More Readings
In the course of searching for readings and scripts for our wedding ceremony, we came across a few selections that we considered including in the program but ended up leaving out to keep the ceremony fairly brief. I'd still like to share them, though, so I've posted them below.
Vincent Van Gogh, from a letter to his brother, Theo
I want to paint men and women with that something of the eternal which the halo used to symbolize … to express the love of two lovers by a wedding of two complementary colors, their mingling and opposition, the mysterious vibration of kindred tones. To express the thought of a brow by the radiance of a light tone against a somber background.
To express hope by some star, the eagerness of a soul by a sunset radiance.
From "Union," by Robert Fulghum:
You have known each other from the first glance of acquaintance to this point of commitment. At some point, you decided to marry…
From that moment of yes to this moment of yes, indeed, you have been making promises and agreements in an informal way. All those conversations that were held riding in a car or over a meal or during 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 a wedding.
The symbolic vows that 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” …
Look at one another and 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 few years. Now you shall say a few words that take you across a threshold of life, and things will never quite be the same between you. For after these vows, you shall say to the world,
This -- is my husband. This -- is my wife.