Garrett Willie Calloway

Dearly Beloved and Honored Guests,

We are gathered together here to join Emma Felton and Jerry Wylie in the spiritual union of marriage.

This contract is not to be entered into lightly but thoughtfully and seriously, and with a deep realization of its obligations and responsibilities. Please remember that love, loyalty, and understanding are the foundations of a happy and enduring home.

Now, as a testament to their faith and commitment to their families and to each other, Emma and Jerry will take their respective candles. As they join the two flames together over the unity candle, a new flame will be born. This new flame symbolizes the beginning of their own family, and bids honor and respect to the families that have brought them here today.

Emma and Jerry will now share their vows.

*(Vows)*

The role already taken by the song your hearts share shall be now be strengthened by the vows you take. All things of the material world eventually return to the Earth unlike the bond and the connection your spirits share which is destined to ascend to the heavens.

Officiant binds hands with the chord

The questions are asked:

Do the two of you seek to share each other’s pain and alleviate it?

We do.

Will you share each other’s laughter and look for the positive in one another

We will.

Will you share each other’s burdens so your so your spirits may grow in this union?

We will.

Will you share each other’s dreams?

We Will.

Will you take the heat of anger and use it to temper the strength of this union?

We Will.

Will you honor one another as an equal in this union?

We Will.

Emma and Jerry, as your hands are bound together now, so your lives and spirits are joined in a union of love and trust. The bond of marriage is not formed by these cords, but rather by the vows you have made. For always you hold in your own hands the fate of this union. Above you are stars and below you is earth. Like stars your love should be a constant source of light, and like the earth, a firm foundation from which to grow.

May these hands be blessed this day. May they always hold each other. May they have the strength to hang on during the storms of stress and the dark of disillusionment. May they remain tender and gentle as they nurture each other in their wondrous love. May they build a relationship founded in love, and rich in caring. May these hands be healer, protector, shelter, and guide for each other.

*(Ring Exchange)*

Emma and Jerry will now exchange rings as a symbol of their love and commitment.

As you state your vows, place the ring upon your partners finger.

Do you Emma take this man Jerry to be your lawfully wedded partner, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and woe, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself unto him for as long as you both shall live?

*(Wait for Confirmation)*

Do you Jerry take this woman Emma to be your lawfully wedded partner, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and woe, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself unto her for as long as you both shall live?

*(Wait for Confirmation)*

Jumping the broom

Emma and Jerry have chosen to conclude their ceremony with the tradition of jumping the broom.

The broom symbolizes the entrance of the couple into a new life together.

Lay the broom down.

Sharing a life with another person requires many "leaps of faith." The leap they take together over the broom is also symbolic. By taking the leap, they make a gesture of dedication to working together through the tough times ahead, as well as the easy tomes. They leave behind the past and jump into the future together secure in their love.

Everyone, please count 1, 2, 3... Jump! together with me now, and shout with joy as they perform their first act of working together as husband and wife;

1, 2, 3, jump!

By the authority vested in me by American Marriage Ministries and the State of Tennessee I now pronounce you wife and husband!