Rachael Marie Morin

Invocation

You may be seated. Good afternoon, everyone. Family, friends, Dap…

We are gathered here today to celebrate the love of Joseph Lawrence Cipriani and Sarah Jane Roper. Yes, today we all get to be part of their epic love story.

Though I think to fully appreciate where they are in this moment, we have to start by acknowledging where it all started 7 years ago…

It was right here!!! On a sunny day in June, on a boat on Candlewood Lake. Many of us here have our fair share of incredible memories on this Lake, but very few can say it’s where they met their soulmate.

But that’s what happened. In fact, I separately asked both Joe and Sarah “when did you know you were in love?” And you know what, you BOTH said you knew that very day.

You sat up on that roof, where you’ll later share your first dance as husband and wife. You spent the night talking and laughing under the stars. Little did you know it was the first night of the rest of your life.

Now, there a lot of familiar faces here, but for those who don’t know me, my name is Rachael and I have known the Cipriani family for almost 20 years. Joe’s sister, Chloe, is my best friend… and I never had any brothers, so Joe, Anthony, Manny, they’re my family.

So, all those years ago, when I heard that Joey had a new girlfriend, I wasn’t skeptical, but I was certainly curious what she would be like.

Well, it’s no surprise Joe fell hard for Sarah – we all fell hard for Sarah. Her warm, beautiful heart and infectious laugh perfectly matched with Joe’s easy wit and strong, quiet kindness.

Joe and Sarah, with each passing day, you probably thought you could never love anything more than you loved each other.

Though, as it turns out, there is one kind of love that’s even more selfless and unconditional than the love you have for your partner – and that’s the love a parent has for their child.

It’s a lesson you both learned on December 24, 2019, when Gianni came into the world – and stole all of our hearts.

I think I speak for all of us here today when I say how incredibly proud I am to know you both – and to see how much you have grown together over the last 7 years – as people, as partners, as parents.

And speaking of parents, the truth is you could not have been blessed with better role models. Larry and Lisa, John and Pam – also known as big papi and nonnie and pop pop and Gigi.

We owe this day to you – for the strong example you set for your children, for the standard of love you showed them exists in the world if you’re willing to let it in.

I mean, high school sweethearts and ran into each other at the Super Bowl. You set the bar pretty high for these two.

It’s been said that “faith makes all things possible. Love makes all things easy.” Well, things have certainly not always been “easy” for the two of you.

But amid the chaos… the uncertainty… the struggle… and no shortage of change… you have never lost faith in each other.

Reading

And now, Sarah’s Uncle Mike would like to share a reading for the couple.

Vow Exchange

Thank you, Mike.

Joe and Sarah have chosen to write their own vows.

Declaration of Intent

Joe and Sarah, you are about to promise your lifelong love and devotion to one another. And so, I ask…

Do you, Joseph, take Sarah to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and bad, for richer or poorer, for as long as you both shall live?

I do.

Do you, Sarah, take Joseph to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and bad, for richer or poorer, for as long as you both shall live?

I do

Ring Exchange

The bride and groom will now exchange rings as a symbol of their love and fidelity.

Joe, please place this ring on Sarah’s finger and repeat after me.

Sarah, I give you this ring. As a symbol of my love. And that I am choosing to share my life’s journey with you. I give you this ring, with the promise. To love you today, tomorrow, always and forever.

Sarah, please place this ring on Joe’s finger and repeat after me.

Joe, I give you this ring. As a symbol of my love. And that I am choosing to share my life’s journey with you. I give you this ring, with the promise. To love you today, tomorrow, always and forever.

As often as you look at these rings, may you be reminded of this moment and the love you have pledged to one another.

May you always see and encourage the best in each other.

May the challenges life brings your way make your marriage even stronger, and may you always be each other’s best friend and greatest confidante.

Pronouncement

Joe and Sarah have pledged their faith to each other in the company of their wonderful families, their son and their closest friends.

And so, by the power vested in me by the American Marriage Ministries and the State of Connecticut, I now pronounce you husband and wife.

You may kiss the bride!

Ladies and gentlemen, I am proud to present, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Cipriani!