Cermony overview - CSAIL People - MIT

Mariage de Tilke & Yann
10 juillet 2010
Entrance of the bridal party
♫ Music: Entrance of the Queen of Sheba by Georg Friederich Handel
· Groom Yann with his mother Soizic Le Tallec
· Yann’s sibilings Nicolas, Erwan, Marine and Solène with their father Patrick Le Tallec
· Sisters of the bride Stephanie and Malaika Judd
· Bride Tilke with her parents Maureen and Stephen Judd
Welcomed by Yann's témoins Benjamin Simatos, Fabien Sorin and David Vissière and Olivier the master
of ceremony
[Yann's temoins and Olivier wait at the front while all above come down the aisle. Family takes their seat
in the front rows while Tilke and Yann remain standing]
Welcome by Olivier
"Olivier is a good friend of ours from MIT. During the last year of his PhD, he lived with us at the infamous
Pleasant House. Olivier has an exceptional combination of wittiness, positive energy and bottomless
kindness. We are grateful to Olivier for his friendship and for accepting to be the master of ceremony for
our wedding today" - Tilke and Yann
Olivier: Welcome, family, friends and loved ones. We gather here today to celebrate the wedding of Tilke
and Yann. You have come here to share in this commitment they make to one another, to offer your love
and support to this union, and to allow Tilke and Yann to start their married life together surrounded by the
people dearest and most important to them.
Bienvenue a tous, familles et amis. Nous sommes rassembles ici aujourd'hui pour célébrer le mariage de
Tilke & Yann. Vous êtes venus de près ou de loin pour apporter votre soutien a cette union, et pour
permettre a T & Y de commencer leur vie ensemble entoures des êtres qui leur sont chers. Pour
permettre au plus grand nombre de suivre, la cérémonie sera essentiellement en anglais mais vous
pourrez trouver une traduction des textes en français dans le livret.
All of us know Tilke & Yann in a special way. My name is Olivier. I have known T & Y for many years. We
spent time at graduate school in Boston together and it is a great pleasure to be here today as an officiant
for their wedding ceremony. To me, Tilke & Yann have always been like particles flying around the planet.
I feel it esp. now that I look at the audience and I see people who have come from all over the world, and
it is extraordinary that you are all here to support them.
In this ceremony, we will hear the family read texts and share their thoughts with Tilke & Yann. We will
also listen to Yann & Tilke say their vows and express their vision of their life together.
[Olivier invites T&Y to sit]

Readings on love and marriage
Olivier: In the spirit of the importance of strong family relationships to a marriage, Tilke and Yann have
asked their siblings to read selections and sing about love and marriage that especially resonate with
them. But first Nicolas will say a word in the name of Tilke and Yann.
Nico: It is a joy, to all of us, and particularly for Tilke and Yann, to see so many people taking part to their
wedding; we are grateful that you took the time and effort to join us today, despite long journeys or
numerous other commitments. Unfortunately some family members and friends could not make it today,
despite their desire to. Others have left us but they have left with us their contribution to the edifice of love
and joy, on which we continue to build. We would like to hold them in our hearts in this moment to
associate them to this event.
[Translation in booklet] C'est une joie pour nous tous et particulièrement pour Tilke et Yann de voir tant de
personnes chères les entourer aujourd'hui. Vous avez tous fait un effort important pour venir ici. Mais
certains membres de la famille et certains amis ne pouvaient pas, malgré leur souhait, se joindre à nous
aujourd'hui. D'autres nous ont quitté déjà; mais ils nous ont laissé leur pierre à l'édifice de l'amour et de la
joie sur lequel nous continuons de construire. Nous voulons les associer à ce moment dans nos cœurs.
Erwan Le Tallec:
A poem titled True Love by ~Helen Steiner Rice
True love is a sacred flame
That burns eternally,
And none can dim its special glow
Or change its destiny.
Marine Le Tallec:
True love speaks in tender tones
And hears with gentle ear,
True love gives with open heart
And true love conquers fear.
Solène Le Tallec:
True love makes no harsh demands
It neither rules nor binds,
And true love holds with gentle hands
The hearts that it entwines.
Olivier: True love is the foundation of a deep relationship, but more than true love is needed to create a
marriage. Tilke's sister, Malaika, will now read a passage reflecting this message.
Malaika Judd:
Tilke and Yann, marriage is perhaps the greatest and most challenging adventure of human relationships.
No ceremony can create your marriage; only you can do that – through love and patience; through
dedication and perseverance; through talking and listening, helping and supporting and believing in each
other; through tenderness and laughter; through learning to forgive, learning to appreciate your
differences, and by learning to make the important things matter, and to let go of the rest. What this
ceremony can do is to witness and affirm the choice you make to stand together as lifemates and
partners.
[Translation in the booklet] Le mariage est peut-être la plus grande des aventures parmi les relations
humaines. Aucune cérémonie ne pourra créer votre mariage; seulement vous pourrez le faire – avec
votre amour et votre patience; avec votre engagement et votre persévérance; en vous parlant et en vous
écoutant, en vous aidant mutuellement et en croyant l’un à l’autre; en partageant de la tendresse et des
rires; en apprenant à pardonner, à apprécier vos différences et en apprenant à faire compter les choses
les plus importantes, et à vivre avec le reste. Ce que cette cérémonie peut faire, c’est de témoigner et
d’appuyer votre choix de vivre ensemble et de vous aimer pour la vie.

