Wedding Ceremony

Brenda Kay Klemmensen & James Edward Lillge

Officiated by Judge Elinore Marsh Stormer
Akron, Ohio
Sunday, 28 November 1999

Introduction

Judge

Brenda and James have brought us here today to share in the celebration of their marriage.  We come together not to mark the start of a relationship, but to recognize and dedicate the bond that already exists between them.  This marriage is the joyous uniting of two people whose friendship and mutual understanding have flowered into love.

It is fitting to speak briefly of love.  In a world of joy and fear, love allows us to search for meaning and strength.  Love is a human tie, an eternal force in life that empowers us to face uncertainty with courage.

One of the infinite varieties in the expression of love is marriage.  Your marriage symbolizes the sacred and intimate sharing of two lives, a sharing which does not diminish, but rather enhances your individuality.  You must always provide emotional and physical support for one another.  You must lead one another, but not be a burden.  You must be loving and faithful; considerate and respectful; creative and understanding.

The words that you will speak here today do not create your marriage.  This you must do in your own hearts and understanding.  In a sense, you have already done so in presenting yourselves at this time.

Judge (to the Bride's father)

Who presents this woman in marriage?

Bride's father (to the Judge)

Her mother and I do.

Judge (to the Groom)

Will you take Brenda to be your wife, to live together in marriage?  Will you, in your love, cherish, honor, and keep her in times of joy, and in times of trouble, forsaking all others, as long as you both shall live?

Groom (to the Judge)

I will.

Judge (to the Bride)

Will you take James to be your husband, to live together in marriage?  Will you, in your love, cherish, honor, and keep him in times of joy, and in times of trouble, forsaking all others, as long as you both shall live?

Bride (to the Judge)

I will.

Vows

Judge

Will you please join hands, and repeat after me:

Groom's Vow

I, James, take you Brenda, to be my wife, secure in the knowledge that you will be my constant friend, my faithful partner in life, and my one true love.  I promise always to give you my strength, my understanding, and my love, all the days of my life.

Bride's Vow

I, Brenda, take you James, to be my husband, secure in the knowledge that you will be my constant friend, my faithful partner in life, and my one true love.  I promise always to give you my strength, my understanding, and my love, all the days of my life.

Rings

Judge

Brenda and James, you have chosen to exchange wedding rings.  The ring has long been the visible symbol of vows taken in marriage. A circle with no beginning and no ending, it represents love which is everlasting, which begins in trust, grows through companionship, and deepens with understanding. Let these rings serve not as locks binding you together, but as keys, unlocking the secrets of your hearts for each other to know, and thus bringing you closer together forever.

Groom (places the ring on the Bride's finger):  This ring is a token of my faithfulness and love and our shared life together.

Bride (places the ring on the Groom's finger):  This ring is a token of my faithfulness and love and our shared life together.

Reading

Judge

Before we close, I would like to share a poem which Brenda and James have chosen for this ceremony.

Traditional Apache Wedding Prayer
Now we feel no rain, for each of us will be shelter to the other.
Now we feel no cold, for each of us will be warmth to the other.
Now there is no loneliness, for each of us will be a companion to the other.
We are two bodies, but there is one life before us and one home.
When evening falls, I'll look up and there you will be.
I'll take your hand; you'll take mine and we'll turn together
To look at the road we traveled to reach this - the hour of our happiness.
It stretches behind us, even as the future lies ahead.
A long and winding road, whose every turn means discovery.
Old hopes, new laughter, shared fears.
The adventure has just begun.

Closing

Brenda and James, you have made your vows, and have pledged your love and faithfulness here before your family. Therefore, by the virtue of the authority vested in me as a judge of the Akron Municipal Court, I now pronounce you Husband and Wife.
You may now kiss.