Nicole & Suzette's Wedding August 30, 2008

NICOLE & SUZETTE'S WEDDING CEREMONY
SERVICE, VOWS & READINGS

Nicole and Suzette’s Wedding – August 30, 2008 8:30PM
Service Performed By: Annie Steinberg-Behrman

1. The Greeting of the Group

Greetings all, friends and family. We are gathered here today to celebrate the intertwining of the lives of Nicole and Suzette.

The two of them have shared a joyous five years together and are proud today to share their deep connection with all of you and make their promise of everlasting love public.

As you stand in a historic Firehouse, you may be wondering why Nicole and Suzette chose to get married today at this event. The venue and celebration with Cannibal Flower's Eighth Anniversary Show is in itself the perfect compliment to their lives. This choice is unquestionable, as many of their friends are artists and their introduction to the Lowbrow art scene started at Cannibal Flower's Fifth Anniversary Show. Because of this, the sharing of this day has great personal meaning and is one they will treasure for years to come. It was not just that they wanted to get married at an event they love; they also wanted to share Cannibal Flower with veterans and newcomers alike. The art world has been very kind to them and they share the passion and love of many of you in making the art scene eventful and a joyous place to be.

This group is bound together by family, friends and art relationships. And we are bound by shared memories of those who are not with us today. In particular, many of you are bound by shared memories of Nicole's grandmother, Harriet Lambers. Harriet was an artist who in life and death, has shared her love of bronze sculpting while showing at many a prominent gallery, participating in the Laguna Beach Festival of Arts for over 20 years, being a co-featured artist at Cannibal Flower and having a private show at Thinkspace Gallery, of which the latter two, with their support have made this day possible.

So when Nicole and Suzette thought of gathering people together, they wanted to see not only the faces of the individuals they have loved over the course of their lives. They wanted to put you together, shoulder to shoulder to form a whole - a single solid entity -- a group that will witness the declaration of their union to each other with the love and passion they have for art.

2. Reading by Nicole

In holding, on May 15th, 2008, the California Supreme Court found that the right to marry guaranteed by the state Constitution may not be withheld from anyone on the ground of sexual orientation, this court discharges its gravest and most important responsibility under our constitutional form of government. There is a reason why the words “Equal Justice Under Law” are inscribed above the entrance to the courthouse of the United States Supreme Court...and the California Supreme court affirms and holds true to those words, that we are all entitled to equal rights....including the right to marry.

Marriage is a vital social institution. The exclusive commitment of two individuals to each other nurtures love and mutual support; it brings stability to our society....Without question, civil marriage enhances the "welfare of the community." It is a "social institution of the highest importance." Civil marriage is at once a deeply personal commitment to another human being and a highly public celebration of the ideals of mutuality, companionship, intimacy, fidelity, and family.... Because it fulfills yearnings for security, safe haven, and connection that express our common humanity, civil marriage is an esteemed institution and the decision whether and who to marry is among life's momentous acts of self-definition.

3. Introduction (spoken to everyone)

Nicole and Suzette stand in front of you today, so truly excited about the years ahead, of which they are delighted to share with all of you. As Nicole previously read, their marriage marks a landmark event not only in their lives and yours, but for the rights of all LGBT individuals in California. Their union is one of many occurring throughout the state symbolizing their love and support from the California Supreme Court to welcome the ability for same-sex couples to marry and share their life with others.

We celebrate with them, their arrival at this point in their lives. We are incredibly happy for them that the story of their lives includes each other. And that their love has brought them and us to the joyous occasion of their marriage ceremony.

4. Introduction to Vows (Spoken to brides)

Nicole and Suzette, if you will turn to me:

Because you will be safe in marriage, you can risk; because you have been promised a future, you can take extraordinary chances. Because you know you are loved, you can step beyond your fears; because you have been chosen, you can transcend your insecurities. You can make mistakes, knowing the other will be there to catch you. And because mistakes and risks are the very essence of change, of expansion, in marriage you will expand to your fullest capacity. Within the nurturing shelter of marriage, you will continue to grow and develop, so you can discover your individual paths and offer your gifts back to each other and the world. Marriage, then, makes you free-to see, to be seen, to love. Your souls are protected so your hearts can open.

In a sense, the person you marry is a stranger about whom you have a magnificent hunch. To get married is to embark on the journey of getting to know each other, of coming to see each other as you really are. This companionship on life's journey is the hallmark of marriage, its natural province, and its sweetest and most fundamental gift.

The contract of marriage is most solemn and is not to be entered into lightly, but thoughtfully and seriously with a deep realization of its obligations and responsibilities. No other human ties are more tender and no other vows more important than those you are about to pledge. Moment Of Silence

5. Declaration Of Intention

Will you please, as an expression that your hearts are joined together in love, now join your hands and face me.

Do you, Nicole, offer yourself wholly and joyfully, and do you choose Suzette as the person with whom you will share your life, in laughter and in tears, in conflict and tranquility, loving what you know of her, and trusting what you do not know yet?

Do you, Suzette, offer yourself wholly and joyfully, and do you choose Nicole as the person with whom you will share your life, in laughter and in tears, in conflict and tranquility, loving what you know of her, and trusting what you do not know yet?

6. Presentation of Rings

Will you now give and receive a ring?
Bride and Bride: We will.

Nicole, as you place the ring on her finger will you repeat after me: May this ring forever be to you the symbol of my growing love. With this ring, I thee wed.

Suzette, as you place the ring on her finger will you repeat after me: May this ring forever be to you the symbol of my growing love. With this ring, I thee wed.

Please turn outwards now.

7. Pronouncement (to everyone)

Before these witnesses, you have joined yourselves in solemn matrimony. May you strive all your lives to meet this commitment with the same love and devotion you now possess. For love is truly the greatest gift we are given to share. Delight in each other's company and never take each other for granted.

By virtue of the authority vested in me by the State of California, I now pronounce you legally married Wife and Wife. The brides may now embrace.

8. Nicole's Closing Thank You to the Group

Suzette & I would like to thank you for joining us today and allowing us to share our love for each other with all of you. Without getting too political, I would be remiss if I didn't mention...At this time, there are only 2 states affording same-sex couples the right to marry: Massachusetts and California. Currently, there is a threat to take that right away from Californians...we implore you that come this November that you “take a roll of the dice” and will vote NO on Proposition 8 to keep our marriage, and many others like it in the LGBT community, legal and recognized as equal in California.

Before we eat cupcakes, mingle and enjoy Cannibal Flower's festivities, I would like to make a few personal recognitions. Firstly, we would like to thank those that without their support this day wouldn't be possible...our parents...Steven & Joanne Rosen and Bernadette Franck. And secondly, our closest friends, L.C., Michele Waterman, & Valentine Reitblat for making this event at Cannibal Flower possible; Andrew & Shawn Hosner for their continued support, the fabulous Joshua Petker for his beautiful painting of us and Annie Steinberg-Behrman for coming down from Berkeley and performing this beautiful ceremony. And lastly, every single one of you who joined us today, your friendship is something that we deeply cherish and we are honored to have you share this day with us. In closing, enjoy the evening and eat as many cupcakes as you want.

For more pictures, please click picture above or go to: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bdollproject/sets/72157607064251053/