Billy and Vicky
October 25th, 2008 at 12:30 PM
Rocky Point, NY

I’d like to thank everyone for being here, on behalf of Billy and Vicky, they really appreciate your love and support and are thrilled to share this day with you. Today, October 25th, William Kowalczyk and Vicky Vincenti will celebrate their wedding day. And we, as friends and family, will not only make this day memorable for them, but we will make this day happen because marriage is not a private affair; It is a social convention. It is true that Billy and Vicky announce their undying love for one another today. It is true that they will say their vows and accept each other as their one true love. But it is us, their friends and family that acknowledge this- that make it valuable- It is all of us here today on October 25th, that not only witness this event, but as observers of this ceremony, we actually make it something special. Billy and Vicky are bringing their two families together and as one whole family, we all recognize, approve and support this union.
But lets be reminded that this marriage should not dissolve their individuality. After all, it was this very individual that they each fell in love with. This marriage ought to help you grow as individuals as much as it does unify you and your families. As yet another milestone in our lives, this marriage will nourish all of us; Especially for Billy and Vicky It will strengthen fundamental principles of life; namely, hope, love and trust. And as they grow to be better people, they will affect the world in their interactions just as everyone’s interactions with them thus far has led them to this event.
Marriage is really the fabric of our society. So long as two people really love each other as I believe you two do, we have the minimum requirements of a family. Many families together form a community. Many communities form a town, then a city and all the way up until we realize that the planet Earth is populated with people whose society is based upon the love of just two people! This is not random and it is not pre-destined. It is our good fortune that leads us to that special someone so that each of us can contribute what we can to society and indeed, all of mankind. But, as great as marriage can be, it isn’t all roses.
This part of the sermon is sort of like the pep-talk so bare with me...
Ask any married couple here about marriage and no doubt, they’ll all be quick to cynically provide you with warnings and advice on how to deal. You will have your good times and you’ll have your share of bad times. But it is during the rough times that really tests your honesty, your fidelity and your love for one another. It is often said that your strength is determined by your weakest moment. If that be the case, know this in advance. Cherish each day that you are together. Cherish each moment because often life moves so fast and sustaining a family is so taxing that it can be very easy to forget what brought you here in the first place. Take a look at one another right now. Look at each other in the eyes and say privately to yourself that you will always be there for them; That above all other matters of life this person that stands before you now is the most important thing to you; that your purpose in life and the meaning of life is moot without this person you are marrying today. This ceremony is already almost over. This wedding will last only a few more hours. But your marriage is the rest of your life so take your time and enjoy it as much as possible. You’ve got forever. So choose wisely in all that you do and say. And if you’re ever confused or lost, look behind you. This is your support group, your team and your family. We’ve got your back.

And now to the rituals...
There are many traditions passed down from the beginning of time that have to do with the ceremony of marriage. Billy and Vicky have chosen something that suits them best.
There are hand-fasting ceremonies, candle lighting ceremonies, sharing a glass of wine and a whole bunch of other rituals that symbolize this event. Billy and Vicky chose a sand-pouring ceremony to commemorate their wedding.
As one of primary elements of this universe, according to every ancient philosophy, Earth is among them. Empedocles, an ancient Sicilian philosopher, described Earth as one of the main “roots” of existence. Billy and Vicky would like to use one of the primary ingredients of the universe, Earth, with a primary ingredient of society to establish a firm ground upon which their family will stand. And like the timeless acknowledgement of Earth as a primary element, this marriage too will be a timeless testament of their love for one another.
Know, before you go any further, that you are forming eternal and sacred bonds. As you enter this state of matrimony you should strive to make real the ideals that to you, give meaning to this ceremony and to the institution of marriage. With full awareness know that you are not only declaring your intent to be married before your friends and family, but that you speak that intent to the State and to the universe at large. The promises made today will bind you for life.

Do you still wish to enter this ceremony?
Ok... I will pour the foundation upon which these vows will rest.

Billy, if you would, please repeat after me:

I Billy, choose you Vicky, to be my lawfully wedded wife; to love and to cherish, to honor and respect, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, from now and forever more.

Now pour 1/2 of your sand into this vessel and wait for your other half.

Vicky, if you would, please repeat after me:

I Vicky, choose you Billy, to be my lawfully wedded husband; to love and to cherish, to honor and respect, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, from now and forever more.

Now pour 1/2 of your sand into this vessel and join your other half.

Now the both of you together pour your remaing sand into the vessel.

I will pour the rest of my sand into this vessel and you are now surrounded by the blessings of this ceremony. Beneath you is a firm foundation on which to grow and above you is the security and safety brought to you by this ceremony.
To return to a more traditional ritual, we will also use the wedding rings to mark their love as precious like the metal that the rings are made from and unending like all rings are. This also signifies to the rest of the world that these two individuals are officially “off the market.”

Who holds the rings? (rings are given to bride and groom)

Billy and Vicky, you hold here in your hands the wedding rings that you will exchange with one another. Though this ceremony will last only a few moments longer, these rings will forever serve as a reminder of this day and the love that brought you here. Billy, put her ring on her finger and say, “With this ring, I thee wed.”
... and Vicky, take his ring and put it on his finger and say, “With this ring, I thee wed.”

To be sure, do you Billy, take Vicky to be your lawfully wedded wife?

And do you Vicky, take Billy to be your lawfully wedded husband?

If anyone here sees any reason why these two should NOT be married, keep it to yourself. As guests to this wedding, we witness, observe, approve and support this wedding. It gives me great pleasure to announce the following:
By the power vested in me, by the state of New York, I, WE, now pronounce you husband and wife.

You may kiss my sister!!