Ryan Christopher Lopez Adviento

PROCESSIONAL

Guests are seated followed by the entrance of the bridal party.

WELCOME

Good evening, to you all! My name is Ryan and I hope everyone is just as thrilled and excited as I am to be here today to witness the union of JANINE and JEREL. On behalf of the bride and groom and the Adviento and Baldomero family, I just want to say thank you to everyone that is in attendance today. JANINE and JEREL chose you all to witness this momentous occasion because you all hold a special place in their hearts. Without you, they would not be who they are or where they are today.

I also want to add that I am extra excited, elated, and honored to officiate this wedding since JANINE is my first cousin but also because I get to be the one to officially and legally welcome JEREL into our family. Again, it is truly an honor.

Before we begin, I would like to start off with a joke. Again, my name is Ryan Adviento and I am JANINE'S first cousin. For any of those that know me, they would probably say that I'm a jokester, so I think it's only fitting if I do so. Anyways, here's the joke –

"A guy walks into a bar….and says 'OUCH'" (let audience laugh, if any)

By a raise of hands and please answer honestly, who thought that joke was corny or lame (let any audience members raise their hands)? Well….the jokes on you because that's the exact joke JEREL used on JANINE to win her heart and well, the rest is history.

OPENING PRAYER

Let's start with a prayer –

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Heavenly Father, we humbly bow before you today praising You, Lord, and Your Son, Jesus Christ. Lord, we ask for your blessings upon JANINE and JEREL as we celebrate this momentous occasion in their lives. Grant them happiness and contentment, as their two lives become one, as they create a new family and explore the depths of their love for one another.

Bless their families and friends and the relationships, which have supported, strengthened and sustained them throughout their lives. Bless their home as a place of love and of peace.

In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray, Amen.

VERSE READING

JANINE and JEREL have requested to include some traditional Filipino elements into their ceremony, but before we get into that, I would like to present a reading from the book of Ephesians, Chapter 4, Verse 2.

2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

Really quickly, let me ask you all a question. During weddings and if there is a bible verse or some type of reading that is read, how often do you think about the message or meaning behind it? If you're anything like me, probably never because you're probably just really anxious to fall in line for a drink at cocktail hour once the ceremony is over right? Well, this time around is different for me since I'm the one up here officiating a wedding. With that said, I felt it was necessary to do some research. I used Google, Youtube, and other social media outlets to try and help me think of what to say about this reading and this is my interpretation –

A marriage is like a cup of hot coffee….if you leave it alone, it will get cold. JANINE and JEREL, don't ever let your coffee get cold. I've heard that some people like to put water in a kettle and leave it on the stove top for at least 30 minutes, some even up to an hour or longer just to make it extra hot. However, if all you can manage is 2 minutes in the microwave, that’s ok too! No matter what it is you do to keep your coffee hot, just make sure you always put sugar in it to make it sweet, always put creamer in it to make it smooth, and lastly, keep stirring it. Stir it until you gently combine all of the ingredients and finally make a nice brown grand baby for all of your parents…I MEAN nice brown cup of coffee…

JANINE and JEREL, all jokes aside, true love requires action. You can speak of love all day long. You can write notes or poems that proclaim it, sing songs that praise it, and preach sermons that encourage it, but until you manifest that love in action, your words are nothing but a cold cup of coffee.

Arras, Veil, and Cord Ceremony – (The officiant introduces the Cord, Candle, Arras, and Veil Ceremony.)

Today, the couple has chosen to honor their love with traditional Filipino elements. Today, we will be displaying JANINE and JEREL'S love through the traditional Arras, the Veil, and the Cord.

The Arras is the exchange of coins to represent provision, welfare, and prosperity in married life.

The Cord is shaped in an infinity symbol to represent the bond of everlasting love and fidelity between the couple.

And the Veil is another symbol of the couple’s unity in marriage as they face the world as one.

As is tradition, the couple has invited members of their families and friends to participate in the ceremony. In marriage and in life, love cannot exist in a silo. It needs the nourishment and support of loved ones to stay strong.

Coin Ceremony

I’d like to invite CARMELISA AND DAWNEL to bring up the arras.

Instructions: CARMELISA AND DAWNEL, please open the arras and drop the coins into the hands of JEREL. JEREL, please then drop the coins into the hands of the JANINE and place your hands on top of hers.

