IbizaCeremony.com

The below is not a ‘Reading’ as such, but an example
of an entire Wedding Ceremony text, written by Anna Kathleen’s son Gennaro, for
some dear friends’  Wedding here in Ibiza.

On behalf of ___ and ___ I would like to welcome you to this ceremony. I know we are all busy people and taking the time to come makes a strong statement of love and goodwill. Thank you for taking the time to attend and acknowledge this union of love.
As somebody who officiates marriage ceremonies I clearly have an interest in marriages. And I’m not just here for the good and beautiful bridesmaids. As an officiator I’m not just interested in making a successful 20 minute ceremony, I am interested in helping to lay the ground word for a successful life long relationship.
What is a successful marriage? What words of wisdom can I give to such a complex and godly thing? What gentle suggestions can I share that will help you on your new voyage together?
It is my very humble opinion, if I had to distill the essence of a long and happy marriage I would say it is to: expect happiness from the marriage but don’t expect it to be your only source.
As Kahlil Kilbram wrote:
You were born together, and together you shall be forevermore.
You shall be together when white wings of death scatter your days.
Aye, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God.
But let there be spaces in your togetherness,
And let the winds of the heavens dance between you.
Love one another but make not a bond of love:
Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.
Fill each other's cup but drink not from one cup.
Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf.
Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone,
Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same
music.
Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping.
For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.
And stand together, yet not too near together:
For the pillars of the temple stand apart,
And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow.
A marriage, like another person, or a job, or a place, these worldly elements are important parts of living and they can influence our sense of meaning and fulfillment.
But if you derive all your happiness from these outer elements it is like quenching thirst with water mixed with sugar and salt. It might satisfy you for a while, it might even be sweet, but ultimately you will not find the satisfaction you need for your soul and you will remain thirsty.
If however you find happiness both from within your own soul as well as from external things like marriage then you will be able to weather any storm with strength and even joy.
If you come here in union fully aware that your marriage, no matter how fulfilling and loving, can not and will never be your only source of happiness, then I think you will have a long and wonderful partnership.
Does this mean you should expect the worst from your marriage? Absolutely not! A marriage is a wonderful and fulfilling life changing union of spirits. It is possibly the most amazing thing that can happen to two earthly souls. A marriage fortifies our belief that we can become one, that the universe is unified and harmonious.
Look around you now. Look at the beauty. We live in a constant state of enlightenment. We really do! Yet we are so full of thoughts, expectations of the future, regrets from the past, that we miss the perfection of the moment.
Most people come to the altar with a mixture of wisdom and self-delusion. On one hand they expect the marriage to save them from all misery, for it to be the magic act that makes life eternally wonderful, and on the other hand deep down they know that the marriage won’t change their true potential for happiness.
But what the hell, they say, it’s worth a try! And I totally agree.
So as you stand here hoping this marriage will make you happier, I can assure you it will, but don’t expect it to be the magic that will make you eternally happy.
Yes, marriage can make life a lot better! Having a companion on the road is a wonderful thing. And I hope they fulfill your dreams! It is possible! It is attainable! And you can do it!
But remember, true and long lasting happiness does not drink only from your marriage. True happiness lies in a harmonic balance between your inner source of abundance and the outer world.
So look around you in this wonderful place. Take a snapshot of its perfection. It has been perfect for so many millenniums. And it will continue to be so for many years to come. Take a snapshot of this place and seal it inside you as a metaphor of perfection. Then no matter what happens in life, you can draw from that snapshot for strength and guidance from within.
Finding this balance between inner and outer I feel can profoundly influence the success of your marriage. Not just your marriage but also your life, till death do you depart.