River Raven Hyla

ANNE & JEFF’s WEDDING CEREMONY

4/6/2025

OPENING

River: We are gathered here today in the beauty of the Dishman Hills, to unite Anne and Jeff in marriage. Anne and Jeff chose this location to marry as it holds a special place in their storyline. This is the place where they took their friendship to a deeper level with love’s first kiss 6 years ago. Now, Anne and Jeff have decided to take their relationship to an even deeper level, marriage.

Anne and Jeff, the two of you are separate individuals, each with your own memories and goals. Today, you choose to walk one path together. Each shared decision, each conversation, each new adventure, and each challenge met together, will deepen your bond. It is your kindness, compassion, sharing, and honesty that will light your path through marriage. Your journey will also require patience, laughter, courage, and forgiveness.

This contract is not to be entered into lightly, but thoughtfully and seriously, and with a deep realization of its obligations and responsibilities. Please remember that love, loyalty, and understanding are the foundations of a happy and enduring home.

MOMENT OF REMEMBRANCE/SMUDGING

River lights sage and begins to smudge Jeff and Anne and a light wafting of the circle:

As I light this sage, may it release anything from your past that no longer serves you, individually or as a couple, cleansing this space, your energy fields and your hearts as they embark on this new beginning.

PLEDGE/VOWS

River: Anne and Jeff have prepared their own vows. Please turn and face each other.

Jeff, please share your vows with Anne.

Jeff: (speaks his vows)

Anne, please share your vows with Jeff.

Anne: (speaks her vows)

DECLARATION OF INTENT: WE DO’s

River: Jeff and Anne, are you ready to take the vows of marriage together, and to live together as wife and husband?

(Together) We are!

River: Jeff and Anne, do you pledge your commitment to each other in marriage – to comfort, honor and provide for each other every day?

(Together) We do!

River: Do you promise your devotion and dedication, and to keep your faith in each other even on the difficult days?

(Together) We do!

River: And do you promise to have fun together, to seek new joys and discoveries, to play and laugh together – even when you’re old and gray?

(Together) We do!

HOURGLASS SAND CEREMONY

River: Jeff and Anne are now going to partake in an Hourglass Ceremony

In this ceremony, Jeff and Anne have each chosen sand in a color that symbolizes them as individuals – their passions and personalities, their challenges and triumphs, their hopes and plans for the future.

As Jeff and Anne pour their sand into the hourglass, just as they’ll pour themselves into this marriage and its success, the colors will blend and mix. The sand will blend more and more over time, with each passing moment and turn of the hourglass, until it becomes an inseparable whole. Still, each color will remain bright and strong on its own – Jeff and Anne, working together to build a happy and harmonious life.

River to Jeff and Anne: Each day that you look upon this hourglass, you will be reminded of the union and promise that you make to each other today, to live their lives together as one, and to cherish each moment as it passes.

When the day comes that you disagree with each other, remember to pause before speaking or acting in anger. Flip this hourglass over and give yourself time to think and reflect! Then, if there are still words to say, flip it again. When the sand runs dry, if there are words that need to be spoken, have a conversation based in love, genuine listening, honest and kind sharing, and grounded understanding. Always coming back to the vows that you have spoken today, your shared vision of a life together, and the love you hold for each other.

Jeff and Anne, when you’re ready, please pour your sand into the glass.

Jeff and Anne pour their sand into the hourglass.

River places top on the hourglass and seals it.

River: This hourglass is now a sacred symbol representing your individual selves melding together in this union of marriage. May it be a helpful tool when challenging times arise, and a reminder of the love you have in your hearts as you embark on this journey of marriage together.

EXCHANGE OF RINGS/HANDFASTING CEREMONY

River: As a final symbolic gesture, Jeff and Anne have opted for beautiful tattoos in place of physical rings. These tattoos are representative of their individual beauty and essence and a symbol of their commitment to each other. They have chosen a handfasting ceremony, in honor of their shared Scottish roots, to join their two hearts and their tattooed “rings” as one.

River: Jeff and Anne, please place your left hands together as I wrap this beloved tartan cord around your hands.

River says after wrapping fabric around hands: Jeff and Anne, please take a moment to look at each other… really look at each other. Just be here, right now, together. Do you feel the magic in this moment? The deep joy and love that you have for each other? Let this feeling of love and union sink into every cell of your being. Feel your hands connected by this handfasting cord, feel your individual tattoos, melding with your beloved’s, truly becoming a connection point representing this love, your commitment to each other as husband and wife, and a reminder of your unbreakable bond. And may your friendship bring you back to each other, always!

CLOSING WORDS AND PRONOUNCEMENT

Jeff and Anne, you are connected to each other at the deepest level. The air you breathe, the soil under your feet, the sunlight that warms your skin, these things belong to both of you, to all of us, and to no one alone.

In this same spirit, let your marriage be a continuous gift. Give freely your laughter and companionship. Share equally in your challenges and joys. Find adventure and peace in each other’s company and the absolute abundance of your love.

By the power vested in me by the state of Washington, and the American Marriage ministries, it is my great honor to pronounce you husband and wife!

You may kiss!

Jeff and Anne kiss

River removes the handfasting cord and wraps it around the hourglass saying: May this cord and this hourglass be reminders of this day and your love. May they offer you tools and reminders in those times when the answers and direction may be unclear, and may they always bring you back to your commitment to each other and the deep love you feel today.

River lights the Palo Santo as all at the ceremony form a circle: If all could gather together in a circle.

River: Please take a moment to look around at the loved ones gathered here today. As I smudge this beautiful family, may this Palo Santo bring in sweetness, not just to Jeff and Anne, but to the circle of family, friends and all of those they will meet along life’s journey.

And now, it is my pleasure, for the first time as a married couple, to announce to you all, Mr. and Mrs. ….. as they step forward on their new journey as husband and wife.

More kissing cause you now have two free hands ;)

Sign marriage certificate with two witnesses.