Nicholas R Parker

PROCESSIONAL

OFFICIANT TO THE GUESTS

Welcome to those here today serving as witness to the joining of Angela and Aaron in marriage. Your presence at this ceremony is important to them, and they thank you for standing with them today, and always.

INVOCATION

OFFICIANT TO THE GUESTS

Marriage means different things to different people. For some, the idea of getting married - or married again - is a terrifying thought. Many of you here today probably thought this day may never come, including Angela and Aaron. But after a lot of “nopes” and "not getting marrieds" and "never going to happens" and, finally, "maybe after 10 years" from the bride and groom, here they are as bride and groom, because after swearing off marriage for years, Aaron surprised Angela with a proposal in front of the Christmas tree a little over two years ago.

When Angela asked me to marry them, we talked about life and how, as we get older and have new experiences with the right people, we start to view things differently. Hardened beliefs we thought would stand with us forever, suddenly start to soften, or fade entirely, as we grow into wiser, more complete versions of ourselves. The next thing she knew, celebrations of love like being in her friend's wedding or celebrating her parent's anniversary, those things suddenly felt much more profound than in the past. So... here we are.

In my first meeting with Angela and Aaron as a couple, it was evident that these two strong-willed individuals were a perfect Match.com. Even though I could only hear every 4th or 5th word (grrrr technology), I could see the smiles on their faces and the way they interacted with each other. Happiness radiated through the screen that day, it radiates through them here today, and I am confident it will radiate through them for all their tomorrows. Because what Aaron and Angela both realized is the thought of marriage is no longer terrifying when you've found the person you're meant to be with.

DECLARATION OF INTENT

OFFICIANT TO THE COUPLE

Angela and Aaron, Please face one another, and join hands.

OFFICIANT TO ANGELA:

Do you, Angela, take Aaron to be your lawfully wedded husband? Do you promise to love him, and comfort him, honor him, and keep him in sickness and in health, for richer and for poorer, for better or for worse and be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?

ANGELA: I do.

OFFICIANT TO AARON:

Do you, Aaron, take Angela to be your lawfully wedded wife? Do you promise to love her, and comfort her, honor her, and keep her in sickness and in health, for richer and for poorer, for better or for worse and be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?

AARON: I do.

EXCHANGE OF RINGS / VOWS

OFFICIANT TO GUEST WHO HOLDS RINGS

May we have the rings, please?

THE WEDDING RINGS ARE GIVEN TO THE COUPLE

OFFICIANT TO COUPLE

These rings, each individual in their design, are a unified symbol of your marriage to the world. May they also be a daily reminder of your own individual promises, as well as your vow to stand together.

OFFICIANT TO THE RECEPTION / ANGELA

The couple has written their own vows and will exchange them along with the rings.

Angela, please deliver the vows you have prepared for Aaron.

ANGELA'S VOWS. ANGELA PLACES THE RING ON AARON'S HAND.

OFFICIANT TO AARON

Aaron, please deliver the vows you have prepared for Angela.

AARON'S VOWS. AARON PLACES THE RING ON ANGELAS'S HAND.

UNITY CEREMONY

OFFICIANT TO THE RECEPTION

Before each of you is a container of glass crystals, each represents your separate lives, your friends, your families. I will ask that you each pour the contents within your own vase into the middle vase together. As the glass from each individual vase is blended together it symbolizes the joining of your separate lives, friends and family, into one union, the beginning of your journey as husband and wife.

This combined glass will be taken by an artist and blown into a beautiful vase, never to be separated again, so may your marriage be.

THE COUPLE DOES AS INSTRUCTED.

PRONOUNCEMENT

OFFICIANT TO COUPLE

Angela and Aaron, you have pledged your commitment in matrimony, vowing to stand beside and support one another through all things.

According to the powers vested in me by American Marriage Ministries and the State of Minnesota, I now pronounce you Husband & Wife.

AARON, YOU MAY KISS THE BRIDE.

INTRODUCTION OF THE NEWLYWEDS

OFFICIANT TO THE GUESTS

It is my pleasure and privilege to introduce Mr. and Mrs. Aaron and Angela Spardone!

RECESSION / RECESSIONAL

END OF THE WEDDING CEREMONY.