Dianne & Michael's Wedding Ceremony
July 1, 2000



This ceremony was written by Dianne Krause and Janice Talone and was presented by Janice Talone.

Welcome & Thank You

Welcome everyone. Dianne and Michael wish to thank you for coming this evening to witness and celebrate their wedding. They both understand that it is the love from which they have come that enables them to go from here to create a strong and loving family of their own.

We join together this evening in the presence of family and friends to take part in one of the most joyous and sacred moments in Dianne and Michael's lives, as they pledge their love, commitment and devotion to one another.

Presentation

Who gives this bride in marriage? [Father says: "Her mother and I do".]

Honor of Michael's Mother

Groom says: "Mother, with all the love in our hearts, today, we honor you by lighting this candle, which represents you, as the eternal flame that has always guided my life and will continue to brighten all the tomorrows Dianne and I spend together. Know that you are part of our joy, today, and we will love you, always."

Remarks, Readings and Prayers

It is a sacred time in life when two people, who were once strangers are drawn together to declare their desire to live and grow together and make public their love for each other. A time when a man has found in a woman, his soul's recognition of the companion and inspiration for his life, and a woman finds in a man, peace, understanding and a sense of harmony only her heart can really know. Let us pray that the dreams which Dianne and Michael dream together will fulfill God's divine plan and their new life together will serve the greatest good and highest purpose for all.

Let us pray - -

Heavenly Father, we ask that with true fidelity and steadfast love, Dianne and Michael honor and keep the promises and vows they make this evening. May this marriage be blessed with enduring happiness, with peace and prosperity through all the years to come and keep their love that you make holy this day, ever endless.

Let us join in the words our Lord taught us to pray:

Our Father, who art in Heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name,
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
On Earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those
Who trespass against us.
Lead us not into temptation,
But, deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
And the power, and the glory,
Forever and ever. Amen

[Minister says, "Please be seated".]

Quote:

I'd like to quote from Tim Roemmich as he describes Marriage:

Marriage is the coming together of two very special people;
The unity and bonding of two loves;
The commitment made by two people for a common purpose.
It is the blending of two ideas, feelings, habits, and desires.
It is taking the good with the bad;
Understanding the other's reasons and feelings.
But most of all, it is sharing, compassion, forgiving, and best of all, making up.
Marriage is bonding of two unique people;
The beginning of their legacy together;
The start and strength of their family;
The passion of their beliefs, actions, and values;
And the love that is given to their children and their children's children.
Marriage is what brings two people together;
While Love is what keeps them together forever.

Hands of the Bride and Groom

Dianne, please face Michael, and hold his hands, palms up, so you may see the gift that they are to you.

These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and vibrant with love, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as he promises to love you all the days of his life.

These are the hands that will work along side yours, as together you build your future, as you laugh and cry, as you share your innermost secrets and dreams.

These are the hands that look so large and strong, yet will be so gentle as he holds your baby for the first time.

These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness.

These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes: tears of sorrow and tears of joy.

These are the hands that will comfort you in illness, and hold you when fear or grief wrack your mind.

These are the hands that will tenderly lift your chin and brush your cheek as they raise your face to look into his eyes: eyes that are filled completely with his overwhelming love and desire for you.

Michael, please hold Dianne's hands, palms up, where you may see the gift that they are to you.

These are the hands of your best friend, smooth, young and carefree, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as she pledges her love and commitment to you all the days of her life.

These are the hands that will hold each child in tender love, soothing them through illness and hurt, supporting and encouraging them along the way, and knowing when it is time to let go.

These are the hands that will massage tension from your neck and back in the evenings after you've both had a long hard day.

These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times.

These are the hands that will comfort you when you are sick, or console you when you are grieving.

They are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness.

These are the hands that will give you support as she encourages you to chase down your dreams. Together as a team, everything you wish for can be realized.

Minister says:

Let us pray - -

God, bless these hands that you see before you this day. May they always be held by one another. Give them the strength to hold on during the storms of stress and the darkness of disillusionment. Keep them tender and gentle as they nurture each other in their wondrous love. May Michael and Dianne see their four hands as healer, protector, shelter and guide. We ask this in your name, Amen.

The journey you are about to start is one of learning and growing that requires nothing but the most and the best that you will ever be asked to give each other. Therefore, it is a decision that cannot be entered into lightly, but, rather, undertaken with great consideration and respect for the other person and also yourself. With this in mind, Dianne and Michael, do you affirm your desire and intention to enter this commitment? [Answer by both: "I do".]

