Wedding & Clergy Services
 Rev. Dr. Kimberly Kaye Castaneda, ND, CHt, DD, RMT, 
Truth and Wellness Facilitator

CEREMONIES BY:

United We Stand

Rev. Dr. Kimberly Kaye Castaneda
631 N. Longwood Street
Suite LL03
Rockford, IL 61107
(815) 963-1585  

  Wedding Services

ALL CEREMONIES ARE CONDUCTED WITH:
LOVE, DIGNITY AND RESPECT

TRADITIONAL and NON-TRADITIONAL

All Religious Affiliations and Non-Affiliations Considered

Specialized Vows * Ceremonial Advice

Other Services Offered

Vow Renewal Ceremonies: $75.00

Affirmation of Love Ceremonies:  $75.00

Blessing Ceremonies for Loved Ones:  $125.00

(Newborn through Elderly)

Memorial Services:  $125.00

Divorce Ceremonies:  $125.00

(For Those Whom Wish To Separate With Peace, Love, Forgiveness

And Healing In Their Hearts)

*Note: I do not feel that divorce is always justified or should be used as an easy way out of responsibility and commitment. However, this type of ceremony can be very loving and healing for couples and families. Often when children are involved, divorce can be quite a negative experience. This ceremony is for couples whom wish to show their children and families that they are able to separate with love and that their separation does not mean that the adults are choosing to separate from the children or in-laws. It is actually a very beautiful and loving ceremony that allows a couple the opportunity to separate with integrity, friendship, respect and honor towards one another. I personally only condone divorce as a last alternative and  if absolutely all other measures of reconciliation have failed.

ALL CEREMONIES COME WITH:

·  A Personal Guarantee of Satisfaction.

·  Choice of Ceremonies, Readings, Poems and Vows.

·  A Complimentary Booklet of Your Wedding Service.

·  Music of Your Choice Incorporated into Your Ceremony.

·  Civil or Religious Attire.

· Your Choice of Ceremony Site. Indoors or Outdoors.

 

 

Wedding Service Fees

Consultation: $75.00

Rehearsal: $75.00

Wedding Service: $75.00  

 

Fee is only subject to change if rehearsal and wedding services are outside of Rockford, Illinois.

 

Consultation: This consists of an in depth meeting, getting to know one another and going over the ceremonial choices. Services generally include an opening service, an introduction, question of intent, an exchange of vows, wedding prayers, shared readings or poems, music; prior, during or in closing, ring exchanges, often a rose, dove, wine exchange or unity candle ceremony is added to the service. Ending the service is the closing ceremony and presentation of the bride and groom. I will counsel with you and assist you in orchestrating the perfect ceremony, for the both of you. *See below for example of ceremony contents.

 

Rehearsal: This will generally take place sometime within the week prior to the wedding. Usually the evening prior to the actual wedding service.

 

Wedding Service: You will be united as one with your beloved.

 

WEDDING CEREMONY

 

Entrance March * Song

Opening Ceremony * Gathering Words * Opening Prayer

Support from Families * Brides and/or Grooms

Question of Intent * Charge to Couple

(Consent from Bride & Groom)

Exchange of Vows * Promises

Exchange of Rings

Prayers * Readings * Songs

Unity Candles * Rose Ceremony * Wine Ceremony * Dove

Butterfly Release Ceremony * Ribbon Ceremony

Closing Words * Benediction * Blessings

Marriage Pronouncement * Presentation of Bride & Groom

 

 

*EXAMPLE: Complete Wedding Service

Complimentary booklets are created from data such as below, only put into booklet form. One booklet is given to each couple as our gift to you. Extra copies are $20.00.

 

OPENING OF WEDDING SERVICE

Entrance Song:

“The John Dunbar Theme” from the Dances With Wolves soundtrack

Entrance March.

Rev. Castaneda takes her place.

Jeffrey and best man take their places.

Procession of the bridal party and Nicole.

Music fades when all are gathered

Rev. Castaneda:

Who stands with this woman in support and blessing of this marriage?

Mr. or Ms. XXX or Both: 

“I do” or  “We do“.

Rev. Castaneda:

Who stands with this man in support and blessing of this marriage?

Mr. Lawrence XXX & Children:

“I do” or “We do”.

Rev. Castaneda:

We are gathered here today, in the presence of these witnesses, to join together this man and this woman in marriage.  Into this blessed union, these two persons come forward before God and their loved ones, to be joined as one.

I ask you both, as you stand in the presence of your families and friends, to remember that love and loyalty alone will avail as the foundation of a happy and enduring home.  No other human ties are more tender, no other vows more sacred than those that you now assume.  If you hold true to these solemn vows and if you always endeavor to live according to the best that is within you, your life together will be full of joy, and the home you are establishing will abide in peace.

 

QUESTION OF INTENT

 

Rev. Castaneda:

Jeffrey and Nicole, by uniting here today in this place that you have both chosen, you are affirming before GOD,  your families and friends, your love and your caring for each other.

Is this so?

 

Jeffrey & Nicole:

Yes, it is.

 

Rev. Castaneda:

You have each come from different backgrounds. You have walked different paths. You are different individuals. Your love has transcended these differences.

 

May the challenges of your life together be met with courage and optimism. May you learn from your failures and grow in your achievements. May life bless you with children, friends and family in a wide network of mutual support and enjoyment. May you face pain, toil and trouble with a stout but light heart. May you share with others the radiance of your seasons of joy and pleasure. May you always remember that laughter is the medicine of God.

 

May the spirit of love be ever a part of your lives so that

the union we celebrate here on this day, be worthy of continued celebration tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow.

