Reflections Jenny & Jason 1 October 2016

Jenny & Jason

A Wedding

Bride Jenny Gibson

Friends Stephen and Annamaree Lynn and Sharron Peter and Cecila Valda Trevor and Yvonne Eric and Lesley Mydawny and Ian David and Sue John and Bev John and Debbie John and Linda Graham and Lesley Photographers Capture it School of Photography Venue No. 1 The Strand, Tauranga Caterers Juz Catering

Groom Jason Whitcombe Bridesmaid Michelle Whyte Best Man Joshua Whitcombe Family John and Jill Joshua and Tessa Graheme and Ivy David and Karen Allan and Ann Steve and Michelle Scott and Vanessa Celebrant Christine Grant Master of Ceremonies Stephen Hatfield

Jason Mark Whitcombe and Jenny Elisabeth Gibson Saturday 1st October 2016

Welcome family and very special friends to this wonderful day the wedding of Jenny and Jason. They are delighted that you are able to witness and share their wedding day. I am Christine Grant and it is my privilege to be their celebrant

Today truly is a day filled with love, with hope, trust and commitment. For all of us our lives are a sequence of memories. Be that memory written in words, written in pictures or in our hearts and today you are all here to help with this memory and to participate in its making.

No doubt many of you already have many memories of Jenny and Jason perhaps individually or since late 2013 when they started dating.

Jason first met Jenny at a Chamber of Commerce ‘newbie’s’ gathering in 2012, where Jenny asked Jason if he would consider joining her breakfast small business networking and support group, as they currently did not have an accountant as part of the group.

In November 2013 Jenny used a drinks voucher she had been given as a business card draw prize at her breakfast group, which Jason duly won. The problem was that Jason did not know who to invite, he certainly did not want to sit in the bar all on his own. Well, during this particular meeting he happened to overhear Jenny say to another member of the group that she was currently single. Jason sat there thinking “Well, well, well, fancy that, Jenny is single”. Then the butterflies started and his heart started beating faster and a smile appeared on his face.

So, later that day he took the bull by the horns and sent Jenny an email asking her if she would join him for a drink to use the voucher. In the email he said that “as the voucher appears to be your fault, you have to say yes, as I’ll never be brave enough to go on my own and I don’t make a very good wall flower.” To his delight and relief Jenny accepted. 10 months later on 1 October 2014 Jason moved in with Jenny. And now we have gathered here exactly 2 years to the day on 1 October 2016 as Jenny and Jason “commit to each other in marriage”.

However, there is a little secret I can share with you, it was Jenny who elicited a proposal out of Jason. Jenny has been working in Auckland recently and the proposal occurred when Jason sent Jenny a txt message with some emoticons, a heart, a smiley face blowing kisses, and another heart. Jenny replied with some emoticons also, two hearts, a kiss, and a ring. Jason’s first thought was that the ring meant that he was supposed to pick up the phone and ‘ring’ Jenny. Jason teasingly replied back asking “does the ring mean you want to get married” expecting the reply to be “No, I want you to ring me.” However, much to Jason’s surprise, Jenny’s reply was a simple “Yes”. Very clever on Jenny’s part to use Jason’s cheeky sense of humour against him to elicit a marriage proposal…and aren’t we so delighted that she did as today Jenny and Jason are entering a partnership where they will

give freely of themselves to the other so that they may genuinely share their life alongside one another.

Thank you Jenny and Jason we are all thrilled to join with you today and wish you a wonderful long life together as the following words further depict

If you can love each other through the sunshine and the storm and keep the flame of true devotion glowing bright and warm. If you can give each other room to grow and change and to learn, yet still hold one another close in mutual concern.

If you can be both lovers and the very best of friends and face together hand in hand the challenges life sends. If you can offer patience and comfort and encourage one another’s efforts, and always be understanding. If you can show true love and faith in everything you do then married life will surely hold much joy for both of you.

Giving Away of the Bride

Family and friends, we now come to the part of the ceremony traditionally known as the “Giving Away of the Bride.”

