Ceremony readings - Part 2

There's one wedding reading I fell in love with.
It couldn't be more real or more meaningful.
Even now when I read it, my breath catches in my chest a little at the end. And I feel a bit choked up.  It is special.

Union, by Robert Fulghum
*we worked it into the ceremony, so this is a slightly edited version, as it sounded on our day
Jessica and Adam,

You have known each other for seven years, from the first glance of acquaintance to this point of commitment. 

At some point, you decided to marry.

From that moment of ‘yes’ until this moment of ‘Yes’, indeed, you have been making promises and agreements in an informal way.

All of the conversations that were held in a car or over a meal or on long walks—all those sentences that began with “When we’re married” and continued with “I will and you will and we will”—those late-night talks that included “someday” and “somehow” and “maybe”—and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart.

All these common things, and more, are the real process of wedding.

The symbolic vows you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, “You know all those things we’ve promised and hoped and dreamed—well, I meant it all, every word.”

Now,  face one another to make your vows. Look at one another—remember this moment in time.

Before this moment, you have been many things to one another—acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, dancing partner, and even teacher, for you have learned much from one another in these last seven years.

Now you shall say a few words that take you across a threshold of life, and things will never be quite the same between you. 

For after these vows you shall say to the world:   This—is my husband. This—is my wife.

Gasp... it still gets me!

Here is the moment:

Ceremony readings

Sometimes I can't decide what I want this blog to be.
Sometimes it is a reflection and keepsake of my own wedding.
Sometimes I see new ideas that fit my theme perfectly, that i wish i'd seen earlier and that i want to share.
Sometimes I want to write about different events entirely... that aren't even rustic.  But this isn't the place. I'll save those ideas for another blog.
This is about the rustic garden party. Our rustic garden party. And the frame of mind, inspiration and fun things that made us plan it.
So.. let me share more of 'us' with you. The bits we chose, not just because they were pretty, but because they were meaningful, special and 'us'.

Here is a reading from our wedding. It was read by Adam's niece and nephew. (who are actually now my niece and nephew too, i suppose!).

It is an excerpt from a children's book from the 1960's: I LIKE YOU, by Sandol Stoddard Warburg.

I like you and I know why.
I like you because you are a good person to like.
I like you because when I tell you something special, you know it's special
And you remember it a long, long time.
You say, Remember when you told me something special?
And both of us remember

When I think something is important
you think it's important too
We have good ideas
When I say something funny, you laugh
I think I'm funny and you think I'm funny too

You know how to be silly
That's why I like you
Boy are you silly
I never met anybody sillier than me till I met you
I like you because you know when it's time to stop being silly
Maybe day after tomorrow
Maybe never

I like you because I don't know why but
Everything that happens is nicer with you
I can't remember when I didn't like you
It must have been lonesome then

If you go away, then I go away too
or if I stay home, you send me a postcard
You don't just say “Well see you around sometime, bye”
And I like you because if we go away together
And if I get lost
Then you are the one that is yelling for me

I will go on choosing you
And you will go on choosing me
Over and over again
That's how it will happen every time
I don't know why I really like you
I guess I just like you
I guess I just like you because I like you

Jake and Molly (afore-mentioned niece and nephew) did a fantastic job. Truly fantastic. It was one of the most emotional parts of the ceremony. They are cool kids.

Alternative Ceremony Seating

Ceremonies don't last that long in the scheme of the whole wedding. But they are the important bit. And they often set the tone for the rest of the day/night. I think it's a part that often gets neglected in the styling sense, but has lots of potential to be fun, different and special.
Here's a few ideas for ways to seat your guests for your ceremony....

Summer wedding, beautiful setting, casual vibe? Why not spread your guests out on picnic rugs on the grass?
Provide a basket or bucket with Champagne, Glasses and Nibbles. Delightful!

Oh Happy Day

For the rustic, country feel I love so dearly.. how about hay bales.
They can be plain and farmyard looking.. or dressed up to look cozy and comfy:

Simply Bloom Photography

Or they can even be turned into little lounges!

Elizabeth Anne Designs

When it comes to plain old chairs to sit on (imagine that!), I ADORE these East Hampton Chairs with floral cushions, from Lovebird Weddings:  (and by the way, if you happen to live in QLD you should totally be checking out this company. Their work is all things beautiful!)

From Lovebird Weddings

How about some old church pews. This is cool:

From Style Me Pretty

Or these cool old metal things:

All so very different, fun, special!