The ceremony

The ceremony

Exchanging rings

The ceremony

Rhonda's bouquet

Almost married

Do you take this man ...

Do you take this woman ...

[Click on a picture for a larger version]

We were married in June 2001, in Estes Park, CO beside the Big Thompson River with the Continental Divide as a spectacular backdrop. Because Colorado law only needs one witness to the marriage, it was just us, Elena Coccari our minister, the photographer, and nature present.

Our ceremony included a quote from Thoreau, from Gibran's "The Prophet", an old Chinese proverb, an Apache prayer, and Paul's Letter to the Corinthians. We also said a prayer of thanksgiving. The Apache Wedding Prayer stirred our hearts the most, so we have included it here together with our wedding vows.

Our Wedding Vows

• With this ring I thee wed.
• I choose you above all others to be my wife/husband.
• I promise to live with you and laugh with you,
• To stand by your side and sleep in your arms,
• To be joy to your heart and food for your soul,
• To laugh with you in good times and struggle with you in bad times,
• To solace you when you are down hearten as I wipe away your tears with my hand,
• To comfort you with my body, and mirror you with my soul,
• To share with you all my riches and honors,
• never taking you for granted but always giving thanks for your presence,
• To play with you as much as I can until we grow old;
• still loving each other sweetly and gladly for all the days of my life.
• I will love you, hold you, honor you and respect you.
• I will encourage you and cherish you.

The Apache Prayer

• Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter for the other.
• Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth for the other.
• Now there is no more loneliness, for each of you will be companion to the other.
• Now you are two persons, but there is only one life before you.
• Go now to your dwelling to enter into the days of your life together.
• And may your days be good and long on earth.