Graheme, do you support Jenny’s decision to join in marriage with Jason, and do you receive Jason as a member of your family. (Graheme will stand and affirm in his own words). Thank you so much.

John, do you support Jason’s decision to join in marriage with Jenny, and do you receive Jenny as a member of your family. (John will stand and affirm in his own words). Thank you so much.

The Declaration of Intention

Family and friends, we now require a declaration of intention from our bride and groom as the covenant of marriage is one that can be entered into only by persons who are legally free to offer themselves to each other.

Jenny and Jason, you are marrying today and declaring to each other and to your family and friends, your commitment to each other for the remainder of your lives because as you have acknowledged…..marriage is a choice…a choice that you have made… a choice that says I will love and care for you always … and I remind you that marriage is a precious gift, a lifelong commitment, and at times a challenge to love one another more completely each and every day ….…. so I now ask you to answer the following Jenny and Jason, do you acknowledge the choice you are making? (we do)

Do you come here freely and without reservation, to enter a relationship living together as lawful wedded husband and wife? (we do)

Do you promise to love, respect, assist and look after each other for the rest of your lives? (we do)

Wedding Vows

We now come to the most important part of this ceremony, the wedding vows. Vows are a worldwide tradition, whereby couples declare their commitment to each other in the presence of their family and friends.

Jenny and Jason your vows are the promises you will now make, as your pledge to one another your trust, your loyalty and love. You are sharing the greatest gifts of all and that is respect and love. May you nurture these gifts forever.

Jason

On this day I call upon these people here present to witness that I, Jason Mark Whitcombe take you, Jenny Elizabeth Gibson as my lawfully wedded wife.

My wonderful Jenny, on this day I give to you my heart: to love, to cherish, to treasure, nurture and nourish, to hold with tenderness and affection with all of your love.

My beautiful Jenny, on this day I take your heart: to love, to cherish, to treasure, nurture and nourish, to hold with tenderness and affection with all of my love.

(Jenny

Today I call upon these people here present to witness that I, Jenny Elizabeth Gibson take you, Jason Mark Whitcombe as my lawfully wedded husband.

To love and respect; to support and encourage. May the force be with us to boldly go through a life of learning, loving and sharing.

Giving of Wedding Rings

Family and friends, during a wedding ceremony, wedding rings are usually exchanged and it is traditional to wear them on the fourth finger of the left hand because of an ancient belief that a vein from that finger goes directly to the heart hence symbolizing love.

The vows, which have been exchanged by Jenny and Jason, have been witnessed by us all and …. as much as words are powerful, they are also fleeting therefore their wedding rings will be the one enduring symbol to recall the promises they have made to each other

on this Special Day.

And today let us also acknowledge that love and weddings are not only about couples but also about families coming together many with different backgrounds and ideals and the acceptance of one another’s families is so very important for a couple.

Therefore today, in a very special gesture of love, approval and acceptance we would like to ask Ivy and Jill to bless and accept this marriage by the giving of the wedding rings.

Ivy, would you now like to give Jason, Jenny’s wedding ring, as this ring represents his love for your beautiful niece. Thank you.

Family and friends, Jason has written a special reading for Jenny……

Mine True Love

Mine true love, thou art fairest of all maidens fairest, Wane is the sun compared to thy smiles radiance Whey faced the stars art when into thy eyes sparkle I do gaze Dowdy the young maidens at which time their presence thee doth share

The scent of thy tulips doest intoxicate madly and maketh mine headeth swirl Stagger about as a drunkard I doth with thy honey on mine lips As a madman I chase thy embrace and the softness of thy thighs Desire I doth to caress thy countenance and thy womanhood

Thy love daggers has’t mine heart mortally wounded, mine soul cleaved Pierced deep, mine soul wilt sing your name as mine last breath Thy love the only morsel desired, the only wine to passeth mine lips Without thy love mine heart and mine soul would surely whither and vade

Cold thy chamber and bitter thy wine upon thy loves departure Sweet thy wine, passionate thy chamber, upon mine true loves return Content is mine soul, whole is mine heart, at which time in mine armeth thee do lay Bound is mine heart, mine soul to thee, mine true love.

