Grand Weddings at the Faire
Well, the Renaissance Weddings came to an end this last Sunday. I performed a total of 13 this year at the faire for couples of all ages. The wedding coordinator, Linda Kincaid, did a great job this year and she was on top of all of the needs of the nervous couples from the Bride’s bouquet to orchestrating the grand parade from the entrance to St. Peter’s Chapel led by bag pipes.I am always amazed at the garb that the couples wear. The Bride’s were all in period dresses in a wide variety of colors and materials as were the Grooms in true knights dress with swords at the ready to defend the honor of his Bride.The most memorable one was a pirate wedding. The Groom was dressed in a very authentic pirate outfit complete with black dread locks of hair on his beard. His “wench” was dressed in a sassy outfit as were her brides maids.All in all the faire was fun, the food fantastic and the weddings SPECTACULAR!!!!! Good job Linda - HAZAH!!!!!!
Good luck to all of you and God bless….Rev. Ben http://www.renfestival.com/To schedule a wedding at next years faire email Linda at weddings@renfestival.com
Hello, This weekend was a very busy one in the wonderful world of weddings. I performed six this weekend with three at the Ren fare, one in Miamisburg in the Baum Opera House, and one at Camp Kern in Oregonia, OH and one in Sharon Woods.
The wedding in the Baum Opera house was a really nice "family" wedding. The Bride and Groom have a blended family with two girls and a boy. The kids were 8-12 years old and were decked out in formal attire like their parents.
When I pronounced the couple Husband and Wife I had all of the children come up to the front and placed their hands on their parent's hands and then said the magic words. It was a really nice evening with many friends to help with the celebration.
The wedding at Camp Kern was a different type of ceremony which was held out doors next to the lake. The Bride and Groom are kyaking enthusiasts and after they were husband and wife - their friends made an archway of paddles for them to walk under.
This couple included many family members in the ceremony which I have below. The weather was sunny and just a little bit "crisp" as the Bride rode to the site in an open white horse drawn carriage. Very Romantic!!
Jocelyn and Ron - Wedding Ceremony(read by Kristine)
Our FamilyAuthor Unknown
Our family is a circle of love and strengthening every birth and every union, the circle grows joy shared adds more love obstacle faced together makes the circle stronger.
(Reverend) As we come here today to unite these two people, we are also creating a union between their friends and families. As you encircle Ron and Jocelyn at this moment, may that bond never break and your circle of love grow stronger with every precious moment that life has in store.
Intent
I have a question for you both,
and I ask that you answer it is.
-
Is it your intention that come here
freely and with out reservation to be joined
As Husband and Wife???
It Is
(Tracy)ONthisyourweddingday, May angels smile upon you!
For a single heart now beats, Where once there had been two.
The Spirits have brought you to this day, Through all of life's confusions;
To come full circle all the way, To bless your wedded union.
May your days be filled with laughter,
VOWS
When you are sad, You will dry the others tears.
When you are scared, You will comfort the others fears,
When you are worried, You will give The other hope,
When you are confused, You will help the other cope,
And when you are lost and cannot see the light,
You will each be your beacon ever so bright.
This is your oath; You pledge to the end.
Vows
Ron will be writing his own vows: I _______, take you _______, to be my wife. I promise to love you, only you, and cherish you; I will be a companion, teacher, and student to you. I will share my strengths, and my achievements. I promise to respect you, and be a friend to you. For better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, as long as we both shall Live.
I, Jocelyn, take you, Ron, to be my husband. I promise to obey you unconditionally, altruistically, and with nothing less than my whole heart. With generations of family members passed and heaven’s angels by my side, I promise to shelter you from pain and trouble, to walk next to you with understanding and trust, and to support and advice you in times of need. I promise to continually fuel the passion in our hearts and take advantage of the time God has given us together. May God bless me and guide me to be your confidant, your best friend, your wife for as long as we both shall live.
(Ring Ceremony):
(Reverend) The wedding rings are a symbol of longevity in the Marriage covenant. The circle of the rings symbolizes an eternity of love and commitment which you are making.Always see the best in each other and each day that you are together, let it be full of the beauty of the never ending love you have for each other through the symbols of these rings.
