Handfasting

I am getting married October 1st we are having a handfasting with a shamanistic flavor, this makes it easier for our families to swallow. I adapted a ritual from Patricia Telesco's book " the wiccan book of rituals and ceremonies" I made some changes to reflect that each of us were previously married and we have children so it is a joining of families and not just he and I. I want to post it here to get some feedback, I value your opinions and hope you will read this and share them with me.

The Ceremony

The two oldest children of the couple (Garry and Zack) light their parent's individual candle then go to their seat.

The Bride and Groom come before the altar followed by a Besom bearer (Andrew).
Drew places the besom on the ground behind the couple then takes his seat.

The priest or priestess begins: "A great bard once said that the groves were the God's first temples, so it is fitting that family and friends are gathered here today, in nature's temple, to witness and support the union of Stacy and Garry. We thank all of you for coming to share in this, the first day of what will be a lifetime adventure of growing, learning, and loving. "

The priest/priestess picks up the bowl of rose petals and begins moving clockwise around the couple and says, "May your love be as sweet and light as these petals to the four winds. Let them carry your wishes of joy and harmony to the farthest corners of creation, and encircle you both with peace."

Upon return to the altar the priest/priestess leads the following prayer: "Let us pray: Great Spirit whose breath formed all things, powers of creation, spirits of nature, we ask for your blessings on this union. Bend down your ears and listen to the vows that Stacy and Garry exchange. Bear witness to the truth of their intentions. Celebrate with us this declaration of their love, which already exists in their hearts, and help them to walk the path of beauty and love together all the days of their life.
So mote it be."

The priest/priestess turns to the couple saying: " Your marriage is the continuation of a great journey, the path that leads to your hearts. The old life is about to be transformed and a new one to begin. So, I ask you now, what words indicate your desire?"

The couple respond together: "To be joined as one with the blessings of the Great Spirit."

The priest/priestess asks: "And what words do you bring to the sacred altar to represent your intentions?'

The bride and groom answer: "Perfect love and perfect trust."

The priest/priestess responds: "No better words could be chosen for the begining of a life together."

The priest/priestess continues: " In the begining of our world, the Great Spirit gave humankind five elements to nuture us physically, enrich us mentally, and teach us spiritual truths."

The children of the couple then present the gifts from the four Quarters.
Morgan M then steps to the altar and says: "The Air, represented here by incense, fills us with vital breath, and gives flight to our hopes and dreams. It teaches the lesson of creativity and flexibility so we may grow together as a family despite the winds of change." She places a pinch of incense into an open sachet, then returns to her seat.
Brittany then steps to the altar and says: "Fire, represented here by this candle, purifies and energizes our efforts to transform two families into one, bringing passion and the brilliant light of truth." She places the candle into the open sachet then returns to her seat.
Zachary then comes to the altar and says: "Water, represented here by this seashell, reminds us to flow with life's moving currents and to rain our feelings lightly on one another so we can nourish each other as we come together as a family." He places the seashell into the open sachet, then returns to his seat.
Garry then comes to the altar and says: " Earth represented here by this stone, is our foundation: a place for us to begin building our family one step at a time." He places the stone into the open sachet, then returns to his seat.

The priest/priestess returns to the altar and presents the offering from spirit, saying: "Finally, Spirit, symbolized by this white string, rejoices the soul and binds all things together into the spark of magic through the law of love." The priest/priestess ties the sachet closed and gives it to the bride saying; "Stacy, I give this sachet into your keeping, as from the days of old, women tended the hearth, the heart of a home. Keep this close to the heart of your home so your lives together may be bountifully blessed by all the lessons of the old ones."

