Peter Nielsen : We'd like to thank all of you for coming here today to celebrate the union of these two people, David Heirtzler and Jan Nielsen. To this moment they bring the fullness of their hearts as a treasure to share with one another. They bring the dreams which bind them together. They bring that particular personality and spirit that is uniquely their own, and out of which will grow the reality of their life together. We rejoice with them as the outward union of body reflects the inner union of hearts. A union that was created by friendship, respect, and love. Each of you has given something of yourself into their lives. Your love, guidance, and encouragement will forever be appreciated. It is fitting, then, that you should share today in this celebration of their commitment to each other.
The union of Jan and David brings together the elements of two distinct family traditions. The roots of these traditions shall become intermingled with the hope that a new family tree may become strong and fruitful. Theirs is a personal choice and a decision for which they are primarily responsible. Yet their life will be enriched by the support of the families from which each comes.
(Frank and Peter move slightly to each side to leave some room for Rob)
(Rob takes center stage in front of the bride and groom)
Robert Damm: The union we are about to witness is a culmination of the love that these two have come to share. It is a love that is built on the strongest of foundations: trust. Without the soul of another to reflect our own, we lack our ability to grow. We lack that crucial part of our other selves, inside which, we find the hidden truth about ourselves. We need the mind of another to help us grow and correct our mistakes. We put our trust into that other person to catch our mistakes before we see them ourselves. Without that trusted love, we find it difficult not to stagnate. But with it, our lives progress through the years knowing that we are better for the journey.
It has been said that it is the giving that makes us what we are. We define ourselves by the things we do for our most cherished companions. The very act of sharing oneself with the one other, gives our lives meaning, and is one of the reasons that we have gathered here today.
When the love between two people has attained perfection, there is a sublime duality that forms between them. They grow together and begin to become one in mind, both contributing equally to the mix. Their thoughts become linked together in a single consciousness, and yet, they retain their individual contributions to the relationship. It is the sort of love that takes nothing less that a lifetime to build.
Today, we will witness, as David and Jan place the first stones in the foundation of that love.
(Rob moves back into the Usher position and hands the book to Frank
(Frank reads from the book)
Frank Andrea: Every life touches those around it. Today there are a
few here who have chosen to read a passage or personal statement that will help
to enrich this celebration.
(B.J. Approaches and reads or recites her selection)
(ditto for the rest)
Cynthia Andrea
Eryk Nielsen
Peter Nielsen
Frank Andrea
Brent Baker
Kristen Harbeson etc...
Frank Andrea: We all have our own ideas of the intention and the meaning of marriage. Today, however, we are celebrating marriage as seen through the eyes of David and Jan. And now, they will express, in words, what this marriage means to them.
David : When we met, nearly four years ago, the faintest spark of a friendship was formed. As the months and years went by, our confidence and trust in each other has transformed that friendship into love. Our discovery of that love has created a passion that has grown stronger with time.
Our journey to this point has not been easy. The seemingly endless summers that we had to spend apart only served to fortify our desire to be together. Every hardship we have ever faced and every hardship we will ever face, we will overcome, because we will face them together. The whole that we form is far greater than the sum of the parts. This marriage is a symbol of the commitments we have already made to each other. As our lives move past this point we will work towards the fulfillment of our dreams. It is my chance to give to you the one thing I can give to nobody else: myself.
Jan: When I look back at the events that brought us here today, I am faced with two very conflicting emotions: a certain amount of sadness, for the sacrifices that had to be made; and also a profound joy for all of the moments that David and I have had together, and those that I know we will share in the future. David and I were brought together at first by our similarities: our love of music, our dreams of the future, and our hope to create caring and ethical children. However, in the past two years, it has been the differences that we share that have brought the most meaning to our relationship. With those differences we learn from each other, each growing stronger in complement to the other.
