Our Wedding - Ceremony Part Two

After making it down the aisle to stand next to my beautiful bride, it was time for the Words of Welcome.


We worked all summer on our ceremony with our wonderful officiant Rev. Alma Daniel. She took the time to work with us on all the aspects of the ceremony to ensure that the ceremony was perfect for us.


Words of Welcome

Dearest family and friends, we are gathered together to joyfully witness and celebrate the union of two best friends, two bright spirits, two amazing women. Dawn and Jennifer, in their love, respect, admiration and appreciation for each other now choose to sanctify their relationship by joining in marriage. We are privileged to participate in this significant step in the continuation of their life journey together.

Today, September 6^th, is a very special day, specially chosen for their marriage to commemorate the 23^rd anniversary of Jennifer and Dawn being together. In this regard, as in others, I am sure Dawn and Jennifer are unique. Over the years they have grown closer while honoring and supporting each other’s individual growth. Their loving bond, forged when they were best friends in fifth grade, has strengthened and deepened, allowing each to develop her personal gifts and talents.

This ceremony is the outward demonstration of the inward union of their hearts, minds and spirits. They choose to publicly commit to each other now – to continue to deepen their ever-fresh, ever-inspiring, ever-challenging relationship – surrounded by all of you who mean so much to them. You have provided love, support and comfort through the years. By your presence here today, you signify that you welcome them into the community as married partners in life and in love.

Quite a few of you have made a considerable effort and traveled many miles to share their happiness this evening. You’ve come from California, Minnesota, Florida, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., as well as the tri-state area and Long Island. Whether you’ve come from far or near, Jennifer and Dawn extend a hearty welcome to you all.

At this moment, when the air around us is charged with love, Jennifer and Dawn want to take a moment to honor the memory of Jennifer’s beloved father, Donald, their dear friend Antoinette, and Dawn’s loving grandmother Theresa. While they cannot be with us physically, I am certain that they, along with other departed loved ones, are here with us in spirit, and that their blessings overlight this ceremony and marriage.

This was immediately followed by the Question of Intent. As I mentioned in my last post, J & I started to hold hands as soon as I got down the aisle. Our officiant didn't notice this and when she said "Since it is your intention to join in marriage, please join hands." everyone erupted into laughter.


Question of Intent
"The hands you hold belong to your beloved. These are hands you already know so well, hands that have comforted and soothed you, touched you with love and caring and will continue to do so, throughout the years. Take a moment to treasure the touch. As you join hands, you join your lives in marriage."


Next up was a reading that I will cover in my next post, followed by the vows. We both worked on our vows with Rev. Daniel individually and we had her deliver them to us so we could repeat after her. We decided to write personal remarks that we read to each other after the vows.

Wedding Vows

The Question

Do you, Jennifer, choose Dawn as your wife, offering your friendship and loving care? Do you promise to honor her growth and freedom as well as your own, to love and respect her, cherish and protect her, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health and forsaking all others keep you only unto her so long as you both shall live?

Jennifer: I do.

Do you, Dawn, choose Jennifer as your wife, offering your friendship and loving care? Do you promise to honor her growth and freedom as well as your own, to love and respect her, cherish and protect her, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health and forsaking all others keep you only unto her so long as you both shall live?

Dawn: I do.

The Response

Jennifer, please repeat after me:

Dawn, you are my true love and my best friend. I marry you to seal the commitment I have already made in my heart. I promise to trust you, to tell the truth to you, to laugh and cry with you, and to be your partner in life and in love for as long as we live.

The Response

Dawn, please repeat after me:

I, Dawn, choose you, Jennifer, in the presence of our families and friends, to be my wife and partner. From this time forward, as before, I promise to love you,to be a comfort and safe haven in your life to hold you close, to listen deeply when you speak, to nourish you with my gentleness and uphold you with my strength. I vow never to take you for granted and always to be grateful for your presence in my life.

After the vows, both J & I read our personal remarks that we wrote for each other. They were so personal, heartfelt and we both even had some funny bits. I was so touched by what she wrote. I will cherish her words forever.


Next up - readings & the ring ceremony

All images: Daniel Krieger