Our Wedding Ceremony
December 9th, 2007
Written by Julianne Newmark and Eric Engberg

All photos on this page by Jason Spruill

Introductory comments, read by Judge Langford:

You have been invited here today to join in the celebration of the love that Eric and Julie share. You have nurtured them in their growth as individuals and you have witnessed their love blossom over the last three years, during which time you have supported their relationship, succored their spirits, and made them feel loved and cared for. They thank you and are so happy that you are here to share this glorious occasion with them.

You all know Eric for his intelligence, his charm, his patience, his pursuit of knowledge, and for his loyal companionship to Julie. You all know Julie for her dedication, her love of learning, her optimism, and for her devotion as a partner to Eric. We are gathered here to today to celebrate Eric’s and Julie’s love for each other; this ceremony is a confirmation of their eagerness to proclaim their love for each other and their absolute dedication to each other. In their years together, they have relished the time they have spent will all of you -- their walks in Santa Monica with Greg, Renée, and Noémie, their “gas cap” hunts with Finn, Tina, and Kaj, their frequent dinners and dog-discussions with Burt and Karen, and their lovely visits to Dorothy in West Palm Beach. From their parents, Eric and Julie have learned the meaning of lasting love and commitment. From their siblings, Eric and Julie have seen the meaning of family, growth, and dedication. From their niece and nephews, Eric and Julie have witnessed the exhilaration of youth and the beauties of innocence. Eric and Julie are thrilled to not only celebrate their love today and the union of their hearts in marriage, but they also cherish this day as the moment of the uniting of their families. May Julie and Eric’s love continue to grow with the support of your love, your lessons, and your nurturing.

Today, Eric and Julie join together in marriage. They understand the triumphs of love, as well as its challenges. They revel in the happiness their love brings to them as a couple and are excited to continue their relationship as husband and wife, as a partnership built upon trust, devotion, light-heartedness, joy, humor, and commitment. The roads they traveled across the US, Eric on his bicycle and Julie in Eric’s old Audi, taught them that even if one is lost and frustrated, or exalting in accomplishment and success, the road ahead will invariably present new challenges, new opportunities for triumph, new mysteries, and new surprises. Whatever lies around the next curve of their road together, Julie and Eric are here today to proclaim their commitment to face the thrilling new turns, as well as the difficult set-backs, together. Let us celebrate their travels on this road and the excitement of their continuing journey, as they embark anew as husband and wife.

Exchange of vows (each states, repeating after Judge):

I, ____, join my heart to yours, _____, as your husband/wife.
I promise to love you and cherish you, in our years of youth and health as well as in old age.
I promise to care for you and support you, with my heart, my brain, and my body.
I promise to respect you and encourage you,
       to believe in you and trust you,
       to be a good partner to you and to be of comfort and solace to you.
On this day, I proclaim my dedication to you. I pronounce my love to you as your husband/wife.

Lighting of Unity Candle

Readings by Sisters-in-Law
ADD READINGS

Reading by Groom, Written by Groom

Julie and I wanted a reading that would be sweet but realistic, clear and concise.
Something we could hear today and be grounded by in our future.
I'm sorry my father couldn't be here today, and with his encyclopedic knowledge and dedication to doing things just right, I'm sure he would have a great quotation to read.
And he loved great wisdom, from William Shakespeare to Dr. Seuss, but I think I can draw a pretty simple pattern from some of the precepts he lived by and raised my brother and I with.
I think Alan's embodiment of those simple, almost clichéd, ideas were what made him such an extraordinary person -- more than any other thing.
I'd like to read four maxims for Julie and I that I think Alan might give us if he were here today.

Julie and I have heard that marriage is a partnership in which each should seek to give 60%.
I think that can be said more simply, and more generally, but with more responsibility -- with what my father always asked of us for school, work, or any endeavor:
(he would say...) Do your best.
My dad would also say the same three things to me when I would leave to go out at night, off to college, or on vacation...
Have a nice time... be careful... and be a gentleman.
I know my dad would love Julie, and he might have even better advice, but if Julie and I can aim to:

1. Do our best
2. Have a nice time
3. Be careful
and
4. Be gentle

I think we'll be well-guided.

Exchange of Rings
       Judge reads the following twice. Eric and Julie both state, as each gives the other a ring:

With this ring, I encircle you with my love.
As you wear it, know that I hold your hand, that I am with you always.

Pronunciation by Judge of “husband and wife”!

Kiss, glass-breaking, cheering!


Click here to view a PDF of the wedding program



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