We had decided that because we are not religious people, we didn’t really want our wedding ceremony to have a religious aspect to it. We also wanted the ceremony to be very unique and representative of us as a couple. So we wrote the whole ceremony ourselves ahead of time. We also talked with our friend James to come up with music that would be fitting as well. Jason had a larger part in the music portion because that aspect was important to him. So the music started and Bradley, my cousin and our officiant walked out first. Then it was Jason and his mom and dad, then Kirsten and Jackson, Eleanor and Kaleb, Mia and Erick, Jack and Sydney, Madison and Matt, Nick and Adair, Sean and Nicol, and then Devin, who threw red rose petals on the ground as she walked down the aisle.
During the time that they were walking down the aisle, a slow and soft ballad was being played. James had written music for the ceremony with the Spiderman theme song as the background sound. It was very apparent that was what it was if you knew it ahead of time, but not as recognizable if you didn’t. We have had many people tell us that there was one moment during the processional that you could tell was the moment that someone realized that it was the Spiderman theme song and the information sort of made its way through the crowd in a slight hush.
Then finally, it was me and my mom’s turn to walk down the aisle. I remember being nervous, calm, and excited all at the same time. My original plan was to stay focused on Jason the whole time I was walking down the aisle, but multiple people told me that I should look at all the people who were there to celebrate with us as I walked down. It was nice to see all of the faces of our family and friends, but I sort of wished that I wouldn’t have listened to other people’s advice, because seeing all the people that were there was somewhat overwhelming and I don’t think I was able to look at Jason even once as I was walking down the aisle! Although, that portion of the evening is a bit of a blur, so I could be wrong…
Once I made it to the end of the aisle with my mom, I gave her a hug and a kiss, and she gave Jason a hug and a kiss. Then Jason and I proceeded up the stairs onto the stage. We took our places on stage and the ceremony began.
We gave Bradley some creative license to deliver the ceremony in his own style of speech, but for the most part he stayed pretty true to our script. He also added a couple readings of his own. Here is the script as Jason and I wrote it, as well as the additions by Bradley:
Address to guests:
Good evening family and friends. As Jason and Kellee’s wedding invitation stated you have all been a part of their past so they wanted each and every one of you to be present today to help them celebrate their future. That is what we are here today to do, celebrate Jason and Kellee’s love and their future together.
Everyone in this room has played some part in the formation of who each of these two people are. While some of you have known Jason or Kellee their whole lives, some of you are newer to their lives. No matter the length of your relationship, Jason and Kellee would like to ask for your support in who they will be as a couple moving forward from this day. The love that these two have for each other can only be made stronger by the love that they share with all of you.
Jason and Kellee would also like to recognize those that couldn’t be here with us today but always supported them in the time they were lucky enough to share with them…Jason’s grandpas Ed & Bill and grandma Ruth and Kellee’s grandpas John & Wally and grandma Marge.
Address to Jason and Kellee:
Jason and Kellee – Today you love each other completely, as you did yesterday, and as you will tomorrow. As you marry each other today, you are promising to be there for each other when you need the other the most. You are promising to hold each other in your hearts just as you hold each other in your arms. You are promising to share in each other’s dreams, delight in each other’s joys, and comfort each other in times of sorrow. To each other you are a confidant, counsel, friend, and lover. When you are not together, may you always hold each other in your thoughts. You are each other’s joy, love, everything. As you grow old together and your love matures, may you hold on to the passion and affection you feel for each other today.
Address to Sandy
Address to Chris & Jack:
Chris & Jack - After Jason and Kellee’s seven-year trial period do you accept them as one and promise to welcome Kellee as a part of your family and treat her with the same love and respect that you have always treated Jason?
Kellee’s aunt Pam will now share a reading chosen by Jason and Kellee
I want to make you smile whenever you are sad. Carry you around when your arthritis is bad. All I want to do is grow old with you.
I'll get your medicine when your tummy aches. Build you a fire if the furnace breaks. It could be so nice, growing old with you.
I'll miss you, kiss you, give you my coat when you are cold.
Need you, feed you, even let you hold the remote control.
So let me do the dishes in our kitchen sink, put you to bed when you've had too much to drink. I could be the man who grows old with you; I want to grow old with you.
I'll get your medicine when your tummy aches. Build you a fire if the furnace breaks. It could be so nice, growing old with you.