Musical Interlude
Olivier: Now we welcome Stephanie Judd, the sister of the bride to sing
♫ Music: Nine Million Bicycles by Katie Melua, sung by Stephanie Judd, sister of the bride
There are nine million bicycles in Beijing
That's a fact,
It's a thing we can't deny
Like the fact that I will love you till I die.
We are twelve billion light years from the edge,
That's a guess,
No one can ever say it's true
But I know that I will always be with you.
I'm warmed by the fire of your love everyday
So don't call me a liar,
Just believe everything that I say
There are six BILLION people in the world
More or less
and it makes me feel quite small
But you're the one I love the most of all
We're high on the wire
With the world in our sight
And I'll never tire,
Of the love that you give me every night
There are nine million bicycles in Beijing
That's a fact,
it's a thing we can't deny
Like the fact that I will love you till I die
And there are nine million bicycles in Beijing
And you know that I will love you till I die!
Personal words from the family on love and marriage
Olivier: Tilke and Yann have asked members of their family to share a few words of personal advice on
love and marriage. We will first hear from Karine, Yann's aunt and godmother, followed by Steven, Tilke's
father and Patrick and Soizic, Yann's father and mother.
- Karine Lavollée, Yann’s aunt and godmother
In love, nothing is impossible / Dans l’amour, rien d’impossible
- Stephen Judd, Tilke’s father
Instructions for the guests / Instructions pour les invités
- Patrick and Soizic Le Tallec, Yann’s parents
Embarking on the adventure / Se lancer dans l'aventure

Musical Interlude
♫ Music: I Will by the Beatles, sung by Stephanie
Who knows how long I've loved you
You know I love you still
Will I spend with you my lifetime
If you want me to, I will.
For if you ever hurt me
I’d know it’s not your aim
I’d forgive you from my heart
I will always feel the same.
Love you forever and forever
Love you with all my heart
Love you whenever we're together
Love you when we're apart.
And when at last I hold you
Your song will fill the air
Sing it loud so I can hear you
Make it easy to be near you
For the things you do endear you to me
Oh, you know, I will
I will.
Vows and exchange of rings
Olivier:
Tilke, Yann, we've now come to the point in the ceremony where you're going to say your vows. As you
do this, remember that no other ties are more tender, no other vows are more sacred that those you
assume now. If you are able to keep the vows you take here today, not because of any religious or civil
law, but out of a desire to love and be loved by another person fully, then your life and your relationship
will have much joy. (30s)
Please now read the vows you have written for each other.
[Tilke and Yann and their witnesses stand up and come to the middle. Y&T exchange their vows,
surrounded by their witnesses]
Yann: Tilke - Je t'aime! Et je suis heureux de partager ma vie avec toi depuis quelques années! Je veux
renouveler chaque jour notre joie de vivre ensemble et notre amour. Quand je me donne à toi, je
m'enrichis; quand je m'engage avec toi, je m'épanouis. C'est pourquoi aujourd'hui, je me donne et je
m'engage comme mari.
Tilke: Yann, I love you! I fell in love with you after we met, I have grown to love you more each day that
we've shared, and it is now with full love in my heart that I come here willingly and enthusiastically to
marry you with the promise to continue to nurture and grow the love I have for you. I take you to be my
husband, my friend and partner, and my love.
Yann: Je sais que la route que nous prenons est pleine d'aventures imprévues, certaines joyeuses,
certaines difficiles, mais je serai avec toi pour le meilleur et pour le pire jusqu'à ce que la mort nous
sépare. Je me réjouirai d'autant plus que nos joies seront partagées; et je t'apporterai sans condition,
compassion et soutien lorsque les circonstances de nos vies seront éprouvantes.

