Ceremony Words

We're married! I can't believe the big day has come and gone. It was more than we could have expected and it was wonderful to see so many friends and family come together to celebrate with us, but we have to admit we're also glad to get back to life as usual. I'm back at work today and Cameron goes back tomorrow.

We know many of you were not able to hear our vows during the ceremony, so we'd thought we'd dedicate our first post as a married couple to the entire ceremony. Below are all the words read and said during our beautiful ceremony. Enjoy!

Welcome.

We have gathered today to act as witnesses for Cameron and Sarah as they join their lives as one. We celebrate with them the love they have found in each other and support their decision to commit themselves to one another.

How would one describe how we came to be gathered here today?
Was it chance?
Was it destiny?
Or was it fate?

What are the chances that two people, with two different lives could have a few chance interactions with each other and end up standing here before us today? They were unaware that the first encounter between them, from the first glance of acquaintance would emerge this point of commitment.

At some point, they decided to marry. Some sooner than later, from a moment of near hyperventilation, to this moment.

All of those conversations that were held in a car, or over a meal, or during long walks – all those conversations that began with, “Yeah right”, and continued with “I’m never getting married” and “if we were, how would we do it” and “lets mess with our families and say we’re getting married in Vegas” – all those late night talks that included “I need to finish school first, then I’ll start to think about it” and “if we were to get married the ranch would be nice” to “stand in front of the chapel and I’ll take a picture” All these things, and more, are the real process of this wedding.

The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, “You know all those things that we’ve promised, and hoped, and dreamed – well, I meant it all, every word.” Even if they are stolen from song lyrics. Look at one another and remember this moment. Because the first time you looked at each other it was unknown that at some point in time, no matter how hard you both tried, it was destiny that the two of you would end up on an airstrip in the middle of a ranch surrounded by friends and family.

Cameron and Sarah, your family and friends have gathered here today to wish for you a love; a love that will only grow stronger as the years go by. We wish for you a life filled with love, laughter and joy.

Cameron and Sarah have chosen to write their own vows to one another. I now ask them to read those vows to one another.

Cameron’s vows:

Life's like a road that we travel on
one day we’re here and the next day gone
Sometimes you bend, sometimes you stand
Sometimes we’ll just face the wind
There's a world outside every darkened door
Where blues won't haunt you anymore
Where the brave are free and our love soars
Come ride with me to the distant shores
This, I wanna ride it all night long
If you're going my wayI wanna drive it all night long
Let’s get ready, let’s get set,
We’ll take this journey in the vette
Through all these cities and all these towns
It's in my blood and it's all around
I love you now more than I loved then
This is the road where we begin
Together we’ll travel this world and see the lights
The darkest days and the brightest nights
There's no load I can't holdA road so rough this I know
I'll be there when the light comes in
This I’ll promise you again and again.

Sarah’s Vows:

From this moment life begins
From this moment you are the one
Right beside you is where I belong, From this moment on
I give my hand to you with all of my heart
I can't wait to live my life with you,
I can't wait for it to start
You and I will never be apart
My dreams came true because of you
From this moment as long as I live I will love you,
I promise you this, There is nothing I wouldn't give
From this moment on
You're the reason I believe in love
All we need is just the two of us
From this moment on

Now for the rings, please.

May these rings be blessed by the love you two share. From this moment on, your lives are joined, like the circle these rings make; there is no beginning and no end. These rings symbolize the love you share and the commitment you are making today. May these rings remind you of the vows you have just taken.

Cameron, please repeat after me:
I, Cameron, take you Sarah for my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, through all of the good and bad. This ring is a token of my love and affection. May it always be a symbol of my love for you throughout the years.

Sarah, please repeat after me:

I, Sarah, take you, Cameron, for my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, through all of the good and bad. This ring is a token of my love and affection. May it always be a symbol of my love for you throughout the years.

Cameron and Sarah have joined together today as husband and wife as witnessed by all of us gathered here. They have given themselves to each other, declaring their love for one another by the giving of rings. By the power vested in me by the state of California, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now celebrate with a kiss.

It is with great pleasure that I introduce to you for the very first time, Cameron and Sarah Cenedella.