Jason C Haire

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

*Cell phones – on silent. Come on groomsmen – check ‘em. No pictures. Leave it to

Proffessionals.

*Sign hearts for couple

*After ceremony – immediate family remain. Rest enjoy the cocktail s until wedding

Party has finished with pictures, etc.

With that being said, Let’s begin.

** OFFICIANT (TO CONGREGATION):

Good evening everyone, we are so excited you could make it today to witness this special celebration of love. Makayla and Jacob are happy you took the time out of your busy and/or usual routines to share this happy moment with them. Are you ready for them to get married?

Before we get going, We’d like to take a moment to remember those who are not with us here today. Those who couldn't attend and those who have passed away. We know they are here in spirit.

Ok..from what my wife says – Tears are a sign of weakness.

There are almost 8 billion people in the world and most of them are not here at this wedding. How special does that make you? Out of the billions of people living on the planet earth Makayla and Jacob have asked you to join them as they enter into the amazing institution of marriage. I always wondered why they called it an institution. Kinda sounds negative doesn’t it? But, institutions contribute to stability, especially in times of uncertainty, and help anchor expectations. The most important institution is family. Makayla and Jacob look around…I think you have that base covered.

Finding “the one” out of all the people in the entire world should be impossible! But these two found each other! What are the chances? Think about that for a minute. We’ll wait…stop I’m Just kidding.

But seriously - I don’t know. What are the chances? I’m not great at math – but it seems pretty unlikely. Yet, here they are, in front of their friends and family making the impossible seem not only possible, but inevitable.

You fell in love by chance, but you're here today because you're making a choice. You both are choosing each other. You've chosen to be with someone who enhances you, who makes you think, makes you smile, and makes every day brighter. Love doesn’t mean you will always agree, see eye to eye or never have an argument. It means despite the bad days you still can’t see yourself without that person.

Was it destiny? Did all the planets align correctly? Divine decree? Total dumb luck? Who cares? The important thing is… it is happening! Makayla and Jacob are getting married. Today! Right now! No, really. Right now! You ready? Let them hear it!

Now…I was informed that the word “OBEY” was not needed in the vows. It was not supposed to be mentioned. I don’t know Jacob…looks like we might need to re-think your vows.

You're about to make promises to each other that you intend to keep. You're going to vow to take care of each other, to stand up for one another, and find happiness in each other no matter what you’re going through. There's a simple premise to each of these promises: you're vowing to be there. 100%. You're teaming up and saying to the other, “Every experience I am going to have, I want you to be a part of it. Good or bad, we are in it together.”

(Have couple hold hands)

These are the hands of your best friend, young, strong and full of love for you. Those are the hands that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever…

Ok…that’s enough touching for now. Geesh ! Slow down you two…good lord. We are just getting started.

The couple standing here are not the only ones I will request a response from today. The congregation will be charged with a question or two in which a response of “We will” would be amazing. Think we can do that? Let’s give it a try. Ready…1..2..3 “We Will”. Awesome. So far today y’all are my favorite crowd.

Declaration of Intent

OFFICIANT (TO CONGREGATION):

As Makayla and Jacob step into marriage, we ask that their families and friends continue to show their support just as you have done so by being here today. It is true, marriage is not always an easy path - but it is the most rewarding. The support of a loving community can make all the difference. So, when that first big fight comes, please pick up the phone. Offer a little guidance, support, a non-judgmental ear …and maybe some wine.

We know that Makayla and Jacob have it within them to reap every reward this marriage will bring them. Do you agree to support them on this awesome journey?

CONGREGATION:

We will!

Regardless of how you first met these two, Makayla and Jacob are happy you made it here, to show your love and support for this momentous occasion… And of course to get some free food!

As they share the next decades of their life together, they’re going to experience their fair share of ups and downs. We all have - right? It all comes down to how you handle the situation. It is hard to go through things alone especially if you are married. You have no support. You have to be a team. Team Trapp!! There is no such thing as the perfect marriage. TV makes everything look so easy you know. Marriage is work. You have two imperfect, stubborn weird individuals who agree that their weirdness is compatible and agree that’s the person they can’t live without. Think about it this way – you don’t marry the person you can live with, you marry the person you can’t live without. That’s called Love. That was pretty good huh…came up with that all on my own. YES!

Anyway…allow me a little time here folks. We are going in a different direction for a bit…

Makayla and Jacob are like chips and guacamole, peanut butter and jelly, chocolate syrup and milk! I know right now you are thinking why did we ask him to do this? Think about it. You just can’t have one without the other!!! Once you put them together, you can’t take them apart. They’re better together and bonded for life.

So now I’m going to ask them if they’re willing to do this little experiment with me, with all of us, and publicly validate their love and commitment to one another.

Are you two ready?

OFFICIANT HOLDS UP A BOTTLE OF CHOCOLATE SYRUP AND A CUP OF MILK, AND OFFERS THEM TO THE COUPLE.

THE COUPLE LAUGH AND ACCEPT, ONE TAKING THE CHOCOLATE SYRUP AND ONE TAKING THE GLASS OF MILK.

