Ashlie Marie Carrier

Brittany and Irving – October 31st, 2024

 At the preferred spot, Officiant takes their place and explains they will be creating a protective semi-circle around the couple during the ceremony which surrounds the couple in love and keeps out all unwanted energy.

Bride will process in and be given away. Officiant will ask

Who gives away this girl this morning?

Brittany’s God Father will say. “I Do”.

Opening

 The officiant takes a moment by asking the couple to face each other, hold hands and breathe. Even for couples who have been together for a number of years, they're often nervous at this moment, so holding hands and looking at their best friend helps calm the nerves.

 The Officiant quietly asks the couple if they're to proceed. Once each party answers yes, Officiant will begin.

 Officiant to the couple & guests

Good morning, and Happy Samhain, and Halloween to everyone.

"It is Wonderful how completely everything in wild nature fits into us, as if truly part and parent of us. The sun shines not on us but in us. The rivers flow not past, but through us, thrilling, tingling, vibrating every fiber and cell of the substance of our bodies as well as our souls, and every bird song, wind song, and tremendous storm song of the rocks in the heart of the mountains is our song, our very own and sings our love."

We are here to support Irving and Brittany as they join together in marriage today.

Like the color of leaves in the fall, their relationship is changing – and we mark that significance with their wedding today. Autumn leaves also remind us that transition is in our very nature. This ceremony will symbolize Irving and Brittany's transition to their next chapter.

 Officiant to the couple

IRVING and BRITTANY, remember to treat yourselves and each other with respect, and remind yourselves often of what brought you together.

Take responsibility for making the other feel safe, and give the highest priority to the tenderness, gentleness and kindness that your connection deserves. When frustration, difficulty and fear assail your relationship, as they threaten all relationships at some time or another, remember to focus on what is right between you, not just the part that seems wrong. In this way, you can survive the times when clouds drift across the face of the sun in your lives, remembering that, just because you may lose sight of it for a moment, does not mean the sun has gone away. And, if each of you takes responsibility for the quality of your life together, it will be marked by abundance and delight.

DECLARATION OF INTENT

 Officiant to Couple

Irving and Brittany, have you come here without reservation to welcome each other as Husband and wife, offering your love, trust, and respect, today, tomorrow, and always?

• The couple answers - Yes!

and do you agree to be bound together in love, to commit to one another, to support each other as you both continue growing, meeting both challenges and joys, together.

• The couple answers - Yes!

Wonderful! It looks like we’re all in the right place then.

VOWS AND HANDFASTING

For those guests who don’t know, a handfasting cord is a physical symbol of a spiritual bond, representing the unbreakable love these two share, and their commitment to honor and support one another always.

Irving and Brittany, please clasp hands your right hands.

 The couple clasps hands, right hand with right hand, either crossing in front of the body or standing side to side.

 Officiant, as they wrap the cord or ribbon

"In the warmth of this sun and the warmth of this group, and with the thoughts of all those you call family and friends, I wrap this cord. Let it be a tangible symbol of your choice, and of your binding love and devotion. May your union be blessed again and again, with each new day."

 Officiant to couple

Your wedding vows are an outward sign of your love and commitment. While there is a legal aspect of this wedding, a signed document does not create a marriage. What creates a marriage is the promises made and kept in your hearts.

As you look lovingly at each other, repeat this love spell together after me to seal your vow to each other for a lifetime.

Officiant to Couple

Heart bound to heart,

and soul bound to soul -

I am my own but also yours.

Our union grows of kindness and caring,

Of trust well-deserved

and love unerring.

Heart bound to heart,

and soul to soul bound -

This love is a home of our own.

Officiant to the couple

Of course, it would be hard to go through life physically tied together, wouldn’t it? As a lasting symbol of these promises your rings will visibly seal the vows you just expressed to each other. Notice that your wedding rings are a circle, the ancient symbol of wholeness. Wear these precious rings as a reminder that your souls are united in your hearts.

Ring exchange

** Can we have the rings please?

Officiant to Partner A

Irving, place the ring on Brittany’s left ring finger, and repeat after me:

Brittany, I give you this ring as a symbol to the world that you are my lover, and you are my best friend - in all times and in all ways.

PARTNER A REPEATS THE WORDS

Officiant to Partner B

Brittany, please take the ring you have selected for [PARTNER A]. As you place it on her finger, repeat after me:

Irving, I give you this ring as a symbol to the world that you are my lover, and you are my best friend - in all times and in all ways.”

PARTNER B REPEATS THE WORDS

Couple will be instructed to slowly pull away from each other and allow the cord to tie into a knot.

Officiant TO THE COUPLE as the cord is removed and tied.

Keep this cord with you for the years ahead, as you tie the knot here today, let this knot remind you always of the promises you made before everyone today.

Closing Words & Blessing

Officiant to couple

Irving and Brittany, in closing my wish for you is this:

"May the sun bring you new energy by day,

May the moon softly restore you by night;

May the rain wash away your worries;

May the breeze blow new strength into your being;

May you walk gently through the world and know its beauty all the days of your life."

Pronouncement

Officiant to couple

Irving and Brittany, having pledged your lifelong commitment to each other, in front of these witnesses here today, and by the power invested to me by mother nature, and the state of NY.

it’s my delight to pronounce you Married. Congratulations!

You may kiss!

The officiant gestures toward the couple to make the introduction

Friends and loved ones it my absolute pleasure to introduce for the first time as husband and wife.

Mr. and Mrs. Santiago