Douglas Keith Mullins

Invocation

Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here today in the sight of God, and in the presence of friends and family, to celebrate one of life's greatest moments. We are here to give recognition to the beauty of the love that is shared between Igor and Alicia as they complete their family in Holy Matrimony. Marriage is a contract not to be entered into lightly but thoughtfully and seriously and with a deep realization of the obligations and responsibilities. marriage is the moment where your hearts and souls are joined together for eternity. If anyone can show just cause why these two may not be lawfully joined together, let them speak now or forever hold their peace.

Prayer

Let us pray, Dear Heavenly Father we come before you today praising you Lord, and your son Jesus Christ. Lord we ask for your blessing upon Igor and Alicia as we celebrate this special occasion in their lives. Grant them happiness and contentment as their two lives become one, as they create a new family and explore the depths of their love for one another. And Lord we ask you to fill their new life with the joys of marriage. And to always remind Igor, the key to a happy life is a happy wife. In Jesus name we pray A-man.

Invocation pt2

The joining of two hearts as a husband and wife is a commitment like no other. It offers opportunities for sharing and for personal growth that no other human relationship can equal. A husband and wife are each other's bestfriend, lover's, teacher's and critics. The bond between a husband and wife deepens and enriches every fact of life. Happiness is fuller and commitments are stronger. Marriage also encourages new life and new experiences, and finds new ways of expressing love through the up's and downs of life. Igor and Alicia, as your journey begins here as husband and wife, I would ask you both to always remember to always treat each other with respect and to remind yourselves of what brought you here today.

Blessing of the parent(s)

Who here gives this woman to be married to this man? F.O.B. "I DO"

You are not losing a daughter but rather gaining a son.

The Sand Ceremony

Today the bride and groom has chosen to represent their love for each other in a sand ceremony. The sand ceremony itself is actually from the old Hebrew tradition, "The Salt Covenant". During the days of Abraham the Hebrew Salt Covenant was used in exchange to seal friendships, agreements and contracts, and was the seal of truce and peace. The reason was once the salt was mixed, it could never be separated. And just like the salt could never be separated, this sand as well can never be separated. There are two women for whom words could never relay the gratitude in our bride and groom's hearts, Their mother's. Please if you would stand up. Valientina and Cindi, you have contributed so much to Igor and Alicia lives and who they have become today. You both have been the foundations of your families, you both have given so much. And for all that you have done and all you have given, all of us here today would like to thank you. Igor and Alicia, each of your separate containers represents a unique and separate moment, a feeling or event that helped shaped you into the separate and unique individuals that you are today. As these two containers of sand are poured into a single container, the individual containers will no longer exist, but will be joined together as one. And just like the salt in the days of Abraham could never be separated, neither can the sand in this container. The white sand represents God's foundation in your lives and your family. "Minister pours white sand" Igor please take your container and pour some of your sand into this single container. This represents you as an individual. Alicia please take your container and pour some of your sand into this single container. This represents you as an individual.

Declaration of Intent

Please face one another and hold hands. Alicia, do you take Igor to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward. to love, honor, cherish and obey, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others for as long as you shall live? "I DO"

Igor, do you take Alicia to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, to love, honor and cherish, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others for as long as you shall live? "I DO"

Ring Exchange

May we have the rings please? The ring is an unbroken circle that represent unending love. As both of you look upon these rings, I hope that you always remember this moment and the love that you have promised to each other.

Igor, place the ring on Alicia's ring finger and repeat after me. "With this ring I thee wed. Wear it as a symbol of my vows, to love you today, tomorrow, always and forever".

Alicia, place the ring on Igor's ring finger and repeat after me. "With this ring I thee wed. Wear it as a symbol of my vows, to love you today, tomorrow, always and forever".

Blessed rings

May these rings be blessed so that you both may abide in peace, and continue in love until life ends.

complete the sand ceremony

Igor and Alicia, you have just sealed your relationship by giving and receiving the rings. But before I pronounce you husband and wife, you must first complete the sand ceremony by blending the sand. The blending of the sand represents the two families being joined together. Igor and Alicia at the same time please pour the remaining sand into the single container.

Pronouncement

Now by the power vested in me and by the state of North Carolina, I now pronounce you husband and wife.

You may kiss your bride.