Location: Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Date: April 2017

Setting: The following wedding took place on the pristine white sandy beaches of an all-inclusive resort on the far eastern coastline of the Dominican Republic. A simple 8 foot white cloth canopy was posted into the sandy beach, only a few yards from the sapphire blue waves of the Caribbean. A small wooden white table was placed underneath with bright orange tropical flowers strategically placed on top. The guests sit in white folding chairs set where the sand begins to merge with the top soil of the island and with a real-time view of the crashing waves sea just a short sprint in front of them. Behind the last row of guest seats are a two perpendicular rows of native white barked trees nurtured for their branched to intertwine high above creating a tunnel like canopy for several feet for the wedding procession to walk down on their way to the beach.

0. Procession Begins
(When Veeka Begins Walking Tell Fede to Turn Around)
(Wait for Veeka to Join Fede)

I. Welcome and Opening Remarks
Me: Welcome family and friends, please be seated.

(wait for everyone to sit)

Me: Veeka and Fede are humbled and thankful to everyone for flying in from all over the world for this momentous occasion. Be it the US, Russia, Argentina, Colombia, and even the Netherlands. it fills their hearts this day to see so many loved ones surrounding them with joy and laughter.

We are gathered here today to memorialize the harmony between Viktoriya NNNN and Federico NNNN. Today we witness when sincere and adventurous love exceeds the boundaries between two people and emerges as a unifying expression to share with all those they love and the world at large. Today, we understand the proof of good fortune. Today, we see the heart beat in motion. Today, we share our best wishes, our blessings, our embraces and kisses. Today we are a collection of love and hope, as well as friends and family.

II. Public Affirmation
Me: Now to everyone in attendance, please say “I do”, if you affirm as the friends or family of Viktoriya and Federico to freely give your love, hopes, and supporting thoughts to this couple as they venture into life and love together.

(Attendees jointly affirm)

III. Poem
Me: To start us off, Alvaro will be reading a poem in Spanish called “Canción de Amor” by Rainier Marie Rilke, translated from the original German.

(Pass script to Alvaro)

Me: When you’re ready.

(Alvaro reads poem)

CANCIÓN de AMOR

¿Cómo sujetar mi alma para
que no roce la tuya?
¿Cómo debo elevarla
hasta las otras cosas, sobre ti?
Quisiera cobijarla bajo cualquier objeto perdido,
en un rincón extraño y mudo
donde tu estremecimiento no pudiese esparcirse.

Pero todo aquello que tocamos, tú y yo,
nos une, como un golpe de arco,
que una sola voz arranca de dos cuerdas.
¿En qué instrumento nos tensaron?
¿Y qué mano nos pulsa formando ese sonido?
¡Oh, dulce canto!

(Reading Ends)

Me: Thank you for that poem, Alvaro.

IV. Vows
Me: Viktoriya and Federico have also decided to write their own vows and share them with us all.

Me: Veeka, when you’re ready.

(Veeka says her vows)

Me: Fede, when you’re ready.

(Fede says his vows)

V. Ring Exchange
Me: For millennia, people have been exchanging a perfect circle, a symbol of unity and continuity, a wedding ring, as a token between spouses to enshrine their love and devotion to each other, and as a physical marker to the world.

(Indicate for Fede to get Veeka’s ring)

Me: Fede please place this ring on Veeka’s finger and repeat after me.

Line 1: Viktoriya, I give you this ring as a token of my love and devotion

Line 2: I pledge to you all that I am

Line 3: and all that I can cherish to be as your husband.

Line 4: With this ring I gladly marry you

Line 5: and join my life to yours.

(Indicate for Veeka to get Fede’s ring)

Me: Veeka please place this ring on Fede’s finger and repeat after me.

Line 1: Federico, I give you this ring as a token of my love and devotion

Line 2: I pledge to you all that I am

Line 3: and all that I can cherish to be as your wife.

Line 4: With this ring I gladly marry you

Line 5: and join my life to yours.

VI. I do’s
Me: Federico and Viktoriya please take each other’s hands.

Me: Do you, Federico, take Viktoriya to be your wedded wife, to cherish in love and in friendship, in strength and in weakness, in success and in disappointment, to love her faithfully, today, tomorrow, and for as long as you both shall live?

(Fede says, “I do”)

Me: Viktoriya, do you take Federico, to be your wedded husband, to cherish in love and in friendship, in strength and in weakness, in success and in disappointment, to love him faithfully, today, tomorrow, and for as long as you both shall live?

(Veeka says “I do”)

VII. Pronouncement
Me: Then by the power vested in me, I happily pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.