Danielle Alisa Gaye

We are gathered here today to celebrate one of life's greatest moments, the blending of two hearts, the joining of Jacob and Mario in marriage.

We have come together to witness the union of these two hearts. Out of the routine of ordinary life, the extraordinary has happened. Jacob and Mario met, fell in love, and are celebrating as much with their wedding today.

Jacob and Mario, life is given to each of us as individuals, and yet we must learn to live together. Love is given to us by our family and friends - we learn to love by being loved. Learning to love and living together is one of the greatest challenges of life; and it is the shared goal of a married life.

Bible Passage

As the Bible tells us in 1st Corinthians 13:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

Vows (Face each other and hold hands.)

Jacob says his vows. Mario says his vows.

I Do’s

Do you, Jacob, take Mario to be your husband? ("I do.")

Do you promise to cherish and protect him, whether in good fortune or in adversity, and to seek with him a life of love? ("I do.")

Do you, Mario, take Jacob to be your husband? ("I do.")

Do you promise to cherish and protect him, whether in good fortune or in adversity, and to seek with him a life of love? ("I do.")

Ring Exchange (Who has the rings?)

The ring symbolizes the unbroken circle of love. Love freely given has no beginning and no end, no giver and no receiver - for each is the giver and each is the receiver. May these rings remind you of the vows you have taken.

(Repeat after me.)

I, Jacob, take thee, Mario, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, in joy and in sorrow, and I promise my love to you. With this ring, I take you as my husband, for as long as we both shall live.

I, Mario, take thee, Jacob, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, in joy and in sorrow, and I promise my love to you. With this ring, I take you as my husband, for as long as we both shall live.

7 Blessings

We praise You, God, Ruler of the universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine.

We praise You, God, Ruler of the universe, Creator of all things for Your glory.

We praise You, God, Ruler of the universe, Creator of man and woman.

We praise You, God, Ruler of the universe, who creates us to share with You in life's everlasting renewal.

We praise You, God, who causes Zion to rejoice in her children's happy return.

We praise You, God, who causes loving companions to rejoice. May these loving companions rejoice as have Your creatures since the days of Creation.

We praise You, God, Ruler of the universe, Creator of joy and gladness, friends and lovers, love and kinship, peace and friendship. O God, may there always be heard in the cities of Israel and in the streets of Jerusalem: the sounds of joy and happiness, the voice of loving couples, the shouts of young people celebrating, and the songs of children at play. We praise you, God, who causes lovers to rejoice together.

Closing Prayer

Bless their marriage, O God, as they begin their journey down the road of life together. We don't know what lies ahead for the road turns and bends. But help them to make the best of whatever comes their way.

Help them to continue to enjoy each other as they did when they first met. Help them to realize that nothing nor no one is perfect and to look for the good in all things and all people including themselves.

Help them to respect each other's likes and dislikes, opinions and beliefs, hopes and dreams and fears even though they may not always understand them.

Help them to learn from each other and to help each other to grow mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

Help them to realize that no matter what happens to them they will hold on to each other and know that things have a way of working out for the good.

Help them to create for their children a peaceful, stable home of love as a foundation on which they can build their lives.

But most of all, dear God, help them to keep lit the torch of love that they now share so that by their loving example they may pass on the light of love to their children and to their children's children forever. Amen.

Glass Breaking

The final act of this ceremony is the shattering of the glass.

This old custom has many traditions, with many interpretations. At one time it was meant to scare off demons that frequent celebrations (or pesky wedding guests). Today, the fragility of the glass suggests the frailty of human relationships. Just as permanent and final as the breaking of this glass is unchangeable. The glass is broken to protect this marriage with the implied prayer. “May your bond of love be as difficult to break, as it would be to put back together these pieces of glass.”

Knowing that this marriage is permanent, Jacob and Mario should strive every day to show each other love and respect and happiness.

After Jacob and Mario break the glass, I invite everyone to shout the Hebrew words, “Mazel Tov,” meaning “Good Luck” and “Congratulations.” (Jacob and Mario stomp on the glass.)

The Kiss

I now pronounce you Husband and Husband.

You may kiss your Groom.

I would like to introduce the happy couple - Mr. and Mr. Gutierrez.