Monica Guadalupe Soileau

Processional

Anything Box – Kiss of Love

Welcome Address

Welcome everyone to this very special ceremony on this beautiful day! We are gathered here in the presence of family and friends for the purpose of uniting Tom and Criss in marriage. We are here to witness and honor your commitment to each other and to wish you every happiness in your future life together. I would like to take a moment to remember family members who are no longer with us to share in today’s celebration. The impact they had upon our lives may never be replicated, and so they live on in our hearts and in our minds. May the beautiful memories shared with those who have passed brighten this day and warm our hearts.

Tom and Criss could not have chosen a more perfect venue for their celebration. In these mountains, they learned about strength, tenacity, the beauty in suffering and found an undying love for nature and each other. These mountains have withstood the test of time. Where we now stand was once a shallow tropical beach shore, which gave way to a geological shift that dropped it to the ancient ocean floor and eventually metamorphosized into the mountains we stand on now. At approximately 1.95 billion years old, some of these rocks were transformed into the beautiful reds you see along Trans Mountain. Change can sometimes be difficult, however when a love is as solid and patient as Tom and Criss’, beautiful mountains can be built from silt. I wrote a haiku in the hopes of evoking the spirit of this extraordinary setting and this couple’s devotion to each other.

Franklin Mountain Love

Majestic and tall

If I stumble I’ll be caught

Love thrives in these rocks.

Love Story

When I volunteered to become ordained so that Criss and Tom could get married here on the mountain, I was mostly joking… because why would they trust someone who has never done this before to take charge of their special day? I was surprised and honored when they went along with the idea. That’s the thing about love, it is always surprising you with new lessons and reminders of what it represents. Your response was a reminder to me that love does not need pomp and circumstance in order to flourish, it only needs basic necessities to grow its roots: two hearts, desire, commitment, laughter, joy and yes, even sadness and conflict for grounding. One thing that I love about you two is how humble and pure your hearts are. Your love story began while dedicating your time to a volunteer organization with a reputation for helping veterans and it’s hard to imagine it any other way.

Readings

The two readings chosen for today’s ceremony are Song of the Open Road by Walt Whitman, from Leaves of Grass and Love’s Philosophy by Percy Byshe Shelley.

Song of the Open Road

by Walt Whitman, from Leaves of Grass

. . . I give you my hand!

I give you my love more precious than money,

I give you myself, before preaching or law;

Will you give me yourself?

Will you come travel with me?

Shall we stick by each other as long as we live?

Love’s Philosophy

By Percy Byshe Shelley

The fountains mingle with the river

And the rivers with the Ocean,

The winds of Heaven mix for ever

With a sweet emotion;

Nothing in the world is single;

All things by a law divine

In one spirit meet and mingle.

Why not I with thine? ---

See the mountains kiss high Heaven

And the waves clasp one another;

No sister-flower would be forgiven

If it disdained it's brother.

And the sunlight clasps the earth

And the moonbeams kiss the sea;

What is all this sweet work worth

If thou kiss not me?

Declaration of intent

A marriage is a voluntary and full commitment. It is made in the deepest sense to the exclusion of all others, and it is entered into with the desire and hope that it will last for life.

Before you declare your vows to one another, I ask that you confirm that it is indeed your intention to be married today.

Would you face each other and join hands.

Tom, do you understand and accept this responsibility, and do you promise to do your very best each day to create a loving, healthy, and happy marriage?

Criss, do you understand and accept this responsibility, and do you promise to do your very best each day to create a loving, healthy, and happy marriage?

Exchange of Vows & Rings

Tom and Criss, will now exchange their hand-written vows.

(Vows are read)

I now ask that you both prepare to swap rings. These rings mark a new beginning in your journey together, filled with wonder, surprise, laughter, tears, celebration, grief and joy. As you wear them, may they be a constant reminder to you of one another, and of the deep bond of faith, trust and love which they represent.

Tom, as you place the ring on Criss’ finger, please repeat after me:

With this ring, I give you my promise

From this day forward you shall not walk alone.

May my heart be your shelter and my arms be your home.

(place ring on Criss’ hand)

Criss, as you place the ring on Tom’s finger, please repeat after me:

With this ring, I give you my promise

From this day forward you shall not walk alone.

May my heart be your shelter and my arms be your home.

(place ring on Tom’s hand)

Pronouncement and Kiss

Tom and Criss – by the power vested in me by the state of Texas, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Criss, you may kiss the groom!

I now present to you Thomas and Cristina Clemenston.

Recessional

U2 – All I Want Is You