Dudeist Priest Resume Grows – Wedding Two in the Books : New Wedding Script & a Primer on NC Dudeist Officiant Legality

A short five years ago I officiated my first wedding. As a Dudeist Priest no less.

I checked that box on the bucket list. Figured my Reverend status was retired.

Like Jordan coming back from baseball, it turns out my services were still needed.

I was honored to be asked to marry my bro-in-law and his lovely new bride.

A couple weeks ago we enjoyed a beautiful Saturday evening backyard wedding. A smashing success, if I do say so myself.

Check out my updated Dudeist Priest wedding script below.

I also did a bit of research to confirm the legality of my officiant status in NC. As an added bonus, here’s a link to a great discussion of the NC legality on the Dudeist forum.

Go forth and marry, my dudes!

Dudeist Priest Wedding Script

Welcome 

Welcome friends and family. 

It’s a great pleasure to welcome everyone here to celebrate this special moment between XYXZ and ZYX. 

Who gives ZYX to be married to XYZ? 

(Thank you Dad and Mom – Dad, you may take your seat.)

(Flower dudet take flowers)

A marriage is not created by a law or a ceremony; rather it occurs in the hearts of two people.

In witnessing this ceremony today, we are observing the outward sign of an inward union that already exists between XYZ and ZYX.

This ceremony is a symbol of how far they have come, and their promise to continue to build their lives together. 

There are only two official witnesses at a wedding, but each and every person here today will witness the vows XYZ and ZYX will share with each other. 

We should take good care to remember these words; for a marriage needs the love and support of a community of friends and family.  

Address 

Today XYZ and ZYX take the first steps on an exciting new journey. A journey that brings adventures, challenges, and moments of courage. 

Marriage brings two people together like nothing else; uniting two people who love each other unconditionally and with endless strength. 

XYZ and ZYX‘s relationship has grown into a love that brings out the best in each other, a care that knows no boundaries, and a dedication to taking on the world together. 

Marriage brings a new commitment. A commitment built on a strong foundation. It’s a promise that has existed in the way you support, appreciate, and encourage each other, long before today. 

Today marks the beginning of a new stage in your lives together, a moment that we are all honored to share with you. 

Wedding Vows 

Let us now hear the declarations and promises that XYZ and ZYX make to each other. 

XYZ, please take ZYX‘s hand and repeat after me. 

ZYX, today I give myself to you. 

I promise to Encourage and inspire you, 

To laugh with you

And to comfort you in times of sorrow and struggle. 

I promise to love you in good times and bad, 

When life seems easy and when it seems hard. 

When our love is simple, 

And when it is an effort. 

I promise to cherish you, 

And to always hold you in the highest regard. 

These promises I give to you today, 

And all the days of our life. 

ZYX, please repeat after me…. 

XYZ, today I give myself to you. 

I promise to Encourage and inspire you, 

To laugh with you 

And to comfort you in times of sorrow and struggle. 

I promise to love you in good times and bad, 

When life seems easy and when it seems hard. 

When our love is simple, 

And when it is an effort. 

I promise to cherish you, 

And to always hold you in the highest regard. 

These promises I give to you today, 

And all the days of our life. 

Declaration of Intent 

XYZ, will you take ZYX to be your partner through life? Will you love her, protect her, and spend your days in laughter together forever? 

(I do.)

ZYX, will you take XYZ to be your partner through life? Will you love him, protect him, and spend your days in laughter together forever? 

(I do.)

Exchanging of Rings 

(Little Dude give rings)

XYZ and ZYX, these rings are a physical representation of the love and commitment you share. 

May you be forever reminded of this moment and the joy that fills the air for the rest of your lives.

XYZ please place the ring on your ZYX’s finger and repeat after me…. 

I give you this ring 

to symbolize the continuous flow of my love.

Together we are united, 

unstoppable, 

and unbreakable, 

today and for all of our days. 

ZYX please place the ring on XYZ’s finger and repeat after me… 

I give you this ring 

to symbolize the continuous flow of my love.

Together we are united, 

unstoppable, 

and unbreakable, 

today and for all of our days. 

Declaration of Marriage

XYZ and ZYX, no one but you can declare yourselves married. 

You have begun that declaration here today in speaking your vows before your friends and family, and you will do it again in the days and years to come, standing by each other, sharing your lives together. 

Each tender act and each loving word will be the declaration of what was made here today.

It is my joyful responsibility to officially acknowledge your union as “Husband and Wife”. You may now seal your marriage with a kiss.

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my privilege to present to you for the first time as husband and wife, Mr. and Mrs. XYZ.

 

Dudeist Priest Wedding Officiant: How to Rock Your First Wedding Ceremony [Bonus: Script Include]

As you may glean from the name of this blog, I dig the Big Lebowski.

Wit, dialogue, deeper meaning…it’s tough to beat The Dude.

In honor of The Dude and his Zen-like ways, I joined the fellowship of the Dudeist Priests many moons ago.

