Wedding of Drew and Trina
July 12, 2008

Prior to Ceremony – noon – Set up Wheel, Set up altar, Incense, Goblet of water, Corn Pahoe, and Candle, Bring in Blanket, Drew & Steve –Pipe, Drew set up sound system.
Steve has Drew’s ring, Neecey has Trina’s ring

5:25 pm [Announcement]

We will be getting started with the ceremony soon, but first, two quick notes.

First, we would like to everyone to please turn off your cell phones at this time. After all, anyone who is likely to call you is probably here already. (humor)

We would also like to state at this time, that Drew and Trina are individuals that have traveled a varied and rich path to get to where they are today. With the assistance of their chosen clergy, they have created a wedding ceremony that not only reflects a traditional ceremony, but also honors and respects all aspects of their journey here.

We would like to state at this time, that if anyone here is uncomfortable with a non-traditional ceremony, that you are invited to retire to the reception area at this time, where you may join in the celebration of the event after the ceremony.

Thank you, and again, we’ll be getting started momentarily.

5:30 pm [Mother’s Processional to Ave Marie]
Jeff – Bridget, Steve – Jane, Drew – Julie – Guys to take their places.

[Maids on Honor Processional to Air]
Crystal – Neecey – Gabrielle

[Brides Processional to The Wedding March]

[Giving Away - Dawn]

A woman is not property to be bought and sold. She is her own spirit, her own being of power and will. No human being has the right or privilege to “give or take” another.

Trina, is it true that you come of your own free will and accord?
[Trina] Yes
(to Trina’s dad) As her father, do you offer the blessings of her family?
[Father] – yes
Thank you. (Father sits at this time.)

[Welcome - Dan]

Welcome, everyone! Today we have gathered here, to witness and celebrate the union of Drew and Trina. They come before us this day … their friends and loved ones, who have nurtured and supported them, so that we may share this moment with them.

[Addressing the couple - Dan]

Drew and Trina, you have come before us, to renew and publicly share in the joy of your union. Nearly six years ago, your spirits were bonded in the tribal tradition. The vows bonding your five aspects were spoken over the Sacred Pipe, witnessed by your tribe and sanctified by the tribal elders. Each year since, you traveled through the wheel, choosing new challenges to face, and bringing forth new creations. Until this point you have chosen to privately renew your bonds to one another. Once again, you are speaking your vows to each other over the Sacred Pipe. Only now you are sharing the beauty of your relationship with all of us, your family and friends.

[to all] – They ask us all to bear witness as they continue their life’s journey with the celebration of their legal union. They ask us to bless their union with our unconditional love and support.

And now, a poem by Robert Frost

[Reading] The Road Less Travelled – Robert Frost – (Meg)

[Charge - Dan and Dawn]

We offer you both an opportunity to make this promise –
· To take a moment, every day to remind yourselves of what brought you together.
· To give the highest priority to open-hearted communication
· To speak the unspeakable with each other.
· To be open to one another with the tenderness, gentleness and kindness that your marriage deserves.
· To devote time to your home fire.
· To rekindle your love while you journey together, taking time to share intimacy, dreams, hopes and desires.
· To maintain your understanding and sense of selves, while knowing that you are part of each other.
· To offer a hand up, and continually challenge each other to grow and reach for the more.
· To be a clear mirror of reflection for one another, and to be compassionate when confronting each other.
· To be the light for one another when darkness comes, and to shine brightly as a couple.
· To be the beacon in times of turmoil and to be each other’s comfort at day’s end.
· To take responsibility for the quality of your life together, and share in the abundance and delight.
· To recognize each other’s failings and differences – and love each other anyway.

Do you so promise?

[Trina and Drew] I do

And now an excerpt from the Velveteen Rabbit

[Reading] The Velveteen Rabbit – by Margery Williams – (Kristan)

[Blessing of the Elements - Dan and Dawn]
In times past it was believed that all things shared characteristics with the Divine. It is from this knowledge that certain attributes and elements were realized to be manifestations of the cardinal directions; South, West, North, and East. It is in this tradition that this ceremony is performed.

