Jeffrey Don Huntsman

PROCESSIONAL

Beginning of the Wedding Ceremony. Guests are seated followed by the entrance of the Bridal Party.

INVOCATION

We are gathered here today to celebrate a time of gratitude, gladness, and joy. It is one of life's greatest miracles when two people love each other so much that they are willing to commit their lives together, as one in spirit. The ability to love is a miraculous gift that God has given us, and a wedding is a celebration of that gift. Today, we have been invited to share and to rejoice with Joseph Robert Darden and Allison Kate Tanner, and to vow our unconditional love and support to them as they begin their journey as husband and wife. Nothing is sweeter than love, nothing more courageous, nothing higher, nothing wider, nothing more pleasant, nothing fuller nor better in heaven or earth, because love is born of God, and cannot exist but in God; it is above all created things. Love is the reason we are here.

According to God's plan for their lives Joseph and Allison have chosen each other, and we are gathered here to witness their vows of love and to offer our blessings and support for their marriage. And they, would like to thank all their guests for being here today.

And we take a moment now to recognize the family members of Joseph and Allison and to thank them for their love, support and devotion, as these two grew from adolescence and into the beautiful individuals who stand here before us on this special day. Thank you for teaching them values and showing them the beauty and joy of loving another person.

At this time, we would also like to honor those who could not be with us today. Although some our loved ones are not here with us physically, we feel blessed they are with us in spirit on this beautiful day. We offer a moment of silence to honor their memory.

RECOGNITION OF CHILDREN

Joseph and Allison have enough love for each other to share with all of us, but also to envelope two additional very special hearts with a love and protection stronger than any other. Their children are a constant source of joy, inspiration, and hope for them. Grayson’s curiosity, humor, and determination remind them to look at things with a light heart and focus. Holden’s playfulness, affection, and flexibility remind them to be open to new changes and to find the fun in every step they take. The compassion, acceptance, and forgiving nature of both Grayson and Holden remind them to put their love for them first and forgive moments of imbalance. Without you, Grayson, and Holden, this day would not be complete.

SERMON ON RELATIONSHIPS

Joseph and Allison, the two of you know quite well that life is difficult and relationships are challenging, but as you travel through life together you'll always have someone to share the good, the bad & the ugly!

But what I’d like you to do now, is reflect on the here and now . . . how you are feeling; what does the air feel on your skin, how does the sun feel, how do your hands feel in each others. Soak it all in. Look (out of the corner of your eye) and see your friends and family. Who is sitting where and next to whom? Who's smiling or crying (why are they crying?). Soak in this entire day and remember it . . . treasure it, so you can forever remember what this moment felt like. You'll need this memory in order to face the challenging times ahead when you may disagree.

BIBLE QUOTE

In the Bible, the book of Revelation is an odd place to reference during a wedding ceremony, but . . . there is one verse in Rev. 2:4-5 that has great advice for you today:

“Don't forsake your first love . . . repent and do the things you did at first.”

This applies to our relationship with God and with our spouses. When things get rough, do the things you did at first: dancing, cards, songs, letters, a special dinner, or those quiet moments just curled up together.

And Joseph, during the times when Allison is just plain unreasonable or thinks she's right; or Allison, when Joseph forgets the grocery list or has a stubborn moment; or the times when you both just plain disagree and feel angry with one another, remember your first love, remember today, and when you've had a chance to cool off remember your rule. Ask for those things that you love and cherish about the other. By doing this you will provide a safeguard to protect everything you both cherish in your relationship.

Joseph and Allison, marriage is a sacred relationship. It requires much of two people sometimes more than you feel you can give each other. But God promises to be with you in the marriage and help you with its responsibilities. Especially as you give him first place in your lives. The Bible speaks of a single strand of cord as fragile and breakable, but a cord of two strands becomes much stronger. A cord of three is stronger yet. May your marriage always be a cord of three strands you, your beloved, and the presence of God. May God fill your spirit with love and truth.

 

PRAYER

Let's pray...Heavenly Father, we gather to celebrate your gift of love, and its presence among us. We rejoice that these two people have chosen to commit themselves to a life of loving faithfulness to one another. We praise you, Lord, for the ways you have touched all our lives with a variety of loving relationships, and we give thanks today for Joseph and Allison, and for the special love and friendship you have put in their hearts. Renew within us an affectionate and loving spirit. Enrich our lives with the gracious gift of your love so that we may embrace others with that same love. May our participation in this celebration of love and commitment, given to us a new joy and responsiveness to the relationships that we cherish. In your loving arms we pray, Amen.

The covenant of marriage is one that can be entered into only by persons who are both legally and spiritually free to offer themselves to each other. Therefore, in the presence of God and in the presence of all of the witnesses here, I will ask Joseph and Allison to state their intention to marry. Have the two of you come here freely and without reservation to give yourselves to each other in the holy state of matrimony?

(Joseph & Allison respond:) 'We have'

DECLARATION OF INTENT

Joseph please repeat after me:

Allison, I love you. You are my best friend. Today I give myself to you in marriage. I promise to encourage and inspire you, to laugh with you, and to comfort you in times of sorrow and struggle. I promise to love you in good times and in bad, when life seems easy and when it seems hard, when our love is simple, and when it is an effort. I promise to cherish you, and to always hold you in highest regard. These things I give to you today, and all the days of our lives.

Allison please repeat after me:

Joseph, I love you. You are my best friend. Today I give myself to you in marriage. I promise to encourage and inspire you, to laugh with you, and to comfort you in times of sorrow and struggle. I promise to love you in good times and in bad, when life seems easy and when it seems hard, when our love is simple, and when it is an effort. I promise to cherish you, and to always hold you in highest regard. These things I give to you today, and all the days of our lives.

 

RINGS EXCHANGE

May I have the rings please?

Lord, please bless these rings that Joseph and Allison are about to exchange. May these rings forever remind them of their covenant with one another, as well as the circle of love they have publicly created here today. May their compassion and kindness for one another always be like these rings, with no beginning and no end. May the precious metal remind them of their precious commitment, and if either begins to tarnish, may they joyfully undertake the sacred duty to make it shine brightly again. May their relationship always be like these rings, separate but close, simple but beautiful. May these rings always belong to their hands, and their love always belongs in each others hearts. Amen.

Joseph, please take this ring and place it on Allison’s finger and repeat after me: Allison, I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow to devote my life and love to you, with all that I am and that we are, and all that I have to share in life, honor and cherish for all of your days.

Allison, please take this ring and place it on Joseph’s finger and repeat after me: Joseph, I give you this ring as a symbol of my unending love and sincere vow, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you, and respect you for all of your days.

PRONOUNCEMENT

We close with a final blessing for your marriage: Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter to the other. Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to the other. Now there is no more loneliness, for each of you will be companion to the other. Now you are two bodies, but there is only one life before you. Go now to your dwelling place to enter into the days of your togetherness. And may your days be good and long upon the earth. Amen.

In as much as Joseph and Allison have truly and openly chosen each other, declared their love and purpose before family, friends, and God, and have made their pledge to each other, symbolized by the giving and receiving of rings. It is my pleasure to pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss!

Ladies and gentlemen, it is my great honor and privilege to present to you for the very first time, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Darden.

RECESSIONAL

End of the Wedding Ceremony.