April 14, 2007
aboard the Moshulu in Philadelphia
Photographs
Waterworks
Art Museum
Rittenhouse Square
While standing in front of the Art Museum, our photographer ushered a busload of teens to one side. The conductor of this traveling choir group then assembled them on the steps, and they sang to us ‘My Beautiful Bride’.
Wedding Party
| Bride | Sarah Bond |
| Matron of Honor | Ann Detavernier |
| Mother of the Bride | Rose Miller |
| Father of the Bride | George Bond |
| Groom | Jonathan Butz |
| Best Man | Christopher Butz |
| Mother of the Groom | Jodie Butz |
| Father of the Groom | James Butz |
| Officiate | Kane Platt |
Wedding Ceremony
Entrance music begins [Pachelbel – Canon in D]
Groom enters, stands right
Bride’s parents enter, greet groom, stand left
Groom’s parents enter, greet groom, stand right
Maid of Honor and Best Man enter, greet groom, stand left and right
Bridal music begins [Schubert – Ave Maria]
Bride appears, walks half way up aisle, pauses
Groom walks half way down aisle
Bride and Groom clasp hands, walk arm-in-arm to front
Kane:
Hello and welcome. My name is Kane Platt, and for those of you who don’t already know, I am Jonathan’s uncle. I am able to have the honor of presiding over this joyous occasion thanks to the Quakers and William Penn, who founded the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In their tradition, the wedding ceremony is essentially performed by the couple and the congregation. This is not a Quaker wedding, but I am going to ask you all to take a moment to look around you. You are the people who are most important in Jonathan and Sarah’s lives, the people whom they trust and love. Even though I’ll be doing most of the talking today, in the eyes of Sarah and Jonathan you are all presiding, we all have been given the honor and privilege of bringing these two people together in marriage.
Friends and family, today we gather to honor the most important of human traditions. From time out of mind to this day and across the cultures of our world, we celebrate the union of two people and their love for one another. Nothing quite captures the essence of humanity as the beauty and depth of our love. By sharing this day, we share in the love of this couple about to join their lives together, so that in their love and joy on this day and ever after, we may find that same happiness also in ourselves.
A wedding is a grand and joyous affair, bringing together the special people who have touched the lives of the couple for celebration. From the smallest child to the senior members of their families, from old friends carried with them through their lives to those only recently met, today we rejoice in the love of Sarah and Jonathan as they begin together the greatest of life’s adventures.
Sarah and Jonathan, as you begin your lives together, let us remember the great journey that brought you here, one begun in the care of two couples who have given their best to you both, in the hopes that you would come to know the importance of love and seek a partner to share in the joys (and the trials) that await you.
As you continue to grow and build your lives together, you will still need their guidance. Rose and George, will you continue to offer guidance and wisdom as you have? If so, answer: ‘We will.’ We will. Jodie and James, will you continue to offer guidance and wisdom as you have? If so, answer: ‘We will.’ We will.
You also need the support of your siblings. Through their eyes, you have and will see yourselves and your relationship in a different light. Ann and Christopher, will you offer this reflection as you have? If so, answer: ‘We will.’ We will.
Those gathered here today are here because they, too, have played a role in your journey to this moment. They offer you community, friendship, support, opportunities, wisdom and many other things besides.
Will you gathered with us today continue to offer these essentials? If so, answer, ‘We will.’ We will.
Sarah and Jonathan have written vows that they will now exchange.
Sarah:
You are the most important person in my life. The love and encouragement you’ve shown me have nurtured my growth and brought me great joy. With earnest devotion,
I promise to love you without reservation.
I promise to listen sincerely.
I promise to be honest and trusting through all we may endure.
And I promise to cherish our friendship as your partner in life.
Jonathan:
Sarah, you have been the most important person in my life since our first summer together, and the support you’ve given me has inspired me to be better each day in everything that I do.
I promise to be as supportive of you, in every way, of everything that you do.
I promise to give you the best of me and to love you through all that we encounter together.
I promise to do everything in my power to ensure that each year together is more wonderful than the one before.
Kane:
The exchange of rings dates back to classical civilization, worn on the fourth finger, encircling the vena amoris (the ‘vein of love’), which was thought to lead directly to the heart. Today they are the symbol of the commitment made between two people. Sarah and Jonathan, please exchange your rings.
Sarah:
This ring is my gift to you.
I offer it as a symbol of my love and commitment.
Wear it and always know that I love you.
With this ring, I take you as my husband.
Jonathan:
This ring is my gift to you.
I offer it as a symbol of my love and commitment.
Wear it and always know that I love you.
With this ring, I take you as my wife.
Kane:
Sarah and Jonathan, you have the support of each other, the support of your families and the support of your friends. You have exchanged vows and given each other the gift your love.
Treat yourselves and each other with respect, and remind yourselves often of what brought you together. Give the highest priority to the tenderness, gentleness and kindness that your connection deserves. Should frustration, difficulty or fear assail you, remember what is right between you, and in each other’s arms ride out the storms. Take responsibility for the quality of your life together, and may it be marked by abundance and delight.
Embrace each other now for the first time as Husband and Wife.
Exit music begins [Mendelssohn – Wedding March]
Bride and Groom kiss, face crowd
Bride and Groom exit together
Maid of Honor and Best Man exit together
Bride’s parents exit
Groom’s parents exit
Officiate exits