Dustin Dean Starr

Jessica walks down the isle, I ask who gives this woman to be with this man, Jessica's father Randy Fox advises he does and hands Billy Jessica's hand. Once side by side we will begin the opening ceremony.

We are gathered here in the presence of God, family, and friends to unite Billywayne Kepford and Jessica Fox in holy matrimony. Marriage is an honorable estate, and is therefore not to be entered into lightly, but reverently, advisedly, soberly, and with God’s blessing. Today, they will receive God’s greatest gift; another person to share with, grow with, change with, be joyful with, and to stand with as one when trials and tribulations enter their lives. It is fitting, therefore, that we should on this occasion begin by asking for God’s blessing on this marriage. Let us pray.

Heavenly Father, we gather to celebrate your gift of love, and its presence among us. We rejoice that these two people have chosen to commit themselves to a life of loving faithfulness to one another. We praise you, Lord, for the ways you have touched our lives with loving relationships such as Billy and Jessica’s, and we give thanks for the special love and friendship you have put in their hearts. Renew within us an affectionate and loving spirit.

Enrich our lives with the gracious gift of your love so that we may embrace others with that same love. May our participation in this celebration of love and commitment, give to us a new joy and responsiveness to the relationships that we cherish. In Jesus name, we pray, Amen.

Marriage is a joyous occasion. It is connected in our thoughts with the charm of love, the warmth of home, and with all that is pleasant, as being one of the most important events of our lives. Its sacredness and unity is the most significant and binding covenant known in human relations.

Billy and Jessica, let me charge you both to remember that your future happiness is to be in mutual consideration, patience, kindness, confidence, and affection. It is the duty of each of you to find your greatest joy in the company of the other; to remember that your love pledged today must remain undivided for a lifetime.

It is your duty, Billy, to be to Jessica, a considerate, tender, faithful, and loving husband: to support, guide and cherish her in prosperity and trouble; to thoughtfully and carefully enlarge the place she holds in your life; to constantly show to her the tokens of your affection, to shelter her from danger, and to love her with an unchangeable love.

It is your duty, Jessica, to be to Billy, a considerate, tender, faithful, and loving wife; to comfort, guide and cherish him in prosperity and trouble; to give to him the unfailing pieces of evidence of your affection; and to continue making the place he holds in your heart, broader and deeper; to support him, value him and work with him to make your marriage the very best that it can be.

I call your attention to the seriousness of the decision which you have made and the covenant you are about to declare before God. The vows you are about to take care not to be taken without careful thought, for in them you are committing yourselves exclusively to one another for as long as you both shall live.

If you are ready to assume the obligations and duties before God, as I have defined them, you will unite your hands and pledge your love and your lives to each other.

Billy,

Do you take Jessica, to be you lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, for as long as you both shall live?

Jessica,

Do you take Billywayne, to be your husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, for as long as you both shall live?

Jessica, at this time, you may recite your personal vows you have prepared:

"Jessica recites vows"

Billy, you may now recite your personal vows you have prepared:

"Billy recites vows"

You will now exchange rings as a symbol of the lifelong commitment and abiding love which you as husband and wife have promised to each other.

Billy, please place the ring on Jessica’s finger, and repeat after me.

I give you this ring as a sign of my love and faithfulness.

Jessica, please place the ring on Billy’s finger and repeat after me.

I give you this ring as a sign of my love and faithfulness.

Let us pray:

Eternal God, help Billy and Jessica to fulfill the promises they have made here today and to reflect your steadfast love in their commitment to each other. Give them kindness and patience, affection and understanding, happiness, and contentment. May their family and friends continue to support them in difficult days, so that their love for each other may continue to grow as long as they both shall live. In Jesus name, we pray, Amen

Billy and Jessica, having witnessed your vows for marriage before God and all who are assembled here today, it has been an honor and privilege to be the one who has done this for you and I, along with everyone one here, wish you both nothing but eternal happiness and love that will last forever and a day.

In saying so,

By the power vested in me by the American Marriage Ministries, I now pronounce you husband and wife, Billy, you may kiss your Bride.

Friends and Family, it is my honor to introduce to you for the very first time, Mr. And Mrs. Billywayne Kepford.