THE CEREMONY

The Bride arrives with her Father in a beautiful Rolls Royce

The Bridal Party pose for shots at the Front Door

Soon the Bride walked down the aisle to her Husband-to-Be and participated in a wonderful ceremony from the Rev. Dr. Colin Wicker from Dundee.  As many brides-to-be will be looking at this site, I thought you would all like to see the full ceremony.  So here is a copy of the actual Order of Ceremony.  The real thing is a lovely momento for us, as the Minister also got all the guests to sign it after the Ceremony.

OPENING POEM; An Old Celtic Poem She stood in her snood and arasaid beneath the trees of the wood, The buckled plaid round her shoulders laid, she looked for him as she stood.
He came running to her over the heath, a present was in his hand, And upon his dirk drawn from the sheath, they plighted their troth to stand.
The mavis was singing in the tree, the lark was high in the air, Happy was he and happy was she as they stood together there. He held her close in his arm’s embrace, their eyes and lips did meet, He looked down in to her lovely face, and her heart did faster beat.
The clouds flew over the mountain crest, the spray was flecking the sea, She drew him close to her throbbing breast, her prisoner for aye to be. They went to kirk and it came the time, and the book the priest did take, He in his kilt was so bright and fine and his promise he did make.
She stood at his side, so white and fair, her white fingers fair to give, The priest handfasted them then and there, he blessed them long to live.
O God give the joy and God the love, to those who are lovers true,Shed down benediction from above as one and one are joined two.

We are here today to participate in a most joyous occasion, to celebrate one of life's greatest moments, by acknowledging the wedding of Graham and Nikki.
Graham and Nikki, it is this day you make a giant step of courage, of commitment, to communicate the love, to understand and grow. When a commitment this strong is made by two people, the force of that commitment, of that love, of that courage, reaches out and touches all of us around you, so that our lives are changed and we share a part of your love.
Like a stone dropped in a still pond, the ripples of the love from this celebration extends and changes the world we live in.
In our long history we have never discovered a better way of life than sharing it together in love in a lasting and responsible way. This arrangement seems to meet our deepest human needs for love and companionship, for someone with whom we can share in an intimate and trusting way all the hopes and joy and dreams of life.
But real love Graham and Nikki, is something beyond the warmth and glow, the excitement and romance of being deeply in love. It is caring as much about the welfare and happiness of your marriage partner as about your own. Real love is not total absorption into each other, it is looking outward in the same direction together. Love makes burdens lighter because you divide them. It makes joys more intense because you share them. It makes you stronger, so you can be involved with life in ways you dare not risk alone.

Love is always patient and kind, it is never jealous, love is never boastful or conceited, it is never rude or selfish, it does not take offense, and is not resentful. Love takes no pleasures in other people's sins but delights in the truth, it is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes. Love does not come to an end. Selfishness has no place in a lasting relationship. Happiness is what each of you should seek for the other. Ask less for yourself than you are willing to give. Love can be shown by a word or touch or two thoughts entwined as one. In every relationship, trust is very important, never break that trust.

May this man and this woman be a blessing and comfort to each other, sharers of each their dreams, consoler to each others sorrows, helpers to each other in all life's vicissitudes. May they encourage each other in what ever they set out to achieve. May they trust each other, trust life and be unafraid. May they love each other and offer love and support to those around them.

Marriage is not only a commitment between lovers, it is also an agreement between two friends. Allow each other time to be an individual, respect each other's wishes as well as their dreams.


We now ask Christine and Paul to join Nikki and Graham in a reading.
READING The Hands of the Bride and Groom
BRIDESMAID;
“Nikki please face Graham and hold his hands, palms up, So you may see the gift that they are to you.
These are the hands, young and strong and vibrant with love, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as he promises to love you all the days of his life. These are the hands you will place with expectant joy against your stomach, until he too, feels his child stir within your womb. These are the hands that look so large and clumsy, yet will be so gentle as he holds your baby for the first time. These are the hands that will work long hours for you and your new family. These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness.These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes: tears of sorrow and tears of joy. These are the hands that will comfort you in illness, and hold you when fear or grief rack your mind. These are the hands that will tenderly lift your chin and brush your cheek as they raise your face to look into his eyes: eyes that are filled completely with his overwhelming love and desire for you.”

