Time: 7pm
Place: Royal Canadian Legion in Petawawa Canada
Ceremony Performed by Peter Moller
Standing with us : Nathalie's mom Louise Rice & Nathalie's aunt Suzanne Rice, Flowergirl: Sammy --- Nathalie's little sis :)
Master of Ceremony: Annette
Flowers: white roses
DJ: Debbie aka ZigZag :)
Date: April 16th, 2004 Time: 7pm
My name is Peter Moller from the Humanist Association of Canada. We provide a non-religious ceremony for the solemnization of marriage, celebrated in a dignified and meaningful way, and I am pleased to have been asked to provide this service today. It must be clear to all that this is no traditional ceremony. Nathalie and Bobbie prefer to celebrate their marriage here in these (open) surroundings. They also wanted to choose the words and the declarations they make to each other, to ensure a more personal and memorable occasion for everyone. Above all, they want you, whatever your beliefs, to feel part of this joyous occasion.
1 OPENING - (Couple facing the assembly) Welcome! Nathalie and Bobbie are pleased that you can be here today to share in their joy at this high moment in their lives. Today, their relationship changes. All of us know it will grow, and become better and better. Indeed, this day is a day of hope. It is a day in which they demonstrate their faith in each other. You who are gathered here as witnesses are called to continue your support and encouragement as Nathalie and Bobbie unite in marriage.
2. PURPOSE - (Couple facing each other) We all know marriage is more than two people repeating vows. There is an art to any creative activity. So too in marriage. Part of the art of marriage is finding room for the things that truly count. Join together in your search for the good and the beautiful in life. Part of the art of marriage is being flexible. So in your marriage cultivate flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humour. Most importantly, develop the capacity to forgive and heal differences day by day. This ceremony today is a most serious covenant made before all of us as witnesses. From this relationship can come the courage and support you need to face the world. Only now you will face the world together in a new way. Today a new family is born and our world will be the better for its birth. For that we celebrate
3 QUERY - (Couple facing forward) Nathalie, you have chosen Bobbie to be your spouse. Will you love and respect her? Will you be honest with her always? Will you stand by her through whatever may come? Nathalie : "I will." Bobbie , you have chosen Nathalie to be your spouse. Will you love and respect her? Will you be honest with her always? Will you stand by her through whatever may come? Bobbie: "I will."
4PLEDGES Do both of you promise to make the necessary adjustments in your personal lives in order that you may live in a harmonious relationship together? Both: "We do." Do you both solemnly declare that you do not know of any lawful impediment why you may not be joined in matrimony? Both: "We do."
5 VOWS (Couple facing each other, holding hands) Peter: Nathalie, please repeat after me: In the presence of all these witnesses, I, Nathalie Rice, / take you Bobbie Schaefer, / to be my wife, my partner in life / and my one true love. You have been my best friend, / my confidante and my soulmate / from the day we met / and it shall be so until the day we die. I will cherish our union / and love you today, tomorrow, and forever. I will trust you and honor you, / I will laugh with you and cry with you. I will love you faithfully / through the best and the worst, / through the difficult and the easy. What may come I will always be there. As I have given you my hand to hold, / I give you my life to keep Bobbie , please repeat after me: I love you Nathalie / with all my heart and soul, / as you are everything / that I could ever hope to find in a woman. I am proud to have you as my life partner / and I promise that I will always be at your side, / through good and bad, / and give you everything that is in my power / to assure your health and happiness / for as long as I live. I promise to express my deepest thoughts and emotions to you, / and to always listen to yours. / I am yours forever. ........................
6 READING I now call upon Nathalies aunt Suzanne to read a very special message written by Bobbies son Brian. .............. Suzanne......... Suzanne: "Since we couldn't be there on your special day, we would like to tell everyone that is here, that we love both of our moms. At this time we want to welcome Nathalie to our family. We accept Nathalie to be our stepmom, we will listen and obey her just like we do our other mother. We love you both with all of our hearts. We wish you a happy marriage. We will help you stay together for the rest of your life's. We love you. Sincerely your children~ Brian and Harley Jo"
7EXCHANGE OF RINGS Peter: Nathalie and Bobbie will now exchange rings. Nathalie , please repeat after me: "I give you this ring / that you may wear it as a symbol / of the vows we have made this day. I pledge you my love, my laughter, and my tears. / With all that I am, I honour you." Peter: Bobbie , please repeat after me: "I give you this ring / that you may wear it as a symbol / of the vows we have made this day. I pledge you my love, my laughter, and my tears. / With all that I am, I honour you."
8 DECLARATION - (Couple hold hands again) Nathalie and Bobbie we have heard your promise to share your lives in marriage. We recognize and respect the covenant of marriage you have made here this day before each one of us as witnesses. So in the honesty and sincerity of what you have said and done here,................. I, Peter Moller, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Humanist Association of Canada, do hereby pronounce you, Nathalie and Bobbie , to be life partners. - - - - -You may now seal your vows with a kiss.
9 CLOSING Now go out and meet the world together as friends and companions, and may your days together be both long and good. Congratulations and best wishes to you both. Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honour and pleasure to present your newly married couple......... - - - - - Nathalie and Bobbie Rice - - - - -