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Church Music
for your Wedding Day

 FIONA

The Blessing
It was a beautiful Saturday morning in August. Funny how every morning in August of 2003 was sunny in Ireland. But it's true; the sun hasn't stopped dazzling in the sky with it's bright colours. Gráinne and I had all our rehearsal work done and it was near time to perform at the Irish / New Zealand wedding. In our preparation we suggested a mäori song Pökarekare Ana, seemingly one of those songs you hear every day as a kiwi child but sur' we didn't know. I remember throwing out the suggestion to Amos and his head dropped as if we had just mentioned "O Danny Boy"! But the thinking caps went on and it was agreed that it would be beautiful to hear a piece of New Zealand in the service. We were a little nervous, but I have to say an excited nervousness, when the 3 O'Clock bell was approaching. Fiona and Amos had worked hard with Father Hugh to make this a very personal service and we had merely assisted in making sure the music was personal too. Brook Lodge in Co. Wicklow was perfect. The deconsecrated church on the grounds of the beautiful hotel was elegantly and sparsly lit by flowers and candles. We waited in the company of Father Hugh who simply draped a simple Celtic Cross painting from the Ambo. 
    It was time, Fiona had arrived. Gráinne and I with fiddle and guitar ready for the grand entrance and grand it was. An old tune of O'Carolan filled the tiny church as a very beautiful bride walked up the aisle with her teary eyed bridesmaids, sur' the service had only just started and the tissues were being passed up from down the back! OK I cheat, so I had a little tear too! This was one of the most beautiful couples I had ever met. He was drop dead georgeous, she epotomised female elegance and they were so obviously in love.
    Every second of the service was thought out and from the hearts of Fiona and Amos. As we sang a rather energetic "Alleluia" Father Hugh encouraged all to embrace and enjoy the "groove"!! "Sur' I thought James Brown had entered the building!", he said as the congregation settled after their initial boogie! The vows were amazing (read below), words carefully chosen and spoken by Fiona and a somewhat nervous Amos! Everything was real, everything was true.
    It was time for Pökarekare Ana. Gráinne started accapello style and I soon came in with harmonies and echoes. I could see the tears from the proud New Zealanders and a wee smile from Fiona and Amos. That's what music is about; bringing emotions to the soul. Everybody felt what was going on in that old church on the beautiful August afternoon and no doubt there were couples rekindling their own vows of years past. 
    There was no hanging about, Father Hugh gave his final blessing and the magic couple sailed out to a massive applause and the sounds of "O Happy Day". A perfect couple, a perfect ceremony.

The following is a copy of the service kindly given to me by the couple on that perfect day.

FIONA & AMOS WEDDING CEREMONY  

Ceremony Songs

  1. Entrance – O’Carolan Tune
  2. Welcome by Father Hugh
  3. Lighting of individual candles
  4. First Reading, read by Thomas

‘Today is a day you will always remember, the greatest in anyone’s life
You’ll start off the day just two people in love
And end it as husband and wife
It’s a brand new beginning, the start of a journey
With moments to cherish and treasure.
And although there’ll be times when you both disagree
These will surely be outweighed by pleasure.
You’ll have heard many words of advice in the past
When the secrets of marriage were spoken
But you know that the answers lie hidden inside
Where the bond of true love lies unbroken
So live happy for ever as lovers and friends
It’s the dawn of a new life for you
As you stand there together with love in your eyes
From the moment you whisper ‘I do’
And with luck, all your hopes and your dreams can be real
May success find its way to your hearts.
Tomorrow can bring you the greatest of joys
But today is the day it all starts.

  1. SONG: Today
  2. Opening Prayer read by Father Hugh
  3. Second Reading – Desmond

Then Almitra spoke again and said, “And what of Marriage, master?”
And he answered saying:
You were born together, and together you shall be forevermore.
You shall be together even in the silent memory of God.
But let there be spaces in your togetherness,
And let the winds of the heavens dance between you.
Love one another but make not a bond of love:
Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.
Fill each other’s cup, but drink not from one cup.
Give one another of your bread, but eat not from the same loaf.
Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone,
Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music.
Give your hearts, but not into each other’s keeping.
For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.
And stand together, yet not too near together:
For the pillars of the temple stand apart,
And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other’s shadow.

  1. SONG: Fields of Gold
  2. Gospel Reading followed by Homily
  3. Alleluia – Mass of God’s People
  4. Vows: Bride & Groom and Bridal party stand,

Fr. Hugh:                 Have you come here of your own free will and choice to marry each other? 
            Both:                      We have

Fr. Hugh:                 Will you love and honour each other in marriage all the days of your life Both:                      We will 

Fr. Hugh:                 Are you willing to accept with love the children God may send you?  Both:                      We are 

Fr. Hugh:                 I invite you then to declare before your family and friends, your consent to become husband and wife

Amos:
I, Amos, take you Fiona as my wife
I cannot promise you a life of sunshine;  
I cannot promise riches, wealth, or gold:
But I can promise all my heart’s devotion;  
A smile to chase away your tears of sorrow  
A love that’s ever true and ever growing;  
A hand to hold in yours through each tomorrow.

Fiona:
I, Fiona, take you Amos as my husband
I cannot promise you a life of sunshine;
I cannot promise riches, wealth, or gold:
But I can promise all my heart’s devotion;
A smile to chase away your tears of sorrow
A love that’s ever true and ever growing;
A hand to hold in yours through each tomorrow

Exchange of Rings:

Amos                Fiona, I give you this ring as a reminder that I will love, honour, and cherish you, In all times, In all places. And in all ways , forever

Fiona                Amos, I give you this ring as a reminder that I will love, honour, and cherish you, In all times, In all places. And in all ways , forever

  1. Lighting of Unity Candle, accompanied by ‘This Little Light of Mine’
  2. Prayers read by family / friends

Paul:
May your hands be forever clasped in friendship and your hearts joined forever in love.
Let all your joys be as the month of May  
And all your days be as a Marriage day  
Let sorrow, sickness and a troubled mind be a stranger to you both  

Geraldine:
We would like to remember those who are not with us today, especially    ...

Jack:
Tá daoine a shiúlann inár saolta agus shiúlann amach astu go luath...  
Tá daoine a fhanann ar feadh tamaill...
Agus fágann siad rianta a gcos ar ár gcroíthe...
Agus casann ár n-anamacha port nua go deo deo.

Some people come into our lives and quickly go...
Some people stay awhile
And leave footprints on our hearts...
And we are never, ever the same

John:                Mäori reading

  1. MÄORI SONG: Pökarekare Ana
  2. Final Blessing
  3. RECESSIONAL: Oh Happy Day