Karissa Marie Knutson

PROCESSIONAL

INVOCATION

(Officiant to Couple and Guests)

We are gathered here today to unite Andrea and Trent in the bonds of matrimony. If anyone can show just cause why they may not be lawfully joined together, let them speak now or forever hold their peace.

[Beat]

(Officiant to Couple)

It is said that being married is like trying to keep your balance in a three-legged race. You are walking side by side in a forward momentum, yet each of you is making choices, moment by moment, that will either help you maintain balance together or cause you to lose your rhythm, your balance, or your way.

While you are two separate individuals, you walk along one path together. Your every gesture, word, expression, and action, as well as those you withhold or omit, will determine the quality of your experience together. It is through loving, kindness, caring, and sharing that a successful marriage is created. With that in mind, let’s continue to your declarations of intent.

DECLARATION OF INTENT

(Officiant to Groom)

Do you, Trent, take Andrea to be your lawfully wedded wife? From this day forward, to have and to hold, for better, for worse, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do you part?

(Groom to Bride)

“I do.”

(Officiant to Bride)

Do you, Andrea, take Trent to be your lawfully wedded husband? From this day forward, to have and to hold, for better, for worse, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do you part?

(Bride to Groom)

“I do.”

SAND CEREMONY

Traditionally, we might be lighting a unity candle, but Andrea and Trent have chosen to do something a little different. In biblical times, people would often perform a salt covenant. Salt, being important to life, was used in ceremonies that united and bound. Two people would pour salt into a container, symbolizing how inseparable they were, how inseparable their two lives were from each other. That the two had become One. That if ever there was a time when they forgot this, they could look to the container and remember how tied together they were. Andrea and Trent have chosen to use sand, knowing that sands cannot be separated from the other. That neither Andrea nor Trent can ever take theirs back and leave the rest. This is done to show their dedication to one another as a family. Their son, Ben, will also be joining them in this ritual. To truly make this about being a family together.

[Couple and Son perform sand ceremony]

RINGS EXCHANGE

Now, for the rings.

(Officiant to Couple)

A ring is an unbroken circle, and as such represents unending love. As often as either of you look upon these rings, may you be reminded of this moment and the love you have promised to one another.

(Officiant to Groom)

Trent, as you place the ring on Andrea’s finger, repeat after me, “With this ring, I thee wed, and pledge to you my love, now and forever.”

[Groom repeats while placing the ring on Bride’s finger]

Andrea, as you place the ring on Trent’s finger, repeat after me, “With this ring, I thee wed, and pledge to you my love, now and forever.”

[Bride repeats while placing the ring on Groom’s finger]

PRONOUNCEMENT

(Officiant to Couple and Guests)

Andrea and Trent have consented together in wedlock, in the company of family and friends, and having declared the same by the giving and receiving of rings, I pronounce that you are husband and wife. I ask you to seal the promises you have made each other this day with a kiss, you may now kiss the bride!

[Couple kisses]

(Officiant to Guests)

By the power vested in me by the great State of Wisconsin, I am proud to present for the first time as husband and wife, Mr. And Mrs. Landt!

RECESSIONAL