Alfredo Arnaiz

Good afternoon and welcome.

Today we are gathered here to witness and celebrate the love Emily and Juan have recognized in each other before the divine Mother of the Earth, Creator, and our peers.

[Alfredo’s preface -introduce himself etc etc]

The person that stands before you is someone that has grown the scope of your heart. Someone you are thankful for each night before bed and each morning when you rise. However, a strong marriage is not one from which troubles are magically absent. It is one in which difficulty is faced with insight, generosity, and humility. Humility starts with an honest and accurate recognition of the ways each of you contribute to hardship in your relationship.

Emily and Juan together:

We are committed to acknowledging and addressing our own flaws and treating each other with enormous kindness when we can manage it.

Humility is easily found when charity is abundant. Charity means finding the least alarming view about why the other may be acting the way they are. It sees the fear behind the aggression, the loneliness at the root of a sulk. It recognizes how shame can make a person defiant, and how a hidden worry can unleash excessive harshness. Striving for charity in your dealings with each other will call in compassion rather than judgment, resentment and fear.

Would you now exchange the ritual gifts of charity?

*exchange pictures*

Emily and Juan are exchanging photos of one another from childhood. We naturally act towards a child in a spirit of love. This exchange of childhood images symbolizes a commitment to treat one another with the kindness one wouldn't hesitate to give a child, that is so often refused to grown-ups.

Emily and Juan together:

I will place this childhood version of you at the center of my love. When they arise, I will try to see your faults as a consequence of the troubles in your past. I will look after the child within you.

*Emily and Juan put the photos on the altar*

Alfredo: Your partner was a child, and they are still somewhere the same child they once were. When you shout, you are shouting at this child. When you betray, you are betraying this child. When you blame, you are blaming this child. These photos urge patience, tolerance, and warmth on your lifelong journey together.

[FREDO BLESSSS IT UUUP]

Juan and Emily, please share with us your reasons for entering into this marriage.

*Emily personal piece*

*Juan personal piece*

Emily and Juan together:

The purpose of our marriage is to be an expression of Creator’s love. We do this by practicing our spiritualities, by encouraging and nurturing each other’s growth, and by welcoming and loving our families and friends.

We would like to acknowledge our most important guest today, the natural world surrounding us. We stand before this body of water known as the Pilchuck River, and thus before the Mother of Life. As the Mother River is always changing, so will each of you change beyond the person you are in this moment. Today you vow to be with each other through the impermanence that is each of your lives. We ask the Mother to witness your intentions. We ask her to help bring about your personal transformation in this marriage, striving for the highest wellbeing of each other. May the divine mother of the earth bless you.

*Alfredo sprinkles water on us*

Juan, will you, in front of us all, make the sacred vow to wed Emily? Do you promise to nourish Emily’s inner child? Do you promise to love her without restrictions and without hesitation? Do you promise to accept her just as she is, supporting her through life’s experiences and share in the joys of choosing one another for as long as your souls are united?

And Emily, will you, in front of us all, make the sacred vow to wed Juan? Do you promise to nourish Juan’s inner child? Do you promise to love him without restrictions and without hesitation? Do you promise to accept him just as he is, supporting him through life’s experiences and share in the joys of choosing one another for as long as your souls are united?

*Alfredo pulls out rings*

You may now exchange the rings as a symbol of your eternal commitment to each other.

May your wisdom increase. May this marriage be enough. And with all our hearts, we wish you the best. I now declare you married!

*emily and juan kees kees then exit*

music lowers slightly, alfredo gives reminder for guests to please bring chairs with them to the dining tables under the reception tent