I'll miss you, kiss you, give you my coat when you are cold.
Need you, feed you, even let you hold the remote control.
So let me do the dishes in our kitchen sink, put you to bed when you've had too much to drink. I could be the man who grows old with you; I want to grow old with you.
Brad’s Reading from Mr. Rogers
I wonder what memories of yours will persist as you go on in life. My hunch is that the most important will have to do with feelings of loving and being loved.
As you continue to grow you'll find many ways of expressing your love, and you'll discover more and more ways in which others express their love with you.
As you continue to grow you'll find many ways of expressing your love, and you'll discover more and more ways in which others express their love with you.
Jason’s cousin Jacie will now share a reading chosen by Jason and Kellee
Live in my house, I’ll be your shelter. Just pay me back with one thousand kisses. Be my lover, and I’ll cover you.
Open your door, I’ll be your tenant. Don’t got much baggage to lay at your feet. But sweet kisses, I’ve got to spare. I’ll be there and I’ll cover you.
I think they meant it when they said you can’t buy love. Now I know you can rent it, a new lease you are my love on life, all my life.
I’ve longed to discover something as true as this is.
So with a thousand sweet kisses, I’ll cover you if you’re cold and you’re lonely.
With a thousand sweet kisses, I’ll cover you when you’ve got one nickel only.
With a thousand sweet kisses, I’ll cover you when you’re worn out and tired.
With a thousand sweet kisses, I’ll cover you when your heart has expired.
Oh lover, I’ll cover you!
Brad’s Reading from Erica Jong
Do you really want me to tell you something subversive? Love is everything it's cracked up to be. That's why people are so cynical about it...It really is worth fighting for, being brave for, risking everything for. And the trouble is, if you don't risk everything, you risk even more.
Wedding Vows
Jason:
I, Jason, take you, Kellee, to be my wife, one true love, and partner in everything
I know that the stronger the love, the greater the responsibility
I promise to live up to the responsibility we are committing to today
I promise to laugh with you when you are happy and cry with you when you are sad
To always communicate with you openly and honestly
To always stand by your side through good times and bad
To always be there when you need me and give you space when you don’t
To hold you in my arms as strongly as I hold you in my heart
Because you are my best friend, adventure companion, and confidant, I love you the most
And I choose to share the rest of my life with you
Kellee:
I, Kellee, take you, Jason, to be my husband, one true love, and partner in everything
I know that the stronger the love, the greater the responsibility
I promise to live up to the responsibility we are committing to today
I promise to laugh with you when you are happy and cry with you when you are sad
To always communicate with you openly and honestly
To always stand by your side through good times and bad
To always be there when you need me and give you space when you don’t
To hold you in my arms as strongly as I hold you in my heart
Because you are my best friend, adventure companion, and confidant, I love you the most
And I choose to share the rest of my life with you
Ring Exchange
Jason:
I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness.
As I place it on your finger, I commit my heart and soul to you.
I ask you to wear this ring as a reminder of the vows we have spoken today, the day you became my wife.
Kellee:
I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness.
As I place it on your finger, I commit my heart and soul to you.
Declaration of Marriage
By the power vested in me by the State of Minnesota
Family and friends, I present to you Team Jaglo!
After we were presented as Team Jaglo, we high-fived and all of our friends and family cheered! Our friends Chris McIntyre and Dave Olson, who were sitting among the guests, then grabbed their trombone and trumpet and started to play the theme from Superman as our recessional music. Jason and I walked to the end of the stage; Jason jumped off of the stage and helped me down the stairs.
We then walked back down the aisle and headed back to the room we had been in before the ceremony. We took a couple minutes for ourselves to soak in the fact the fact that we just got married!!! It was an amazing moment!!!
Bradley announced to all the guests that the food was served, the bar was open, and the “dinner music” playlist Jason created on his iPod started. Jason had also put together a slideshow of about a million pictures, which played as background entertainment on the two giant screens on the side of the stage.
Shortly after that, Bradley, Nicol, and Kirsten came back into the room we were in so that we could take care of signing the marriage license. Our photographers were also there to Memorex the moment. After this “minor detail” was complete, it was time to celebrate and Jason and I headed out to our reception.
And again, this blog post is a bit long, so the reception post will have to wait for another day…
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