Amanda Miller Hays

Today we gather our loved ones to celebrate and realize the sacred bond of two radiant people Ward and Theresa.

They will join their spirits together as one as they enter this most intimate covenant (PROMISE).

Through their marriage, they will find protection and a safe place as they journey through this beautiful life.

We mark today as the moment you forever embrace not only one another but EVERYthing that has risen up out from your union. Your partnership, steadfast and humble, has nurtured love from the ground up. From this day forward, you will continue on your paths, seeing goodness and light in every direction.

Strengthened evermore by the goodness and light in each other.

With this partnership, bound by law and sealed with a kiss, the world calls upon you to protect one another, to cherish every moment. To find humility when it is needed. To support, uplift and encourage the heaviest of hearts and the wildest of dreams.

This marriage is your gift to give to the world around you. When you leave today, you will both have the power to demonstrate the blessed magic that is a lasting love.

Ward and Theresa have requested I read a traditional Apache blessing.

Now you will feel no storms, for each of you will be shelter to the other.

Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth for the other.

Now there will be no loneliness, for each of you is companion to each other, you are TWO persons, but there is ONE life before you , and ONE home.

Turn together to look at the road you traveled to reach this…the hour of your happiness.

It stretches behind you into the past. Look to the future that lies ahead.

A long and winding fun filled road, whose every turn means new discovery, new hopes, new joys, new laughter and new shared tears.

May your happiness be your companion, may beauty surround you both in the journey ahead and all the years to come.

GO this day to your dwelling (permanent) place and go into your days together.

May your days be good and long on this earth. Your fun has just begun!

Thank you all for coming today to support Ward and Theresa with your presence and loving energy.

Today we call upon the blessed elements. EARTH, WATER, AIR and FIRE to bring this union the same harmony (wavelength) they share.

We know the coexistence is the key to an honest loving partnership. It is through these four elements we understand how one has the power to make another stronger.

Today we ask the elements to share with Ward and Theresa some of their most magnificent features (looks).

From AIR, we ask for lightheartedness, curiosity, playfulness and peace. (Yellow).

From FIRE, we ask for courage, passion, radiance and warmth (Red).

From WATER, we ask for stillness, strength, creativity and flow. (Blue).

From EARTH, we ask for humility, friendship, gratitude and growth (Green).

As witnesses to this event, do you agree that these elements have blessed Ward and Theresa forever more?

Wave to congregation for answer.

We can’t deny Ward and Theresa their passage into marriage any longer!

They are proud to have gathered their closest family and friends around during this special time.

We ask that each of you hold in your hearts a blessing for this couple as they say their vows. (PROMISES)

Ward!

I, Ward take you Theresa to be my wife.

To hold in the highest of light,

day in and day out,

through the storms,

and the rain

and the wonderful mysteries of this life.

I promise you faithfulness,

Loyalty

compassion

and friendship

from this day forward until we have no days left.

THERESA!

I, Theresa take Ward to be my husband.

To hold to the highest of light,

day in and day out,

through the storms,

and the rain

and the wonderful mysteries of this life.

I promise you faithfulness,

loyalty,

compassion

and friendship from this day

until we have no days left.

It’s time to exchange rings.

Each ring is a symbol of the never-ending trust and commitment you share.

There is no beginning and there is no end.

For the shared experience of a lifetime is too great to limit to earthly terms.

WARD first, THERESA next.

By the power vested (given)in me by the State of Oregon, and the blessed spirits of nature, I NOW pronounce you lawfully and spiritually wed. You are joined now beyond love and into the heavens! You MAY kiss!!!