Today, JANINE AND JEREL have exchanged the arras between them as a symbol of their commitment and mutual respect for one another. The arras symbolize the sharing of earthly possessions and a promise to build a beautiful future together. It is a pledge to support one another for richer or for poorer, and to create a home that belongs to them both.

Instruction: CARMELISA AND DAWNEL, thank you. Please take back the coins from JANINE and JEREL and you may return to your seats.

Veil Ceremony

I now ask JAMIE AND LISA to join us in the laying of the veil.

This act of laying a veil over you allows you to be clothed as one. Let this veil represent the support from friends and family, who cover you in love in your marriage through good times and bad times. Let their love cloak you and make you stronger, ready to face whatever lies ahead.

Instruction: JAMIE, please pin the veil on the right shoulder of JEREL. LISA, please drape the veil over JANINE'S head and pin it on the left side of her wedding veil. JAMIE AND LISA you may remain standing to the side.

Cord Ceremony

Next, I ask ROSALIE AND KRIS to place the Unity cord over the couple.

This cord symbolizes everlasting love and fidelity. Your love, like this cord, ties you together and intertwines your destinies. You are no longer two, you are united as one, stronger together in the face of adversity and capable of facing anything. Let this cord symbolize the strength of your love, an unbreakable bond which will only grow as time passes.

Instruction: ROSALIE, please place the cord over the head of JEREL so it rests on his shoulders, and KRIS, please drape the cord over the head of JANINE so it rests on her shoulders to create a figure eight. ROSALIE AND KRIS, you may join JAMIE AND LISA and remain standing to the side.

JANINE AND JEREL, today you are choosing to celebrate your love, wholly and unapologetically, celebrating parts of your heritage and full selves. Let the coins be your promise to build together. Let the Veil represent the love that cloaks you and protects you both. And let the cord symbolize your infinite and unbreakable bond.

Removal of the Cord and Veil

I would now like to call back the sponsors to remove the cord and veil.

Cord sponsors, please remove the cord first, followed by the veil. All remaining sponsors return to their seats.

EXCHANGE OF VOWS

JANINE and JEREL, 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, play a game of "ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS" to determine who goes first, and then declare your intentions.

JANINE and JEREL play rock, paper, scissors to determine who starts the vows.

JANINE or JEREL will go first.

(Janine or Jerel reads his/her vows)

JANINE or JEREL will go second.

(Janine or Jerel reads his/her vows)

EXCHANGE OF RINGS

"May I now have the rings?" – get rings from whoever has them

The ring, an unbroken circle, represents un-ending love. As often as either of you look upon these rings, may you be reminded of this moment and the love you have promised to one another.

TO JEREL

JEREL, please place this ring on JANINE's finger and repeat after me:

"JANINE, with this ring, I thee wed, and with it, I bestow upon thee all the treasures of my mind, heart, and hands."

TO JANINE

JANINE, please place this ring on JEREL's finger and repeat after me:

"JEREL, with this ring, I thee wed, and with it, I bestow upon thee all the treasures of my mind, heart, and hands."

TO THE COUPLE

JANINE and JEREL, I want to wish you both much love and happiness as you begin your new journey. Remember to keep lots of laughter in your life and love will never be far behind. Make sure to always keep your coffee hot too!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Alright everyone, just a couple of things for you to know just before we wrap things up.

1st of all, the bride and groom are heading out briefly to sign the wedding certificate and then some photos. They will re-join you all shortly. They have requested members of the wedding party to hang back to join in the pictures.

In the meantime, cocktail hour is about to begin. You are invited to head out to the cocktail area through La Jardin which is to the left. There you will see a bar where cocktails and Hors d'oeuvres will be served. You'll also be listening to wonderful music being played by NATHAN and CHLOE. The reception will follow shortly after that.

Thanks everyone for coming and on behalf of the bride and groom have a wonderful evening! Please party as hard as these two are in love! CAN YOU DO THAT?!

PRESENTATION OF THE COUPLE

JANINE AND JEREL, you have kissed thousands of times before, maybe more. But this time is different. This one will be your first time as husband and wife. And so without further adieu and by the power vested in me by the State of California, it is my honor to declare you "husband and wife"! JEREL, you may kiss your beautiful bride."

(THE COUPLE KISSES)

Family and friends, please stand!

I am proud to present to you, for the first time ever as husband and wife,

MR. AND MRS. BALDOMERO

RECESSIONAL