The ceremony of marriage is one of the oldest ceremonies in the world, just as these ancient lands, bayous and this lake are given to us to be treasured, so is the gift of marriage that will unite you two as one. When you look at the characteristics of love, you see that they are very similar to those of nature: Love is compared to the lake, constant but everchanging, Love is similar to the wind, rapturous and all encompassing, Love is like the earth, solid and firm.
Yet your love extends beyond the lake, wind and earth.It is more powerful than your past and the foundation for your future. It has brought you here today to become one in the eyes of your family and friends, for all the days to come. Your love is the essence of your life together.
Having this kind of love in your hearts for one another, you have chosen to exchange rings as the sign and seal of the promise you are making to one another today. These rings are made in a circle, and their design tells us that we must keep love continous throughout our lives just as the circle of the ring is continous.
Your love should be an endless melody, yet an ongoing harmony similar to the everchanging patterns of water in this beautiful lake. Marriage is a commitment to life- To the best that two people can find and bring out in each other. It offers opportunities for sharing and growth that no other human relationship can equal, a physical and emotional joining that is promised for a lifetime. You both have dreams of your future and your tomorrows. Today as you two set out in this world to make a difference in it, cherish that you will have a partner by your side to challenge and encourage the promises that you have made today.
I would like to share with you a ceremonial wedding prayer given to us by our native Coushatta Indians, the original inhabitants of this beautiful lake we know as Lake Charles:
Do you Dan take Dona as your wedded wife and promise with all your heart to love, honor and keep her through good times and bad, (Dan says, "I DO" a little early) forsaking all others, keeping thee only unto her so long as you both shall live? "I DO" (again) And do you Dona take Dan as you wedded husband and promise with all your heart to love, honor and keep him through good times and bad, forsaking all others, keeping thee only unto him so long as you both shall live? "I DO" Dan! Place the ring on her finger and repeat after me, "I Dan take you Dona to be my loving wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish forever. Dona! Place the ring on his finger and repeat after me, "I Dona take you Dan to be my loving husband to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish forever. With the power vested in me as an Ordained minister, I now pronounce you Husband and Wife. Dan, You may now kiss your bride! "This means its official, RIGHT? This page designed by
And do you Dona take Dan as you wedded husband and promise with all your heart to love, honor and keep him through good times and bad, forsaking all others, keeping thee only unto him so long as you both shall live?
Dan! Place the ring on her finger and repeat after me, "I Dan take you Dona to be my loving wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish forever.
Dona! Place the ring on his finger and repeat after me, "I Dona take you Dan to be my loving husband to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish forever.