Welcome. We are gathered here by the sea, to celebrate with Ryan and Carina the love they have for each other and their desire to unite their lives in marraige. Let's take a moment to appreciate the natural beauty that surrounds us; to listen to the surf, and to see the incredible colors of the earth, the sea and the sky. Let us breathe in that beauty, let it fill us up, and then let us breathe it out so that we may all appreciate and feel the love that we are here today to witness.

We come here as a family, as a clan, as a tribe of friends and caring well wishers to see to individuals join togather in life. The love of one person for another is the core of human existance and every union is cause for joy. This kind of love is not afraid to make promises. It is not afraid to work and struggle. It seeks not only to be, but to continue. This is the kind of love that creates an anchor between two people, one that they can float away from and then find their way back safely. It anchors a home and family and creates the bonds of a community. We celebrate and applaud this love and the promises of Ryan and Carina. May they always be a living hope for all of us and for the future.

I invite you to take a moment with me to invoke the presence of  spirit. For you that may be God, spirit of life, or a feeling of peace.
"Universal Spirit, thank you for blessing this couple with the companionship of their friends and family who have brought their love and support here on this day. We also acknowlege the fellowship of those who were unable to be here today. Thank you for this beautiful sunny day and for these two sould who have come here to this place to be joined in marriage. We ask that you bless this couple and that you smile upon them as they embark on this new step in this journey together. We ask that you support Ryan and Carina in the challenges that lay before them and in the continued growth and blossoming of the their love. Amen. Blessed Be.

In times past it was believed that the human soul shared characteristics with all things divine. It is this belief  which assigned virtues to the cardinal directions: East, South, West and North. It is is this tradition that a blessing is offered in suppost of this ceremony.

Blessed be this union with gifts of the East; Communication of the heart, mind and body, fresh beginnings with each rising sun. The knowlege of the growth found in the sharing of silences.

Blessed be this union with gifts of the South, Warmth of hearth and home, the heat of the heart's passion, the light created by both to illuminate the darkest of times.

Blessed be this union with the gifts of the West, the deep commitments of the lake, the swift excitement of the river, the refreshing cleansing of the rain, the all encompassing passion of the sea.

Blessed be this union with the gifts of the North, firm foundations on which to build, fertiltiy of the fields to enrich your lives, a stable home to which you may always return.

Each of these blessing emphasizes these things which will help you build a happy and successful partnership. Yet they are only tools. Tool that you must use in order to create what you seek in this union.

Kahil Gibran writes:
"Let there be space in your togetherness, and let the winds of heaven dance between you. Love on another, but make not a bond of your love. Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls. Fill each others cup, but drink not from one cup. Give each other bread, but eat not from the same loaf. Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each of you be alone. Even the strings of a lute are alone, though they quiver with the same music. Give your hearts, but not to each others keeping. For only the hand of life can contain your hearts. And stand together, yet not too near together, for the pillars of the temple stand apart, and the oak and the cypress grow not in each others shadow".

Ryan and Carina will now make promises and vows to one another. Let these promises hold them fast when life is rough and rocky.
(Please repeat after me in turn)
By seeds of all beginings, I make this oath
By roots of all depths, I swear to love you with all my might.
By stem and trunk that reach for the sky, I swear to respect your soaring spirit.
By bud that grows I swear never to crush your dreams.
By leaf that kisses the sun and rain, I swear to share my sorrows and joy with you.
By flower that opens to dawn, I swear that I do trust you.
By fruit that gives forth sweetness, I swear to nourish and support you.
By seed within the fruit that grows the tree anew, I swear to begin anew with you again and again.
As many times as the Gods shall decree, by life and death, by Lord and Lady, by hand and eye, by heart and spirit, this I do swear to you here before the fates, and mark my soul forever with your touch.
As all green things grow, so shall our love, and it's memory be carried forever beneath the feet of a thousand generations to come.
With you I will walk my path from this day forward.

(may I please have the rings?)
These rings symbolize al the circles we dance in our lives. These rings will be given and received as a symbol of the promises made and the union created here today. Blessed be these rings, may they ever inspire your lives, passions and dedication to  one another. May you wear them gladly to represent your promises and vows to one another, and may the partnership that they embody, always yeild the ultimate in joy, serinity, love and passion.
Ryan, please place the ring that you have chosen, place it on Carina's finger and repeat after me: "As this ring has no end, neither shall my love for you".
Carina, please place the ring that you have chosen on Ryan's finger and repeat after me: "As this ring has no end, neither shall my love for you'".
Blessed be the earth we stand upon.

Blessed be the earth we stand upon.
And blessed be these two who stand before us.
Blessed be the eyes of the witnesses,
And blessed be the two upon whom they gaze.
Blessed be the arms of family and friends who embrace them,
And blessed be their hands that entwine in love.
Blessed be our many loving memories,
And blessed be their hearts that join together.
Blessed be this circle of community,
And may our blessings be upon these lovers forever.

 Borrowing from an ancient Celtic tradition, Ryan and Carina will be joined in a ceremony known as handfasting. Their hands will be tied together with a knot that binds them in such a way that they choose to be bound. This ritual symbolizes their oneness not only with each other but with all creation and thus their union is blessed, it's sacredness recognized by all creation.

Please join hands. (start wrapping cord) "May the bond of your vows be no heavier to bear than this cord."  (Cord is tied in three knots)

Above you are the stars, below you the stones. As time passes, remember, like a star your love should remain constant. Like the earth it should be firm. Have patience with one another. For storms will come but they will go quickly. Be free in the giving of affection and warmth.

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.

Let the sun and the moon and the stars and these our brothers and sisters bear witness that Ryan and Carina have been joined together and are husband and wife.

You may now kiss to seal your vow.