The Vows

Welcome! We are gathered here today to witness the joining of Kristin and Matt in marriage. I am honored to be a part of this celebration of Matt and Kristin’s life together. Many of you have made long journeys for this celebration, but whether you come from near or far, you have all taken time away from your lives to offer your love and support for their union. Kristin and Matt are deeply honored by your commitment to being here – thank you.

Kristin and Matt, in your hearts you have already committed yourselves to living together in love for the rest of your lives. Today you are here to declare that commitment in the presence of your community of family and friends. You are entering a marriage partnership, in which you honor each other as unique human beings, - you give of yourselves fully, yet not give yourselves away, you will grow as individuals, as well as partners in your union.

Today, together, you’ve come to dedicate yourselves to the mysterious, unknown path of Marriage and to declare your acceptance of all the demands, challenges and joys. As you enter into this new season of your lives, remember that this day has come to pass not only because of your love for each other, but through the patience and grace of your ancestors, families and friends. Never forget to share yourselves with those who love you -- they have helped you to grow into the people you are today.

To help guide Kristin and Matt on their journey, they have requested that any of their family and friends be welcomed to come to front and share their thoughts or a reading.
[speakers: Jose and Helena, Dr Dale, Kelly, Paul, Jamie, Heidi, Scott, Mike, Tom and Susan]

Kristin and Matt, you have given much thought to the values and intentions, you will nurture in your marriage and your life. As you begin this exciting adventure together, let me take a moment to touch on some of those thoughts:

Cherish each other - Cherish the qualities in each other that attracted and excited you in the beginning. They are the roots of your commitment, your growth and your love.
Accept and Support each other – embrace your differences and enjoy your similarities – you are two wonderfully complex and very different individuals and a perfectly suited couple. As your lives take twists and turns, travel the path together with open minds and hearts.
Laugh Together - Cultivate a long, happy and healthy life by allowing humor to continue to be a part of your daily lives – never stop laughing together.
Embrace Life - Let the losses you have experienced in your lives be a tender reminder that life is both fragile and fleeting, so that you may be generous with your love and gratitude, making its expression a daily practice toward each other and all whose lives connect with yours.
Share Responsibilities -- If you want to ensure a marriage filled with peace and harmony, don’t forget to take turns chopping wood and changing the outhouse bucket.
Balance Work and Life --Remember that long-stemmed roses are as necessary to your soul as bread is to your table, and that life is as much a wild, outrageous poem, inviting you to play, as it is an ordered piece of prose, requiring your ordinary, earnest efforts.

[In the vows below, lines in red were spoken by both Kristin and Matt together, lines in lavender by Kristin alone, and lines in blue by Matt alone. In lines spoken together, each used the appropriate pronoun. ]

With that, I ask you --
Will you answer me right now,
These questions as your wedding vow?

Yes I will answer now
Your questions as my solemn vow
Provided our guests don’t have a cow.

Will you love him if he’s rich?
Will you love her in a ditch?
From today until the end of time
Even if his words don’t rhyme?

I will love her if she’s rich
And I will love her in a ditch.
And I will even love her when she’s a b…eautiful princess.

Will you love him for richer for poorer?
Will you love her for quiet for snorer?
From today until the cows come home
And never stop writing goofy poems?

I will love him if she’s poor.
I will lover him if she snores.
And I will even love him when he’s a bore.

Will you love with all your heart?
Will you love till death do you part?
Will you have and forever hold
Each other hearts ‘till the stars grow cold?

I will love him forever a thousand fold,
Till death us do part and our blood grow cold,
Or until our brains grow mold.

Will you love through good and bad?
Will you love in times happy or sad?
From now until forever more
Or at least until your 94?

I will love him through good and bad
And in times happy and sad
Cause he’s the best friend I’ve ever had.

Will you take him as your mate?
Will you have her as your date?
From this day on and ever more
No matter what your life might have in store?

I will have her as my mate
Starting on this our wedding date,
May as well as its our fate.

If you will be wed through and through
Then say those two words:

I Do
I Do

Well, then, let’s continue.

Kristin and Matt, the rings you exchange today will be visible symbols and seals of your promises. They will always remind you of your intentions and inspire you to act toward their fulfillment.

Matt, please repeat after me:

“This is the tartan of my paternal grandmother’s family.
This pin bears the crest of the Scott Clan,
And it’s inscription reads “I love”.
It symbolizes the union of our families,
Our friends, and ourselves.

[Matt wrapped and tied the sash after the first line, removed the pin from his sporran after the second, and pinned it near her shoulder before continuing on with his lines.]

“My maternal grandmother gave me this ring to give to you
Because she knew that you were waiting for it.
It is a symbol of your bond into my family
And my promise to you that as long as your wear it
I will love and protect you until I draw my last breath.”

[Matt, following the pattern of the sash lines, began placing the ring on Kristin's finger during the first line. By the third line, he still could not get it over her knuckle. While contemplating whether he should pull out his Leatherman tool to force it on, he forgot the third line and had to have it repeated. Twice.]

Kristin, please repeat after me:

“Matthew, take this ring as a symbol of my promise
to love you,
to support you,
to encourage you and laugh with you
in all your moods
for as long as I live.
You complete me.”

[Kristin, learning from Matt's mistake, placed the ring on his finger after completing her lines. However, it was the ring finger of the wrong hand...]

Long ago, when bride and groom pledged themselves to each other, they drank from a single cup, signifying that they were becoming one blood, one flesh, and one family. Kristin and Matt, let this wine remind you that your love, like a vineyard, has seasons, so that you may never lose hope in the dark times and always savor the joy of the light. You may now offer this cup to one another, acknowledging the new bond between you.

[Matt pulls the flask from his sporran and they drink]

Kristin and Matt, you have committed a bold act today. You have begun a dream called marriage. May your boldness bring you all the genius, power and magic you need for the fulfillment of all your dreams. In the company of your family and friends, you have declared your love and your intentions to be life-long partners in marriage. Therefore, it is my privilege and pleasure to declare that, by the authority vested in me by the State of Alaska, you are forevermore, husband and wife.

You may kiss each other.

[During the kiss, the bagpipes begin playing -- no one in front is sure why, but it seems appropriate. Susan asks Matt whether she should skip the rest and start marching out. Matt decides to wait until the end of the song. Preoccupied with bagpiper and discussion, neither Matt nor Kristin had noticed that everyone had began blowing bubbles. When they turned around, the air above crowd was thick with bubbles glinting in the sunlight. It was a magical moment. The song ended, the ceremony resumed.]

Now that you, their family and friends, have witnessed Kristin and Matt making their vows to one another, do you promise to give them your love, support, and encouragement in being true to themselves and each other, and in living the promises they have made in your presence?

[the crowd answers: "Yes", "I Do", "We Do"]

Kristin and Matt. your family and friends have witnessed your vows and have pledged to keep you from breaking them. Look carefully into this crowd assembled here and remember that if you screw up, they will hunt you down and make you pay them back for their plane tickets, rental car fees, and hotel bills. What’s worse, they may want their donations to Calypso Farm back.
And now, before we adjourn to the reception, Kristin and Matt have asked me to express their gratitude to you all with a traditional Irish blessing:

"May you be poor in misfortune,
Rich in blessings,
May you know nothing but happiness
From this day forward.
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand."

[The bagpipes begin again and Kristin and Matt exit through the arbor and onto the path towards the grassy knoll while the rest of the crowd followed to the music. Much hugging and hand shaking ensued, followed by a group photo.]