Carmen and Stephane's wedding: the big day/ le mariage de Carmen et Stephane: le grand jour

Our older son, Gael, shared some beautiful words at the ceremony which reflect very well the spirit of that moment.
A la ceremonie, notre fils aine, Gael, a partage ces tres beaux mots qui refletent bien l'esprit du moment.

(Domi plays his guitar while Carmen walks down the trail to the beach and Stephane waits).
Gael speaks.

We are brought together today to celebrate the love of Carmen and Stephane.
I am now going to recite a few words that they have given me to speak on their behalf.

Every one of you has been a shinning light in our lives. You have always given us guidance and accepted us for who we are. Now as a couple, we feel the love and support grow to far greater strengths than we could have ever imagined. Knowing that we have so many people in our hearts is a comfort that cannot be described. Between friendship, love, laughter and even a shoulder to cry on, we can never thank you enough. We are truly fortunate to have all of you in our lives. Thank you.

Now on a personal note, I would also like to thank you all for being witnesses to this event and to thank Carmen and Stephane personally. I know that all of us are here today because we have been selectively chosen by you both to attend and in that regard I find it to be an extremely high honot that we can all share this wondrous moment between you two.

And thinking about why we are here led me to contemplate this mariage, this ceremony and the interesting dynamic of it all. I was thinking about how communal this gathering of people is as all weddings tend to be, but usually the norm in many weddings is that you get your invitation, you dress up, you show up and you celebrate for a few hours and that's it. But here, and I believe that it is a testament to how all of us feel about you two, we have been in celebration for several days, and not just in celebration but in organizing, building, gathering, cleaning and preparing for this precise moment. To be honest, I don't know how many people, how many friends and family members would be so willing to chop down coconuts, sweeps up leaves from the yard, build makeshift beach bars, lend their house and property, cut down palm leaves, cook, tend bar, waitress, assemble tents and run around doing all kind of errands up and down the costa Rican Coast, but here we all are and this is what we have done and we have done it because that is a testament to Stephane and Carmen's love, and its ability to bring us all together. I truly believe that we all feel as passionately about them as they do for each other. Because with them, we see precisely what love is all about, about sharing, without ego, and giving to them what they have given to us and as they continually give to each other.

When Stephane and Carmen asked me to witness this ceremony, I had no idea why as I felt that I knew them less as a couple than any of you present here today, but it took me only seconds to realize that this community is exactly what true love is all about. This union between all of us is a direct reflection on the incredible and radiant love that is Carmen and Stephane. We love you guys and I am so proud of you both.

Now, as a further continuation of this communal gathering and as a small surprise, I would like to call upon the parents, Rose, Dave, Dominique and Ghislaine to come up and share some words directly with Carmen and Stephane as they continue to embark on this new path forged together.

Parents say their speeches.

Carmen and Sephane will now share their vows.
Carmen says vows/Stephane says vows.
Ceremony of rings.
Carmen, do you take Stephane to be your husband?
Stephane, do you take Carmen to be your wife?
Friends and family, I now officially present to you Mr and Mrs Geneau.
You may both now seal the deal with a kiss!!!