Beautiful Bride & Groom Vows

<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">When we at the Wedding Guru’s read these vows we were more than a little moved and so we wanted to share them with you. While not all of us have the gift of being able to write and explain ourselves so beautifully and poetically, what we can take from others who have absolutely put their hearts out there and created some beautiful vows, is that it gives the rest of us who struggle to explain our feelings a place to start.<o:p></o:p></span><br /> <br /><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">I want to tell you a little about the couple who wrote these vows so that you can see the words from the perspective that they were written.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">The bride, (known as Natalia) is a very accomplished professional who, while establishing her career has travelled the world and raised 3 children, a daughter and then twins on her own. When she met the groom (known as Graham) he himself had been through some of his own difficult times and was the father to four children two of whom were in their late teems and the other two just toddlers. Together they fell in love with not just each other, but all the things that they each brought to the relationship and they worked long and hard to make sure that on their wedding day, they each were able to express that love and gratitude in their vows: We hope you enjoy them as we did, they are a little long but far too good to cut down!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">The Wedding Guru’s<o:p></o:p></span></div><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">xxxx<o:p></o:p></span><br /> <br /><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br /></div><br /><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Groom’s vows<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div><br /><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Natalia. Shall I compare you to a summer's day? No.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">You are far more lovely and more constant<o:p></o:p></span></i><br /> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">December breeze undressing jacarandas<o:p></o:p></span></i><br /> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">And summer’s warm breadth? Too narrow.<o:p></o:p></span></i><br /> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Occasionally the sun flares too hot<o:p></o:p></span></i><br /> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Or retreats before floating mists<o:p></o:p></span></i><br /> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Every waxing beauty sometimes will wane<o:p></o:p></span></i><br /> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">By chance or helped by Nature’s guiding hand<o:p></o:p></span></i><br /> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">But your long endless summer shall never cool<o:p></o:p></span></i><br /> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Never be without your beauty within<o:p></o:p></span></i><br /> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Nor will heartbeats end deny your gift to me<o:p></o:p></span></i><br /> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">When eighty winters besiege your brow,<o:p></o:p></span></i><br /> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Furrow your beauty, <o:p></o:p></span></i><br /> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">I shall marvel in you <o:p></o:p></span></i><br /> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Still delight in your bounty.<o:p></o:p></span></i><br /> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">I enter our union </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><br /><span style="color: black;">Expectant of loving fully and heartily</span><br /><span style="color: black;">Without fear of giving quarter</span><br /><span style="color: black;">Sharing the marriage with those we love and care for. </span><br /><span style="color: black;">A beacon to our children </span><br /><span style="color: black;">Of commitment and committing</span><br /><span style="color: black;">Perfectly balanced loving</span><br /><span style="color: black;">Without pedestals. </span><br /><span style="color: black;">Just eye to eye, cheek to jowl, back to back. </span><br /><span style="color: black;">Forever.</span><br /><span style="color: black;">Half a lifetime too great an expanse to have traversed</span><br /><span style="color: black;">To alight at your doorstep</span><br /><span style="color: black;">So now cast aside your clocks. </span><br /><span style="color: black;">Set your compass true. </span><br /><span style="color: black;">Aboard for the ride of our life. </span><br /><span style="color: black;">And so it is. </span><br /><span style="color: black;">Just like you said it would be.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></i><br /> <br /><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br /></div><br /><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></span></i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;">Bride’s Vows<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div><br /><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Graham, you are my home, my one safe place. I fell in love with you for so many reasons, the way your eyes smile when you are happy or cheeky, your commitment to your children and those you love, your eternal optimism, your intelligence, strength and your outlook on life. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br /><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Graham, you, more than anyone, know my vulnerabilities, insecurities, frailties, and failings, yet you never take advantage, and love me all the more. You inspire, challenge, support<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>and nurture me. You believe in me when my own belief wavers and I am beset with self doubt. You find in me qualities that I did not trust or believe were there. Your love is unconditional, without reservation, constant, yet demanding, forthright and bold . Your love for my children and commitment to their growth and development as good, honourable, ethical, courageous and confident young people could be no greater if they were your own<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br /><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">What can I say to you that I haven’t already said, and what can I give you that I haven’t already given? Everything that is the essence of me belonged to you long before this. And it shall be yours, long after this, and for always.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br /><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">I give you not the "spring of my life" but the languid late summer and the autumn, brisk and vibrant. Our life together<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>inextricably entwines our 7 beautiful children, our large circle of friends<br />and our loving families. We will cherish the memories of our individual pasts and build our new life together. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br /><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Let me be the shoulder you lean on, the rock on which you rest. With you I will walk the path we have chosen and together we will dream. We may stumble and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>we may falter, but we will always be there for each other.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br /><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Tonight Graham, I join my life to yours. The decision to commit to share my life with you is one I make joyfully, easily and with full confidence in our love; secure in the knowledge that you are my best friend, confidant, partner in life, and my one true love. Time may pass, fortune may smile, trials may come; but no matter what we may encounter, I know we do it together, stronger for loving each other.”</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>

Beautiful Bride & Groom Vows

When we at the Wedding Guru’s read these vows we were more than a little moved and so we wanted to share them with you. While not all of us ...

