Ceremony

WEDDING CEREMONY

Wheather

Our wedding ceremony was held on July 19, 2003 at Eaton Manor near Church Stretton, Shropshire. After continuous sunny days, the weather forecast broadcasted "possible thunder storm." The morning started with overcast sky and it acturally poured rain at Church Stretton train station about 2km away. However, our Eaton Manor only had a few drops of rain, and throughout our ceremony and photography sessions... even until the end of our reception, it held up with sunshine and bright stars!!

CEREMONY

A Walk in the Stars - Lisa Ono Processional: The Unfeeling Kiss - Gabriel Yared
Opening Statement:	Jano: Good afternoon everyone and may I welcome you all here today as we witness and celebrate Miho and Tim's decision to join their two lives together. It must be clear for all to see that this is no traditional wedding ceremony. Some two years ago Miho and Tim visited the Consulate's office in Nagoya, Japan and there they signed a legal document that enabled their union to be recognised by the State. But it is today that Miho and Tim intend should be remembered as their true wedding day. For today, in front of the people who really matter to them, they will make public and formal declarations of their love and commitment to each other. Both of them were keen to make this occasion a truly unique and meaningful ceremony, not just for themselves, but for their family and friends. Above all, they want you, what ever your beliefs, to feel comfortable about the proceedings and feel part of this joyous occasion. This celebration has therefore, three purposes; firstly, we are here to affirm what they have already established together. Also, looking ahead we are here to wish them happiness and fulfilment in the future. But, most importantly, here today we bear witness to the aspirations that they will exchange at this simple ceremony. And so, with great care and a good deal of laughter, they have chosen the words, poems/readings and music that they feel best expresses their present happiness and their hopes for their future together. They have asked me as a celebrant from the British Humanist Association to help them celebrate their marriage day in a manner that reflects the way in which they have chosen to lead their lives. In every time, in every land, in every culture, people have come together to witness the joining of two human lives. Marriage, when all is said and done, is a very serious business. Two people are prepared to state publicly that they love each other, respect each other, trust each other, believe the other to be their equal and what is more, that they will do their utmost to hold to these vows as the years go by, through the bad times as well as the good. Every marriage is tested at some time during its existence. Miho and Tim have been honest enough to acknowledge this and to discuss beforehand their expectations of each other. They are aware of the potential areas of stress and worry but feel that they have the strength and love to come through these testing times. They feel that they are entering marriage having put aside the rose tinted glasses, yet having great optimism that they will still be together hopefully to enjoy the lives of their future children and grandchildren.
Tim's Reading:	Love is a temporary madness; it erupts like volcanoes and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out weather your roots have so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promise of eternal passion… That is just being "in love" which any fool can do. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident. Those that truly love have roots that grow towards each other underground, and when al the pretty blossoms have fallen from their branches, they find that they are one tree and not two.
Jano: As I mentioned earlier, this is not a traditional wedding ceremony - by any meaning of the words. It is unusual, to say the least, to have a wedding ceremony two years after the legal marriage but Miho and Tim are not too concerned about following convention. There are not many relationships that start as a result of the couple sharing a rock face, a rope and a crampon in deepest, coldest Canada. And yet it seems fitting that a shared love of mountaineering should bring together and bind two people from two very different cultures. Those who are not mountaineers may look at a rock face or snow covered mountain and perceive only the danger, the folly and the foolhardiness of the venture. But Miho and Tim see things differently - they appreciate the challenge of the climb; they know that to succeed, they must put their trust in the strength and skills of their companion and they know how exhilarating it is, after all that effort, to reach the summit and be able to view the world from a new perspective. Highly appropriate skills for two people to bring to any marriage. For like mountaineer, marriage is also the sharing of experience - a kind of adventure, if you like - in the closest of human relationships. It is the union of a man and a woman whose companionship and mutual understanding have developed into love and trust. As Miho and Tim now proclaim their love publicly, we on our part rejoice with them and for them in the life they are undertaking together.
