Address to the assembly
Thank you Suzanne. Family, friends, bridesmaids and groomsman, welcome to the wedding celebration of Catie and James. It is my profound honour to be standing before you today sharing in this wonderful moment where Catie and James’ lives become one. They are both delighted that you are here today to share in this joyous occasion that they will remember for a lifetime.
For those of you who don’t know me, as Suzanne said my name is Jack Cumming and I have had the privilege of calling both James and Catie my dear friends for the past 8 years.
Together, all of us have seen Catie and James grow, as individuals, but more importantly together as one. We all have a special place in their hearts and have all taken part in the good memories that life provides and perhaps some of the tough memories as well. Whether you were friends with James or Catie before they met or are a part of the Brooks or Franks family, one thing all of us have in common is these two people, here, together as one.
We can all recall learning about when they first met each other. I remember James talking about this beautiful women he met one night at Stones Place. The excitement in his voice when he talked about getting her number was infectious. Or we remember Catie talking about the same bar on the same night, about the somewhat goofy but kind and heartwarming man she met. Their relationship has grown from that day, from two strangers enjoying a Saturday night out in the city, to friends, to “just talking”, to boyfriend and girlfriend, whether that be up here in the great white north or together down under, finally, to today, here in front of all of us, about to marry. They have travelled the world together many times over looking for the next adventure, the next rush or turn in their lives and in their relationship.
Today, their relationship changes once again. All of us know it will continue to grow, and become stronger and better. Indeed this day is a day of hope. A day in which James and Catie, demonstrate their commitment, devotion, and mutual respect, as well as their faith and love in one another.
You, who are gathered here as witnesses are called to continue your support and encouragement as JamesBrooks and Catie Franks unite in marriage.
Address to the couple
James and Catie, from the first moment I spent with the two of you I knew your bond was strong and special. Your interactions were so natural that I knew this was meant to be. The happiness that fills any room when you walk in didn’t have by chance, it was created by your love. As you begin your journey as a married couple I say to you, continue the search for the good and the beautiful in this life. Continue to comfort each other and strive to be each other’s best friend. Most important, develop the capacity to forgive and heal your differences day by day. Always remember that your love can and will prevail. It can be the miracle that invites you to learn, to blossom and to expand your horizons.
As you go on this adventure I would like to give you one piece of advice that was given to me prior to my own wedding. I think this advice is especially fitting in today’s world where we can so easily get caught up in our own busy lives that it becomes impossible to commit 100% of our time and effort into a relationship. The key to making a relationship or marriage successful is for each person to live by the 60/40 rule. Always give 60% to the marriage while expecting only 40% in return. Give 60, take 40. If you both do that every day you will live a long and happy life together where today is always better than yesterday.
And now I would like to call upon Michele Dathan, a close friend of both James and Catie to come up and do a reading
Reading
UNION
BY ROBERT FULGHUM
You have known each other from the first glance of acquaintance
to this point of commitment. At some point, you decided to marry.
From that moment of yes, to this moment of yes, indeed,
you have been making commitments in an informal way.
All of those conversations that were held in a car, or over a meal,
or during long walks – all those conversations that began with,
"When we're married", and continued with "I will" and "you will" and "we will" –
all those late night talks that included "someday" and "somehow" and "maybe" –
and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart.
All these common things, and more, are the real process of a wedding.
The symbolic vows that you are about to make
are a way of saying to one another,
"You know all those things that we've promised, and hoped, and dreamed –
well, I meant it all, every word."
Look at one another and remember this moment in time.
Before this moment you have been many things to one another –
acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, dancing partner, even teacher,
for you have learned much from one another these past few years.
Shortly you shall say a few words that will take you across a threshold of life,
and things between you will never quite be the same.
For after today you shall say to the world –
This is my husband. This is my wife.
Now I have a few questions for you both. First for you James.
James, you have chosen Catie to be your wife.
Will you love and respect her?
Will you be honest with her always?
Will you stand by her through whatever may come? (Answer: 'I will')
Catie, you have chosen James to be your husband.
Will you love and respect him?
Will you be honest with him always?
Will you stand by him through whatever may come? (Answer: 'I will')
And do you both promise to make the necessary adjustments in your personal lives in order that you may continue to live in a harmonious relationship together? (Answer: 'We do')
The Exchange of vows
You fell in love by chance, but you're here today because you're making a choice. You both are choosing each other. You've chosen to be with someone who enhances you, who makes you think, makes you smile, and makes every day brighter.
You're about to make promises to each other that you intend to keep. You're going to vow to take care of each other, to stand up for one another, and find happiness in the other. There's a simple premise to each of these promises: you're vowing to be there. You're teaming up and saying to the other, "Every experience I am going to have, I want you to be a part of."
James, please repeat after me:
I, James,
promise to keep you, Catie as my favourite person,
To laugh with you, go on adventures with you,
support you in life’s tough moments,
be proud of you,
grow old with you
and find new reasons to love you every day.
Now, Catie, please repeat after me:
I, Catie,
promise to keep you, James as my favourite person.
To laugh with you, go on adventures with you,
support you in life’s tough moments,
be proud of you,
grow old with you
and find new reasons to love you every day.
Will you, James & Catie, be each other's partners from this day forward? Will you bring out the best in one another, share your happiest moments together, and love each other absolutely — for the rest of this lifetime and for whatever may come next?
We will.
The giving and receiving of rings
May I have the ring for Catie please. (Andrew will be giving these)
James, as you place this ring on Catie’s left hand, please repeat after me:
Catie, I give you this ring,
that you may wear it,
as a symbol of the vows, we have made this day.
I pledge you my love and respect,
my laughter and my tears.
With all that I am I honour you.
May I have the ring for James please.
Now, Catie, as you place this ring on James’ finger, please repeat after me:
James, I give you this ring
that you may wear it a
s a symbol of the vows we have made this day.
I pledge you my love and respect,
my laughter and my tears.
With all that I am I honour you.
Now may those who wear these rings live in love all their days.
Signing of the register
At this time I would like to ask Catie and James along with their witnesses to join Suzanne at the signing table.
(In front of your witnesses I will quietly ask you to confirm that you are marrying of your own free will and declare you married.)
Are you each here of your own free will?
James do you take Catie to be your wife?
Catie do you take James to be your husband?
By the power vested in me by the province of Ontario, I now pronounce you as husband and wife.
Sign the paperwork and return to the front.
Affirmation of the marriage
Now may the love which has brought you together continue to grow and enrich your lives.
May you meet with courage the problems which arise to challenge you and may your relationship always be one of love and trust.
May the happiness you share today be with you always and may every word you have pledged here be a living truth in your lives.
Declaration of Marriage
James and Catie, we have heard your promise to share your lives in marriage. We recognize and respect the covenant of marriage you have made here this day before each one of us as witnesses.
Therefore, in the honesty and sincerity of what you have said and done here today, it is my honour and delight to declare you henceforth to be husband and wife.
You may seal your vows with a kiss.
Recessional