Jayne Elizabeth Franchini

The Procession

Good afternoon everyone! Are you ready for an event years in the making - Susannah and Nicholas are finally getting married?! The bride and groom have given us a great gift today and have asked that we put our phones away so that we can be present to this beautiful and momentous ceremony. Thankfully, there are professionals (Naomi Phelps) who will capture the entire ceremony. At this time, please silence or turn off all electronic devices.

The Invocation

(The Officiant instructs everyone to be seated and begins:)

Welcome everyone to the wedding ceremony of Susannah and Nicholas. On this beautiful ranch, under the Old Oak Tree, we gather here today to celebrate the most joyful and sacred of bonds between two people. All of you have been invited here not just as guests to a wedding, but as close and important witnesses of the bountiful and boundless love that Susannah and Nicholas have for one another. The mighty Oak Tree anchors our celebration today, and wonderfully represents the essence of Susannah and Nicholas’s relationship. The Oak Tree is strong and resilient and lives for hundreds of years. Her roots are as deep as her branches are tall. She graciously offers shade and protection for many living creatures, and her acorns nourish and sustain life. Like the Oak Tree, Susannah and Nicholas have deep roots and have grown to be stronger and better together. Their relationship has offered a safe haven, not just for one another, but for all their loved ones and everyone they meet. Their collective graciousness, passion and intelligence, humor and laughter, hopefulness and love, nourish and bring life to all their family and friends. They have brought us all together today, and we are better for it.

The Readings

(The Officiant, introduces the readings and invites the readers forward:)

In celebration of this blossoming life-long commitment that Susannah and Nicholas wish to make today, they would like to share the following readings with you.

At this time, I invite Susannah’s twin brother, Peter, to come forward to share a poem with us.

Reading 1: “A Moment of Happiness”by Rumi - Presented by Peter Matthews

A moment of happiness,

you and I sitting on the verandah,

apparently two, but one in soul, you and I.

We feel the flowing water of life here,

you and I, with the garden's beauty

and the birds singing.

The stars will be watching us,

and we will show them

what it is to be a thin crescent moon.

You and I unselfed, will be together,

indifferent to idle speculation, you and I.

The parrots of heaven will be cracking sugar

as we laugh together, you and I.

In one form upon this earth,

and in another form in a timeless sweet land.

And now, I invite Nicholas’s close friend, Andrew, to come forward to share another reading with us.

Reading 2: “Your Laughter”by Pablo Neruda - Presented by Andrew McLemore

Take bread away from me, if you wish,

take air away, but

do not take from me your laughter.

Do not take away the rose,

the lance flower that you pluck,

the water that suddenly

bursts forth in joy,

the sudden wave

of silver born in you.

My struggle is harsh and I come back

with eyes tired

at times from having seen

the unchanging earth,

but when your laughter enters

it rises to the sky seeking me

and it opens for me all

the doors of life.

My love, in the darkest

hour your laughter

opens, and if suddenly

you see my blood staining

the stones of the street,

laugh, because your laughter

will be for my hands

like a fresh sword.

Next to the sea in the autumn,

your laughter must raise

its foamy cascade,

and in the spring, love,

I want your laughter like

the flower I was waiting for,

the blue flower, the rose

of my echoing country.

Laugh at the night,

at the day, at the moon,

laugh at the twisted

streets of the island,

laugh at this clumsy

boy who loves you,

but when I open

my eyes and close them,

when my steps go,

when my steps return,

deny me bread, air,

light, spring,

but never your laughter

for I would die.

The Declaration of Intent and Quaich Ritual

(The Officiant signals the Maid of Honor, Ali, and Best Man, Michael, to go to the table with the quaich and bottle. As they pour the liquid and carry the filled cup to Suze and Nick, the officiant explains the ritual.

When Nick and Suze have a hand on the quaich, the officiant will ask Nick the declaration of intent, he answers “I do” and takes a wee dram. Then, the officiant will ask Suze the declaration of intent, she answers “I do” and takes a wee dram.

Then, the couple will be expected to continue taking a wee dram until all the whiskey is drunk. The officiant will explain the symbolism of the quaich and the drinking of it together as you finish the whiskey. The Maid of Honor and Best Man will take the quaich and put it back on the table with the whiskey bottle.)

At this time, I invite the Maid of Honor, Ali, and Best Man, Michael, to prepare the Quaich for Susannah and Nicholas…

The tradition of drinking from the Quaich comes from the Scottish Highlands and Islands as an offering drink to welcome visitors, and in wedding ceremonies, to welcome new members to the family. The quaich’s unique handles, or lugs, symbolize the trust and friendship between fellow drinkers…Susannah and Nicholas, using your right hand, hold the quaich between you.

“Nicholas, do you take Susannah to be your lawfully wedded wife, to discover the bounty and beauty of life together as equals? If so, answer ‘I do’, and take a wee dram.”

AND

“Susannah, do you take Nicholas to be your lawfully wedded husband, to discover the bounty and beauty of life together as equals? If so, answer ‘I do’, and take a wee dram.”

The quaich represents the cup of life, and the act of sharing it is a symbol of the life you will share together. All the sweetness that life’s cup may hold for you should only be sweeter because you share it together, and whatever bitterness it may contain will be less bitter because you share it together… As you both finish drinking from the quaich, all of us wish you joy, fulfillment and years of happiness to come.

The Vows Exchange

(As the Maid of Honor and Best Man take away the quaich and puts it back on the table.

The Officiant invites Nick and Suze to say their vows:)

To Nick and Suze: Now that you have shared a drink, it’s time to share your vows.

To the guests: The bride and groom have thoughtfully and lovingly prepared their own vows that they would like to share. When you are ready Nicholas, you may begin.

(The Officiant steps to the side.)

Nick’s Vows & Susannah’s Vows

The Rings Exchange

(The Officiant comes back and introduces the ring exchange, and instructs Suze and Nick to hold each other’s hands:)

Thank you for sharing your vows with one another and all of us. Please hold one another’s hands.

(The Officiant signals Best Man to come forward with the ring.)

The rings you are about to place on each other’s fingers are symbols of the love you expressed. They will remind you of the vows you have just spoken, and of the infinite and eternal love that you have for one another.

Nicholas, place the ring on Susannah’s finger and repeat after me…

“As this ring encircles your finger… From this moment forward… So will my love forever encircle you… You will never walk alone… My heart will be your shelter… My arms will be your home… We will walk through life as partners and best friends… I promise to do my best to love, cherish and accept you… Just the way you are… I give you my whole self until the end of time… For there is no greater gift than to love and be loved.”

(The Officiant signals the Maid of Honor to come forward with the ring.)

Susannah, place the ring on Nicholas’s finger and repeat after me…

“As this ring encircles your finger… From this moment forward… So will my love forever encircle you… You will never walk alone… My heart will be your shelter… My arms will be your home… We will walk through life as partners and best friends… I promise to do my best to love, cherish and accept you… Just the way you are… I give you my whole self until the end of time… For there is no greater gift than to love and be loved.”

The Pronouncement

By the power entrusted to me by the American Marriage Ministries, I now pronounce you Husband and Wife. You may kiss your Forever!