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Beth and Tim's Wedding - Ceremony

The ceremony took place at 3:30pm on May 19, 2007, at the Unitarian Universalist Church in downtown Urbana. It was performed by Minister Axel Gehrmann, the head minister of the church.

The ceremony was written by Tim, and is reproduced below. The whole thing lasted 5-10 minutes.

Seating

Guests were escorted in by the ushers to two songs: the Prelude and the Chocobo song, both from the Final Fantasy IV: Celtic Moon soundtrack. The geeks of the audience noticed, but it was still good music.

Procession

At this point, the music changed over to the Prologue from the same soundtrack. I'm not really able to listen to that track again without tearing up.

Tim enters first, escorted by his parents. He is given away to the altar - fair's fair, yes? The grooms- and brides-folk follow next. Finally, Beth enters, escorted by her parents.

Address

Welcome, all.

We are gathered here today to witness the joining of Tim Skirvin and Beth Dillman in matrimony. The couple - your friends - have waited until they could be here with you - their beloved family and friends - to enter into this ceremonial pact that reiterates the love and companionship that they have felt for each other for these past several years.

Tim and Beth have asked that this be a simple ceremony, and so it shall. Our presence here is to encourage, celebrate, and support the convenant that these two people, beloved to us, now make. The marriage that they are creating as its roots in themselves, and the love and friendship, and guidance each of us has offered them. Our presence here, and now, is in fact what *allows* this ceremony, this joining of two souls into two *larger* souls, *complete* souls, now and forever. Your presence, and your love, is what will make these two friends into not just a loving couple, but into man and wife.

Let us rejoice for our friends, rejoice that life has brought them together, brought them such happiness, and brought us all to this place today.

Interrogation

Tim and Beth, will you let your love grow ever more accepting? (WE WILL)
Ever more honest? (WE WILL)
Ever more trusting? (WE WILL)
Ever more true? (WE WILL)

Will you support and encourage your individuality? (YES)
Your families and friends? (YES)
Your individual and common goals? (YES)

Tim and Beth, will you make a place for all that is different, as well as all that is common in your lives together? (YES)

Tim, do you wish this woman to be known as your wife? (YES)

Beth, do you wish for this man to be known as your husband? (YES)

Exchange of Vows

Tim:: Beth, I take you as my wedded wife, to share my life with me. I pledge that I will love, and honor, and care for you in tenderness and affection, through all of the multitudes of experiences that we will experience together. I will always be there for you, and I will always look for you at my side. I love you. I thank you for everything that you have done for me. And I look forward to spending the rest of my life with you.

Beth: Tim, I am unbelievably happy to take you as my wedded husband. I vow to continue taking care of you, through all of life's trials, and to let you take care of me, no matter how sure I am I can handle everything on my own. You are my partner, and I want to spend the rest of my life at your side. I take you, today, in front of all our friends and relatives, as my husband, my lover, my partner and my best friend. To quote Aral, "I will love you forever and fiercely.

Exchange of Rings

Repeated by both of us in turn, as we slip them onto each other's fingers: With this ring I marry you. Accept it as a sign of my love, my trust, and my devotion.

Readings

A Rumi poem, read by Vered:

The wakened lover speaks directly to the beloved,
"You are the sky my spirit circles in,
the love inside of love, the resurrection-place.

Let this window be your ear.
I have lost consciousness many times
with longing for your listening silence,
and your life-quickening smile.

You give attention to the smallest matters,
my suspicious doubts, and to the greatest.

You know my coins are counterfeit,
but you accept them anyway,
my impudence and my pretending!

First, when I was apart from you,
this world did not exist,
nor any other.
Second, whatever I was looking for
was always you.

This is the true religion. All others
are thrown-away bandages beside it.

Neither words, nor any natural fact
can express this.

I know these dancers.
Day and night I sing their songs
in this phenomenal cage.

My soul, don't try to answer now!
Find a friend, and hide.

But what can stay hidden?
Love's secret is always lifting its head
out from under the covers,
"Here I am!"

Declaration

Those who by this covenant are joined together, let no one put asunder. Inasmuch as Beth and Tim have consented together in marriage, and have witnessed the same before this company, and thereto have pledged their faith to each other, and have declared the same by joining hands and by giving and receiving rings - I, by the authority vested in me by the Unitarian Universalist Church and by civil law, pronounce that they are now husband and wife.

Kiss

There were gripes that we didn't do it right during the rehearsal. I don't think that anybody believed that for the real thing.

Recessional

All parties walk out, to the Main Final Fantasy IV Theme (the overworld music).