(_______, repeat after me your ring ceremony)
_______, I give this ring to you, as a sign of my loveI give myself to you to be your husband,So that from this day forward, you shall not walk alone.God has blessed me with you as my wifeI vow to love and sustain you,In the covenant of our marriage.For all of eternity.
(_______, repeat after me your ring ceremony):
_______, I give this ring to you, as a sign of my love.I give myself to you to be your wife,So that from this day forward, you shall not walk alone.God has blessed me with you as my husbandI vow to love and sustain you,In the covenant of our marriage.For all of eternity.
(Our family members) Apache Blessing: as each of them say their line they place their candle/rose on the ground encircling us.
Matthew: Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter for the other. Phil: Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to the other. Jan: Now there will be no loneliness, for each of you will be companion to the other. Jim: Now you are two persons, but there is only one life before you. Deb: May beauty surround you both in the journey ahead and through all the years. Lori: May happiness be your companion and your days together be good and long upon the earth.
Prayer
"God in heaven above please protect the ones we love. We honor all you created as we pledge our hearts and lives together.
We honor Mother Earth and ask for this marriage to be abundant
and grow stronger through the seasons.
We honor fire - and ask that this union be warm and glowing with love in our hearts.
We honor wind - and ask that they sail through life safe and calm as in our father's arms.
We honor water - to clean and soothe this marriage– that it may never thirst for love.
All the forces of the universe you created, we pray for harmony and true happiness,
as this couple forever grows young together. Amen."
Michele: 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. In this way, you can ride out the storms when clouds hide the face of the sun in your lives -- remembering that even if you lose sight of it for a moment, the sun is still there.
The Final wedding to report on was of Holly and Martin. They chose the Sharon Woods Lakeside Lodge as their wedding place.
The Lodge was originally a covered boat dock that has a fire place designed to warm ice skaters in the winter. Now it is an enclosed building made from stone that has a balcony to look out over the lake.
They chose the out door area under the bright blue sky with a crisp breeze and all of the great smells of lovely fall afternoon. Right before the ceremony started a deer came with in ten feet of the location and just looked at us. Really Cool!
The Bride wore a beautiful beaded gown and the Groom was in a great black tuxedo as they said their vows and at one point in the ceremony the Groom's three Aunts came to the front and sang a song that was just for them.
So it was a busy weekend but I love to marry people!!!!!
Good luck and God bless........Rev Ben
I recently performed a very unique wedding for Bryan and Lea. What a great wedding and reception.
First, the Bride and Groom are very much into nature so they chose the Cincinnati Nature Center in the Krippendorf Lodge. The Lodge is the former home of the Krippendorf family. They were a prominent Cincinnati family who enjoyed living in the forest and grew many different types of flower bulbs. According to the history of their home they would give any one who visited a bag of flower bulbs to plant in their own yard.
Every once in a while I get a couple that I feel especially close to and this couple, with their love of life and for each other, fit that bill. They were so involved in their ceremony and came to the table with ideas that were really neat.
I have included their ceremony below so please read through it and enjoy it.
The evening of the wedding it was just a little bit cool with a crystal clear sky that was loaded with stars. The ceremony started with the seating of the Bride’s Mother by the Groom. The Groomsmen and Groom’s Ladies were all ready in the front as the Bridesmaids made their way to the front. After they were in place the Groom and his Mom made their way to the front. The Bride was on the arm of her Dad and with smiles on everyone’s face she met her Groom to begin the ceremony.
The Grooms Mom read a poem that was written and read originally by his Grand Mother at his Mother’s wedding. It was a very memorable way to remember the previous generations and what great way to hear the thoughts of people that have gone before us.
What a great evening!!!!!
Good Luck and God Bless………Rev. Ben
Bryan and Lea Wedding Ceremony
WELCOME AND OPENING PRAYER:
Hello, On behalf of the bride
and groom and their families I would like to welcome
you as we begin the wedding ceremony
of Bryan and Lea. What a beautiful
and sacred place to hold this
wedding ceremony.
