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"Unity Torch" Lighting Ceremony
Read
by Christine Fortes, Andrew’s sister
Now,
we're going to engage in a ceremony of spiritual symbolism. Will the Mothers
of our Bride and Groom please come to the altar and light torches representing the separate families and pasts from which
Andrew and Debra have come today to be joined together as one?
Above you, below you, forever surrounding
you shall be the pledge you make unto each other today. It is the pledge of the truth and purity of your every breath. The constant friendship of your hearts, the passion and fire of your spirits and the
deepest love your souls have to give. It is the pledge of all that is within you. The
only true pledge that one heart can offer to another.
"You are now, as Husband and Wife,
offering yourselves, and all that has come to pass unto each other, towards the creation of your future, and to all that is
yet to come."
"The light that remains is the light of
God's love, the light in which you shall be forever as one."
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The sun
was out... the wind was light... a perfect 71 degrees set the perfection of our day in motion.
The ceremony
was held at The Gardens at Kenwood Farms in beautiful Sonoma Valley. The
outdoor ceremony began around 2:30 in the afternoon... with Debra and Andrew's father's, Laurel and Richard, officiating the
day!
The Bride's brothers, Keith and Karl Bennett, were the
ushers at the ceremony. As they did the honor of seating the glorious women that attended the wedding, they handed them
tiny silver bells. Attached to each bell was a tiny card that said:
Wedding Bells
Please ring this tiny wedding bell
To wish the happy couple
well
As they walk the aisle
as Husband and Wife
The bells will assure
them
a happy life!
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The ringing of the bells as the bridal couple leave the ceremony
is one of the oldest Scottish traditions…
It is said that when
a woman rings the bell, the sound will drive out evil spirits and ensure good
fortune!
You will see a few of the special
ceremonies that were performed at the wedding...
Performed by Eric Lange and Sher Mitchell
Eric Lange:
Andrew and Debra,
Your
gift to each other for your wedding today has been your wedding rings. Rings
which shall always be an outward demonstration of your vows of love and respect; and
a public showing of your commitment to each other...
You now have what remains the most honorable title
which may exist between a man and a woman - the title of "husband" and "wife." For your first gift as husband and wife, Sher and I would like to give you each a single rose.
In the past, the rose was considered a symbol of love
and a single rose always meant only one thing - it meant the words "I love you." Now,
we ask for you to exchange roses with each other.
In some ways it seems like you have not done anything
at all. Just a moment ago you were holding one small rose - and now you are holding one small rose. In some ways, a marriage
ceremony is like this.
In some ways, tomorrow is going to seem no different
than yesterday. But in fact today, just now, you both have given and received one of the most valuable and precious gifts
of life - one we hope you always remember - the gift of true and abiding love
within the devotion of marriage.
Sher Mitchell:
Andrew and Debra,
we would ask that wherever you
make your home in the future - whether it be a large and elegant home or a small and graceful one - that you both pick one
very special location for roses; so that on each anniversary of this truly wonderful occasion you both may take a rose to
that spot both as a recommitment to your marriage - and a recommitment that THIS
will be a marriage based upon love.
In every marriage there are times where it is difficult
to find the right words. It is easiest to hurt who we most love. It is easiest to be most hurt by who we most love. It might be difficult some time to words to say "I am
sorry" or "I forgive you"; "I need you" or "I am hurting". If this should happen,
if you simply can not find these words, leave a rose at that spot which both of you have selected - for that rose than says
what matters most of all and should overpower all other things and all other words. That rose says the words: "I still love
you." The other should accept this rose for the words which cannot be found, and remember the love and hope that you both
share today.
Andrew and Debra, if there is anything you remember
of this marriage ceremony, it is that it was love that brought you here today, it is only love which can make it a glorious
union, and it is by love which your marriage shall endure.
Our First Kiss as
Mr. and Mrs. Trappen
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"Honoring of Parents"
Read by Debbie Picasso, Debra's Aunt/Godmother
"Debra and Andrew’s parents gave them both so much love
and inspiration, they set the foundation for the family that Debra and Andrew will create. Debra and Andrew believe in love
because they have been so loved. Today they commit to continuing and deepening the love that brought them into this world.
It means a great deal to both of them that you are sharing in this- their most joyful of days. Between the two families, Debra
and Andrew’s parents bring over 65 years of marriage to our celebration today! That is quite a gift to pass on to your
children; the understanding that marriage lasts a lifetime. They have come through challenges and triumphs, through the profound
times and the simple times.
Debra gives her thanks to Dick and Susie for the love and the
kindness with which they raised Andrew. Your focus, your strength and your love have created an incredible man who she loves
with all her heart.
Andrew gives his thanks to Laurel and Donna for the spirit, the passion and the unconditional love
with which you raised Debra. Debra is a beautiful, strong and compassionate woman who he loves with his whole heart and being.
In the joy of this celebration we are also grateful for the love of their family members that have passed, for their love.
We know that they look down on this day with their blessings for Debra and Andrew’s happiness.
Their families; parents
and grandparents, have shown Debra and Andrew how to live a life of loving kindness and caring, and have illuminated the spirit
of living life to its fullest. This is an understanding that lives in them
and will live in their children."
Traditional Hawaiian Wedding Prayer
The love of God surrounds us. The love of God enfolds us. We thank You our Heavenly Creator for this day and for the beauty of it. For this
exact moment… We acknowledge you for bringing these two hearts together, knowing it is You who will strengthen and establish
them as one.
We ask that You weave their marriage tapestry
with golden threads of hope and love, commitment and truth, loyalty forgiveness and patience.
May they know always your
loving, living presence within their lives.
We say Mahalo in advance for all these gifts and more...
In the name of the Father and of
the Son and
of the Holy Spirit…
Aloha
and Amen.
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