We can’t believe the wedding has come and gone. We loved every minute we were able to spend with all of you and are so grateful that you were such troopers in Belize. Thank you for making our day/week so perfect, we are so grateful to all of you. We made many memories that we will never forget.
It was extremely rainy (such an understatement, right?) and hard to hear us say our vows. A few of you have asked to see them so we have decided to add our entire ceremony to the blog.
GATHERING WORDS
We have come together today, on this beautiful beach in Belize, to celebrate the love and marriage of Kristi and Carson. On behalf of Kristi and Carson, thank you for joining us. They are delighted that you have travelled so far to share in their joy, during this special day. By your presence, you celebrate with them, the love they have discovered in each other and you support their decision to commit themselves to a lifelong relationship.
We have come together today, on this beautiful beach in Belize, to celebrate the love and marriage of Kristi and Carson. On behalf of Kristi and Carson, thank you for joining us. They are delighted that you have travelled so far to share in their joy, during this special day. By your presence, you celebrate with them, the love they have discovered in each other and you support their decision to commit themselves to a lifelong relationship.
The fact that so many people have traveled such a great distance to be here today is a testament in itself to the greatness of this relationship and the love these two share. Kristi and Carson would like to send a special and respectful acknowledgement to those friends and family members who were unable to travel here today, including their hairy babies, Kloee and McKnight. They would also like to acknowledge those who have passed on but whose spirit remains alive and strong in all our hearts. All of you have given them much happiness, love, warmth, and guidance through the various stages of their lives.
And as we remember those who are not with us, we also recognize those who are still denied the civil right of wedded union and forbidden the social and legal benefits of marriage. We have come a long way toward treating all men and women as equals, and yet, we acknowledge that we have farther still to go and more we can do to respect the choice to love, and be loved.
Kristi and Carson, your bond was first formed when the two of you chose to combine your separate lives into one. You have made a mutual commitment to love each other in an atmosphere of care and consideration and respect. You are partners in life, working together to bring out the best in each other, and for each other, and striving to be the most you can. This ceremony marks the moment when the relationship you have been creating gains a new, richer meaning.
Your shared experiences have brought you together and forged this bond of love. From this day onward you will come closer together than ever before. You will love one another for better and for worse, in sickness and in health. At the same time your love will give you the strength to stand apart, to seek out your unique destinies, to make your special contribution to the world.
MARRIAGE STATEMENT OF INTENT/CONSENT
Kristi and Carson, do you, with family and friends as your witnesses, Present yourselves willingly and of your own accord to be joined in marriage?
[Kristi & Carson: WE DO]
Will you promise to care for each other in the joys and sorrows of life, Come what may, and to share the responsibility for growth and enrichment of your life together?
[Kristi & Carson: WE WILL]
Then please turn to each other and share the vows you have written.
VOWS
I vow to love you
I vow to love you
to respect you
to be your best friend
to always share my beverage
to always buy ice cream
to be goofy
to scratch your back
to take spontaneous road trips
to do most of the driving
to read aloud to you
to write you love letters
to always provide you with more education than you need
to indulge your intellectual side
to encourage you
to continue to be amazed by your green thumb
to listen
to be patient
to always kiss you goodnight
to cuddle you up
to never stop learning
to dream big dreams
to encourage you
to be your biggest fan
to keep you warm
to not take you for granted
to sing to you
to laugh with you
to ask about your day
to greet you at the door
to hold your hand
to be objective
to admit when I’m wrong
to cherish you for always
to never give up
to never, ever give up
to work every day toward being the man you deserve
to work every day toward being the woman you deserve
Do you vow to be my wife?
I do. Do you vow to me my husband?
I do.
RING EXCHANGE
For thousands of years, lovers have exchanged rings as a token of their vows. Let these rings be a sign that love has a past, a present, and a future through you and within you.
Carson, take Kristi’s ring and place it on her finger and repeat after me:
I give you this ring as a sign that I choose you To be my lover, my partner and my best friend, to the end of my days Wear it, think of me, and know that I love you
Kristi, take Carson’s ring and place it on his finger and repeat after me:
I give you this ring as a sign that I choose you To be my lover, my partner and my best friend, to the end of my days Wear it, think of me, and know that I love you
Closing
We do not have the closing in writing, the rain changed things up a bit. ; )
And as we remember those who are not with us, we also recognize those who are still denied the civil right of wedded union and forbidden the social and legal benefits of marriage. We have come a long way toward treating all men and women as equals, and yet, we acknowledge that we have farther still to go and more we can do to respect the choice to love, and be loved.
Kristi and Carson, your bond was first formed when the two of you chose to combine your separate lives into one. You have made a mutual commitment to love each other in an atmosphere of care and consideration and respect. You are partners in life, working together to bring out the best in each other, and for each other, and striving to be the most you can. This ceremony marks the moment when the relationship you have been creating gains a new, richer meaning.
Your shared experiences have brought you together and forged this bond of love. From this day onward you will come closer together than ever before. You will love one another for better and for worse, in sickness and in health. At the same time your love will give you the strength to stand apart, to seek out your unique destinies, to make your special contribution to the world.
MARRIAGE STATEMENT OF INTENT/CONSENT
Kristi and Carson, do you, with family and friends as your witnesses, Present yourselves willingly and of your own accord to be joined in marriage?
[Kristi & Carson: WE DO]
Will you promise to care for each other in the joys and sorrows of life, Come what may, and to share the responsibility for growth and enrichment of your life together?
[Kristi & Carson: WE WILL]
Then please turn to each other and share the vows you have written.
VOWS
I vow to love you
I vow to love you
to respect you
to be your best friend
to always share my beverage
to always buy ice cream
to be goofy
to scratch your back
to take spontaneous road trips
to do most of the driving
to read aloud to you
to write you love letters
to always provide you with more education than you need
to indulge your intellectual side
to encourage you
to continue to be amazed by your green thumb
to listen
to be patient
to always kiss you goodnight
to cuddle you up
to never stop learning
to dream big dreams
to encourage you
to be your biggest fan
to keep you warm
to not take you for granted
to sing to you
to laugh with you
to ask about your day
to greet you at the door
to hold your hand
to be objective
to admit when I’m wrong
to cherish you for always
to never give up
to never, ever give up
to work every day toward being the man you deserve
to work every day toward being the woman you deserve
Do you vow to be my wife?
I do. Do you vow to me my husband?
I do.
RING EXCHANGE
For thousands of years, lovers have exchanged rings as a token of their vows. Let these rings be a sign that love has a past, a present, and a future through you and within you.
Carson, take Kristi’s ring and place it on her finger and repeat after me:
I give you this ring as a sign that I choose you To be my lover, my partner and my best friend, to the end of my days Wear it, think of me, and know that I love you
Kristi, take Carson’s ring and place it on his finger and repeat after me:
I give you this ring as a sign that I choose you To be my lover, my partner and my best friend, to the end of my days Wear it, think of me, and know that I love you
Closing
We do not have the closing in writing, the rain changed things up a bit. ; )
We love you all and are eternally grateful to you. THANK YOU!
Xoxo
Carson and Kristi Bizon
