Introduction

John: Good Morning!!
Shaun and Sue and I would like to thank you for celebrating with us the joining of their lives in joyous matrimony. And special thanks to Rosemary for driving down from Melbourne to be our witness. We would also like to send a special greeting to Ricky and Leslie Anne and all other family and friends who were not able to attend the service in person. Some are watching this somewhat delayed partial transmission of today's celebration online. Now then, it's a lovely morning. Shaun and Sue are very anxious to get this started, so let's begin.

Shaun and Sue understand that marriage is the most important commitment that a man and a woman can make to one another. The essence of this commitment is the complete acceptance of each other as lover, companion, and friend. It is the commitment that they will make with the utmost respect, consideration and love for one another.

Love is one of the greatest experiences we can have and adds immeasurable depths of meaning to our lives. The day-to-day companionship. The pleasure in doing things together. The delight in exchanging experiences. These are ongoing and central to what lovers share.

Whilst marriage is the intimate sharing of two lives, it can also enhance each other's differences and individuality. We give ourselves in love; but we do not give ourselves away. One partner is neither overpowered nor absorbed by the other. This creative tension between apartness and togetherness, between incredible strength and fragility is the birthplace of true and everlasting love.

There comes a time, in the life of an "Internet" on-line relationship, when it is just no longer feasible that oceans and time and continents should be a barrier to daily happiness and growth. For Shaun and Sue, this time is long past. For those of us who rejoice in Shaun and Sue's love, this day is ours to celebrate as well.

Shaun and Sue know this happy marriage will enable them to establish a home where there will be love and stability. Where Ricky and Leslie Anne and any future child of this union will thrive and flourish. Where you, their brothers and sisters, their family and friends, their friends from the noiseE email list, Qbble or the Elton John chat, will always find an open door beyond the welcome mat. Over the years, Shaun and Sue have watched their friendship and love evolve both personally and professionally. They have discovered that one's strength compliments the other's weakness and they are better together than they are separately. Each has demonstrated a desire to honor this love and friendship with these public vows of commitment and devotion. Shaun and Sue have learned that you don't marry a person because you feel you can live with that person. You marry a person because you know you can't live without them.

Shaun and Sue, before you are joined in marriage in the presence of God, myself and in the presence of these witnesses, I have to remind you of the solemn and binding nature of the relationship into which you are both about to enter. Marriage, according to Australian law, is the union of a man and a woman, to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life.

The Asking

John: Have you both come here freely and without reservation to give yourselves to each other in marriage today?

Both: We have

John: Shaun Dietrich, will you take Sue to be your lawful wedded wife? Will you love her and respect her, and be honest with her and stand by her, whatever may come, so long as you both shall live?

Shaun: I will

John: And will you Susan Schmidt, take Shaun to be your lawful wedded husband? Will you love him and respect him and be honest with him and stand by him, whatever may come, so long as you both shall live?

Sue: I will

Our Vows

Shaun: "I, Shaun, take you, Susan, to be my lawful wedded wife, to love and to cherish from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, whilst we both shall live."

Sue: "I, Susan, take you Shaun, to be my lawful wedded husband, to love and to cherish from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, whilst we both shall live."

From this Moment On: (Sung to Shania Twain's music)

Sue: (I just swear that I'll always be there. I'd give anything and everything and I will always care. Through weakness and strength, happiness and sorrow, for better or worse, I will love you with every beat of my heart.)

Sue: From this moment life has begun
Shaun: From this moment you are the one
Sue: Right beside you
Is where I belong
Both: From this moment on

Shaun: From this moment I have been blessed
Sue: I live only for your happiness
Shaun: And for your love
Both: I'd give my last breath
From this moment on

Sue: I give my hand to you with all my heart
Shaun: Can't wait to live my life with you, can't wait to start
Both: You and I will never be apart
My dreams came true because of you

Both: From this moment as long as I live
I will love you, I promise you this
There is nothing I wouldn't give
From this moment on

Sue: You're the reason I believe in love
Shaun: And you're the answer to my prayers from up above
Both: All we need is just the two of us
My dreams came true because of you

Both: From this moment as long as I live
I will love you, I promise you this
There is nothing I wouldn't give
From this moment
Sue: I will love you (Shaun: I will love you) as long as I live
Both: From this moment on

Ring Ceremony

John: The wedding ring is a symbol of unity and unending love. In ancient Egyptian script, the circle represented eternity.

The Wedding ring was originally placed on the third finger of the left hand in the belief that a vein went directly from that finger to the heart - the universal symbol of love. It will be the constant reminder of the vows Shaun and Sue have made to each other.

And, although the wedding ring itself may not be of great value, what it will come to represent in time is beyond price.

Shaun: Susie, with this ring I thee wed. Take it and wear it as a pledge of my love and as a symbol of all we share and will share all the days of our lives.

Sue: Shaun, with this ring, I thee wed. Take it and wear it as a pledge of my love and as a symbol of all we share and will share all the days of our lives.

Declaration of Marriage

John: Shaun and Sue, as you consented together to lawful marriage in the presence of God, myself, my wife Nola, your family and your good friend Rosemary, and by virtue of the authority vested in me, I now have very great pleasure in declaring you to be husband and wife.

On behalf of all who love and care for you, I extend to you the sincere wish that your future lives together will be truly happy; and that you will both share Life's richest blessings and deepest joys.

Valentine's Day will always hold a special place in your hearts, and none more special than Valentine's Day 2000. Mr. And Mrs. Dietrich, you may now celebrate this wonderful moment with a kiss!

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