(This will be prettified later, but for the nonce...)

  Debbie: smudges the space, perhaps with sage? Or does salt-water
   purification ritual? (Up to her, but minimizing smoke is good.)

Guests: are allowed to enter the hall.
Ushers: Ush.

Music: begins.

[Ketubah signing occurs in basement! Fetch the witnesses! And a shrubbery.]

  [Enter dramatis personae]
Music: Pre-processional begins. Jay vamps until ready.

Music: On signal, Jay begins Bach Air from Orchestra Ste #3
  [Bridesmaids and Kerry enter and erect the chuppah]
  [Debbie enters and sets up shop under the chuppah]

Music: On signal, Quidam processional begins.
  [Eric and parents enter, stopping at edge of stage]
  [Parents sit in chairs, Eric waits on first step facing down the aisle]
  [Johanna and parents enter, stopping at edge of stage]
  [Parents sit in chairs, Johanna stands for a moment with Eric]
Music: stops at opportune moment

(Part the First: Induction: why other people are here)

DEBBIE:

    These two come together today, before you who care about them and
    before all they hold sacred, to acknowledge, celebrate and bless
    their union.  Johanna and Eric have chosen to share this moment
    with you, their friends and family, who have guided them and
    accompanied them through their lives.  You are here as witnesses
    and participants in this ceremony of marriage, to support and
    affirm the promises they are about to make.  You are here because
    you are the people that Johanna and Eric trust to uphold them in
    their life together.
    
    The Chuppah is the house of promises. It is the home of hope. It
    symbolizes the new home the bride and groom will be creating
    together.
    
(Part the second: Question of Intent)

DEBBIE:
    [I ask you now:] Is it your intention to be joined in marriage as
    husband and wife; to unite your spirits and hearts forever, and
    gift each other with your trust, respect, and enduring love for as
    long as you both shall live?

ERIC with JOHANNA:
    It is.

DEBBIE:    
    Since you have stated your intention to marry, I invite you to enter
    the Chuppah, the symbol of the home that your union creates, and
    make your vows to each other.

[Eric and Johanna enter the chuppah]

DEBBIE:    
    Will all of you witnessing this declaration do all in your power
    to uphold Johanna and Eric in their marriage? If so, answer "We
    will".

ALL:
    We will.

DEBBIE:
    Harry Mumpower, Eric's father, will now share a reading with us.

        * * *
Friendship
It is often said that it is love that makes the world go round.
However, without doubt, it is friendship which keeps our spinning
existence on an even keel.

True friendship provides so many of the essentials for a happy it is
the mortar which bonds us together in harmony, and it is the calm,
warm protection we sometimes need when the world outside seems cold
and chaotic.

True friendship holds a mirror to our foibles and failings, without
destroying our sense of worthiness.  True friendship nurtures our
hopes, supports us in our disappointments, and encourages us to grow
to our best potential.

This couple came together as friends, they pledge to each other not
only their love but also the strength, warmth and, most importantly,
the fun of true friendship.
 * * *    
    
(Part the third: Vows)

ERIC, then JOHANNA:
    I, [Eric/Johanna], take you, [Johanna/Eric], to be my [wife/husband]; 
    From this day, I promise;
    to love you as I love no other;
    to live with you and laugh with you;
    to read with you and make music 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 to be for you the most that I can;
    to hold you when you are sad and laugh with you when you are happy;
    to aid you in your struggles and rejoice in your accomplishments;
    for richer, for poorer; 
    for better, for worse; 
    in sickness and in health;
    in sorrow and in joy; 
    as long as we both shall live.
    

DEBBIE:
    Maudine Mumpower will now read "Marriage" from
      _The Prophet_ by Kahlil Gibran
    
        * * *
    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.


        * * *
    
    
(Part the fourth, in which our heroes learn the importance of not
losing things:)

DEBBIE:
    May these rings be blessed as an embodiment of the vows Johanna and Eric
    have made. May they be seen by the world as symbols of the love and
    commitment they share.

in turn: ERIC, then JOHANNA:
    I give you this ring as a symbol of my love, and as a
    constant reminder of the promises we have exchanged today.
    
DEBBIE:
    Rusty and Susanna, Johanna's parents, will now read The Seven Blessings.

        * * *
May you be blessed with love.  May understanding bring a deep and
abiding peace into your lives, fostering a love that is not only
passionate but serene.  May this love between you be strong and
enduring.

May you be blessed with wisdom.  May you continiually learn from one
another and from the world.  Together, may you grow, deepening your
knowledge and undersanding of each other and of your journey through
life.

May you be blessed with community.  May you always be blessed with the
awareness that you are an essential part of a circle of family and
friends.  May there always be within this group a sense of mutual
love, trust, support and respect.

May you be blessed with amusic, rt and beauty.  May your creative
aspiratuions and experiences find expression and bring you joy and
fulfillment.

May you be blessed with health. May life bestow upon you a wholeness
of mind, body and spirit.  May you live long that you may share many
happy years together.

May nature in its magnificance continue to inspire you and bring you a
sense of transcendence.  May the elements of earth, air, fire and
water sustain you and heal you.

May you be blessed with the fruit of the earth.  This wine of which
you will partake was produced by the earth and perfected by time.  So
may your bond here be represented by this gift of the earth and be
likewise perfected by the time of your years together.

[created and provided courtesy Brian Pekarsky and Chriselle Tidrick,
from their wedding ceremony.]

        * * *
    
    
(Part the fifth: Unity cup)

[No words for unity cup; J+E each pour some into shared vessel, and
then drink in turn of the shared vessel.]
    
[Breaking of a glass]
    
(Part the sixth: Blessing)
    
DEBBIE:
    May you go with strength and grace, with affection and understanding,
    with wisdom and forgiveness, and with courage and love.
    
    
(Part the last: Pronouncement)

DEBBIE:
    By the trust you have given me, I pronounce you husband
    and wife! (You may kiss.)
    
    I invite you all [to come forward?] and greet our newly married
    couple, Johanna Mumpower Bobrow and Eric Bobrow Mumpower.
    
Music: recessional begins.
  [Exeunt dramatis personae.]
Music: flows into postlude.