The love that I feel for David goes beyond any single attribute: I love his mind and the intellect that drives his thoughts; I love the courage within him to face new challenges with me; I love him with a deep and very comfortable passion unlike any other I have felt. With David I feel that I am truly my best self, that together we are complete, and can attain anything we strive for, and that whatever we will face in life, we will face with confidence, because of the respect and trust that we share. I look forward to many long years of life and love with David, and the opportunities we will have to grow together, towards a future of music, family, and happiness.
(Robert Damm):
(Rob takes center stage again)
(Bride and groom face each other)
Robert Damm : We now begin the most important moment in the ceremony. The exchange of marriage vows is at the heart of the wedding, and embodies the spirit that gathers us together today. David and Jan have chosen to write their own vows and they shall take them now, before all of you.
Robert Damm : David, if it is your desire to be joined in marriage with Jan, then repeat after me.
I, David, take you Jan to be my wife.
David: I, David, take you, Jan, to be my wife.
Robert Damm: In this moment, I promise before these witnesses, to love you and care for you for all of our days.
David: In this moment, I promise before these witnesses,to love you and care for you for all of our days.
Robert Damm : I accept you with your faults and your strengths, evenas I offer myself with my faults and strengths.
David: I accept you with your faults and your strengths, even as I offer myself with my faults and strengths.
Robert Damm: I promise to support you when you need support and turn to you when I need support.
David: I promise to support you when you need support and turn to you when I need support.
Robert Damm: I promise to always keep an open channel of communication between us, and to listen with compassion to everything you have to say.
David: I promise to always keep an open channel of communication between us, and to listen with compassion to everything you have to say.
Robert Damm: My mind and my heart will always remain open to you and my faith and fidelity are yours forever.
David: My mind and my heart will always remain open to you and my faith and fidelity are yours forever.
Robert Damm: I will fill our home with love, children, learning, and happiness.
David: I will fill our home with love, children, learning, and happiness. All of these things and more, I pledge. My love for you is undying and my joy that this day has come, unending.
Robert Damm: Jan, if it is your desire to be joined in marriage with David, then repeat after me.
I, Jan, take you David to be my husband.
Jan: I, Jan, take you David to be my husband.
[and so on, as above]
(Slight Pause after the vows are finished)
Rev. Damm: Do you have the rings?
(Wait as the Maid of Honor and the Best Man give the rings to the Bride and groom)
David, will you place the ring on Jan's Finger?
David: Jan, I give you this ring and place it on your fingeras a symbol of the vows which have made us husband and wife.
Jan: I accept this ring as a symbol of our love, and I wear it proudly as your wife.
Rev. Damm: Jan, will you place the ring on David's finger?
Jan: David, I give you this ring and place it on your finger as a symbol of the vows which have made us husband and wife.
David: I accept this ring as a symbol of our love, and I wear it proudly as your husband.
(Rev. Robert Damm):
(Bride and Groom turn and face the crowd, holding hands.)
Rev. Damm: (To the crowd) By the power given to me by the will of
these two, now joined as one, I present David and Jan Andrea.
(Bride and Groom kiss)
(Rev. Damm moves back towards the usher position)
(One of the Officiators will conclude by inviting the crowd to walk through gate and move to the reception area.)
Peter Nielsen : Please join us in celebrating the passing of these two into a new life, by reaffirming your own lives. Take this opportunity to consider the joy in your lives, and join us by passing through this gate as as a symbol of reflection, surprise and anticipation for the future.
At this point David and Brent remove their swords from their sheaths, and David hands his sword to Rob. They (Brent and Rob) move to either side of the trellis and hold the swords up high enough for David and Jan to walk under.
The two officiators move to each side to give room to the bride and groom to walk through the trellis. They are followed by the best man and maid of honor, then the usher and the bridesmaid, and Finally the officiators and the crowd will walk one-by-one through the trellis.
End of Speaking Roles
The wedding party will line up at the gate after walking through the trellis in the following order (from trellis to reception area):
Officiators (Pete and Frank)
Usher (Robert Damm)
Bridesmaid (Robyn Nielsen)
Best man (Brent Baker)
Maid of honor (Kristen Harbeson)
Groom (David)
Bride (Jan)