(trina gives flowers to neecy)

Raises bowl of water from altar: We call to South, water bless Drew and Trina with emotional fluidity, and the ability to stand with each other in trust and innocence. Anoints right hands with water.

Raises Earth from altar and says: We call to West, earth bless Drew and Trina with physical strength and stability, to use their intuition and introspection to share their inner most life with one another! anoints the bride and groom’s left hands with earth

Raises bowl of corn pahoe from altar and says: We call to North, air bless their union with mental flexibility, and allow them the wisdom, logic and knowledge to come together and experience each other as adults! places the corn pahoe in the eye of each hand.

Lights candle and picks up from altar: We call to East, fire shine like a beacon to illuminate and enlighten their expansive spiritual journey. Ignite the passion and lust for Drew and Trina, ever burning yet never one consuming the other. Runs the flame under their hands.

(Drew and Trina hold hands at this point)
Offers hands to the void and says: That which sits in the center of all wheels, that place of the soul, allow these spirits that have joined together, these partners, these lovers, these friends to always have open-hearted communication and to ever feel the love that the divine has for them.

And now a reading titled “The Invitation”
[Reading] The Invitation – Oriah Mountain Dreamer – (Diane)

[Vows - Drew and Trina]

Drew and Trina, now is the time to offer your vows to one another.

And now a poem by ee cummings

[Reading] I carry your heart with me – ee cummings – (Brian)

[Rings - Dan]
(the rings are handed to the Priestess to be passed through the flame)

Trina, you stand before your love, Drew. You come in trust and innocence as a sacred human being, and a woman of power. Is it your will and intent to bind yourself to Drew? If this is so, say at this time and place your ring in his hand.

[Trina] This is my will and my intent.

Drew, if it is your wish to be bound to Trina, place the ring on her finger (places ring on brides left ring finger)

Drew, you stand before your love, Trina. You come in trust and innocence as a sacred human being, a man of power. Is it your will and intent to bind yourself to Trina? If this is so, say at this time and place your ring in her hand.

[Drew] This is my will and my intent.

Trina, if it be your wish to be bound to Drew, place this ring on his finger (places ring on grooms left ring finger)

And now a reading from the Prophet

[Reading] Excerpt from The Prophet by Khalil Gabran (Troy)

[Blessing - Dawn]

Just as two threads woven together will form a strong and singular braid, so too can your lives merge together to create a strong and beautiful marriage. To make your relationship work will take love, vigilance, strength, compassion, and patience in this lifelong journey. At the core of your marriage, remain two individuals who decide daily that they need, want and desire a life together. This is why you are here today. It will take faith in each other to maintain and sustain your willingness to face any obstacles together, to know in your hearts that you truly want the best for each other. It will take dedication to stay open to one another; and to learn and grow together. It will take courage to go forward together without knowing exactly what the future holds. And it will take commitment, to hold true to the dream you both have pledged to share together.

[Blanket - Dan]

The blanket ceremony is an ancient tradition within many tribal cultures. In many traditions, the giving of a blanket was the symbol a woman would offer to her intended. This representation was understood to mean she was offering herself to him as a life mate. The blanket was brought to the wedding and then after the final blessing, the blanket is wrapped around the newly married couples’ shoulders to symbolize their union. This blanket is worn for the remainder of the ceremony, and presumably into their wedding bed. It is within this culture that Drew and Trina were first wed. To honor their first wedding ceremony they have brought their wedding blanket. At this time, two other members of the tribe have agreed to stand and adorn the couple with their blanket so they can be pronounced man and wife.

[Pronouncement - Dawn]

Drew and Trina have declared their love before this gathering, and made their pledges to each other. Therefore, by the authority given to me by the state of Ohio, and by the depth of your commitment to each other, and the breadth of support shown by this gathered community, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your husband.

I take great pleasure in introducing this now officially married couple, Mr and Mrs. Drew & Trina G.

(Final Comment – There is a receiving line, and we will be releasing you row by row. After the receiving line, please join us in the reception area next door for cocktails. )