BEST MAN;
“Graham, please hold Nikki’s hands, palms up, where you may see the gift that they are to you.
These are the hands that are smooth, young, and carefree, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as she pledges her love and commitment to you all the days of her life. These are the hands that will hold each child in tender love, soothing them through illness and hurts, supporting and encouraging them along the way and knowing when it's time to let go. These are the hands that will massage tension from your neck and back in the evenings, after you've both had a long hard day. These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times. They are the hands that will comfort you when you are sick or console you when you are grieving. These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness. These are the hands that will hold you in joy and excitement and hope, each time she tells you that you are to have another child; that together you have created a new life. Perhaps these are the hands that will comfort you when you are feeling down and be the hands that will lift your spirits, when you need them most. These are the hands that will give you support as she encourages you to chase down your dreams. Together, as a team, everything you wish for can be realized.”


PRAYER
I bless the hands that you see before you this day. May they always be held by one another. Give them the strength to hold on during the storms of stress and the dark of disillusionment. Keep them tender and gentle as they nurture each other in their love. Help these hands to continue building a relationship founded in trust, rich in caring, and devoted to reaching for perfection.
May Nikki and Graham see their four hands as healer, protector, shelter, and guide.
We ask this in the name of our Lord, now and forever,
Amen.

DECLARATION OF INTENT
Graham, do you take this woman whose hand you now hold, choosing her alone to be your wedded wife? Will you love her, comfort her with kindness, understanding and respect throughout your lives? Share the good times and achievements as well as the hard times and disappointments? Keep her in sickness and in sorrow and to be faithful to her forevermore.
I will.
Nikki, do you take this man whose hand you now hold, choosing him alone to be your wedded husband? Will you love him, comfort him with kindness, understanding and respect throughout your lives? Share the good times and achievements as well as the hard times and disappointments? Keep him in sickness and in sorrow and to be faithful to him forevermore.
I will.

PIANO AND SOLOIST PLAY “SAY YOU’LL BE THERE”, WRITTEN AND COMPOSED BY THE GROOM.

VOWS
I, Graham McLeod, take you Nicola Jane Wishart as my lawful wife/ from this day forward to have and to hold/ as equal partner in my life/ to whom I give my deepest love and respect/ I humbly open my heart to you/ as sanctuary of warmth and peace/ where you may find a refuge of love and strength. I thank you for coming into my life/ I have waited so long for my heart to be glad/ for my soul to be full/ we have come so far against so many odds.
I, Nicola Jane Wishart, take you Graham McLeod as my lawful husband/ from this day forward to have and to hold/ as equal partner in my life/ to whom I give my deepest love and respect/ I humbly open my heart to you/ as sanctuary of warmth and peace/ where you may find a refuge of love and strength. I thank you for coming into my life/ I have waited so long for my heart to be glad/ for my soul to be full/ we have come so far against so many odds.

RINGS
The wedding ring is the outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual bond, which unites two loyal hearts in endless love. This ring by its shape, is a symbol of the undying love that exists between you. The substance of which it is composed is a symbol of purity, which shall ever characterize your mind and hearts in all your relationships together.
Let these rings symbolize the devotion and commitment each holds for the other. These rings, given in love, are a testimony to all who bear witness that Graham and Nikki are truly joined together as husband and wife. As you exchange rings, please say with me, Graham -
This ring I give you/ in token of my devotion and love/ and with my heart/ I pledge to you/ all that I am/with this ring I marry you/ and join my life to yours. Repeated for Nikki.

READING the Apache Wedding Prayer
Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter for the other. Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to the other. Now there will be no loneliness, for each of you will be companion to the other. Now you are two persons, but there is only one life before you. May beauty surround you both in the journey ahead and through all the years, May happiness be your companion and your days together be good and long upon the earth.

DECLARATION OF MARRIAGE
Graham and Nikki, I ask you and all who are gathered here to pray for God's blessing upon your marriage and your home. These two lives are now joined in one unbroken circle. Wherever they go, may they always return to one another in their togetherness. May these two find in each other, the love for which all men and women long. May they grow in understanding and in compassion. May the home that they establish be such a place of sanctuary that man will find there a friend, and may these two rings symbolize the spirit of undying love in the hearts of both of them.
I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.

EXIT FOR THE SIGNING OF THE REGISTRAR
FINAL WORDS
You are now truly married, but think not that you have finished anything here today. This service is all but the mark of a new beginning. Today, before all the world, you have formally lit the lamp of love. Keep warm and bright with mutual concern. Replenish the source of it’s light with daily care, with gentleness and with respect. Take it with you wherever ou may go, but let it not burn dry wit your indifference; let it not flicker nor grow dim through your carelessness.
Care for it and rejoice in it. Make it a real thing, not only for yourselves, but for all who behold it. Go now, hand-in-hand and rejoice in your new-found freedom.