We are gathered
in the sight of God and these
witnesses to join this couple
In holy Matrimony
We are all very happy for you
and thank you for including us to
celebrate with you today.
I have a question for you
Both and I ask that you answer
IT IS
Is it your intention that you come
Here freely and with out
Reservation to be joined
As husband and wife?
Cherokee Wedding Blessing:
Loving God,Please protect the ones we love.We honor all that you createdAs we pledge our hearts and lives together.We honor Mother Earth --And ask for our marriage to be abundant,And to grow stronger through the seasonsWe honor fire --And ask that our union be warm and glowing with love in our hearts.
We honor wind --And ask that we sail through life safely and calm as in our father's arms.We honor water --To cleanse and soothe our relationship that it may never thirst for love.With all the forces of the universe you created,We pray for harmony and true happinessAs we forever grow young together.
Message
Today is the one day in your lives that you will look on and remember with fondness and love. This is the day that truly begins the rest of your lives.
This is a day full of excitement with beautiful clothing, flowers food and drink - but none of that really matters when you think about the real reason we are all gathered here today. We are gathered here to celebrate the joining of two very special individuals in the most sacred of unions. Joining two very separate lives into one life long partnership.
You have chosen each other to be with the rest of your lives. You have each chosen the one person in the whole world who makes you the happiest. The one person in the world that you will grow with - in the good times and the not so good times. You have chosen this one person to be your life long best friend, your lifelong confidant- the one person who will know all of the secrets of your heart and soul. You have chosen the one person that you will grow old with, You have chosen your one true love.
REFLECTIONS ON GROWTH:
At this time I would like to invite
Terrie and
Bob to the front
Who have some special words
To share.
Terrie , Lea’s mom
Bob , Bryan’s dad
REFLECTIONS ON LOVE AND RELATIONSHIP: Pat and Susie
Bryan and Lea have many friends but they are especially close to Pat and Susie. I would like to invite them to join us in the front to also share their thoughts with us.SONG:
Longer, sung by Caren, Lea’s sister.
I would like to invite
Jan, Bryan’s Mother to read a poem
For us.
Poised, read by Jan, Bryan’s mom * Jan will introduce this selection *
SIGN OF PEACE: (Mike plays a musical selection).
As we prepare for a celebration of unity between Bryan and Lea, we would like to acknowledge the unity that exists among all of us here. So, with that in mind, I invite you to greet those around you with a sign of peace.
BREAD CEREMONY: Air, Bach (Ben will introduce).
During this marriage ceremony, it is very important for Bryan and Lea to give a gift to you, the community of people who gather here as witnesses to their love and union. They thank you for your presence today and for the love and support you have given them and will continue to give them in their lives. Bryan and Lea have baked sweet bread as a reminder of the joy and sweetness in their relationship and in the love they share. They want to share this bread that they have created with all of you, as a symbol of the community of which we are all part.
(Bryan breaks off a piece of bread and hands it to Lea. Lea breaks a piece of bread and hands it to Bryan. Bryan then takes the basket, breaks off a piece and hands It to Caren. Lea takes the other basket, breaks off a piece and hands it to John. The baskets will be then passed among the bridal party and then to the first row of people. It will continue to be passed until everyone has broken a piece for the person next to them and shared from the loaves).
VOWS:
Lea and Bryan’s Wedding Vows:
Lea, From this moment forth, I accept our union as total and eternal.
I accept you wholly and unconditionally.
I vow to always be faithful to you, to myself and to our relationship.
I will cultivate our fidelity, spirituality, faith and growth -
Both as individuals and in unity.
I offer my strength and my weakness and I accept yours.
I will walk with you through life and when I lack the strength to persevere,
I will find comfort in my vulnerability because you will be there to guide me back home to us.
Bryan, From this moment forth, I accept our union as total and eternal.
I accept you wholly and unconditionally.
I vow to always be faithful to you, to myself and to our relationship.
I will cultivate our fidelity, spirituality, faith and growth -
Both as individuals and in unity.
I offer my strength and my weakness and I accept yours.
I will walk with you through life and when I lack the strength to persevere,
I will find comfort in my vulnerability because you will be there to guide me back home to us.
