% Wedding Ceremony Speech

# Timeline
1. Host (Ji) opening
2. Tea ceremony
3. Bows
4. Vows
5. Ring exchange
6. Photoshoot ( All guests join us in front of the chapel )
7. Grand Exit - everyone lines up along the aisle and we leave the chapel, passing everyone ( people throwing flower petals )
(Music: American Authors - Best day of my life)

# Opening Speech
Good evening everyone, welcome family and friends. Whether you're sitting in these chairs or joining us from across the globe, all of us share a common purpose today. We are gathered here to witness and celebrate the marriage of Adam and Miao.

Our unlikely couple comes from two different corners of this world and found together in New Jersey, where fate made them both share an internship at the same workplace in 2017. Ever since, they have spent 5 years getting to know each other - some of the time seperated by the Atlantic ocean - and are now ready to enter the next chapter of their lives. Today, we bear witness to their blossoming love entering the next stage and hear them affirm the bond they forged formally and publicly.

Miao and Adam will mark their transition as a couple not only by celebrating the love between each other, but also by celebrating the love between all of us including the love of their parents, extended families, and best friends. Without that love, today would be far less joyful.

# Tea Ceremony
In Chinese culture, it is customary to treat the couple's parents to tea or rice wine on the day of the wedding.

As not all parents could be present to receive tea in person here today, we will entertain this time-honored tradition in a slightly modernized version today.

Adam, please step forward and serve tea to Miao's parents.(Adam 请敬茶)

Adam: 爸，妈, 请喝茶.

*Miao's mom wants to deliver a speech here, translation follows (read by Ji)*

Good evening to all the families and friends here on site and remotely attended,
It's the big joyful wedding day for Miao and Adam. Miao's dad and thank everyone joining us via various ways, and appreciate all your support and help to them throughout years on life, work and study. It's a great pity that we cannot share your joy among you. I want to tell the children, though being on the opposite side of globe, our hearts are always together. We are happy for you and proud of you. The two of you are thousands miles away from hometowns, fighting for your ideals at foreign land. Not only you succeeded on career, but also gained love and now build the new family. From now on, you are the closest companions and the most powerful supporters in your life. We bless you and wish your life more wonderful with shinning future. May your love be like a majestic mountain to withstand stiff wind, and remain fresh. May your love be like the vast ocean to accept each other, and flow to those loving and supporting you. May your love be first breeze in spring, warm each other with gentle care and vitality.
We bless you and wish you more wonderful and splendid life ahead.
We wish you a happy wedding, and a happy new year, great health to everyone!

Now Miao, please serve tea to Adam's parents （喵，请敬茶）

Miao: Vater und Mutter, bitte geniesst diesen Tee.

# Bows
According to Chinese tradition, you will now take bows to ask for blessings.

First, bow to the fate that brought you together(一拜天地)

Second, bow to your parents ( switch sides and bow again 二拜高堂)

Finally, bow to each other (夫妻对拜).

# Affirmation, intro to vows
We are nearing the words Miao and Adam want to hear the most today. However, before you declare your vows to each other, I want to hear each of you confirm that it is your intent to be married here today.

Do you, Adam, take Miao to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself unto her for as long as you both shall live?

*Adam answer: Yes, I do*

Do you, Miao, take Adam to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself unto him for as long as you both shall live?

*Miao answer: Yes, I do*

# Vows and Ring Exchange
We have all witnessed your conviction today and will now conclude the rites of matrimony by exchanging rings. A ring is an unbroken circle, with ends that have been joined together and it represents your union. It is a symbol of infinity, and of your infinite love.
Dear ringbearers, please bring the rings forward

*Emma releases Debbie and Peanut*

When you look at these rings on your hands, be reminded of this moment, the commitment you are making here today and the love you now feel for each other.

Adam, place the ring on Miao's finger and repeat after me:
I give you this ring as a symbol of my love with the pledge: to love you today, tomorrow, always and forever.

And now Miao, place the ring on adam's finger and repeat after me:
I give you this ring as a symbol of my love with the pledge: to love you today, tomorrow, always and forever.

In front of these witnesses, you have pledged to be joined in marriage and with these rings you have now sealed this pledge. I hereby pronounce you husband and wife.