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Let’s Talk Ceremonies

<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">To keep it upbeat and light I thought I would talk about ceremonies in general. Keep in mind that while couples spend months and thousands of dollars on their receptions, they sometimes forget about the ceremony. Of course the party and dancing are wonderful, but don’t forget that what you are there for is to actually commit to one another for life. Your family and guests aren’t just there for the free food and entertainment (although if your family is anything like mine, they may well be), they are there to see you make that commitment to one another. A good ceremony will envoke an emotive response in your guests with laughter, tears and warm memories.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwGb23fSB4D1bHL-Iz9A2evgqM5XBz1INlYC7ia6UuscO7SEz49Zi0ITYnBhyphenhyphenVitiwGUR99W8cc81Mn7rFyhzyfs5UJsVw7YMAwopHrclPYE6L-J3P04Z_1eS8d_uPj7FyDmrhyowNNJyP/s1600/Wedding+Ceremony.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwGb23fSB4D1bHL-Iz9A2evgqM5XBz1INlYC7ia6UuscO7SEz49Zi0ITYnBhyphenhyphenVitiwGUR99W8cc81Mn7rFyhzyfs5UJsVw7YMAwopHrclPYE6L-J3P04Z_1eS8d_uPj7FyDmrhyowNNJyP/s1600/Wedding+Ceremony.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">So many clients come to me having absolutely no idea about how to plan their wedding ceremony, what the legal requirements are or how to put together something special and memorable which is what we all want, right? </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">The first question I usually ask them is “Have you attended many ceremonies before?” Often the answer is no and it is at this point we start with a completely blank canvas and begin to build a fantastic ceremony from scratch. Sometimes though, the answer is yes, so the next question I ask them is “thinking back to those ceremonies, what did you like, what did you dislike and were there any points during the ceremony that you felt like pulling your fingernails out with boredom?” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">This is always a great place to start. It’s easy to pick someone elses ceremony to pieces so the best way to make yours great is to analyse those that you yourself have attended. It’s not about being mean, but about recognising what inspires and uplifts you and how you can put some of your own personalities into your big day so that it really reflects who you are as individuals and as a couple.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Once we have established a list of like’s and dislike’s then we are ready to start making some plans. There are so many choices, but the most important thing to establish before proceeding is if you want a more traditional ceremony or something modern and different. If you really want to stick with a traditional format, then there are plenty of things that you can incorporate to make it beautiful and most importantly your own. If you really want something different and modern however, then the world is your oyster so to speak!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">There are so many considerations, such as the length of the ceremony, the wording, giving of the bride, readings, vows whether or not to include a ritual and the list goes on……</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">So what is the order of a ‘usual’ ceremony?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Well it goes something like this, but is open to interpretation:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">›<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">  </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Opening music details: </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">›<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">  </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Details of Bridal parties entrance </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"></span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">›<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">  </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">The Welcome -<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Celebrant usually writes this (just 1-2 lines)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">›<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">  </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Giving of the Bride:  </span><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">›<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">  </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Introduction:   </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">        </span><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">›<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">  </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">1^st Reading:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">         </span><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">To be read by:</span><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">›<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">  </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Celebrant’s Monitum – This is what the Attorney Gen requires the celebrant to </span><br /><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">                                       say in order to meet </span><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">the </span><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">legal requirements</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">›<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">  </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">The Asking:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">›<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">  </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">The Vows: </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"></span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">›<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">  </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">The Ring Ceremony: </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">›<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">  </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Details of any traditions/rituals/symbolism: </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"></span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">›<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">  </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">2^nd Reading:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">          </span><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">To be read by:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">›<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">  </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Declaration by Celebrant:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">›<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">  </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Signing of Marriage Certificate & Register</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">›<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">  </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Presentation of Bride and Groom as Mr & Mrs</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">›<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">  </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Any announcements for guests</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">This is just a guide and as long as all of the legal requirements are met (depending on which country you live in of course) then you can add and remove things to suit your needs.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">In future blogs I will address each of these sections individually and in more depth so please post your comments or any questions and I am happy to answer or help in any way.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #b2a1c7; font-family: "Segoe Script", "sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: accent4; mso-themetint: 153;"></span></b><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Segoe Script", "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Susan x</span></b></div></div>

Let’s Talk Ceremonies

To keep it upbeat and light I thought I would talk about ceremonies in general. Keep in mind that while couples spend months and thousands o...

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Should we write our own vows?

