Our Ceremony
We had a really hard time finding an Episcopal ceremony we liked, and once we did find it, it was impossible to find online, so I thought I'd share this for those who were looking for a similar ceremony. We used the Third Form for Marriage found in the New Zealand Prayer Book, with just a few rearranging of terms. For instance I was uncomfortable with a line that stated, "In marriage, MAN and WOMAN belong together," - didn't want to exclude any of any of our LGBTQ friends so we deleted it, and we changed "you have taken so and so" to "you have CHOSEN so and so."
Our one and only reading was from Romans, 12:9-18.
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
| ceremony.pdf |
Venue
The Cincinnati Club
30 Garfield Place
Suite 10
Cincinnati,Oh 45202
513.241.3464
We held our ceremony in the Gold Room at the Cincinnati Club. Katie Elfers (www.katieelfers.com) did a FANTASTIC job decorating the room - you can hardly even notice the leopard print carpet, right? Right? ;) The decor for the non-chuppah chuppah (we're not Jewish, but we wanted to create a more sacred space in the room) was entirely Katie's idea, and it turned out fabulously. The support beams were covered in curly willow and dendrobium orchids, and the back had a curtain of hanging dendrobiums.
The Room
Getting nervous...
Time to go
The mothers (MIL w/ FIL, and MOB w/ my brother)
The boys: JD, Steve, Greg, and Matt
The girls: Kathy, Brooke, Stacey, and Amie
Breathe....
And...here....we....go...
Time for the official mumbo jumbo
And we're done! Kiss nicely for the people...
We did it! :)
Pay no attention to the surly look on H's face as we walk back down the aisle - apparently he was too concerned about our upcoming first dance to be relieved that we'd made it through the ceremony.
All photography on this page (with the exception of the very first photo) courtesy of Steph Carson Photography at www.stephcarson.com.
Please be sure to credit her for photos, and knottie hrparker for sharing ideas.