The priest/priestess continues: " In ancient days, cups adorned altars around the world to honor the Sacred powers of all creation. This nectar is made from peaches, the fruit of longevity, wisdom and joy that your family may be eternallly filled will happiness."
The children are called to stand with the couple at the altar.
The priest/priestess holds the cup high toward the sky saying: "Great Spirit of creation, bless this cup and the nectar therein, representing wisdom and everlasting love. Once taken to the lips let it unite this family in a oneness of hand, heart, spirit and destiny." The bride, and groom sip from the cup then pass it to the children who also sip from the cup. The rest is then given to the land so love may grow. The children then return to their seats.

The priest/priestess then challenges the bride: "I ask you Stacy, for once and always before the Ancient Ones, friends and family if it is still your heartfelt wish to freely give love, passion and gentility to this man. If so, say, 'By my honor let it be so.'"
The Bride responds.
Then to the Groom: "I ask you Garry, for once and always, before the Ancient Ones, friends and family if it is still your heartfelt wish to freely give love, passion and gentility to this woman. If so say 'By my honor let it be so.'"
The groom responds.

The priest/priestess picks up the rings fromt he altar and says: "May these rings be blessed as the symbol of affectionate unity, joining the lives of Stacy and Garry as well as their children in an unbroken circle. Wherever these two go, may they always return to one another in togetherness, finding love for which all men and women yearn. May Stacy and Garry grow in understanding and compassion, may their home be a sanctuary for love and friendship. May these rings, now placed upon their fingers, symbolize the touch of spirit and love in their hearts."
The priest/priestess give instructions to the the couple individually, begining with the groom: "Garry, place the ring of fulfillment and commitment on Stacy's finger, saying ' With this ring I pledge my love.'"
Then the bride: "Stacy, place the ring of fulfillment and commitment on Garry's finger, saying ' With this ring I pledge my love.'"
The priest/priestess address the bride and groom: "Before you are three candles, two of which represent the two of you and your individual families. From every human being there is a light that always reaches toward enlightenment. When two loving souls find one another, this light flows together in brillance and beauty from their oneness. Light now the central candle with the light that represenst your being." The bride and groom light the central candle using their individual candles as a fire source. The individual candles remain lit.

The priest/priestess addresses the guests: "This light symbolizes the presence of Spirit that has brought Stay and Garry together, and the unconditional love and trust they have pledged. The other two candles remain lit, as marriage is not the loss of individuality, but a new horizon for each. From this day forward the lives of these two people and their children shall grow in to the sacred We. "

The priest/priestess gives the nuptial blessing: "May the blessings of life, the joys of love, the peace of truth, the wisdom of the soul and the strength of Spirit be your constant companions now and always.
So mote it be. "
The children come to the altar to join their parents.
The priest/priestess continue: "I present to you now the gift of bread, as our ancestors did, that you all may never want for physical or spiritual sustenance, and so your life together will be fruitful." The bride and groom each take a piece of bread and share it with their children. Another piece is crumbled onto the ground as an offering.

The priest/priestess leads another prayer: " Let us pray, Great Spirit of sky and stone, water and sun, we thank you for your presence and blessings this day. Like the stars above let love be constant. Like the stone, let it be firm and unwavering. Like the water, let it flow between all members of this family, and like the sun let it be ever welcoming. We ask as we go from this place that you will keep watch and vigil over this family and the sanctity of their union.
So mote it be."

The priest/priestess takes the sash to bind the outside of the hands of each person (the man's right and woman's left) together, then says: "With the exchange of rings, the support of friends and family, under the gaze of the ancestors and with the blessings of the Great Spirit you have declared and accepted each other's offerings of eternal love. Your lives are now bound together in body, heart, mind and soul. As you go from this place, enter into a new life of beauty, joy and abundance together, marked by your passage accross this broom which has protected you. Blessed be."
The priest/priestess turns the couple to face the gathering and the couple then jump over the broom.

The priest/priestess adresses the guests: "Having pledged their love before all sacred powers, it is now our duty as friends and family to support this union.
We now present Mr. and Mrs. Mathias."
The Besom bearer (Drew) picks up the broom.