In addition to a few chuckles and reminders of classic Lebowski quotes, I became an ordained Dudeist Priest.

No cost and two minutes of my time, why not?

Ordained priest; check off that bucket list.

In the back of my mind, I contemplated making use of my ordained status…someday, but never dedicated too many brain synapses to the mental image.

A few years ago my cousin asked me to be the officiant at her wedding. But it was a long trip, kids in tow, blah didi blah blah. I declined. I figured my next bucket list check had passed me by.

Turns out my sister-in-law is also a poor judge of character and requested my ordained presence as well.

A beach vacation/beach wedding with the entire family. Hard to turn that request down.

It got really real, real quick.

So, a few weeks ago I performed my first (last?) wedding ceremony. And if I do say so myself, I think I may have rocked it.

Well, I didn’t fall down and I wasn’t booed off the beach. Rocked it? I’d say so.

Lessons for the first time officiant? Sure, how about a Top 10…

  1. Abide. Chill, Dude. I’m a Dudeist Priest…you should have expected that one.
  2. Search flow and scripts online (see below).
  3. Watch officiant videos on YouTube.
  4. Know the bride and groom. Talk about their wishes for the wedding, but more importantly, about themselves and their relationship.
  5. Take time to prep. The great Dude in the sky hooked me up with a 20 minute t-storm to give me added memorization time…much needed.
  6. Memorize, don’t read.
  7. Be comfortable in front of the crowd. Practice…use a mirror.
  8. Keep it short and sweet.
  9. Mix a hint of humor with a whole lotta love.
  10. Tell the bride she’s beautiful. 😉

Marrying two human beings was one of the coolest experiences I’ve had. Bucket list, checked.

And afterwards, we danced our faces off to a kick-butt funk band, and watched Little Dude dominate the dance floor with his sweet break dancing skills.

Congrats Mr. & Mrs. Newlyweds.

Wedding Ceremony Script

Here’s my rad wedding ceremony script. Feel free to use, but use with caution…it’s pretty awesome.

Greeting

Welcome everyone. Welcome on this gorgeous day to the celebration of the marriage of XYZ and ZYX.

On behalf of X and Y and their parents, Z and W, I’d like to thank you all for being here to celebrate this special day.

In the wise words of Ferris Bueller, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once and a while, you could miss it.”

It’s easy to get lost in the details of the day and lose focus on the big picture.

I encourage us all to stop and look around.

Relax, take a deep breath of the salty air, enjoy this lovely location, enjoy this special moment on this special day as we launch X and Y on their lifelong flight together. (Groom is a pilot, you like that, right?! :))

Exchange of Vows
(Luckily, they wrote their own vows – not included)

X and Y, the words you are about to say to each other will change your lives forever. It’s an honor to be here to share this moment with you.

X, please share your vows with Y…

Y, please share your vows with X…

Ring Exchange

For X and Y these rings are a symbol of their commitment to each other. By exchanging these rings, X and Y declare their eternal love for each other.

X, repeat after me: “Y, take this ring as a symbol of my love and commitment to you.”

Y, repeat after me: “X, take this ring as a symbol of my love and commitment to you.”

X, do you take Y to be your wife?

Y, do you take X to be your husband?

Closing

This ceremony may have only lasted minutes, but your promises to each other will last a lifetime.

It is my great honor and privilege to now pronounce you husband and wife.

You may kiss your bride.

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Mr. and Mrs. XYZ.

Yes, I did quote the great Ferris Bueller. Classic Dude.

Go forth and marry Dudeists!

King of Naps

King of Naps

King of Naps

Here’s a link to a recent article about how taking naps promotes our ability to learn. This is the most recent study in a long list of studies that say that naps are the bees knees. Yeah, that cool.

Naps are amazing. For real, amazing. But naps aren’t as easy as one may think. There are many types of naps, and every nap is unique based on the conditions and the nap time goals. This is not the proper time for me to share all of my napping knowledge (sweet alliteration), but it’s safe to say that quality napping requires committed practice.

I’ve been refining my napping skills for years. And I think it’s time for me to take my napping to the next level. I’ve done my research (i.e. a one minute Google search), and it dawned on me that the napping community lacks a meaningless figurehead with absolutely no power and a pointless title. And I think I’m just the person to fill this made-up-by-me incredibly unimportant position.

I do hereby declare to the world (i.e. the internet) that the Dude is from here forth the self-proclaimed King of Naps!

Howard Stern did it for media. I think the Dude can do it for naps.

Not only is the Dude an ordained Dudeist Priest, and a dishwasher loading wizard, but now, also the King of Naps. I’m adding some serious credentials (i.e. letters) to the end of my name: The Dude, O.D.P., D.L.W., & K.o.N.

Enough typing…I need a nap. Sleep on my napping subjects.

PS – Don’t worry. That’s an old photo. The beard is still intact. Beard update in the near future.