PREPARATION
(To the couple) JEF and KATHY, today you are surrounded by your friends, whom you have invited to witness your vows of marriage and to share in the joy of this occasion.
You have chosen this magnificent desert location for your celebration today. Just as the desert plants you have seen surrounding this oasis are producing new growth and fresh blossoms, marriage allows two people to grow and redefine themselves as individuals and as lovers. Notice that in the desert plants do not grow too close together. Each flora has its own separate space from which to draw water and nutrients.
Marriage will also endure and flourish when man and woman each strive to keep the delicate balance between the closeness of their loving partnership and their own needs for growth.
(To the group) JEF and KATHY have already shared much together. They choose to marry now to re-affirm their loving relationship publicly. It is for us to acknowledge that this union already exists in these two hearts.
CHARGE TO THE COUPLE
(To the couple) Marriage is a cooperative venture in every sense. It is a relationship based on love, respect, and a determination on the part of both wife and husband to adjust to each other's temperaments and moods -- in health and sickness, joy and sadness, ease and hardship. By a mutual commitment to love each other, to work toward creating a renewed atmosphere of care, consideration and respect, by a willingness to face the tensions and anxieties of life, you will nourish your relationship.
Marriage is easy to enter. But remember the promises you will recite today will profoundly affect the course of the rest of your lives.
DECLARATION OF CONSENT
Are you both here today for the purpose of joining in matrimony?
(JEF and KATHY, individually) I am.
Are you both here of your own free will and under no coercion?
(JEF and KATHY, individually) I am.
THE BLESSING
(To the group) Today we are here to focus our attention on this marriage; and to evoke collective good will for the future of this relationship. This ceremony also provides the opportunity for each of us to make a commitment to help this couple to overcome future difficulties and to support this marriage. If anyone objects to their decision to marry, let them speak now, or hereafter keep their peace. (pause)
Let us join now in common resolve to support this union. (pause)
PROMISES
(To the couple) You stand before me today as two mature and thoughtful persons who have publicly expressed your desire to wed.
JEF and KATHY, are you both willing to spend your energies to reach out for each other through good and bad times and accept the responsibility of being a loving and considerate partner?
(JEF and KATHY, individually) I am.
Do you promise to recognize and respect each other as individuals and be conscious of each other's needs; and do you promise to seek, through kindness and understanding, to achieve common goals?
(JEF and KATHY, individually) I do and will.
EXCHANGE OF VOWS
(To the couple) Please join your hands and repeat after me.
(JEF to KATHY) I, JEF, take you, KATHY to be my wife, and to share my life. I will love, respect and care for you, in tenderness and affection, through all the experiences of our lives.
(KATHY to JEF) I, KATHY, take you, JEF to be my husband, and to share my life. I will love, respect and care for you, in tenderness and affection, through all the experiences of our lives.
THE SYMBOLS
(To the couple) What symbol have you chosen as a visual sign of these marriage pledges?
(JEF) This ring.
photo by Jef
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photo by Jef
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photo by Jef
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(KATHY) This medallion.
(To the group) The ring is an age-old marriage symbol; it is a circle without beginning or end. The pendant is also a symbol, and is worn close to the heart. Both represent eternal, undying love; both are made of a precious metal, signifying the importance of the union.
I understand both the ring and medallion contain diamonds, and symbolize the many stars visible under these clear desert night skies. The ring also has blue topazes representing the clear blue desert sky under which Jef and Kathy met. I also understand this medallion is in the shape of a sand dollar found by Kathy’s younger daughter, Holley, on the trip in which Jef and Kathy became engaged. And that the desert scene depicted on its front is based on artwork by Kathy’s older daughter, Stacey. It shows a Kokopeli frolicking in this desert by an ocotillo with rubies for flowers. It symbolizes their joy of living together is this desert paradise.
(To JEF) Now please place the ring on KATHY'S finger and say 'I offer you, KATHY, this ring as a symbol of my love and commitment to you.' (JEF does so)
(To KATHY) Now please place the medallion near JEF'S heart and say 'I offer you, JEF, this medallion as a symbol of my love and commitment to you.' (KATHY does so)
THE INDIAN WEDDING VASE
(To GROOM and BRIDE) What symbol have you chosen as a visual sign of these marriage pledges?
(GROOM) This Indian Wedding Vase.
(To the group) This vessel is an authentic Indian wedding vase used in traditional Pueblo wedding ceremonies. One spout of the vase represents the husband, and the other the wife. The looped handle represents the unity achieved with marriage.
Usually a week or two before they are married, the groom's parents make the wedding vase. When the pot has been made, the husband-to-be, along with his parents and all his relatives go to the bride's home. However, in this case, the vase is one that was once given by Kathy to her mother. Unfortuneately, Kathy’s mother has passed away, but hers was a giving nature, and surely would have wanted to give this as a sign of affection to Kathy and Jef.
The bride brings out everything she will need to establish their new home together: clothing, utensils, a mattress, moccasins, corn and other food stocks, and her wedding dress. The parents of both the bride and groom give the young couple advice to help them have a happy and successful marriage.
The vase is filled with a sweet nectar and given to the bride. She drinks from one side of the vase and gives it to the groom. He drinks from the opposite spout. This ceremony unites them as one, helping consummate the marriage. The couple will treasure the vase throughout their married life. Should one of them outlive the other, the remaining person will give the vessel to a couple known to be living a happy married life. The wedding vase is treasured and protected, never deliberately broken or destroyed.
