Vanessa Allen LaRotonda

INVOCATION

Good evening and welcome to this most important moment in the lives of Carly and Cole...well my guess is Lilah's birth is right up there in importance too but this one is pretty special.

We invite you to leave behind the worries and concerns of every day life and join us in the celebration of their marriage. This is an opportunity for us to share not only in the joy of Carly and Cole’s love but also to reaffirm and appreciate the love and the friendship we experience in our own lives. May we all celebrate by being fully present during our short time together.

Carly and Cole have chosen this setting in which to be married because it provides an appropriate backdrop for the public affirmation of the beginning of the next chapter in their love story.

While getting to know Carly and Cole and talking with them about what they wanted for their wedding ceremony, I was able to hear what they love most about each other.

Carly loves how Cole is a hard worker, always willing to help others, he is funny, a great father, and always on the go. She loves him endlessly, even if he micromanages all the projects they do around the house.

Cole loves how spontaneous, fun, hard working, and beautiful Carly is. She is an amazing mother and they balance each other out.

They also shared some of their favorite memories and it made my heart melt watching their faces light up as they reminisced on the 7 years they have spent together. From growing up and meeting in high school in the Fultner High School gym, to their beach trips, concerts, getting caught buying their parents Christmas gifts when they were 16, and the karaoke that Carly loves to sing to Cole. Watching footballs games, spending time with their family and friends, and especially welcoming Lilah into their arms are some they recall fondly. All of these moments, all of these memories, all of these amazing milestones they have experienced have created this beautiful thing they call life together.

Eric from that 70's show told Donna "I can't count on much in this crazy world, but I can always count on you." I know that just from my moments in talking with you both, my slight creeping skills on Instagram, and from listening to you two talk about each other and your years together, that you two can always count on each other. This will get you far in life and in love.

Being in this life together is the one intentional choice that you make each morning when you wake and each night before you go to sleep. You are home. Just like this quote says: From the moment you walked into my life, all I ever want to is to be with you and listen to you and tell you all about my day. You’ve become someone I look forward to when I get home every day. You are my home, my shelter and my all.

There are many things that will come you way in life but you are more equipped to tackle all of lives obstacles together, side by side, hand in hand, than you would be by yourselves. Reach out to your partner and they will be there.

DECLARATION OF INTENT

**i found this passage that seemed like it could fit well if you'd like to include it. no pressure either way, but wanted to offer it**

The apostle Paul compared the relationship between husband and wife to that between Christ and the church. Marriage is a decision of two individuals to share the same type of pure, Christian love described by Paul in I Corinthians 13:4-8 – Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not selfish, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and is always ready to endure whatever comes. Love never fails…

Two lives, shared with this kind of love, can hold more fulfillment and happiness than either life alone.

We are here today, to celebrate the love, which Carly and Cole have for each other, and to give social recognition to their decision to commit their lives and accept each other totally.

Do you, Cole, welcome Carly, to be your lawfully wedded wife, to share your life openly, standing with her in sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, in hardship and in ease, to cherish and love forever more?

Cole: I do

Do you, Carly, welcome Cole, to be your lawfully wedded husband, to share your life openly, standing with him in sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, in hardship and in ease, to cherish and love forever more?

Carly: I do

**we also have the option to add in a fun declaration of intent here. examples would be "do you promise to take out the trash, listen and even sing along with Carly's karaoke songs, and to change at least half of the poopy diapers?" or something along those lines.

VOW EXCHANGE

Carly and Cole, as you stand here in the presence of God and these witnesses, I remind you, that love, loyalty and trust are the basis of a mature and fulfilling relationship.

Marriage is a serious undertaking; it is intended to bind your lives together forever and is not to be taken lightly.

Your engagement set into motion the interweaving of your lives – and we hope that you will continue to grow closer throughout your years together.

None of us knows what the future will bring. Yet your love for one another, and trust in the strength of your union makes possible the act of faith you are making today.

As you exchange the vows, which will start you on your journey together, know that our love and support go with you. As you make your promises to each other, we will remember promises we too have made and take this opportunity to make new our own.

Carly, when you are ready you may begin.

Cole, when you are ready you may begin

**it doesn't have to go in this order, you can choose ahead of time, in the moment, or rock/paper/scissors to see who goes first**

RING EXCHANGE

These rings represent the vows and promises you’ve willingly exchanged. They reflect the commitment those words inspire and all your hopes and dreams for the future.

Please take these rings, hold them in your hands together, close your eyes and take a moment to pray over all the great things you wish for your marriage.

Carly, please take Cole's ring, place it on his finger, and repeat after me.

I give you this ring as a sign that I choose you. Today, tomorrow, always and forever.

Cole, please take Carly's ring, place it on her finger and repeat after me.

I give you this ring as a sign that I choose you. Today, tomorrow, always and forever.

PRONOUNCEMENT

I leave you with words written by Roy Croft.

"I love you, not for what you are, but what I am, when I am with you. I love you not only for what you have made of yourself, but what you are making of me. I love you for the part of me that you bring out.

I love you for putting your hand into my heaped up heart and passing over all the frivolous and weak things that you cannot help seeing there, and for drawing out into the light all the beautiful and radiant things that no one else has looked quite far enough to find.

I love you because you are helping me to make of the lumber of my life not a tavern, but a temple, out of the works of my everyday not a reproach, but a song. You have done it without a touch, without a word. You have done it by being yourself, my companion and comforter, guide and friend, the one I love."

Take these words and do you best to live them day in and day out as you go through this life side by side.

It is my greatest pleasure to say that by the power vested in me by the State of Tennessee (or wherever we decide we actually are), I now pronounce you husband and wife!!

You may share your first married kiss!!