Thomas Edward Moore

Welcome! Good afternoon, family and friends. We have come here today to celebrate the wedding of Aaron and Shannon. On behalf of the bride and groom, thank you for joining us. By your presence, you celebrate with them, the love they have discovered in each other, and you support their decision to commit themselves to a lifelong relationship.

Marriage is a bond to be entered into only after considerable thought and reflection. By making this commitment today, Aaron and Shannon’s relationship will become stronger, better, and deeper.

Today, Aaron and Shannon demonstrate their devotion to each other by dedicating themselves to a life together and they show their respect for each other. By setting forth to honor the vows they have created today, their lives, which began on separate paths, will be joined as one.

Today represents not only the joining of Aaron and Shannon but also the joining of their families and friends.

Aaron and Shannon would like to recognize their parents on this occasion. They offer their profound gratitude for all the love and care their parents showed in raising them. Without you, this day would not be possible.

The couple have also asked that we take a moment to honor those loved ones who are not with us today

[Stephen Fordham, Palmer and Frances Pierce, J.C. and Nelda Thompson, James and Doris Gant]

MARRIAGE ADDRESS

Deep abiding affection, the magical and compelling shared impulse that makes us seek each other's company, is among the greatest gifts of the human experience.

Any of us who has been fortunate enough to find and express the kind of loving devotion that we are celebrating here today knows that it is an awesome and beautiful thing.

At this time, I would like to share 3 suggestions with the both of you:

Be constantly grateful for this precious person who has chosen to make a life with you.

Be generous with compliments. Be attentive and helpful. The world can be a tough place

and any of us can be subject to rough handling. Each of you can, by your tenderness toward each other,

kind words and thoughtful actions, make your marriage and your home an uplifting refuge.

Last, but perhaps most importantly:

Make truth the unfailing bedrock of your lives together. A happy, loving marriage is built on trust and respect. That trust and respect can only be sustained if you are both deeply committed to always being open and truthful in every exchange no matter how small.

MARRIAGE STATEMENT OF INTENT/CONSENT

Shannon, Will you promise to care for each other in the joys and sorrows of life, come what may, and to share the responsibility for growth and enrichment of your life together?

I do.

Aaron, Will you promise to care for each other in the joys and sorrows of life, come what may, and to share the responsibility for growth and enrichment of your life together?

Then please turn to each other and share your vows.

VOWS

Aaron: Today I promise you/that though the world may change/

and though we may change with it/

I will always love you/always treasure you/and will share all that I am with you/

I am proud, from this day forward/to be called your husband

Shannon: Today I promise you/that though the world may change/and though we may change with it/

I will always love you/always treasure you/and will share all that I am with you/

I am proud, from this day forward/to be called your wife

RING EXCHANGE

For thousands of years, men and women have exchanged rings as a token of their vows.

Let these rings be a sign that your love has a past, a present, and a future.

Aaron, take Shannon’s ring and place it on her finger and repeat after me:

I give you this ring/as a sign that I choose you/

To be my wife until the end of my days.

Shannon, take Aaron’s ring place it on her finger and repeat after me:

I give you this ring/as a sign that I choose you/

To be my Husband until end of my days.

PRONOUNCEMENT

Aaron and Shannon, we have heard your promise to share your lives in marriage. In the honesty and sincerity of what you have said and done here today, and in accordance with the laws of the state of Georgia it is my honor and delight to declare you henceforth to be husband and wife.

You may seal your vows with a kiss.