Jack Carlson

PROCESSION

(EVERYONE IS SEATED, WEDDING PARTY ENTERS)

INVOCATION

(JACK)

Before we get started, I would like to remind everyone that Marin and Henry hired a wonderful photography team to capture the snapshots of this momentous occasion. As you saw from the signs at the entrance, we respectfully request that this be an unplugged ceremony so please do not take any photos or videos during the ceremony. If I do notice you taking pictures or I hear a phone shutter sound, I will stare at you for an incredibly uncomfortable, awkward amount of time and it will be unpleasant for everyone here. With all that being said…

Dear friends and beloved family…Welcome! Henry and Marin thank you all for being here today.

In this day and age, it is not necessary nor expected and for a recent year or two...legal for a couple to hold a grand, boisterous celebration of their marriage, but I’m sure it comes to no one’s surprise that these two have elected to do exactly that. Foregoing eloping at Big Deep Lake and going back home to tend to Basil’s needs or venturing off to some freshly powder-covered mountain to ski for the 100th time this year…Henry and Marin decided to kick off this new chapter of their lives with a big bang by sharing this extraordinary day with everyone here.

I can genuinely say, both of them recognize and appreciate everyone here and away for being a part of that blessing, while helping to get them to this point today.

Now some of you may be wondering who the hell this boisterous, man-bun sporting schmuck is ordaining these two fine people and why I’m up here delaying your drinking, eating, and general tomfoolery, so at the request of the bride and groom, I will briefly introduce myself.

My name is Jack Carlson, proud and humbled friend to these two wonderful soon-to-be newlyweds. Henry and I met our freshman year at the University of Minnesota as we both planned to be a part of the Delta Chi Fall 2010 pledge class. It only took 4 months that fall semester for Henry and I to become close friends and our friendship exponentially flourished throughout our undergraduate years through living in the Delta Chi house, eating paninis in the Moon Room, attending spring breaks in Copper, Colorado and Panama City Beach, Florida, and a disgusting amount of time playing MarioCart, Super Smash Bros, and Mario Strikers. To their close friends and family, I became that random Edina cake eater who would pow around with Louie and Henry during the summer. Along the way, I met Marin at the yearly 4th of July parties with the Lang and Ekelund families which evolved into a strong friendship enjoying ski trips, cabin weekends, and regular board game nights. Amazingly, all of this culminated with me being lucky enough to buy a house five blocks from theirs in Hopkins. Some call that fate. Others call that alarming and obsessive. You can be the judge.

But little did I know that 13 years and many powerful memories later, these strangers would become like a brother and sister to me; as an only child, it’s difficult for me to communicate how truly profound it is to say that. While Henry, Marin, and I were at LtD Brewing in the spring of last year, I was invited into the wedding party…followed up with these two asking me to ordain them. There may or may not have been a few tears of happiness shed, but I could not begin to describe how much of an honor and privilege it is to be standing here before you in this position, at this moment.

MEMORIAL

Pivoting to a more serious note, We would like to take a moment to honor Henry’s Grandparents, Marin’s Grandparents and her father. Even though they’re not physically with us, they are a key part of the foundation that makes Marin and Henry the people they are today. May we always remember them and all others who live on in our hearts.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone

READING: THE GREAT STORY

(Emily Arndorfer)

Next, we invite Emily Arndorfer up to read a poem by C.S. Lewis.

If I am Fire,

then your arms

are the hearth

that contains me.

If I am a constellation,

then you are the sky

that holds me up.

If I am wanderlust,

Then you are

the destinations

that I seek.

If I am chaos,

then you are

the storm inside of me.

---

Now at last they were beginning Chapter one of the Great Story no one on earth has ever read, which goes on forever; in which every chapter is better than the one before.

--C.S. Lewis

(JACK)

Thank you Emily for that beautiful reading.

SO…Now, for what you all traveled here to experience…please join me in bearing witness to the declaration and spiritual union between Henry and Marin and envelope yourself in the memory we are creating here today.

