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Cathy & Kenny 2005

Cathy and Kenny came to Burning Man for the first time in 2004. The experience so strongly cemented their relationship that they decided to get married at Burning Man the next year. They had very few solid ideas other than getting married at the event, so along with some of Cathy's family, we were able to help them choose details and write a ceremony. This was a great example of improvising and creating a wedding out of just what was at hand. Out on the Playa we had to work with what we had — no going to the store for anything we might have missed! We borrowed seating from neighboring camps to fill our camp’s dome and we invited the neighbors to attend as well. My sister provided a wedding dress from her costume collection and Cathy’s father hand-sewed embellishments on to it. Max and I wrote a ceremony and supported Cathy and Kenny in writing their own vows.

Ceremony Outline ::

Procession :: Bride and Father walk down the aisle to meet Groom, Best Man, and Officiant waiting there.

Convocation :: Officiant welcomes everyone, reminds us that we’re here to witness and participate in the marriage of Kenny and Cathy

Inspirational Readings :: chosen by the couple and read by the bride’s Father, Step-mother, and Step-brother

Officant to the Couple :: “You’ve come to promise yourselves to each other” Then the officiant reads a passage about promises chosen by the couple.

Couple repeats after Officiant:
“Kenny/Catherine, do you intend to walk forward in partnership with this woman/man to be her/his playmate and guardian, to honor her/his unique being as you share the path ahead?” Each answers “I do.”

Vows :: Couple repeats after Officiant:
“From this day on I choose you
To be my wife/husband
To live with you and laugh with you
To stand by your side and sleep in your arms
To be joy to your heart
And food to your soul
To bring out the best in you always
And, for you, to be the most that I can
To laugh with you in good times
To struggle with you through the bad
To comfort you with my soul
To share with you all my riches and honor
To play with you as much as I can
As we grow, to the end of our lives.”

Rings :: Couple repeats after Officiant:
“This ring is a token of my love
My promise, my dream, my quest
To you, my perfectly matching mate.
I marry you with this ring
With the wings of my love
With all that I have and am.”

Pronouncement :: “I now pronounce you Married. And now, the kiss!”

The ceremony was full of love and deep emotion and lived up to everything Cathy and Kenny had hoped for.

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