 

EXCHANGE OF VOWS

 

Rev. Castaneda & Jeffrey:

(Jeffrey and Nicole face one another and join hands )

Jeffrey, please repeat after me...

 

Where there has been cold,

you have brought warmth,

where my life was dark,

you have brought light,

Nicole, I pledge before this assembled company
to be your husband,

from this day forward.

Let us make our two lives, one life,

and let us always honor

and respect one another.

 

Rev. Castaneda & Nicole:

Nicole, please repeat after me...

 

Where there has been cold,

you have brought warmth,

where my life was dark,

you have brought light,

Jeffrey, I pledge before this assembled company
to be your wife,

from this day forward.

Let us make our two lives, one life,

and let us always honor

and respect one another.

 

Music: High Sierra by Tim Janis

 

APACHE WEDDING PRAYER

 

Rev. Castaneda:

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 to the other.

Now there will be no loneliness,

for each of you will be companion to the other.

Now you are two persons, but there is only one life before you.

May beauty surround you both in the journey ahead and through all the years,

May happiness be your companion and your days together be good and long upon the earth.

 

Let us all take a moment at this time in silent prayer and in sending blessings to this very special couple who stands before us.

 

Amen...Thank you.

 

Music fades

 

 

RING EXCHANGE

Rev. Castaneda:

And so we come to the presentation of the rings,

by which you will symbolize and bind your love.

 

The circle is the symbol of the sun, the earth and the universe. It is a symbol of holiness and perfection and of peace.

And now for the rings please...

 

(The rings are given to the bride and groom for exchange from either the Rev. Castaneda, maid of honor and best man, a ring bearer or flower girl, parents or children of the bride and/or groom.)

 

Rev. Castaneda:

Jeffrey, THIS ring is a symbol of unity,

in which your two lives are now joined in one unbroken circle.

Jeffrey, Please place this ring on Nicole’s finger and repeat after me...

 

Rev. Castaneda & Jeffrey:

"I give you this ring Nicole,

 to wear upon your hand,

 as a symbol of our unity."

 

Rev. Castaneda:

Nicole, THIS ring is a symbol of unity also,

in which your two lives are now joined in one unbroken circle.

Nicole, Please place this ring on Jeffrey’s finger and repeat after me...

 

Rev. Castaneda & Nicole:

"I give you this ring Jeffrey,

 to wear upon your hand,

 as a symbol of our unity."

 

(A brief moment of pause)

 

Music: “The Rose” by Bette Midler

 

ROSE CEREMONY

Rev. Castaneda:
In the old language of flowers, a single red rose always meant "I love you". The Rose ceremony gives recognition to the new and most honorable title of "Husband and Wife".

"Your gift to each other for your wedding today has been your wedding rings - which shall always be an outward demonstration of your vows of love and respect; and a public showing of your commitment to each other.

You now have what remains the most honorable title which may exist between a man and a woman - the title of "husband" and "wife." For your first gift as husband and wife, that gift will be a single rose.

 

In the past, the rose was considered a symbol of love and a single rose always meant only one thing - it meant the words "I love you." So it is appropriate that for your first gift - as husband and wife - that gift would be a single rose.

 

Please exchange your first gift as husband and wife.

(Roses are handed to the bride and groom and then exchanged)

 

In some ways it seems like you have not done anything at all. Just a moment ago you were holding one small rose - and now you are still holding one small rose. In some ways, a marriage ceremony is like this. In some ways, tomorrow is going to seem no different than yesterday. But in fact today, just now, you both have given and received one of the most valuable and precious gifts of life - one I hope you always remember - the gift of true and abiding love within the devotion of marriage.

 

Jeffrey and Nicole, I would ask that wherever you make your home in the future - whether it be a large and elegant home - or a small and graceful one - that you both pick one very special location for roses; so that on each anniversary of this truly wonderful occasion you both may take a rose to that spot both as a recommitment to your marriage - and a recommitment that THIS will be a marriage based upon love.

 

In every marriage there are times where it is difficult to find the right words. It is easiest to hurt those we love most and it is easiest to be hurt by those whom we love most. It might be difficult sometimes to find the words to say "I am sorry" or "I forgive you"; "I need you" or "I am hurting". If this should happen, if you simply can not find these words, leave a rose at that spot which both of you have selected - for that rose then says what matters most of all and should overpower all other things and all other words.

 

That rose says the words: "I still love you." The other should accept this rose for the words which can not be found, and remember the love and the hope that you both share today.

Jeffrey and Nicole, if there is anything you remember of this marriage ceremony, it is that it was love that brought you here today, it is only love which can make it a glorious union, and it is by love which your marriage shall endure."

 

Music fades 

(A brief pause before the next song)

 

Music: “The Kiss” from The Last of the Mohicans soundtrack

 

 

 

CLOSING OF THE CEREMONY

 

Rev. Castaneda:

Jeffrey and Nicole will you please join hands at this time...

(The couple faces one another and joins both hands at this time)

 

For as much as Jeffrey and Nicole have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed this before God, Our Beloved Mother in Heaven (OPTIONAL) and all whom are present here today, and have made solemn vows to each other and have declared this by joining hands and by giving and receiving a ring, I now pronounce that they are husband and wife together.

 

Jeffrey and Nicole, you have taken a new step forward into life.  May you continue to deepen your life with each other and with your family and friends and may your fulfillment and joy in each other and in yourselves increase with each passing year.

 

You may now kiss the bride.

 

May I present to you,

 

Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Lawrence

 

 

Groom: Jeffrey Lawrence

Bride: Nicole Marie

Best Man: Lyle

Maid of Honor: Kimberly

Ring Bearer: Christopher

Flower Girl: Angelica Kaye

Celebrant: Reverend Kimberly Kaye Castaneda