Promises

This past weekend Dr. M officiated another wedding for former students from his university. The theme for the wedding was Lord of the Rings and it was so much fun (as well as so much hot!!). About half of the guests (including Dr. M) dressed in costume, and Dr. M wrote (cribbed/borrower/adapted) the service to match the theme. As is typical these days I didn't take nearly enough pictures, but I'll share what I have here, along with some of the text from the service.

The wedding was truly in the middle of nowhere.

Dr. M looked great. I dressed up too, but my outfit was pretty low key. I was going to wear a bodice, but it was just too darned hot for leather.

Invocation
So sing all ye joyful, now sing all together!

The wind's in the tree-top, the birds in the heather;
The stars are in blossom, the moon is in flower,
And bright are the windows of night in her tower.

Dance all ye joyful, now dance all together!
Soft is the grass, and let foot be like feather!
The river is silver, the shadows are fleeting;
Merry is June, and merry our meeting. (Tolkien and Dr. M)

(part of the) Meditation on Marriage

Always remember that, in marriage, one never walks alone. Though the path may be rocky and steep, and though you may not yet know the way, you walk together. If you cannot carry each other’s burdens, as ultimately even the faithful Samwise could not carry Frodo’s burden into the fires of Mount Doom, in the end, you CAN carry each other, even to the ends of our Earth, even beyond the Black Gates. So do not fear to lean on each other, to hold fast to each other, to dive into the water even though you know, alone, you may drown. Neither husband nor wife lives by Lembas bread alone. We live by love. Trust in each other; believe in each other, and together you, in love, will find a way. Though the world be full of peril, and love be mingled with grief, we have not yet written the final chapters of our quest…hope remains!

(part of the) Unity Tree Ceremony

Now let the song begin! Let us sing together

Of sun, stars, moon and mist, rain and cloudy weather.
Light on the budding leaf, dew on the feather,
Wind on the open hill, sheep in the heather,
Reeds by the shady pool, lilies on the water:
Old Man of the Forest and the River-daughter! 

For all that is gold does not glitter,

And not all those who wander are lost;

The old that is strong does not wither,

And deep roots aren’t reached by the frost. (Tolkien and Dr. M)

Benediction

May it be an evening star

Shines down upon you
May it be if darkness falls
Your hearts will be true
Though roads go ever on
And take you far from home
When the night is overcome
May you rise to find the sun

Believe and you will find your way

A promise lives within you now (Enya and Dr. M)

Our daisies from this morning