Dude O' the Irish Wedding cerimony.

[Patroller Dude]

Hello Dudes,

First time poster, though I have been scouring these hallowed halls for weeks seeking inspiration for my first Dudist wedding ceremony.  I was married by a dudist nearly 2 years ago, so when my sister asked me to perform her service I knew immediately where I needed to turn for my ordination.  My own wedding was light on Dude, but heavy on free thinking/non-traditional.  I wanted to realy embrace the Dude for my sisters service, and her only request was that it have some Irish influence, and that it be more meaningful than silly, but not overly serious.

After pouring through countless examples of various Dudist ceremonies online, I think I have found the proper balance, and managed to blend the Western, Eastern, and Dudern aspects into a whole that works.  The big day is Sunday, so I'm posting this not so much looking to get feedback, but rather to pay it forward to anyone thinking about a similar service.  I appreciate all the Dudes I plagiarized in putting this together, and I hope some of you will find this helpful in the future.

I present to you A Dude O' the Irish Wedding Ceremony:

May God go with you and bless you,
May you see your children?s children,
May you be poor in misfortune and rich in blessings,
May you know nothing but happiness from this day forward.

May joy and peace surround you both,
Contentment latch your door,
And happiness be with you now,
And God bless you evermore.

May you live your life with trust,
And nurture lifelong affection,
May your lifelong dreams come true for you,
Move ever that direction.

May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields.

May the light of friendship guide your path together,
May the laughter of children grace the halls of your home,
May the joy of living for each other trip a smile from your lips,
A twinkle from your eye.

And when eternity beckons,
At the end of the life heaped high with love,
May the good Lord embrace you,
With the arms that have nurtured you,
The whole length of your joy-filled days.

May the gracious God hold you both,
In the palm of his hands,
And today, may the Spirit of Love,
Find a dwelling place in your hearts.

Abide!










Friends, Family, Dudes, please be seated.  Before I proceed, please allow me to note: In the parlance of the Church of Latter Day Dude, the term Dude is the preferred nomenclature for all humans, be they Male, or Female.  Now please excuse me as I don the holy vestments of my office(put on robe/sweater over suit and a pair of shades).

Dudely beloved, we are gathered here today to tangle the threads of Groom Full Name and Bride Full Name as they begin to weave the rug of marriage that will tie their lives together.  Here they stand, before all you Dudes who have helped to shape their individual lives up to this point, ready to move forward together, as one.  Groom and Bride, I ask that you both look back at this ceremony often, recalling your words and intentions, and letting them guide you and support you throughout your years together.  Groom and Bride, you have requested that I marry you without compulsion, but with joy.  In the presence of these Dudes, please take one another?s hands.  Do you still seek to enter this ceremony abidingly and without being uptight?
Abide!

Do any of you compeers know of any new shit that?s come to light concerning why we may not continue with this wedding? 
Abide!

The world is filled with different faiths and beliefs, many of which are represented here this afternoon.   I would not presume to craft a prayer that will speak uniformly to every Dude in attendance, rather I ask each of you to take a moment of silence and, in accordance with your own beliefs, wish Strength, Joy, Peace and Undying Love upon this union.  (30 seconds of silence)   
Abide!

And now for the part you?ve all been waiting for, I will shut my trap and let Groom and Bride exchange the vows they have prepared for one another.
Vows.
Abide!

Now before we continue with the exchange of rings I would like to invoke an Irish blessing on the hands that they will be placed upon, Groom and Bride, please clasp hands, gaze into each other?s eyes, and reflect on these words.

These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow and forever.
These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as you build your future together.
These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch, will comfort you like no other.
These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills your mind.
These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes, tears of sorrow and tears of joy.
These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children, the hands that will join your family as one.
These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it, support and encouragement to pursue your dreams, and comfort through difficult times.
And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.
Abide!

Please hand me the rings.  These rings are the outward and visible sign of an inward and abiding Love, signifying to all others the unbreakable union of Groom and Bride in marriage. With the giving of these rings, we express our hope that those who wear them may live together in Peace and Love for all the days of their lives. 
Abide!

Groom, please place the ring on the finger of Bride and repeat after me.
Bride, I give you this ring/ as a constant reminder/ of the promises/ we exchange here today./  As you receive this ring,/ receive my promise/ to abide always/ and forever with you.
Abide!

Bride, please place the ring on the finger of Groom and repeat after me.
Groom, I give you this ring/ as a constant reminder/ of the promises/ we exchange here today./  As you receive this ring,/ receive my promise/ to abide always/ and forever with you.
Abide!

We will now symbolize this union with the ancient Dudest mixing ceremony.  Groom, please add the milk.  This milk represents the Yang of your union, the masculine, the bright shining sunlight that falls upon our shoulders, the verdant summer when the days are long and we are surrounded by nature?s beauty in all its splendor.  Bride, please add the Kahlua.  This Kahlua represents the Yin of your union, the feminine, the wee hours of the night when you are alone with each other, the serine winter when the nights are long and the outside world is cleansed in preparation for the coming spring.  These forces are not in opposition to one another, rather they complement each other.  Neither is absolute, as each contains the beginning point for the other, as night brings about dawn and summer passes into fall.  So too do you each bring your own ideas for life and dreams for the future, and while they will never be in complete alignment, you must find the ways to ensure they complement each other, and maintain the overall balance of the whole.  But wait, there?s more!  Your union does not exist in a vacuum; it shall be enhanced and supported by all these Dudes surrounding you today, those Dudes who were unable to attend, and the numerous Dudes you are yet to meet.  I will add the vodka to represent the contributions of your loved ones.  As you both stir the beverage I will read from the Tao Te Ching:
Difficult and easy bring about each other
Long and short reveal each other
High and low support each other
Music and voice harmonize each other
Front and back follow each other
Therefore the Sages manage the work of detached actions   
Abide!

Where once there were 3 separate components, behold, the holy beverage, much greater than the sum of its parts. 

Groom, please allow Bride to imbibe while considering the far out relationship between mixology and matrimony. 
Abide!

Bride, please allow Groom to imbibe while considering the far out relationship between mixology and matrimony.
Abide!

Seeing that Groom and Bride have given themselves to each other today by communication of intent, by expression of their solemn and public vows, with the blessing of their hands and the giving and receiving of rings, and by the blending and imbibing of the holy beverage.  I now proclaim that in accordance with their beliefs, the laws of the State of_______, and the power vested in me by the Dudely Lama, they are now Husband and Wife.  May their Love continue to grow for all the days of their lives. 
Abide!

You may now seal this union by a declaration of love through a physical act, preferably a kiss.

Dudes! It is my honor and privilege to be the first to present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Groom.