Wedding Ceremony Details

Question

Opening words by the Officiant - The honorable Amber Henry

Answer

Good afternoon. For those who haven’t had the pleasure of meeting me I am Amber Henry and I have the immense honor of officiating today’s ceremony for Jeff and Jessica. Thank you both for allowing me to be a part of your special day. It means so much to me. On behalf of the couple, I’d like to welcome everyone who is joining us today—whether you’re here in person or tuning in from home. I know it means the world to Jeff and Jessica that you took the time to help them celebrate today. They have built a wonderful community of supportive and compassionate friends and family, which is really a reflection of themselves. When Jeff first even bothered talking about someone he was dating, and then told us she loved Costco and they were going on a date there, I knew he had met someone special. When I met her, I could see why. She was funny, kind, compassionate, and very thoughtful. One of the first few times I met her, I had just accepted a new job and she gave me the cutest, punniest, hand crafted Congratulations card. It was so thoughtful and unnecessary and still hangs on my fridge. Jessica had her work cut out for her moving in with a lifelong bachelor. But of course it was worth it. For me, that I didn’t have to come over and walk on crunchy floors or do the dishes before making dinner. Now I just show up to a clean house and dinner being made for me. But even more so for Jessica. Jeff is also very kind, compassionate and generous. Any time I, or I am sure any of us need help, encouragement, a thoughtful ear, Jeff is always the first to offer, often without even needing to be asked. I am so happy you found each other. You both deserve a lifetime of happiness, travel, endless Costco trips. So today, we celebrate not just the joining of two lives, but the coming together of two incredibly good-hearted individuals who will continue to bring out the best in each other. I can’t wait to see the adventures you go on and how many different Costcos you can manage to visit.

Question

Neil Gaiman's "Words on Love" - Read by Nick Amin

Answer

This is everything I have to tell you about love: nothing. This is everything I've learned about marriage: nothing. Only that the world out there is complicated, and there are beasts in the night, and delight and pain, and the only thing that makes it okay, sometimes, is to reach out a hand in the darkness and find another hand to squeeze, and not to be alone. It's not the kisses, or never just the kisses: it's what they mean. Somebody's got your back. Somebody knows your worst self and somehow doesn't want to rescue you or send for the army to rescue them. It's not two broken halves becoming one. It's the light from a distant lighthouse bringing you both safely home because home is wherever you are both together. So this is everything I have to tell you about love and marriage: nothing, like a book without pages or a forest without trees. Because there are things you cannot know before you experience them. Because no study can prepare you for the joys or the trials. Because nobody else's love, nobody else's marriage, is like yours, and it's a road you can only learn by walking it, a dance you cannot be taught, a song that did not exist before you began, together, to sing. And because in the darkness you will reach out a hand, not knowing for certain if someone else is even there. And your hands will meet, and then neither of you will ever need to be alone again. And that's all I know about love.

Question

"A Lovely Love Story" by Edward Monkton - Read by Cheri Johnson

Answer

The fierce Dinosaur was trapped inside his cage of ice. Although it was cold, he was happy in there. It was, after all, HIS cage. Then came along the Lovely Other Dinosaur. The Lovely Other Dinosaur melted the Dinosaur's cage with kind words and loving thoughts. I like this Dinosaur, thought the Lovely Other Dinosaur. Although he is fierce he is also tender and he is funny. He is also quite clever though I will not tell him this for now. I like this Lovely Other Dinosaur, thought the Dinosaur. She is beautiful and she is different and she smells so nice. She is also a free spirit, which is a quality I much admire in a dinosaur. But he can be so distant and so peculiar at times, thought the Lovely Other Dinosaur. He is also overly fond of things. Are all Dinosaurs so overly fond of things? But her mind skips from here to there so quickly, thought the Dinosaur. She is also uncommonly keen on shopping. Are all Lovely Other Dinosaurs so uncommonly keen on shopping? I will forgive his peculiarity and his concern for things, thought the Lovely Other Dinosaur. For they are part of what makes him a richly charactered individual. I will forgive her skipping mind and her fondness for shopping, thought the Dinosaur. For she fills our life with beautiful thoughts and wonderful surprises. Besides, I am not unkeen on shopping either. Now the Dinosaur and the Lovely Other Dinosaur are old. Look at them. Together they stand on the hill telling each other stories and feeling the warmth of the sun on their backs. And that, my friends, is how it is with love. Let us all be Dinosaurs and Lovely Other Dinosaurs together. For the sun is warm, and the world is a beautiful place.