(To GROOM and BRIDE) This pot is a reflection of an ancient rite. It has two openings. Remember that although you each drink from different sides, you are sharing a common source. Drink now to each other from this vase and so give the final consecration to your marriage. (GROOM and BRIDE drink to each other)
AFFIRMATION
(To the couple) We who are gathered here wish you a good marriage. We wish for you a love that makes both of you better people, that continues to give you joy and zest for living, and that provides you with energy to face the responsibilities of life.
We wish for you a home - not a building, but a secure and peaceful place to come to at the end of the day. We hope that your abode encompasses the beauty of nature - that it has within it the elements of simplicity, joy, beauty, silence, color and the harmony of life.
THE BENEDICTION (A traditional American Indian blessing)
Now you will feel no rain,
for each of you will be shelter to the other.
Now you will feel no cold,
for each of you will bring 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.
Go now to your dwelling place,
to enter into the days of your life together.
And may your days be good and long upon the earth.
ROSE PETALS
Representatives of the families of Jef and Kathy will now disperse rose petals in this cool flowing water which will soon disappear beneath these desert sands. The two colors will blend together. Two will become one, but will still be distinct. This will symbolize the new link of these two families.
(THOR, LOGAN on one side) disperses flower petals – each of same color
(HOLLEY, STACEY on other side) disperse flower petals – each of same color
PRONOUNCEMENT
With joy in our hearts we send you off with our deepest blessings. JEF and KATHY, having chosen one another from the many men and women of the earth, and having made your pledges to one another before this gathering, I hereby declare and acknowledge that you are husband and wife.
(To JEF) JEF, you may kiss your bride. (Kiss)
(To the group) Family and friends, I present to you JEF and KATHY JOHNSON, husband and wife.
THE FOLLOWING WERE PRESENT, BUT ONLY IN BACKGROUND IN ABOVE PHOTOS:
 Above: Don and Jeff Chapman
Below: Jeff and Don Chapman
(Valley Center) 
Ruth, Nancy + Craig Nichols (SD)
Bryan Kiehl (Escondido)
Chris
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Jim and Phyllis
(Ocotillo Wells)
Jim didn't feel well
so took off after ceremony
Left: Chris Guthrey
Right: Craig + Nancy Nichols (SD)
Ruth, Nancy + Craig Nichols
Bryan Kiehl (Escondido)
Peggy, Sid, Al
Olga Siebert (Escondido)
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Linda Wennik (Temecula)
successfully dodged the cameras
Sid Thompson (SD)
Frank Guthrey (SD) was
mostly behind a camera
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POST CEREMONY PORTRAITS
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Grace orchestrating photos
photo by Dyer
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DINNER AT PALM CANYON JUNE 3, 2006, 7:50 - 9:30 p.m.
Fajita buffet line
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Jim (the minister)
Paul + Marge Schuessler
Linda + Jack Laughlin
Peggy Hurley
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Holley, Stacey Charron
Bill (NYC)
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Bill + John (NYC)
Jeanine + Jack (SD)
Left back: Chris, Sid, Bryan (SD)
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Olga (Escondido), Paco (backup best man)
Angela + Mike (SD)
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Lynn Wilderson, Shirley Turpin
Front: Fred + Barbara Scott
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Norm + Sandy (Hanna) Roberts
Elsa Chambers
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Kathy + Al Smith
Charlie + Bea Lusk
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Donna + Farrell Manning
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Fred + Susan Flores Dow (NV)
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Edie, Daryl, Suzette
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Leny + Robert Johnson (LA)
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Jef friends / family
Front: Dyer Lytle (Tucson)
Mark Scott (Oceanside)
Note: backup best men, photographers
Back: Ruth, Elsa Johnson (TX)
| Others at dinner:
Lizzy Mulvey - wife of Paco (SD)
Craig + Nancy Nichols (SD)
Jef + Kathy Johnson
Julie Johnson + Doug Scott + Logan + Thor (NM)
Hank + Linda Wennik (Temecula)
Grace Rickard (photographer)
Barb + Joe Maffia (Escondido)
(TOTAL 63)
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Manzanos: Marlene, Miguel, Michael, Marla
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Centerpiece
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Ron + Rita Anderson
Will Cronyn + Jane
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DINNER AND RECEPTION PORTRAITS
Kathy, Grace
photo by some lady in the bar
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Barb + Joe Maffia
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Jim
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Jack + Linda Laughlin
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Paul + Marge Schuessler
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Julie Johnson
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Michael Manzano
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Jim + Grace Rickard
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Jack
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Peggy
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Robert
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Leny
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Doug
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Will
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Elsa
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Mark
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John
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Bill
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Ruth
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Ron + Rita
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Jim, Edie
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RECEPTION AT KATHY'S HOUSE JUNE 3, 2006, 9:40 - 11:30 p.m.
The Wennik family provided
this excellent cake
from Edelweis Bakery
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Jef and Kathy
1st dance
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Larry Reed, the DJ
Started performing live
at the end of the night
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Cutting the cake
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The first bite
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Jeanine giving toast
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Holley, Thor, Michael
playing Monopoly
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Marlene and Marla dancing up a storm!
Note: Stacey is moving so fast
that she's a ghost in this pic!
photo by Jef
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Note disco ball to left
Stacey and Kathy dancing to "Celebration"
photo by Jef
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Stacey and Kathy in motion!
photo by Jef
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