THE CHOCOLATE SYRUP IS POURED INTO THE MILK, AND THE OFFICIANT OFFERS A SPOON TO STIR IT WITH. ONCE IT’S MIXED, THE COUPLE BOTH TAKE A SIP!

OFFICIANT GESTURES TO THE GLASS OF CHOCOLATE MILK

EXCHANGE OF VOWS AND DECLARATION OF INTENT

OFFICIANT TO COUPLE

Delicious! Right? Just like your love for each other. Once the syrup and milk are combined, think about how hard it would be to separate them. You can hang on to that, in case you get thirsty during the rest of the ceremony. On second thought, I’ll keep it in case you make a mess. That won’t look good in the pictures.

Now to the vows…they exchanged theirs earlier in a private ceremony. So we will do the condensed version here.

OFFICIANT TO MAKAYLA

Makayla, do you take Jacob to be your lawfully wedded husband, your one true love, your faithful companion, your best friend and biggest supporter?

I do

OFFICIANT TO JACOB

Jacob, do you take Makayla to be your lawfully wedded wife, your one true love, your faithful companion, your best friend and biggest supporter?

I do.

Now…on to the rings. Thought about this for a bit. Thought about some funny jokes then decided nope not doing it. Yeah right…Who am I kidding…

Jacob tried to avoid this day by blowing his own hand off. I know – I know that’s not right. But it’s funny.

Thank you I’ll be here all evening. Be sure to tip your waiters.

Ring Exchange

OFFICIANT (TO CONGREGATION):

May I please have the two rings?

This is a ring, and this is a ring. 1 + 1 = 2, right? But these two individual rings are a grand symbol of the final numbers we’re considering on this very special day. 2 separate rings create the very special bond of husband and wife, a married couple. So, in this case 1 + 1 = an even greater 1….Like I said I’m not that great at math but it all works out in the end.

Couple face each other

Repeat after me - Groom

In front of our friends and family gathered here, I promise to love you from this day forward, and cherish you in good and bad times, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, I promise to put down the toilet seat – and to replace the toilet roll when it’s empty, and to never, ever, ever forget our wedding anniversary or your birthday, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part.

Repeat after me - Bride

In front of our friends and family gathered here, I promise to love you from this day forward and cherish you in good times and in bad, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, for even poorer when I’ve been shopping, and when you forget to put the toilet seat down, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part.

Notice how I didn’t say obey? I was threatened with my life. It’s not one over the other. You don’t submit, comply, surrender, etc…

Love is - Your partner’s happiness being essential to your own. Jacob I have 4 words of advice for you – Come on congregation say it with me - Happy wife Happy life.

For the Unity portion of the ceremony…Makayla and Jacob will now do their branding ceremony.

As _______ comes up with the iron, let me just say branding signifies identity and a sense of belonging.

Today, gathered among family and friends, Makayla and Jacob will make their own brand together. As a sign of their love for each other, little Wyatt, the intertwining of their lives, and the fire that burns within their souls for each other, they will brand their piece of wood/hyde. Let me say this..Once you have branded your wood/hyde, there’s no turning back. As with this brand, once forged, it cannot be undone. Let this be a token for all to see displayed proudly in your home.

The Pronouncement

OFFICIANT (TO COUPLE):

Remember this, as you head out into the world as newlyweds -- Keep your home full of laughter and happiness (with Wyatt in the picture how can you not be happy?), your fridge full of good food and drinks, and your hearts full of honesty. If you can do this, I promise you’ll have an amazing life. Looking at the two of you, I can see it clearly; my impossible math works! 1 + 1 truly does equal an even greater 1; that of an officially married couple.

To the couple == That’s it, you did it, you’re married! Man I am good. Let me warn you about what happens next. I move out of the way…

You have kissed a thousand times before, but this one is different. This one sets the tone moving forward. It will be the first one as husband and wife.

Jacob – Don’t mess it up! You may kiss your bride.

Settle down…settle down.

(Move back into my position)

Alright – how is everyone doing out there? Happy to be here to witness this special occasion?

Ok - Ok settle down. We’re not done.

Closing Statement

OFFICIANT (TO COUPLE):

I leave you with this…

There will be good days and there will be bad. I wish you so many more good than bad. But on days both good and bad I want you to remember how lucky you both are to have beaten the odds and found one another. Let that make the bad days less bad and the good days that much sweeter. Talk about a mouthful. Remember, you don’t need to be on the same wavelength to succeed in marriage. You just need to be able to ride each other’s waves.

I want you to take a few seconds to look into each other’s’ eyes. Think about that happiness you’re feeling in this place, in this moment. Really let that feeling register in your heart and in your mind. Now, look out at your family and friends. Always remember, they are here to support your dreams, your goals, your marriage and the next chapter of your love story.

As the old Irish blessing goes:

May the road rise to meet you,

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

The rains fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

And so, the moment you all have been waiting for. Can I get Yaya and Wyatt to join me up here please?

By the power invested in me (your amazing host for the evening), the great State of Texas and the American Marriage Ministries, Wyatt, and I are extremely honored and blessed to officially pronounce Jacob and Makayla as the new Mr and Mrs Trapp. Let them hear it! Oh come on you can do better than that.

Bride and groom walk away.

Remind immediate family to stick around.