RING CEREMONY:
“My heart smiles
every time I see my wedding ring”
Today you will exchange rings,
a perfect circle with no
beginning or end. An outward
symbol to the world that
you have pledged your
love to one person.
A gift from your best friend who has become your spouse today. A cherished ring that will mean more to you than any other possession.
When you look at your wedding ring think of that one person who makes you the happiest and your heart will smile.
I give you this ring
And with it
I give you my love
HAND-FASTING CEREMONY:
Bryan and Lea have chosen to incorporate the ancient ritual of Handfasting into their wedding ceremony today.
Traditionally this ceremony was performed to invoke the energies of the four natural elements -- earth, fire, wind and water -- to create a sacred circle in which the couple are joined as embodiments of god and goddess. Handfasting is a very powerful declaration of intent, where bride and groom clearly state that they are marrying of their own free will.
Marriage is a bond to be entered into only after considerable thought and reflection. As with any aspect of life, it has its cycles, its ups and its downs, its trials and its triumphs. With full understanding of this, Lea and Bryan have come here today to be joined as one in marriage.
And as you enter this marriage, know that within this circle you are not only declaring your intent to be handfasted before your friends and family, but you speak that intent also to your creative higher powers.Lea and Bryan,
Will you honor and respect one another, and seek to never break that honor?
We will… (First cord is draped over the couples’ hands)
And so the first binding is made.Will you share each other's pain and seek to ease it?
We will… (Second cord is draped over the couples’ hands)
And so the second binding is made.Will both of you look for the brightness in life and the positive in each other?
We will…
And so the third binding is made.Will you share the burdens of each other so that your spirits may grow in this union?
We will… (
And so the fourth binding is made.Will you dream together to create new realities and hopes?
We will…
And so the fifth binding is made.Will you take the heat of anger and use it to temper the strength of this union?
We will…
And the sixth binding is made.*Tie chords together while saying: *Lea and Bryan, the knots of this binding are not formed by these cords, but by your vows. Either of you may drop the chords, for as always, you hold in your own hands the making or breaking of this union. May you see your four hands as healer, protector, shelter and guide.
As your hands are bound together, so your lives and spirits are joined in a union of love and trust. Above you are the stars and below you is the earth. Like the stars your love should be a constant source of light, and like the earth, a firm foundation from which to grow.
PRONOUNCEMENT: )
Bryan and Lea, It is with great
Pleasure that by the
Power vested
In me by the
Great State of Ohio
I now pronounce
That you are
Husband and wife.
It is my pleasure to present to you, for the first time as husband and wife, Lea and Bryan
You may kiss the bride
:
Horn Pipe, Handel
Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!
Congratulations on your engagement!!! Now you need to get the Wedding Officiant
Hello All, So you have decided to get married!! Great! Congratulations! Now the fun begins. What will the dresses look like? What about the tuxedos, flowers, wedding site, invitations, and the Officiant.You need to work on getting the services of an Officiant booked as early as possible. You want to make sure that he/she is available on your date - the closer the date the less likely they will be able to perform your wedding and the further out your date is the more likely they will be available for you.Over the years I have met with many couples and performed hundreds of weddings. At your first meeting with your Officiant let them know what type of wedding you have in mind. Do you want Great Aunt Betty do a reading? Do you want to say personal vows? Do you want to only say "I do"? These are all questions that you will need to ask your self before the wedding. With time on your hands you will have time to think.I also like to ask my couples several questions about the size of the wedding party, how many guests will attend, and who will carry the rings. You should feel confident and comfortable with your choice of Officiants for your wedding. If you have a concern or question please feel free to ask it. My motto is "Your Wedding Your Way" and that is exactly what I want for your wedding. If you want dancing bears and ballerinas then that is what you should have! I joke but remember to stop and enjoy your day.Let me know if I can help - call me at 513.633.2352 or go to my web site at www.willowwoodweddings.com.Good Luck and God Bless,Rev. Ben doyouido@hotmail.com
Posted by Reverend Ben Brauer, Minister Willow Wood Weddings 8:00 PM
