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Ceremony Before (Ingrid at 12:00) (Guests arranged in circle, openings at 3:00, 6:00, and 9:00.) (Ingrid gives informal welcome.) (Ingrid tells guests about their roles: Saying "we do" during the blessing. Saying "We now pronounce you married!" during Pronouncement of Marriage.) (Bagpiper plays tunes.) Processional (Ingrid moves to center of circle, signaling start of ceremony.) (Ingrid asks everyone to stand.) (Bagpiper sees Ingrid moving to center of circle, and knows to plays Processional.)   (Laura & her family approach through circle at 9:00 and arrive at center.) (Geoff & his family approach through circle at 3:00 and arrive at center.) Welcome On behalf of Laura, Geoff, and their families, welcome to this beautiful piece of earth, and this wonderful day, and this celebration of the love that Laura and Geoff have for each other. This love has brought them here, to this place, to be married, and has brought us here as well, as their friends and family, to share this moment with them and to support and celebrate the uniqueness that is "Geoff and Laura": Two distinct individuals, who have found one another and decided to forward their journeys together, as partners. Just as the wind moves around us, but can’t be seen, there are those who are here in spirit, and in our hearts and minds, who Geoff and Laura would like to remember. Foremost in the thoughts of Geoff and his family is Geoff’s mother, Enid, who Geoff imagines standing here today along with his father and sister, beaming with joy. Also dearly missed is Geoff’s best friend Bob Futamura. It was through Bob that Geoff and Laura first met seven years ago, and in their thoughts he also joins us in here in our circle. Blessing of the Union by Parents and Friends As lovers of nature, Laura and Geoff knew it was essential for them to be married outdoors, be it on the sands of a beach bordered by eroding cliffs and rolling surf, or here in these mountains surrounded by grasses, trees, and sky. But above all else, Laura and Geoff value the support of their friends, their family -- their community. And so they would like to ask each of us here today to give our blessing on their marriage. Jim and Kathy, do you affirm this marriage and give it your blessing? "We do!" Ken, Dottie, and Liz, do you affirm this marriage and give it your blessing? "We do!" (To everyone...) You all have been invited to be witnesses to this wedding because of your friendship and special relationship to the bride and groom and their families. Do you affirm this marriage and give it your blessing? "We do!"   (Ingrid says please be seated.) (Each family returns to circle, at ring location where they entered.) (Laura & Geoff & Ingrid walk to 12:00 of circle.)   (Ingrid faces inward. Geoff & Laura stand sideways in front of Ingrid, facing each other.) Presentation of Elements Laura and Geoff have asked family and friends bring to this ceremony elements of nature from places that have had significant meaning in their lives. Liz (Water from Atlantic): This is water from the Atlantic Ocean, the coast where Laura and Geoff both grew up, and formed their love of its beaches. Kathy (Water from Pacific): This is water from the Pacific Ocean, the coast where Laura and Geoff explore by kayak, and call their home. Dottie (Items from RI): These items are from Matunuck, RI, where Laura spent her childhood summers crawling through its swamps in search of frogs and lizards. Jim (Items from C& O): These items are from the C& O canal where Geoff’s family would go for walks when he lived in his Washington, DC area childhood home. Garwood (Dust from the Playa): This is dust from the dry lakebed that is the Black Rock Desert, where Laura and Geoff join their community for an annual pilgrimage and reunion. Marta (Tree branch from NW): This tree branch is like one of many that Laura and Geoff see when hiking through the Pacific Northwest forests they love to explore. Nory (Items from NW beach): These items are from the Pacific Northwest beaches Laura and Geoff escape to for relaxation and renewal. Reading Ian will now read a piece entitled "Journey to the Amazon" by Joseph Richey. tall lush rain forest dripping in the morning wild orchids banana flowers thick vines drape los palos del sol & great white cedar; Others w/ five foot green elephant ears flopping, hundreds of butterflies, orange caterpillars, purple mosquitoes, pink mushrooms, & industrious leaf cutting ants commuting w/ hunks of green to store in infinite ant caverns & nourish among the fungus formed therein, tiny crimson roots twist around larger roots twisting around thicker branches spiraling around larger trunks of trees, disneyesque the organic biospheric plumbing in the world & a black butterfly w/ red striped wings flutters without a sound through billions of green leaves quivering moist in the patchy sunlight Address (Ingrid) Today we’re witnessing the marriage of two strong individuals—unique, creative, adventurous, and two of the best and most loyal friends one could ever hope to have.  It was as friends that Geoff and Laura began their relationship.   The seeds of this love were planted seven years ago. Part of the same circle of friends, talking and then sometimes flirting, Laura and Geoff orbited around each other for a long time.  When sparks finally flew, both were a little wary of the flame, not yet ready for a serious commitment.  But from their first conversation in a Seattle coffeehouse, Geoff and Laura made an extraordinary choice—to nurture their relationship with complete honesty and truthfulness.  This is the foundation their relationship is rooted in to this day.  For some people, this agreement would be too difficult. There is anxiety inherent in truth telling.  It’s difficult to lay bare your deepest fears and hopes.  I have an uncle who likes to repeat the proverb, "If you’re going to tell the truth, you better have a fast horse outside."  But Geoff and Laura?  They would decide to hop on that horse together, and would not be afraid see where it took them. From that first conversation in the coffee house, they were honest about who they were, and where they were as individuals.  Seven years later, we see how their love has grown.  And today, with all of us as their witnesses, they are here, openly declaring their love and commitment to each other.  In them we see individuals who find strength in openness, and take refuge in the adventure that has come as a result.   So more than merely having many interests in common, which they certainly do, they took this extraordinary risk to being open to the mystery that was the person sitting before them:  Always wanting honesty above reassurance, truthfulness above conformity, and a willingness to let their friendship and love grow, above all else. Speaking with Laura and Geoff, they envision their relationship as a tree.  