CEREMONY FOR AZUSA AND ANDERS

ON TOP OF THE MOUNTAINS ABOVE QUEENSTOWN

Tēnā koutou, nau mai haere mai; welcome. We are here for a heartwarming occasion. 

Anders and Azusa, standing here among the magical Queenstown mountains today, you are stepping into the rest of your lives in the most fitting way possible. What could possibly beat immersing yourself amongst all of this breath-taking natural beauty, and seizing this opportunity to celebrate your love in a way that is so undeniably true to you as today is for you and about you.

My name is Phillipa Cook, your marriage celebrant. 

Today is most certainly a huge milestone in your relationship - a day you will never, ever forget. But let’s face it, you stand here today having already proven to one another over the time you have been together that you have everything you could possibly need to share the rest of your lives … For you, this ceremony is not so much a turning point or moment of huge change, but more so it is about affirming that which you already know; that you are committed to continue learning and growing together, that you are dedicated to building upon this incredible life that you share, and that no matter what there is to come, for however long you have left in this world, there is no one you would rather face every moment with, than each other!

Your love story began unexpectedly, and you understand that finding someone you truly love isn’t easy in this world, but your conscious decision to nurture that love has brought you to this momentous day. Your connection has led to many adventures, and the greatest one awaits you now.

From your early days getting to know one another, laughing, and making one another smile, you have taken chances, thrown yourselves into challenges and gone after the things you want in life. All along the way you have not only made unforgettable memories, but more importantly you have come to realise that everything is so much better when you can do it together. 

So, now I want you to take a big deep breath, ground yourself in this incredible setting, and look to one another… Understanding how lucky you are and excited for your future together:

We now come to the heart of the ceremony. Anders, please recite your vows:

I Anders John Erickson choose you Azusa to be my wife [vows]

Azusa, please recite your vows:

I Azusa Joel Inaba choose you Anders to be my husband [vows]

While you have each other’s vows at the forefront of your minds, Anders, do you wholeheartedly take Azusa’s hand in marriage today; promising to love, support, respect, and encourage her, in every way you know how, from this day, and for all of your days still to come?

I do.

And Azusa, do you wholeheartedly take Anders’s hand in marriage today; promising to love, support, respect, and encourage him, in every way you know how, from this day, and for all of your days still to come?

I do.

May I have the rings please? As you place these beautiful rings upon each other’s fingers, allow yourselves to envisage your future together… whether that’s living in the woods with your family or pack of dogs, growing your business, travelling and creating a life of abundance … and know that together you are more than capable of making anything happen!

But regardless of what your life might bring, one thing that’s for certain is that you’re determined to face it all together, and that is so much more than either of you could ever have hoped for!

Anders, please take Azusa’s ring and place it on the wedding finger of her left hand and at the same time repeat after me:

Azusa, I give you this ring to wear with love and joy. As a ring has no end, neither shall my love for you. I choose you to be my wife this day and forevermore.

Azusa, please take Anders’s ring and place it on the wedding finger of his hand, and at the same time repeat after me

Anders, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love, my faith in our strength together, and my covenant to learn and grow with you. I choose you to be my husband this day and forevermore.

This ceremony will end, but your wedding rings will always be there to remind you, day after day, that you are loved. The engagement ring is a symbol of promise and intention. Now the intention is realised and the promise fulfilled. Anders, please take the engagement ring and place it on Azusa’s finger over her wedding band to symbolize that the love that brought you together will always protect and sustain your marriage. 

Today is the day you start another chapter in your book of life.

Before I pronounce you husband and wife, I have just one more thing I want you to do.  Take a few seconds to look into each other's eyes. Think about the happiness that you're feeling in this place, in this moment. Really let that feeling register in your heart and your mind.

I’d like to leave you with a Maori whakatoki/ proverb

Kia hora te marino; kia whakapapa pounamu te moana; kia tere te kārorirohi i mua i tōu huarahi.

[May the calm be widespread; may the surface of the ocean glisten like the greenstone; and may the shimmer of summer, dance across your path forever]

Anders and Azusa, may you live happily ever after.

So therefore, I pronounce you husband and wife.

You may seal your love with a kiss!