Readings

we were restricted to religious readings since we got married in the church. I didn't want to do the Paul & Corinthians cause its been at every wedding I've been to lately.

It wasn't easy to find readings I liked. Here's what we came up with:

Old Testament:
Song of Solomon 2:10-14, 8:6-7
Love is Strong as Death
My lover spoke and said to me, 'Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come with me. See. The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land. The fig tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance. Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me.'

My dove in the clefts of the rock, in the hiding places on the mountainside, show me your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.

Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame. Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away.


New Testament Reading:
Ephesians 4: 26-27
Colossians 3: 12-15
Live in Love and Thanksgiving
In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,
As God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds [your names here] together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

Gospel:
John 15: 9-12
Remain in my Love

Jesus said to his disciples:
As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my Love.

If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love,
just as I have kept my Father's commandments and remain in his love.

I have told you this
So that my own joy may be in you
and your joy may be complete

This is my commandment:
Love one another
As I have loved you

The gospel of the lord.

Hands Ceremony

its beautiful. We were going to use it, but then they had us do it in pre-cana (in a lovely candelit ceremony) -we didn't want to do it twice.

awesome, thank you

This passage is entitled The Art of Marriage:

The little things are the big things. It is never being too old to hold hands.
It is remembering to say 'I love you' at least once a day.
It is never going to sleep angry. It is at no time taking the other for granted; the courtship should not end with the honeymoon, it should continue through all the years.
It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives. It is standing together facing the world.
It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family. It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy.
It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.
It is not expecting the husband to wear a halo or the wife to have wings of an angel.
It is not looking for perfection in each other.
It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humor. It is having the capacity to forgive and forget. It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow. It is finding room for the things of the spirit.
It is a common search for the good and the beautiful. It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, dependence is mutual and the obligation is reciprocal.
It is not only marrying the right partner, it is being the right partner.