Question

Jeff's Wedding Vows

Answer

It's not easy for me to be concise about how awesome you are and how much I love you, but here goes. For all these things and more; Thank you, Jessica. • The Joy - The laughter and giggles every single day. • The Excitement - Talking about and building our future creates giddiness like daydreaming about a lottery win. • The Effort - The work you put into yourself, your career, our home, and our partnership is remarkable and tireless. An example I strive to live up to, even if I could never match. • The Thoughtfulness - Not only have you embraced the crazy and diverse community around me but have showered everyone with the love and attention to detail to ensure everyone is cared for like they have always been your family too. • The Values - Unwavering and unrelenting in what is right and just. • The Inspiration - To be a better person not just to and for you, but for myself as well. • The Adventure - From seagulls to flamingoes, the sunrises and sunsets for us to chase after are endless • The Hope - That no matter what happens with the world around us, knowing we have each other to ensure we thrive through the challenges. • The Comfort - How one simple touch soothes all the way down to my core. • The Love - that you show every day is the love that I promise to try and show you in return. Thank you all the much for being you, my person, that final puzzle piece, and my perfect fit.

Question

Jessica's Wedding Vows

Answer

The moment you came into my life is the moment I truly started living. I love you so damn much that sometimes I can barely breathe. Being with you is like winning the lottery - how did I get this lucky? You are such an amazing man: kind and generous, funny and sweet, supportive and encouraging, patient, intelligent, clever, curious, always learning and growing and open to change. You’ve shown me what it means to be a friend, to be a partner, and to embrace this one life we’re given. And more than all that, you’ve shown me that life could be - and should be - joyful. With you, life *is* joyful, so incredibly joyful. A deep, abiding joy, and one we promise each other with every smile, every kiss, every laugh, every day. The only place I want to be is right beside you, hands entwined, embracing this life, *our* life, together.

Question

Ring Promises

Answer

These are the promises I make to you: * I promise to nurture your spirit and cherish you for who you are * I promise to treat you with respect and kindness * I promise to be by your side in times of joy and in times of sorrow * I promise to support you and encourage you, and be your biggest cheerleader * I promise to value all that you do for me and for us and not take you for granted * I promise to communicate with you and work as a team to solve problems * I promise to grow alongside you * I promise to embrace adventuring with you * I promise to love you all the days of my life

Question

Wedding Feast Menu

Answer

1ST COURSE Affettati e Formaggi: Variety of imported and in house dry cured meats and cheeses (crostini gfree and regular will be served) Vegan options: Vegan Fritto(tapioca and brown rice batter) of mixed vegetables Parmigiana di Melanzane(GF): grilled eggplants, layered with fresh mozzarella, parmigiano, tomato sauce and basil, baked and served with a rich tomato sauce Funghi di Stagione: Seasonal mushrooms sautéed with garlic, olive oil, marsala, and cream. Served with garlic crostini (Crostini are available gluten free: For Vegan: Vegan butter) Caprese Estiva: fresh heirloom tomatoes served with burrata soft mozzarella, balsamic and basil. Cavolini di Brussels: Fried Brussels sprouts served with garlic, chili and parmigiano garnish. 2nd COURSE Crab and Shrimp Ravioli: Crab and Shrimp stuffed Ravioli, tossed in a creamy tomato sauce with shredded crab meat and artichoke hearts. Strengozzi alle Verdure: Thick chewy handmade pasta (with no eggs) tossed in a tomato sauce with roasted vegetables and topped with fresh goat cheese. Pappardelle al Cinghiale: Wide handmade pasta (with eggs), tossed in a slow-cooked tomato ragu with wild boar, seasoned with juniper berries and red wine. 3rd COURSE Braised pork shoulder with apricot and brandy, and grilled lamb chop: with house roasted potato and seasonal vegetables. Pollo alla pizzaiola: Chicken Breast simmered in tomato sauce, then topped with mozzarella and baked in the oven. Grilled King oysters: Served with tomato sauteed chickpea and fried polenta cake served as well with grilled vegs and potato (garlic, evoo, rosemary) 4th COURSE Dolce della Casa: Tiramisu, Tartufo Limoncello, & Chocolate Mousse