Samantha Hull

Welcome everyone to the wedding ceremony of Samuel and Vanessa.

We gather here today to celebrate the most intimate bond between two people, marriage.

You all have been invited here not just as guests to a wedding, but as close and important witnesses of the love that Samuel and Vanessa share.

When reflecting on the meaning of marriage, I came across an excerpt by Daphne Rose Kingma that I'd like to share with you:

In marriage, we say not only I love you today, but also I promise to love you tomorrow, the next day and always.

In promising always, we promise each other time. We promise to exercise our love, to stretch it large enough to embrace the unforeseen realities of our future.

We promise to learn to love beyond the level of our instincts and inclinations, to love in foul weather as well as good, to love in hard times as well as when we are exhilarated by the pleasures of romance.

We change because of these promises. We shape ourselves according to them; we live in their midst and live differently because of them.We feel protected because of them. Our souls are protected; our hearts have come home.'

(*Sand Ceremony*)

Sam and Vanessa have chosen a sand ceremony to symbolize their love.

As you each hold your separate containers of sand they represent your lives to this moment; individual and unique. Each one holds its own unique beauty, strength, and character. They can stand on their own and be whole, without the need of anything else

Sam, pour a portion of your sand into the united container. This sand represents all that you were, all that you are, and all that you will ever be.

Vanessa, Please pour a portion of your sand into the united container. This sand represents all that you were and all that you are, and all that you will ever be

As you now combine your sand together, your lives also join together as one.

(Rings exchange+Vows)

And now, the rings.

Vanessa Repeat after me:

Samuel, I give you this ring as a symbol of our love and commitment to each other. I promise to support you, care for you, and stand alongside you for all of our days.”

Samuel, Repeat after me:

Vanessa, I give you this ring, as a symbol of our love and commitment to each other. I promise to support you, care for you, and stand alongside you for all of our days.”

By the power of your love and commitment to each other, and by the power vested in me by the State of California and American Marriage Ministries, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.