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Jacy Buckler

Contemporary English, 3rd

November 5, 2019

Non-traditional Wedding Ceremony

Uniting Tom Holland and Zendaya Stoermer Coleman

Welcome

Welcome friends and family to this wonderful ceremony put together graciously by the family

and friends of the soon to be husband and wife. I wish to thank all of you for being here to share

this lovely experience of bringing together not only Tom and Zendaya, but their families as well.

Introduction

For as long as I’ve personally known the Holland family, they’ve always been rambunctious and

fun to be around, which is exactly what I think the Coleman family will enjoy to endure for

years to come. When the happy couple decided to ask me to marry them, I gave my excited

response of “yes” right away. Thank you again!

The Address

I will now share the address by reading a poem by Sherry Hilderbrand, in the name of love, in

honor of the couple.

“I think of you in the morning

before the sun rises,

when in the still of the darkness

my heart feels your presence.

Your love, your tenderness,

your slow rhythmic breathing as you sleep,

and I am at peace.

I think of you when the first rays of sunlight

spill like a waterfall between the blinds

and settle in my eyes.

I reach my hand, my foot, any body part will do,

to touch you and breathe you in.

It feeds my heart, my soul, my spirit,

and I am at peace.

I think of you at noon when the sun is at its highest,

when the heat warms my skin

and causes my eyes to close with sheer pleasure.

Thoughts of you surround me, envelop me, overpower me.

Images of you swirl around like a funnel cloud,

sucking into its grasp all that it touches,

and I am at peace.

I think of you when the sun is setting

and its final rays of light begin to fade.

I can hear your voice, deep, soft, and slow in my head--

words of beauty, joy, friendship, and everlasting love.

My heart begins to sing a love song so sweet and so gentle.

I cannot wait to share my day with you and yours with me.

And I am at peace.

I think of you when the sun has set and the stillness of the moon

is displaying one of its many wondrous phases.

Thoughts of your smile, your laugh, and your eyes

create a feeling that is impossible to express with just words.

The need to touch you, to feel you, to drink you in

is almost too much to hold inside.

Anticipation of you is the greatest gift.

I am at peace”.

The Couple

Recently, I was able to pull both of these people away from their busy lives so that I could gain

more insight on their relationship. They met, unsurprisingly, on the set of a movie they were

casted in together, and it all started from there. When I asked what their first impression of each

other was, Tom said, “She’s such a spunky and fun person to work with and be

around in general. I knew we would become close in some way or another”. Zendaya said, “He’s

the cutest little English boy I ever set my eye on. I loved the way we connected on set and hoped

we would work together for many more projects.” That was a few years ago at this point and its
obvious they still get to work together to this day! I then asked some additional questions, and

here are the results: I asked Tom what Zendaya’s best trait is. It took him a second to search

through all of her fantastic traits for the best one to share, but he answered with, “her enthusiasm,

because it doesn’t affect just her or me, but everyone around her is drawn to her great

enthusiasm, spirit, and attitude”. When asking Zendaya what she thought was Tom’s best trait

was, she responded with, “I think he’s the finnuest person alive. I want to listen to his funny

jokes and sarcastic side comments for the rest of my life”. These questions were answered very

carefully and sweetly, and I could see in their eyes how much they truly enjoyed each other.

When I asked about what they expected in their future, Tom came up with, “Well… I want

everything any happy man could ask for from his wife: a happy home, some kids maybe, a

babysitter so we can have a night out together once in awhile! But most importantly… a man

cave where I can play my videogames”. Zendaya stated, “I’m totally up for everything he said,

but if he gets his cave, then I get a full closet for only shoes”. I think all of us girls can agree that

closet is what we all want! Now that we know a bit more about these two love birds, we would

like to introduce the ‘Declaration of Intent’ and explain what it is that has been chosen to those

who don’t know about this particular ceremony. Recently, I was able to Interview the couple

face-to-face.

Declaration of Intent (Sand Ceremony)

Two becoming one. That is what the sand ceremony is all about. The couple mix two different

colours of sand into one container, thereby symbolising their lives and hearts entwined. Once

combined, it would be extremely difficult to separate the sand out again, just as the couple are so

joined together. “We now celebrate Tom and Zendaya’s union with a symbolic sand ceremony.
First, we will pour sand from this beautiful beach where Tom and Zendaya stand today as they

commit their lives to each other, representing the strong foundation of their relationship. That

foundation includes their families, their upbringing, and all the important steps on their journeys

that led them to be who they are today. This foundation will support them in their love as they

grow and change together. Tom and Zendaya, today you are making a lasting commitment to

share the rest of your lives with each other. That commitment is symbolized through the pouring

of these two individual containers of sand; one that represents Tom (who now pours in some of

his sand) and the other that represents Zendaya (who pours some of her sand on top). Each of

you comes to this relationship with unique strengths, vulnerabilities, and histories. As

individuals, you are beautiful people all on your own. Yet when the two of you are blended

together, you form something even more beautiful. Those strengths can blossom, those

vulnerabilities can be cared for, and those people can soar. As the two containers of sand are

poured into the vase, (both people pour their remaining sand in the vase at the same time) the

separate colors of sand now blend into a new color. You have now blended your families into a

new family, as

you start your journey in marriage, loving and strong as husband and wife, as inseparable as

these grains of sand”.

The Ring Blessing

May I have the rings? May these rings be blessed as the symbol of this unity. These two lives are

now joined in one unbroken circle, representing the ring’s meaning. Wherever they go, may they

always return to one another in their togetherness. May these two find in each other the love for
which all men and women yearn. May they grow in understanding and compassion. May the

home, in which they establish together, be a place of sanctuary. May these rings on their fingers

symbolize the touch of the spirit of love in their hearts. (Tom places the ring on Zendaya’s left

hand ring finger) “Zendaya, with this ring, I thee wed.” (Zendaya places the ring on Tom’s left

hand ring finger) “Tom, with this ring, I thee wed.”

Pronouncement of Marriage

Be the pronouncement of marriage, I would like to remind you to remember this day and your

commitment to each other. Be better everyday for your significant other. Don’t let the other go to

bed upset. Tom and Zendaya, because you have pledged your love and commitment to each

other before these witnesses, I declare you as husband and wife. Tom, you may now kiss your

bride. (Tom and Zendaya kiss).

Closing Blessing (Apache Blessing)

Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter for the other.

Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to the other.

Now there will be no loneliness, for each of you will be a 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 the days of your togetherness.

May beauty surround you both in the journey ahead and through all the years.
May happiness be your companion, and may your days together be good and long upon the earth.

For all who have come to witness this union, it is my pleasure to announce the newly weds,
Mr. and Mrs. Holland.