Jason, with the ring for your bride will you please take her left hand in yours, place the ring on her finger and say after me Bound is mine heart, mine soul to thee, as with this ring I thee wed mine true love

Jill, would you now like to give Jenny, Jason’s wedding ring, as this ring represents her love for your handsome son. Thank you.

These I Can Promise

I cannot promise you a life of sunshine; I cannot promise riches, wealth, or gold; I cannot promise you an easy pathway That leads away from change or growing old. But I can promise all my heart's devotion; A smile to chase away your tears of sorrow; A love that's ever true and ever growing; A hand to hold in yours through each tomorrow.

Mark Twain

Jenny, with the ring for your groom will you please take his left hand in yours, place the ring on his finger and say after me Jason, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and friendship.

Jenny and Jason, these wedding rings serve as a symbol of the vows you have taken today. They are the outward and visible sign of an inward and invisible love that binds your lives together. These rings are a symbol of the unbroken circle of love as love freely given has no beginning and no end. Wear them with love and honour always.

The Signing

Family and friends, we now come to the signing of the marriage certificates and would like to invite Michelle and Joshua to come forward and witness. While we are signing if you could all please remain where you are, enjoy the music and the magic of this special occasion and we will conclude the ceremony after the signing is completed. Thank you.

Family and friends before Jenny and Jason are pronounced to be married; they are going to share a reading with each other.

Family and friends, Jenny has a special reading for Jason……

When the One

When the one whose hand you’re holding is the one who holds your heart.

When the one whose eyes you gaze into gives your hopes and dreams their start. When the one you think of first and last is the one who holds you tight, and the things you plan together make the whole world seem just right. When the one whom you believe in puts their faith and trust in you. We've found the one and only love We'll share our whole life through.

Pronouncement

Jenny and Jason you have made promises to each other and you have exchanged rings as a symbol of your love. On behalf of everyone gathered here, I extend to you our love, our good wishes and may all your dreams be fulfilled.

As a celebrant appointed under the laws of New Zealand, I am truly delighted to pronounce you to be Husband and Wife.

Jason, you may now kiss your beautiful wife for the first time!!

Family and friends, it is a tradition of mine, to hand the marriage certificate after the signing to the couple for safe keeping. Jenny and Jason please file it with love and care as you begin your journey together as husband and wife.

Jenny and Jason, you share today the joy of a deep commitment and sacred trust. You have given each other the most precious gift love. Treasure it, nurture it and encourage it with all the honesty you used in creating it. You are sharing something rare and beautiful.

Always speak the truth and listen attentively so that you may understand each other’s thoughts and intentions. Inspire each other by sharing your accomplishments. Say I love you often to retain the warmth between you.

Laugh a lot too, even when you may be angry. Remember you are each other’s friend; stand together and for each other always and may each day be a blessing and a fulfilment of your dreams.

Family and friends let us spend a moment as we think of the love that Jenny and Jason have for each other. We congratulate them and wish them a safe journey in their life together……and now before I present them…… in the words of John Lennon “A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality”.

And now family and friends please welcome the new ….

Mr. & Mrs. Whitcombe. Congratulations.

Jasons Family

Jennys Family

The Whytecombes

The Happy Couple

Cycling Companions & Friends

Champagne & Canapes

Cranberry and Macadamia Brie with Toasted fig and walnut Bruschetta, and GF toasted fingers (V)

Mini chicken, bacon Burgers with Bamboo skewers

Beef and Red Wine Pies with Caramelised Onions

latter with Feta and Pistachio whip, mashed zucchini and tomatoes, eggplant in spicy honey sauce with toasted Turkish finger and Bruschetta Veuve de Vernay Champagne

The Monmouth Redoubt

Cliff Road Rose Gardens

The Tying of the Knot

Cliff Road Winter Gardens

No. 1 The Strand

Wedding Breakfast

Cycling Companions & Friends

And

Thank you to all who attended our special day.