Amanda and Jake's RiverStone Wedding

Amanda and Jake were married on August 29 at RiverStone Restaurant & Wedding/Event Center in Fort Atkinson, WI. This special couple, who have been together since they were 14-year-old freshmen in high school, really put a lot of thought into their wedding day. In addition to telling their love story, one of the unique elements we added to the ceremony was a Unity Painting ritual. Here are the words we used:

"Jake and Amanda, today your wedding is a day of new beginnings, a fresh start, and the blank canvas represents the marriage the two of you have to look forward to. The splash of colors you are about to add to the blank canvas represents the art of living your life together as husband and wife, and all the milestones, celebrations, and dreams yet to come. These colors are symbolic of what the two of you make of your marriage. There may be places on the canvas when the colors blend and mix, flowing together, creating a new color of experiences shared. And there may be places when the colors stay separate and stand out alone and independent and yet, still a compliment to the bold color by its side. And there may be places of contrast or parts of the canvas that look messy and not at all to your liking. However, when you step back and look at the canvas in its entirety, you will see that it clearly is an original masterpiece, unlike anything you've ever seen before. Each color, contrast, shadow, and blending is as unique and beautiful as your relationship. So, I want to encourage you to hang this painting someplace in your home that will remind you every day of your wedding day and how together you created this beautiful piece of artwork and life we call marriage."