Crystal Lynn Gienger

Who gives the bride in marriage to the groom? Lynn says, “Her mother and I do.”

[Father kisses bride and turns her over to groom.]

Welcome

Please be seated….

Welcome Friends, Family and loved ones! We are here today to celebrate as we watch Byron and Amanda join hands in marriage. We’re here to laugh with them, some of you are here to cry (you may have already started---Lynn 😊), but most of all, we’re here to wish them well as they begin their new life together. I’d like to say, on behalf of Byron and Amanda, and their parents, thank you all so very much for being here. I know it means a lot to them.

Shall we begin…

Opening

Dearly beloved and Honored Guests, we are gathered here on this beautiful afternoon to witness the union of Byron and Amanda in holy matrimony. For them, out of the routine of ordinary life, the extraordinary has happened. They met, fell in love and now finalizing it with their union today. Romance is fun, but true love is something far more and it is their desire to love each other for life and that is what we are celebrating here today. We are deeply grateful they invited us to witness and share in this precious moment.

Marriage is not just a social contract; it is a holy covenant not to be entered into lightly but thoughtfully, prayerfully, and seriously, and with a deep realization of its obligations and responsibilities. It is a commitment of three: God, Husband and Wife—“though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.” Ecc 4:12. Remember that faith, love, loyalty, and understanding are the foundations of a happy and enduring home.

Reading/Words of Wisdom/POEM

A good marriage must be created.

In marriage the “little’ things are the big things.

It is never being too old to hold hands.

It is remembering to say, “I love you” at least once a day.

It is never going to sleep angry.

It is standing together and facing the world.

It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.

It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.

It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow.

It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.

It is not only marrying the right person—it is being the right partner.

Vows

[Have couple face each other and hold hands]

“I, Byron, take you, Amanda to be my wife, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever. I will trust you and honor you. I will laugh with you and cry with you. I will love you faithfully through the best and the worst, through the difficulty and the easy. Whatever may come I will always be there. As I have given you my hand to hold so I give you my life to keep.

I, Amanda, take you, Byron to be my husband, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever. I will trust you and honor you. I will laugh with you and cry with you. I will love you faithfully through the best and the worst, through the difficulty and the easy. Whatever may come I will always be there. As I have given you my hand to hold so I give you my life to keep.”

Byron, I would ask that you always love your wife, Amanda, as you love yourself and Amanda, see that you respect your husband, Byron, as it is commanded in Ephesians 5:33. Give the highest priority to the tenderness, gentleness, and kindness that your marriage deserves. When frustration and difficulty assail your marriage—as they do to every relationship at one time or another—focus on what still seems right between you, not only the part that seems wrong.

This way, when clouds of trouble hide the sun in your lives and you lose sight of it for a moment, you can remember that the sun is still there. And if each of you will take responsibility for the quality of your life together, it will be marked by abundance and happiness.

I Do’s

Byron, do you take Amanda to be your lawful wedded wife? Groom says “I do.”

Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect her and be faithful to her? Groom say’s “I do.”

Amanda, do you take Byron to be your lawful wedded husband? Bride says “I do.”

Do you promise to love, honor, cherish him and be faithful to him? Bride says “I do.”

Ring Exchange

Byron and Amanda will now exchange rings as a symbol of their love and fidelity.

[Ask MOH to give rings to officiant]

[Officiant Holds Rings Up]

The wedding ring is a symbol of eternity. It is the sign of a spiritual bond which unites two hearts in endless love. It is a token of your love and of your deep desire to be forever united together in heart and soul.

Byron, as you place the ring on Amanda’s finger, repeat after me…….

“With this ring, I thee wed. Wear it as a symbol of our love and commitment.”

Amanda, as you place the ring on Byron’s finger, repeat after me…….

“With this ring, I thee wed. Wear it as a symbol of our love and commitment.”

Unity Candle Ceremony

Officiant: At this time, we will have the lighting of the unity candle. I want to ask the mothers of the Bride and Groom to come forward and light one of the Unity candles.

Bride and Groom, the two separate candles symbolize your separate lives, separate families, and separate sets of friends, in other words, your lives before today. Lighting the center candle represents that your two lives are now being joined together as one. The three candles will remain lit. O ne candle for each of you, one candle for the unity of your new family and as symbols of your commitment to each other and to a lasting and loving marriage.

Bryon and Amanda, please pick up the lighted candles and together light the center candle.

Signing of Marriage License

We will now make this legal.

Pronouncement

In so much as the two of you have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, by the authority vested in me by American Marriage Ministries and the State of Texas, I now pronounce you--husband and wife.

Byron, you may kiss your lovely bride!!!!

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my honor to present for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Byron Brown.