Universal Witnessing

Will all witnessing these vows do everything in your power to uphold Dianne and Michael in their marriage? If this is your intention, say "Yes, we will". [Answer by all present, "Yes, we will".]

Renewal of Vows

Let this ceremony be a time for the renewal of your own vows, a re-commitment to your expression of love. It is a time for all of us to affirm our willingness to allow love to flow through our lives and those around us. Let's share a moment to be silent for individual reflection.

[After a time of silence, Minister says:]

Into this holy union, Dianne and Michael now come to be joined in marriage. If any of you can show just cause why they may not be lawfully married, speak now; or, hereafter hold your peace.

Minister says - -

Dianne and Michael, face each other and, in truth, profess your intentions to grow the love you have for each other hereafter as husband and wife.

Vows

[Spoken by Groom, then Bride, individually to each other.]

Dianne, I take you to be my life's partner, for your honesty and beauty, kindness and goodness, wisdom and courage, and all that is you. I take you as my beloved wife for the rest of our lives.

Michael, I take you to be my life's partner, for your honesty and beauty, kindness and goodness, wisdom and courage, and all that is you. I take you as my beloved husband for the rest of our lives.

Dianne and Michael, please repeat after me: [Facing each other, the Bride and Groom repeat together - -]

I pledge myself to the growth of our Love,
Seeking to strengthen it
with patience and consideration,
understanding and honesty.
Not forgetting to respect your judgment,
your integrity,
your privacy,
and your individuality.
And continuously striving
to keep our Love active and alive,
So it may always be an inspiration
for everything we cherish.


This is truly a Communion of your two souls ….
A journey through life with the one you love as an equal partner.

Dianne and Michael, what symbols do you bring as a reminder of the promises given and received this evening?

[The rings are given to the Minister, who holds them in her hand and says…]

Ring Introduction

Each ring is a circle which is the symbol of the Sun, and the Earth, and the Universe. It is a symbol of holiness, and of perfection and peace. It is complete, without a beginning or an ending. And in this moment, Dianne and Michael choose for it to also be a symbol of their unity, but not of possession; of joining, but not of restricting. For love cannot be possessed nor can it be restricted. It requires freedom to keep it growing; freedom that is enriched by everlasting Trust and Truth.

Wear these rings in eternal joy as reminders of the precious memories and sincere promises you are making today. [Minister holds the rings up in her hand.]

Blessing of the Rings

Let us pray - -

Bless these rings that in giving and receiving, Dianne and Michael may abide in your peace, and continue in your favor, through their life's end. Amen

[Minister hands the rings to the Bride and Groom, individually, and asks them to repeat these vows after her, individually, as they place the ring on the others finger.]

Declaration of Consent

I, Michael, ask you Dianne to be my wife, my lover and my friend. Let this ring be a symbol for all to know of my sincerity, constant faith and love for you.

Dianne, do you choose to grant Michael's request that you be his wife?

[Dianne answers, "I do".]

I, Dianne, ask you Michael to be my husband, my lover and my friend. Let this ring be a symbol for all to know of my sincerity, constant faith and love for you.

Michael, do you choose to grant Dianne's request that you be her husband?

[Michael answers, "I do".]

Pronouncement

Dianne and Michael, you have chosen each other from all other men and women of this earth. You have declared your love and purpose, and have made your pledge to each other, symbolized by the holding of your hands and the giving and receiving of rings.

Now, inasmuch as you have announced the truths that are already written in your hearts, and have witnessed the same in the presence of God, family and friends, we observe joyfully that you have declared yourself to be husband and wife. So it is too, with the power vested in me, that I declare Dianne and Michael to be husband and wife.

Dianne and Michael join your hands - - -

Those who God hath joined together, let no one put asunder.

You may now seal your vows with a kiss.

Benediction

Let us pray - -

Spirit of Love and Life: Out of this whole world, these two souls have found each other. Their destinies shall now be woven into one design, and their perils and joys shall be shared to create a deeper understanding of their meaning of life.

Send your blessings upon Dianne and Michael that they may love, honor and cherish each other in faithfulness and patience, in wisdom and true godliness and may their home be a place of peace and happiness for all who enter it; a place of renewal; for growing and sharing; a place for music and laughter; a place where children can grow in happiness; and, ultimately, a place where love can always be found.

May their work be a joy in their lives that serves the world and may those who are near to them be constantly enriched by the beauty of their Love and the Joy in their hearts.

Always Know where Love is, there God is also. The Peace and the Unconditional Love of God surround you and remain with you both now and forever.

In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

It is my pleasure to present to you Mr. and Mrs. Michael and Dianne Krause.