Weddingbee Blog

After the handfasting, our officiant, Spike, read the following poem, by Alice Walker.

“Beyond What”

We reach for destinies beyond
what we have come to know
and in the romantic hush
of promises
perceive each
the other’s life
as known mystery.
Shared. But inviolate.
No melting. No squeezing
into One.
We swing our eyes around
as well as side to side
to see the world.

To choose, renounce,
this, or that–
call it a council between equals
call it love.

I know the poem in some ways contradicts the Plato reading, whose main idea is that a person is always seeking her soul mate and when she finds him or her, they miraculously join together as one. But somehow I believe in the meanings behind both readings—that the Dude and I are one and that we are individuals, equals.

Faster than seemed possible, it was time to say our vows. We chose to do traditional vows for a couple of reasons. First, we’re lazy, and writing your own vows takes a lot of work. Second, we’re pretty shy when it comes to expressing our feelings in front of strangers. (Hey, we stood up in front of all of these people and got married–shouldn’t that be enough?) Finally, there’s just something moving about the old school vows, you know?

I the Dude, take you Miss Mouse, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part.

I Miss Mouse, take you the Dude, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part.

Then it was time for the rings.

In honor of these vows, Miss Mouse and the Dude wish to exchange rings that will serve as a symbol of the wholeness of the words they speak today and of the love for each other that they will carry with them. The rings are a symbol of unity, but not of possession; of joining, but not of restricting; of encirclement, but not of entrapment. For love cannot be possessed, nor can it be restricted.

Spike read the following lines and the Dude repeated them as he placed my ring on my finger.

I give you this ring as a sign of our lifelong commitment,
a sign of our unending love and faithfulness
to remind me of the vows I have made this day
and a pledge to honor you and grow with you
for the rest of our lives together.

Then it was my turn.

I give you this ring as a sign of our lifelong commitment,
a sign of our unending love and faithfulness
to remind me of the vows I have made this day
and a pledge to honor you and grow with you
for the rest of our lives together.

This is where the major eff-up came in. I was so nervous that when Spike continued on to the next line, I accidentally repeated it, too! Ugh, that’s what I get for going last. When Spike said, “Hey, that’s my line!” everyone in the room cracked up. I’m pretty sure I turned about eight shades of red.

My “I’m so embarrassed” face

May these rings be, from this day forward, your most treasured adornment, and may the love they symbolize, be your most precious possession.

Luckily I didn’t have too long to be embarrassed because the ceremony was coming to a close.

The Dude and Miss Mouse, in so much as the two of you have proclaimed your love and commitment for each other here today before these witnesses of family and friends, it is with great joy and the authority vested in me by the state of Texas that I now pronounce you husband and wife.

Congratulations, you may now kiss each other.

Ladies and gentlemen, I present the Dude and Mrs. Mouse.

With that, we were official! We just had to get the marriage licensed signed and take some photos with our families, and then it was time to party!

All photos by the Nichols.

Previously, on Our Rainy-Day Wedding:
The Rehearsal
Bridal Party Gifts
Getting Ready
First Look
The Dude (Still) Looks Pretty Hot in a Suit
Da Bride
Just Us Part I
Just Us Part II
The Super-Fly Bridal Party
When Stuff Gets Wack Pre-Ceremony
Here Comes the (Bride) Sun
Ceremony Part II