DECLARATION OF INTENT

(JACK)

Will you, Marin, take Henry to be your lawfully wedded husband,

to support him as a Hufflepuff

through adjusting the order of operations for any task,

in love for Basil,

to get him traveling off this continent,

to continue pushing him beyond his limits,

in not allowing him to burn the house down while cooking,

in support for his family, and building your future family

and in your own words “to continue freakin’ loving that man so much”…

skiing side by side forever?

(MARIN to HENRY)

“I do”

(JACK)

Will you, Henry, take Marin to be your lawfully wedded wife,

to support her as a Hufflepuff,

to continue being her rock and secret keeper,

in love for Basil,

through embarrassing cribbage loss streaks,

in being the perpetual soft place for her to land,

through hangriness,

to continue pushing her beyond her limits,

and in support for her family and building your future family,

skiing side by side forever?

(HENRY to MARIN)

“I do”

(APPLAUSE)

UNITY TREE CEREMONY

As an additional symbol of their love, the couple have elected to plant a tree… signifying the joining of their lives together, proudly displaying the commitment to the symbiotic relationship they have cultivated, giving their time, strength and nurturement. All necessary efforts to allow their marriage to flourish. As they nestle this tree into the earth, we invite Austin Rust up once again, to read a passage from J.R.R. Tolkien.

(As HENRY and MARIN plant tree, Austin reads)

Lo! Young we are and yet have stood

like planted hearts in the great Sun

of Love so long (as two fair trees

in woodland or in open dale

stand utterly entwined and breathe

the airs and suck the very light

together) that we have become

as one, deep rooted in the soil

of Life and tangled in the sweet growth.

J.R.R. Tolkien, printed in Carpenter’s biography, Tolkien (1977)

VOWS

(JACK)

Now, the bride and the groom will read aloud the vows they have personally authored and created together.

(Henry reads vows to Marin)

(Marin reads vows to Henry)

READING: MARRIAGE IS LIKE DISC GOLF

(BY SARAH/ETHAN KOMORASKI)

Now as many of you know, Henry and Marin became avid disc golfers during the pandemic…two people in their lives joined them in developing that hobby and so before we move onto the ring exchange, we invite Sarah and Ethan Komoraski up to read “Marriage is like Disc Golf”

Marin & Henry,

Marriage is like a lifelong round of disc golf at your favorite course with the best playing partner ever.

You might lose a few discs, or you might ace a few baskets. Sometimes it’s frustrating and challenging but remember there’s always the next hole.

Mostly it’s fun and rewarding, and you get to encourage and support each other along the way.

Spice it up with a few shots you’ve never tried before, but always be sure to make your putts.

And remember, it’s not about winning or losing, it’s about doing something

that you love with the person that you love.

Sarah & Ethan

RING EXCHANGE

(JACK)

Both of you elected to exchange rings…to possess a wearable, daily reminder of the love you both declared today… and the love you will cultivate and foster for the rest of your lives. These rings embody the robust, energetic, and durable trust you maintain for each other…while symbolizing your commitment to uphold that trust. The journey to this moment has not been without its challenges. But from the start, you have overcome those obstacles, both big and small, together. Remember what you have learned… dwell on those accomplishments… but never forget that the solution to your problems will always necessitate unwavering efforts in the form of honest communication, decisive action, and an unlimited wealth of support for each other. You two are the Fellowship of these Rings. May they be the light for you in dark places, when all other lights go out. I know I speak for everyone here that we are confident in both of your abilities to uphold the promises and vows dictated here today.

Now, with Henry kicking it off, please exchange your rings.

(HENRY)

I, Henry, give you Marin this ring as a symbol of my love and commitment to ski together forever.

(MARIN)

I, Marin, give you Henry this ring as a symbol of my love and commitment to ski together forever.

PRONOUNCEMENT

(JACK)

Now for the fun part… By the authority vested in me by the Crow Wing County Registrar, the great state of MN and American Marriage Ministries, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Henry, you may kiss your bride.

(APPLAUSE)

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you for the first time… Mrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Henry and Mrs. Marin Madden!!!!!!!!!!

(APPLAUSE)

RECESSION

(PLAY OFF MUSIC, HENRY/MARIN EXIT, WEDDING PARTY EXITS, I EXIT, AUDIENCE IS LED OFF TO WHEREVER USHERS GUIDE THEM)