Ceremony, officiated by Danielle

Welcome family and friends! Thank you for joining as Okcate and Steven take their first steps as a family. Family is important.

They are the people who have your back in a fight and pick you up when you fall. To quote A Tale of Two Cities, they are there for “the best of times and the worst of times." Interesting book to pull a quote for a wedding from, I know. But Steven and Okcate have already experienced both joy and struggles, and with the other at their side, have made it to today.

As George and Margo or Jim and Alice can testify, marriage is work but also play. There are days that are nothing but laughter and days where you will love each other, even if you don’t like each other too much. Remember that this is a marathon relay, not a sprint, and that you have a partner in this race. Now I didn’t play sports growing up, so that is the extent of my sports analogies, but I know that Steven and Okcate understand music.

Like a symphony or a simple jam session with friends, you each have your own unique part to play, an instrument that is special to you. Listen to each other, communicate your needs, support each other through the solos, take time to laugh and play, and realize that alone you might be that weird kid, but together, you’re a pretty awesome band. Okcate and Steven have written their own vows.

Steven to Okcate

Ever since we met

Even when we were just friends

Being around you has always felt so right

Natural and comfortable

Now that we’re partners in everything

Work, hobbies, and love

Every day feels like an adventure

And there’s still so much to look forward to

Your presence lifts me up

And your encouragement pushes me

To take care of myself, to be brave

And to try my best to live the life that I want

You make me feel like everything is going to be okay

Because, at the end of each day

No matter how it went, we’re together

And support one another

Our friendship is such a wonderful gift

It feels like we’ve somehow

Tapped into something ancient

And bigger than ourselves

There have been times

When I feel like I must be dreaming

Because I never imagined

That I could find someone as right for me as you

But it’s all real

I’m awake, and I’m the luckiest guy in the world

To be standing here with you today

I love you

Okcate to Steven

Steven, each day with you is a precious gift, and I’m immensely grateful for the joy we’ve found with each other.

Home.

With you, it is safe, hopeful, fun, and feels infinite with possibility. May the life we share always be reflective of the love, talents, weirdness, and tenderness we share with one another.

Mvto for choosing me as your partner, your companion, your confidante, and now, your wife. Mvto for accepting me the way I am and for encouraging me to grow into the best version of myself. Mvto for growing with me.

Mvto for being my friend.

I vow to honor our sacred union and to make the best of each moment we are blessed to share.

Your strength, wit, and devotion are the cat’s pajamas.

I love you, I like you, I want you, I choose you.

Today and Always.

Danielle

For the early Celts, the oak tree represented the Tree of Life, which symbolizes the necessary balance between that which is above and below. The branches grow wide and tall, while the roots push deep into the earth.

For several Southeastern tribes, like the Mvskoke and Cherokee, the Cedar tree is an important ceremonial plant, used in purifying ceremonies and medicine. Cedar holds powerful protective spirits and is a gift from the Creator.

As you plant and water these young trees, remember to also water and care for the roots of your relationship.

(Symbolic Tree Planting and Watering)

Danielle

Do you have the rings?

Okcate, repeat after me. With this ring, I promise to love you through the hard times, laugh and find the positive in the sad times, savor the joyous times, and have your back no matter what comes.

Steven, repeat after me. With this ring, I promise to love you through the hard times, laugh and find the positive in the sad times, savor the joyous times, and have your back no matter what comes.

Congratulations! You may kiss your partner!

It gives me great pleasure to introduce Steven James McCommas and Okcate Evita Smith McCommas!