Exchange of the Vows:	Jano: In a moment, we will come to the essence of this wedding ceremony. The point at which Miho and Tim will make their vows to each other in the presence of you all. They have chosen the words and symbols that are of deep significance to them and they hope, that whilst they are making their promises, each of us will take time to reflect on what marriage means to us. And for those of us who have already made marriage vows, Miho and Tim hope that their words will help us to reaffirm our own unique relationships. Tim and Miho will you now face each other. Drawing on the trust you have placed in me, I ask you now to speak in truth to each other. Tim: I shall give you all the love that I have, I shall be your companion through all your journeys, A hand of help, a trusted support. Through the happiness and pain for my love shall be your shelter and my arms your home. With our family and friends here, I ask you Miho, I shall be your all weather friend, devoted to you. to take me as your friend, companion As from this day on you shall not walk alone, and lover for the rest of my life. Miho： Without hesitation or reservation I take you, Tim,　as my friend, companion and lover for the rest of my life. Jano: And now Miho will you repeat after me. Miho: I shall give you all the love that I have, I shall be your companion through all your journeys, A hand of help, a trusted support. Through the happiness and pain for my love shall be your shelter and my arms your home. With our family and friends here, I ask you Miho, I shall be your all weather friend, devoted to you. to take me as your friend, companion As from this day on you shall not walk alone, and lover for the rest of my life. Tim： Without hesitation or reservation I take you, Tim,　as my friend, companion and lover for the rest of my life.
Exchange of the Rings: 　 Declaration of Marriage:	Jano: Miho and Tim have chosen to exchange rings as a symbol of their union. The wedding ring is a circle and as such it is a symbol of wholeness, of strength, and of unity. It is made of titanium which does not tarnish but remains ever bright and strong representing the best that you can give to each other. May these rings stand for you as a symbol of your love for each other, looking both inwards and outwards, an embrace that binds without imprisoning, a support that reassures without restricting. Miho please take Tim's left hand and repeat these words. Jano/Miho: Tim, I place this ring on your finger as a symbol of my love for you and my commitment to our future together. Jano: 　 Tim please take Miho's left hand and repeat these words. Jano/Tim: Miho, I place this ring on your finger as a symbol of my love for you and my commitment to our future together. Jano: Miho and Tim, Tim and Miho, you have freely consented to join your lives. You have pledged yourselves to each other by the exchange of rings. In the presence and name of this company I now pronounce you to be husband and wife and to greet each other in the beautiful and time-honoured fashion.
Beautiful Day - U2 Signing of the Certificate:	Jano:　 We will now listen to some music whilst Miho and Tim sign the Certificate of Marriage. Would everyone else please wait awhile where you are.
Miho's Reading:	Today I marry my friend, The one I have laughed and cried with, The one I have learned from and shared with, The one I have chosen to support, encourage, And give myself to, through all these days Given us to share. Today I marry the one I love.
Jano: Miho and Tim, I am sure I speak for everyone here today and those who are absent, in wishing you both a long and loving lifetime together. May our heartfelt hopes for your future happiness and your own memories of this wonderful occasion, support and nurture you through the years to come.　 Although the formal ceremony has come to an end, the celebrations are set to continue for the rest of the afternoon and evening. Miho and Tim have asked me to invite you to join them in the house for drinks and light refreshments. Photographs will be taken throughout the afternoon and the meal will be served in the marquee at 6.30pm.In the meantime please feel free to explore this lovely area and enjoy each others' company during the rest of this special day. And finally, on behalf of Miho and Tim, may I thank you all for being here today and helping to make this ceremony such a special occasion for them. Thank you.
Rome wasn't built in a day - Morcheeba Recessional: Scholo - Lisa Ono

Cocktail Hour

After the ceremony, we've taken some photos with everyone participated our ceremony. After the photos being taken, guests were welcomed inside of the manor for light snack and drinks while we had many of our photos taken. Inside of the manor, we have decorated the walls with the pictures of us growing up, with some relaxing music playing for our guests to enjoy their waiting time.