I Give You This Ring . . .
Written by
Rev. Jude Smith RevJude.com 845.337.6996
Photos by
Sameer A. Khan fotobuddy.com 732.514.9616
Wedding Ceremony of
CASTA GARCIA and
DAVID ROSEN August 21, 2011 CATLIN GARDENS
2865 Route 6 Slate Hill, NY 10973 Ceremony Start Time: 4:30 PM WEDDING PARTY
Dennise Garcia, Maid of Honor Elsie Ramsey Stefany Blount Marcy Langworthy Brett Tyson, Best Man Harold Messer Scott Miller Michael Miller
MUSIC: Prince of Denmark’s March
Casta will be escorted down the aisle by her mom, Rosa and sister Dennise. They will stop at the front row of seats, Dennise will continue to her place at the altar, and David will walk up to meet them. David and Casta will continue down the aisle, and Rosa will return to her seat in the front row. Music fades as ceremony begins.
WELCOME FAMILY AND FRIENDS. And welcome Casta and David.
of David’s mother, Mary, but to acknowledge and honor her
Today we come together to celebrate
presence, as well as the presence
and bless your marriage, and to witness
of anyone else who may not be with
the joining of your hearts as one for the
us today, so that they can be included
rest of your lives.
in our ceremony, and thus very much be remembered.
Today is a day when we are being reminded of the richness of love, and
Pause for a brief moment of silence.
of the many ways we have loved, and have been loved.
May the memories of the best times you spent with those whose presence
But today is also a day when we are
you may be missing remain a blessing
especially aware of those who are not
to you.
able to celebrate with us physically, and those whose presence we may
And may the wedding ceremony of
be missing.
Casta and David remind us all that love lasts forever, and that we honor that love
Casta and David wanted to take a
by keeping it alive within our memories,
moment, not to mourn the passing
and within our hearts.
BLESSING WE ARE ABOUT TO WITNESS something wonderful, and something sacred. For in the course of this ceremony, two hearts that until now have been separate but aligned, are going to be joined together as one, magnified by the power and intention of each one of you. Please join me in blessing this marriage between Casta and David.
WE GIVE THANKS to God that Casta and David have created a safe haven in their hearts for one another. May their love for one another continue to grow. May it enrich them as individuals. May it provide a loving environment for them, and for all whom they meet, Today — and all the rest of the days of their lives. Please join me in sealing these blessings, by together saying, “Amen.”
THE ART OF MARRIAGE A GOOD MARRIAGE must be created. In the art of marriage the little things are the big things: It is never being too old to hold hands. It is remembering to say ‘I Love You’ at least once a day. It is never going to sleep angry. It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives. It is standing together facing the world. It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family. It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways. It is having the capacity to forgive and forget. It is giving each other the atmosphere in which each can grow. It is finding room for the things of the spirit. It is a common search for the good and the beautiful. It is not only marrying the right partner — It is being the right partner.
SHARING OF THE WINE THROUGHOUT HISTORY, the sharing of a cup of wine has been a symbol of joy, of the richness of life, and the sweetness of love. A quality relationship, like a good wine, is the result of years of hard work, tender care, and a thoughtful mix of ingredients. Casta and David, as you share this cup of wine, know that love shared makes you stronger, so that you can reach out and become involved with life in ways you would never dare risk alone. By sharing this wine, you promise to share all that the future may bring. All the sweetness life may hold for you will be sweeter because you will drink it together; and should life contain any drops of bitterness, they will become lessened, because they, too, will be shared, in moments of true friendship and love.
THE ASKING CASTA AND DAVID, you are about to be joined together in marriage, in my presence, in the presence of family and friends, surrounded by the presence of God. I am bound to remind you publicly, that marriage is a voluntary and full commitment, entered into with the desire, the hope, and the firm intention that it will last for eternity. Casta and David will hold hands
CASTA AND DAVID, the one whose hands you hold loves you so very, very much. And so I ask you, do you each come here of your own free will, to take the other to be your lifelong partner? Do you promise to love one another, To respect one another, To trust one another, To be honest with one another, To laugh together, To wipe away any tears, And to stand by one another, through whatever may come? RESPONSE: We do!
THE VOWS I, David, take you, Casta, to be my wife, my friend, my love, and my eternal companion. To share my journey with yours. To build our dreams together. To support you through times of trouble, and to rejoice with you in times of happiness. To seek to be centered in love and presence through all the changes of life. To hold you close when you’re scared, and celebrate your individuality when you need to explore. I promise to treat you with respect, tender love, and loyalty, through all the trials and triumphs of our journey together. This commitment is made in love, kept in faith, lived in hope, and eternally made new.
RING CEREMONY CASTA AND DAVID, you have chosen to seal your vows by the giving and receiving of rings. Please join me in blessing these rings, by placing your hands on top of mine. These rings that we’re holding, by their unbroken wholeness, represent eternity and your never-ending love. The precious metals of your rings represent the value and purity of the love that you share. They are the outward and visible symbols of a deep inner spiritual bond. As you exchange these rings, know that your hearts will be joined to one another as well. I’m going to ask you to close your eyes for a moment, and allow yourselves to feel the depth of that love. After a moment’s pause for reflection
May the love that you are now feeling pour into these rings, and may your joining be forever blessed.
I GIVE YOU THIS RING as a symbol of my love and devotion. May its presence on your hand serve always to remind you of my love. May you find shelter, peace, and most of all happiness, for the rest of your life, in the love I give to you.
FINAL BLESSINGS IT HAS BEEN SAID that marriage brings with it twelve gifts: Strength, Beauty, Courage, Compassion, Faith, Hope, Joy, Talent, Imagination, Reverence, Wisdom, And Love. May each of these gifts effortlessly make itself known to you, in ways you can see with your eyes, and feel with your hearts. AS YOU STEP into life together, may you be friends, may you be lovers, may you be partners, meeting the joys and cares of life as one. May your words stay forever sweet, and may you always be happy in each other’s arms. May God bless you, and keep you, and may light always shine upon you. May your home be blessed, and filled with the sound of children’s laughter, and the feeling of warmth that comes from a life of love, a life of joy, a life of harmony, and a life filled with good health. May your lives continue to be an adventure, and may you create a life that is uniquely yours.
DECLARATION OF MARRIAGE CASTA AND DAVID, as you hold each other’s hands in yours, and look into each other’s eyes, feel the love that you share. Feel this love fill you, and surround you. Feel this love continue to expand, until it is so strong that it spills over and reaches out to the heart of the other, sealing your two hearts together as one. LET IT BE KNOWN, that this love has now joined you together, in both body and soul, in a bond that is both sacred and eternal. As your hands are together now, so may your lives and spirits always be held together, in a union of love and trust. CASTA AND DAVID, you have come before us and pledged your love and your hearts to one another, while joyfully acknowledging your commitment to this marriage. Therefore it is my pleasure to say the words that will make true that which has already been made true by your hearts. CASTA AND DAVID, by the power vested in me by the State of New York, in front of your family and friends as witnesses, surrounded by the love of God, it give me great joy... to now formally pronounce you...
husband and wife!
Casta and David — You may now seal your commitment with a kiss! After the kiss:
Friends and family, with great delight I introduce to you, our newly married couple...
Casta and David!
Music for Recessional
The Brandenburg Concerto
…and they loved happily every after!
To learn more about how we can create a ceremony together as unique as you are, contact: Rev. Jude Smith • 845.337.6996 • RevJude.com