A wonderful way to pay tribute to one’s home of origin is to include a reading from an author from that location—whether in the mother tongue or translated into English. A recent bride, originally from Brazil, provided this beautiful piece by the great poet Vinicius de Moraes:
Fidelity Soneto
Above all things I shall be faithful to my love
Caring and careful, always and dearly
That even facing my biggest temptations,
My thought of her will be to me more fascinating
I want to live it in every moment.
Praise it with songs and harmony,
No matter when in laughter or misery,
Come joyful days or sad ones.
And later on, when one shall find me:
Be it in our old age, which life cannot tame
Or loneliness, the end of all lovers
I hope I say about the love I lived:
If not immortal, cause it is but a flame
It will be infinite while it lasts
