Shakerria Monae Sims

INTRODUCTION

• We are gathered here on this beautiful day to witness union of Jerome Walker and Katherine Henderson in holy matrimony.

• This is a day of great celebration, for a married life- a shared life- is a great blessing.

• As Jerome & Katherine embark on this journey together, they will be able to nurture a love that makes them better versions of themselves.

• Marriage is a garden we sow into with love, and harvest in personal growth.

• Jerome & Katherine, on your journey together, keep your spouse in the space of highest priority in your heart.

• The love that you share must be guarded and cherished forever, for it is your most valuable treasure.

• Always remember these words; Love is patient and kind.

• Love is not jealous, boastful, proud, or rude.

• It does not demand its own way.

• It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.

• It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.

• Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES

In a few moments we will join Katherine & Jerome together as one. Their union will produce an abundance of love and growth which, overflowing from their marriage, will extend out to their families, both near and far.

We have 3 candles here. The 2 on either side represent the blessing of this marriage b each family. The unity candle in the center represents the merging of both families together as one- strong, supportive, and enduring.

As a representative of Jerome’s family, we have Annette Walker coming forward to light their candle.

As representative of Katherine’s family, we have Darrell Henderson Sr. coming forward to light their candle.

Please come forward and light your candles at this time.

Now as a testament to their faith and commitment to their families and to each other, Jerome & Katherine will take their respective candles. As they join the 2 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.

KATHERINE & JEROME, PLEASE STEP FORWARD AND TAKE YOUR CANDLES.

THANK YOU WE WILL NOW EXCHANGE VOWS!!!

DECLARATION OF INTENT & VOWS EXCHANGE

You have chosen to write your vows, and it is with these words you express your binding promises to love, honor, and cherish one another. If you are ready to make these promises to each other I invite you now to face each other and declare your intentions.

When you are ready you may begin.

RINGS EXCHANGE

Thank you for sharing your vows with all of us. The rings you are about to place on each other’s fingers are symbols of the love you expressed. They will remind you of the vows you have just spoken, and of the eternal love that you have for one another.

Jerome place the ring on Katherine’s finger and repeat after me.

“THIS RING I GIVE U IS A SYMBOL OF MY LOVE AND EVERLASTING FRIENDSHIP… U WILL NEVER WALK ALONE… MY HEART WILL BE YOUR SHELTER & MY ARMS WILL BE YOUR HOME… I PROMISE TO DO MY BEST TO LOVE, CHERISH AND ACCEPT U JUST THE WAY YOU ARE… I GIVE U MY HEART UNTIL THE END OF TIME…. I HAVE NO GREATER GIFT TO GIVE!”

Katherine place the ring on Jerome’s finger and repeat after me.

“THIS RING I GIVE U IS A SYMBOL OF MY LOVE AND EVERLASTING FRIENDSHIP… U WILL NEVER WALK ALONE… MY HEART WILL BE YOUR SHELTER & MY ARMS WILL BE YOUR HOME… I PROMISE TO DO MY BEST TO LOVE, CHERISH AND ACCEPT U JUST THE WAY YOU ARE… I GIVE U MY HEART UNTIL THE END OF TIME…. I HAVE NO GREATER GIFT TO GIVE!”

THE PRONOUNCEMENT!!!

• Jerome, do you take Katherine to be your wedded wife and promise to love her, comfort her, honor her and keep her for better or for worst, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health for as long as you both shall live? (I DO)

• Katherine, do you take Jerome to be your wedded husband and prose to love him, comfort him, honor him and keep him for better or for worst, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health for as long as you both shall live? (I DO)

BROOM JUMPING CEREMONY

"Jumping the Broom" is a ceremony dating back to the 1600s and is an African American tradition. Slaves in this country were not permitted to marry, so they jumped a broom as a way of ceremonially uniting. Today it represents immense joy and at the same time serves as a reminder of the past and the pain of slavery. As Bride and Groom jump the broom, they physically and spiritually cross the threshold into the land of matrimony. It marks the beginning of making a home together. It symbolizes the sweeping away of the old and the welcoming of the new; the sweeping away all negative energy, making way for all things that are good to come into your lives. It is also a call of support for the marriage from the entire community of family and friends. The bride and groom will now begin their new life together with a clean sweep!

Minister:

Everyone count 1, 2, 3... Jump! Together! 1, 2, 3... Jump!

BY THE POWER GIVEN TO ME BY THE AMERICAN MARRIAGE MINISTRIES AND BY THE STATE OF TEXAS, I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU HUSBAND & WIFE!

JEROME, U MAY KISS YOUR BRIDE!!!

LADIES & GENTLEMEN, IT IS MY HONOR TO PRESENT FOR THE FIRST TIME,

MR. AND MRS. WALKER!!!