The roots are honesty and trust—admitting imperfection in the self and encouraging individuality in the other.  The trunk represents support—support in taking the risks they face together, and relying on the other to be their ally as they challenge themselves.  Laura and Geoff are committed to nurturing each other’s heath and well-being—both emotionally and physically, so they may continue their journey into old and wrinkled age.   The leaves of the tree signify fun, passion, and taking joy each other’s unique individuality and soul.   The evergreens in the mountains surrounding us know that strength without suppleness lacks wisdom.  Rooted and strong, they can sway together with the inevitable winds of life, but do not break.  Like the evergreens, two trees side-by-side, Geoff and Laura wish to grow and move together, as individuals in love.  Through honesty, you, Geoff and Laura, have revealed to each other what is hidden, your inner essence. Through respect you have discovered what is manifest, your passion for adventure and learning, and your deep love for your friends and family. This is the genesis, and the sustained support that will lead you both into the future, a path of mystery, subtlety and many inward and outward voyages.  May the roots of your love grow deep into your hearts, may the trunk remain firm in storms, and the leaves quiver in the winds of adventure.  In a moment, you will exchange your vows.  Perhaps, when all is said and done, these vows are the boldest and noblest adventure you will ever undertake. Perhaps, in pouring yourselves completely into each other, as you do now, you enact an alchemy far beyond your knowing, which will let you stand together even when you are falling, walk together even when you have lost the way, stay rooted in each other even when times are difficult, always remembering the mysterious one that waits beyond the one you think you see.  Perhaps this vowing, begun today and repeated again and again in your hearts, as often as you can remember, is the most divinely human thing asked of you, that you may climb together, creating a love greater than you know. Reading Kristina will now read a selection called "On Marriage" from The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran. You were born together, and together you shall be forevermore. You shall be together when white wings of death scatter your days. Aye, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God. But let there be spaces in your togetherness, And let the winds of the heavens dance between you. Love one another but make not a bond of love: Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls. Fill each other's cup but drink not from one cup. Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf. Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone, Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music. Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping. For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts. And stand together, yet not too near together: For the pillars of the temple stand apart, And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow. -- The Marriage -- Blessing of the Rings Laura and Geoff have designed these rings to represent their bond. The rings share a silver base, but are not identical; they differ just as Laura and Geoff are individuals. Laura’s ring contains the element palladium, reminding us of the color of the sea shore she loves to investigate. Geoff’s ring contains the element gold, reminding us of the land he loves to explore. These rings complement each other with the same organic shape and woodgrain layers, reminding us of Laura and Geoff’s shared passion for nature. We will now pass these rings around our circle, so that each of you can take a moment alone with them, and give your blessing on these symbols of their love and commitment.   (Rings passed around entire audience.)   Exchange of Vows Thank you. Now that Laura and Geoff know that your blessings are with them, they will say their vows, and exchange the rings you have just held in your hands. I, Laura, take you, Geoff, to be my partner in marriage and in life. I will love you, trust you and be honest with you, respect you and your individuality, challenge you to follow your passions, encourage you in times of doubt, cheer you on in times of joy, be your partner as we explore this world, and through sorrow and success, sickness and health, be your best friend, your lover, your wife in this adventure we share for all the days of my life. I, Geoff, take you, Laura, to be my partner in marriage and in life. I will love you, trust you and be honest with you, respect you and your individuality, challenge you to follow your passions, encourage you in times of doubt, cheer you on in times of joy, be your partner as we explore this world, and through sorrow and success, sickness and health, be your best friend, your lover, your husband in this adventure we share for all the days of my life. Exchange of Rings I place this ring on your finger as a symbol of the commitment I have made to you, that I have chosen to share my life’s journey with you. May it remind you of my love whenever we are apart, for you know that I will always have you foremost in my heart.   I place this ring on your finger as a symbol of the commitment I have made to you, that I have chosen to share my life’s journey with you. May it remind you of my love whenever we are apart, for you know that I will always have you foremost in my heart. Pronouncement of Marriage We have heard Laura and Geoff pledge their commitment to each other, and we have seen them exchange the symbols of their love on which you have bestowed your blessing. Therefore, I ask you, the community of Laura and Geoff, to join me in this pronouncement, saying together, "We now pronounce you married." All: "We now pronounce you married!" Kiss! Benediction (Edward Abbey)      (No lead in, just start reading...) "May your trails be crooked, winding, [...] dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. May your rivers flow without end, meandering through pastoral valleys tinkling with bells, past temples and castles and poets towers into a dark primeval forest where tigers belch and monkeys howl, through miasmal and mysterious swamps and down into a desert of red rock, purple mesas, domes and pinnacles and grottos of endless stone, and down again into a deep vast ancient unknown chasm where bars of sunlight blaze on profiled cliffs, where deer walk across the white sand beaches, where storms come and go as lightning clangs upon the high crags, where something strange and more beautiful and more full of wonder than your deepest dreams waits for you -- beyond that next turning of the canyon walls."