanding

as well as the passion and excitement every marriage should possess.

May you need one another, as a sign of strength.

May you hunger for one another, as a sign of fulfillment.

May you enchant one another, as a sign of harmony.

May you embrace one another, as a sign of unity.

May you support one another, as a sign of mutual independence.

May you continually rediscover your love in one another, as the greatest gift of all.

~Recessional~

Friends and family, for the first time ever, Mr. & Mrs. Adam Buxbam! (Recessional music and exit).