Tilke: I understand that the route ahead will be full of unforeseen adventures, some joyful and others
difficult, but I will be with you for better or for worse until death does us part. I am glad that our joys will
be shared; and comforted that our difficulties will be faced together. Through all this I will give you my
love freely and unconditionally.
Yann: Je sais aussi que des difficultés peuvent venir de nous-mêmes car nous ne sommes ni parfaits, ni
constants. Mais je te donnerai le meilleur de moi et ne te demanderai pas plus que ce que tu peux
donner. Ainsi nous créerons un lien d’amour plus fort que nous et que le temps.
Tilke: I understand that we are neither perfect or constant. I'll give you the best of myself and not ask for
more than you can give. I will work to create a bond of honesty, respect, and trust; one that withstands the
tides of time and change. As we grow, I promise to love the person you become.
Yann: Je souhaite construire avec toi une vie où nous pourrons être heureux et en tant qu'individu, et en
tant que couple, et en tant que famille. Je souhaite que notre amour et notre mariage nous soutiennent
dans nos aspirations et qu'il nourrisse notre joie de vivre afin que nous puissions la partager autour de
nous.
Tilke: I would like to construct a life with you where we can be happy as individuals, as a couple, and as a
family. I hope that our marriage will support our goals and aspirations and will nourish our love of life so
that we can share it with those we cherish.
Yann: Je te donne cette alliance comme un symbole de mon amour pour toi. Qu'elle te rappelle chaque
jour que je serai toujours à tes côtés et fidèle à notre engagement de mariage.
Tilke: I give you this ring as a symbol of my love for you. It will remind you that I will be forever at your
side and faithful to our commitment to marriage. I pledge this to you from the bottom of my heart, for all
the days of our lives.
Candle ceremony
[Olivier talking to Tilke and Yann standing]:
Two people in love do not live in isolation. Their love is a source of strength with which they may nourish
not only each other but also the world around them. And in turn, we, their community of friends and
family, have a responsibility to this couple. By our steadfast care, respect, and love, we can support their
marriage and the new family they are creating today.
Will you who are present here today, surround Tilke and Yann in love, offering them the joys of your
friendship, and supporting them in their marriage? If so, I invite you to participate in this candle ceremony
where Tilke and Yann will bring their flame together and commit to nurture and celebrate it for years to
come.
[Maureen and Soizic to get ready to light candles in the back]
I'd like to kindly ask the mothers of the couple, Maureen and Soizic, to each light a candle at the back of
the audience. When you receive a light from your neighbor, continue to light the candles of all those
around you. This light will be passed to Tilke and Yann to light their individual candles so that they can
combine their flames into one.
Olivier: [Translation in booklet] Deux personnes qui s’aiment ne vivent pas isolées. Leur amour est une
source d’énergie qu’ils offrent l’un à l’autre et aussi au monde autour d’eux. Et, à l'inverse, leur cercle de
famille et d’amis peut appuyer leur mariage et la famille qu’ils créent..
En signe de votre soutien pour le mariage de Tilke et Yann, je vous invite à allumer votre bougie pendant
la cérémonie des lumières. Tilke et Yann vont recevoir votre lumière, y combiner leur clamme et
s’engager à la nourrir et à la célébrer pour les années à venir.

♫ Music: “Somewhere over the Rainbow / What a wonderful world”
by Iz Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
Why do we choose to light a candle together?
A candle is simple. It is of little consequence until one lights it, nurtures it and protects it from wind and
rain so that it creates a beautiful flame. It is precisely the same with life and love. Today we bring together
the flames of our own lives and we commit to nurture and celebrate that flame together for years to come.
What does the Candle Lighting Ceremony mean?
The flame of the candle symbolizes the energy of life within us. Sometimes the flame flickers and seems
weak. But if we nurture it carefully, the little flame can start a bonfire of joy. The light shed by a candle
symbolizes our optimistic view on life. The light brings meaning to our path in search of fulfillment and
happiness. Hold it high and it becomes a beacon that inspires other people on their way.
Announcement of the couple
Olivier:
Tilke, Yann, You have now exchanged your wedding vows with the support of your friends and family.
Ladies and Gentleman, it is with great pleasure, c'est avec un grand plaisir, that I introduce to you Yann
and Tilke as a married couple, que je vous présente les mariés!
[Yann and Tilke kiss and then embrace families and guests]
♫ Music: “I'm Yours” and “Lucky” by Jason Mraz
After the ceremony, the couple invites all the guests to assemble in the courtyard of La Noë Verte for a
group photograph. This will be followed by a cocktail and later a dinner ~8pm.
Special Thanks and Thoughts
We would like to thank our parents for bringing us up with love, and our brothers and sisters for sharing
the love of family.
A special thanks to Fabien, David, Benjamin, Stephanie and Malaika for being witnesses to our marriage,
and to all of those who came today for participating in this special occasion and for your continued
support.
Warm thoughts go out to loved ones that could not be here today and those that have left us, in particular
Oma Judd, Opa and Oma van Eerd and GrandPère.
Thanks to Mme Boutbien from La Noë Verte for creating a warm and charming environment for us to get
married in.
Tilke & Yann