Wedding Ceremony for Julie and Andy

Roughlock Falls, Spearfish Canyon

Lawrence County, Savoy, South Dakota

Greeting

We are gathered here today to celebrate one of life's greatest moments, to give recognition to the worth and beauty of love, and to add our best wishes to the words which shall unite Andy and Julie in marriage.

Presentation of the Bride

Who gives this woman to be married to this man? Father of the Bride: “I do.”

Consent

Andy, do you take Julie to be your wife, to love, honor, comfort, and cherish from this day forth?  Andy: “I do”

Julie, do you take Andy to be your husband, to love, honor, comfort, and cherish from this day forth? Julie: “I do”

Reading

Love’s Philosophy by Percy Bysshe Shelley

The fountains mingle with the river and the rivers with the oceans, the winds of heaven mix forever with a sweet emotion; nothing in the world is single; all things by a law divine in one spirit meet and mingle. Why not I with thine?

 

See the mountains kiss high heaven, and the waves clasp one another; no sister-flower would be forgiven if it disdained its brother, and the sunlight clasps the earth and the moonbeams kiss the sea: What is all this sweet work worth if thou kiss not me?

Address

Let us take some time to look around us, to hear the special music written by the trees, the birds and animals, and the waterfall.  This place, Roughlock Falls, holds a special meaning for Andy and Julie. Andy first brought Julie to Roughlock Falls in 1999 when she came to the Black Hills with him for the first time. When they arrived, they made Roughlock Falls the first place they visited.  They had been dating for some time but it was at this place that they realized they were in love and meant to be together forever. Two years later they visited Roughlock Falls again and with the music of the waterfall all around them, Andy asked Julie to be his wife.  And now, they have chosen to become husband and wife in this special place. 

Andy and Julie, as you go into your marriage take the symbol of this special place into your life and remember that a waterfall can be a rough and rocky place, violent and filled with turmoil as it rushes over the edge, but it is also a beautiful and powerful force that can withstand whatever comes its way.  The falling turmoil does not leave it lying broken at the bottom but it bears the tough times and continues to flow smoothly on the rest of its journey.  When you are faced with hard times together, just remember the waterfall you have chosen as a place and symbol of your love for each other and you too will continue to be whole and strong as you follow your path into the future together. Let the beauty of your love, like this place, fill your hearts and lives, offering strength and support to your

marriage. Rejoice, also, in the times that allow you to feel the peace and comfort of a smooth path.  While celebrating your love and marriage remember that for a waterfall to continue it must embrace both the turmoil and the peaceful. Please let the magic of this place and this moment fill you as you exchange your vows to one another, joining your hearts and your lives forever.

Vows

Andy and Julie, please face one another and hold hands.

Andy, repeat after me: The sun smiles on us today, our wedding day, and how can it not, for our love is stronger than forever and our hearts beat together as one. My joy is indescribable as I take you as my wife this day and promise to be a true and faithful husband from this day forward, in all life’s circumstances, as we face them together. In the joys and sorrows, the good times and bad, in sickness or in health, I will always be there for you, to comfort you, love you, honor and cherish you, now and forevermore.

Julie, repeat after me: The sun smiles on us today, our wedding day, and how can it not, for our love is stronger than forever and our hearts beat together as one. My joy is indescribable as I take you as my husband this day and promise to be a true and faithful wife from this day forward, in all life’s circumstances, as we face them together. In the joys and sorrows, the good times and bad, in sickness or in health, I will always be there for you, to comfort you, love you, honor and cherish you, now and forevermore.

Rings

Rings are made precious by our wearing them.  They carry our meaning; they say who we are, where we have been, and where we are going. They become us; they reflect us; they are a symbol of our truest essence.  Your wedding rings are most special because they say that even in your uniqueness you have chosen to be bonded, to allow the presence of another human being to enhance who you are.  Your rings carry the potent double message:  We are individuals and yet we belong; we are not alone.  As you wear them through time, they will reflect not only who you are but also the union you are making; the fact that through the rest of your lives each of you will be imprinted by the other, yet as yourself remain.

Exchanging of the Rings

Andy as you place the ring on Julie’s finger, repeat after me: As the sign from my heart that I desire to live with you from this day forward as my wife, and that you may remember forever that I have chosen you above all others, I give you this ring as a sign of my love.

Julie as you place the ring on Andy’s finger, repeat after me: As the sign from my heart that I desire to live with you from this day forward as my husband, and that you may remember forever that I have chosen you above all others, I give you this ring as a sign of my love.

Pronouncement of Marriage:

Because you have chosen one another, honored each other with the precious gift of rings and pledged to love each other for all the days of your lives, it gives me great joy to pronounce you husband and wife.  You may kiss your bride.

Presentation:

And now, to all the friends and family who have come to celebrate this marriage, I would like to present, for the first time anywhere, Mr. and Mrs. Andy and Julie.