<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">If I had a dollar for every time couples asked me this question, let’s just say I would be lying on a beach in the Bahamas sipping a cocktail.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">There is really no right or wrong answer to this question and it is honestly nothing more than a consideration of what kind of person you are and if you feel confident with words and your ability to deliver them in front of a live audience. One thing that I have definitely noticed is that the ladies are always far more eager to take on this task than the gentlemen. Why? I really have no idea but for some reason it almost always seems to be the case all but for a few exceptions. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">When I sit down to put together a ceremony with a couple, the vows is always the section that takes us the longest to work through. There are lots of options and different methods of delivery and it’s often hard to decide in advance what your level of confidence will be like on the day.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">The easiest way to do this is to break it down into 2 sections and they are Delivery and Content:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; tab-stops: 96.0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">Firstly, Delivery:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;"> <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">      </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">    </span>Do you want to repeat them after the celebrant or priest?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; tab-stops: 96.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">                                </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">    </span>Read them from a card or </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; tab-stops: 96.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">                                </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">    </span>Recite them from memory</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; tab-stops: 90.0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; tab-stops: 90.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">Making a decision about which method of delivery you will use greatly affects your content but we will look at that in a moment. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; tab-stops: 90.0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; tab-stops: 90.0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">Secondly, Content:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;"> <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">      </span>Do you want to write something personal from the heart</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; tab-stops: 102.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">                                  </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">  </span>Choose a standard vow (modern or traditional)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; tab-stops: 102.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">                                  </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">  </span>Adapt/reword a standard vow or one personally written </span><br /><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">                                    by someone else</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">Choosing a particular mode of delivery directly affects your choice of content due to the fact that if you really want to repeat the words after the Celebrant/Priest then 2-3 lines is about the maximum length you can use. Something personally written is usually not a good choice in this instance because it tends to be longer than 2-3 lines and does not come across well to guests. Vows longer than 2-3 lines are not pleasant when repeated because as you can imagine the guests feel like they are watching a tennis match, celebrant says a couple words, bride repeats the words, celebrant says a couple more words, Bride repeats and so on and on and on and then it’s the grooms turn to do it all over again!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "Segoe Script", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: accent4; mso-themetint: 153;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Segoe Script", "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Repeat:</span></b></div></span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">If you choose the option repeating after the Celebrant/Priest, by far the best idea is to choose either a short standard Vow or a personal Vow that is no longer than about 3 lines in length (including the legal wording).</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #b2a1c7; font-family: "Segoe Script", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: accent4; mso-themetint: 153;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Segoe Script", "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Read:</span></b></div></span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">If you are happy to read your Vows from a card then you are free to write anything you want as long as you ensure that the approx 2 lines that the Commonwealth stipulate must be said in order for your marriage to be valid (your celebrant or priest will discuss this with you). </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: #b2a1c7; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: accent4; mso-themetint: 153;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"></div></span><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;"><strong><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: Segoe Script;">Handy Hint: </span></strong>If you decide to write your own vows then a great thing to bring it all to life is to write your vows to each other secretly and submitted them to the Celebrant/Priest separately so that the other does not know what will be said on the day. This is wonderful and adds an element of excitement for you as the couple on the day. I have seen this leave couples sobbing when the words are spoken.</span> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: #b2a1c7; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: accent4; mso-themetint: 153;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"></div></span><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;"><strong><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: Segoe Script;">Recite: </span></strong>The final option is to recite your vows from memory. When I got married years nearly 13 years ago I remember the Deacon who married us saying that we MUST learn our vows because it is the one thing that we have to do for ourselves on the day. I understand his point about the fact that each person should make the effort to at least remember what they want to say to the other, but in all honesty it ruined my experience of my ceremony because I was so petrified of forgetting the vows that it was all I could think about or concentrate on rather than really enjoying my wedding day and having all of my family and friends together.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">Since then I have only ever had two couples who were absolutely sure that they wanted to recite their vows from memory and they were practising right up until the last moment and ………. in both cases I ended up having to prompt them through it. It is not because they just suddenly forgot, it is because it is very difficult to anticipate how powerful it is standing up there and the rollercoaster of emotions that is consuming you as you look at each other with all of your loved ones looking on.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">My final bit of info on this topic is just a small caution. If you are going to write your own vows and especially if you are going to keep them secret, MAKE SURE that you are on the same page in terms of the tone. For example I had a couple who submitted their vows separately and while his was a full page of gushing about how divine his beautiful bride to be was and how he had fallen in love with her from the instant he saw her, when I read her vows my heart almost skipped a beat. Her vows were a hilarious account of their life together and all of his bad habits that disgusted her and drove her crazy and how she loved him for it. Both were great stories, but it would have been a disaster for him to give his loving speech only for her to follow with her comedy routine.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">When deciding on what to choose for your vows, talk to each other about it and try to find an option that you are both comfortable with. A good Celebrant or Priest will always have a stack of options and ideas so rely on their expertise to guide you in the right direction.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">If you have any problems or questions at all, feel free to comment and I am more than happy to help.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Microsoft PhagsPa", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">Regards</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #b2a1c7; font-family: "Segoe Script", "sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: accent4; mso-themetint: 153;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Segoe Script", "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Susan</span></b></div></span></b></div>

Should we write our own vows?

If I had a dollar for every time couples asked me this question, let’s just say I would be lying on a beach in the Bahamas sipping a cocktai...

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