James Andrew Carrick

Who gives this bride to be married today? (Her mother and I do)

Good afternoon everyone & thank you for coming to this wonderful event,

We are gathered here today in the sight of God, and the presence of friends and loved ones, to celebrate one of life's greatest moments.

We are here to give recognition to the beauty of love that is shared between Sydney and Thomas as they join their family’s in holy matrimony.

Marriage is a contract not to be entered into lightly but thoughtfully and seriously and with a deep realization of the obligations and responsibilities. Marriage is the moment where your hearts and souls are joined together for eternity.

(Prayer:)

Let us pray.

Dear Heavenly Father we humbly come before you today and thank you for your blessings upon these families. We ask that you embrace Sydney and Thomas and give them strength to love each other in good times and bad. Your word says that love is patient, may they be patient with each other. Your love is kind, may they be kind to each other. Your love does not envy, may they not be envious of each other. Your love does not boast, may their relationship be based on humility. Your love does not dishonor others, may they honor each other. Your love is not self-seeking, may they love each other with a selfless love. Please, help them to love each other well. In Jesus Christ our Lord we pray, Amen.

(Unity Sand Ceremony:)

Sydney and Thomas, today you join your separate lives together. The two separate bottles of sand, behind me symbolize your separate lives, separate families and separate sets of friends. They represent all that you are and all that you’ll ever be as an individual. They also represent your lives before today...

As these two containers of sand are poured into the third container, the individual containers of sand will no longer exist, but will be joined together as one. Just as these grains of sand can never be separated and poured again into the individual containers, so will your marriage be.

The bride and groom will now perform the unity sand ceremony...

(Declaration of Intent:)

Ok, now for all the legal stuff...

Would you please face each other and hold hands.

Sydney do you take Thomas to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, honor, and cherish, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live? (Sydney: ( I do ))

Do you Thomas take Sydney to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, honor, and cherish, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live? (Thomas: ( I do ))

(Ok, now for all the legal stuff...

Would you please face each other and hold hands.

Sydney do you take Thomas to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, honor, and cherish, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live? Sydney: ( I do )

Do you Thomas take Sydney to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, honor, and cherish, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live? Thomas: ( I do )

(Ok, now for all the legal stuff...

Would you please face each other and hold hands.

Sydney do you take Thomas to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, honor, and cherish, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live? Sydney: ( I do )

Do you Thomas take Sydney to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, honor, and cherish, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live? Thomas: ( I do )

(Rings:)

May we please have the rings?

(***Take rings into your hand and hold up Sydney’s ring in the air...)

The ring... an unbroken circle... it represents unending 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.

Thomas, please place this ring on Sydney's finger and repeat after me.

Sydney, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love...

and that I'm choosing to share my life's journey with you...

I give you this ring with the pledge..

to love you today, tomorrow, and always.

Sydney, please place this ring on Thomas's finger and repeat after me.

Thomas, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love…

and that I'm choosing to share my life's journey with you...

I give you this ring with the pledge...

to love you today, tomorrow, and always.

Good Job!!! (Smiles)

I, truly want to wish you both much love and happiness

as you begin your new adventure in life together.

Remember to keep lots of laughter in your life..

and love will never be far behind.

(Pronouncement:)

Sydney and Thomas, you have pledged your faith to each other in the company of your family and friends. By the power vested in me by the State of Washington , I now pronounce you husband and wife. Thomas, you may now kiss your beautiful bride. (Kiss)

(***Wait for kiss to end… (Bride and Groom turn to face the crowd))

Family and friends, I am proud to present for the first time as husband and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Hernandez.

(***Bride and Groom Exit...)