Saniya A Miller

Family and Friends welcome and thank you all for joining us for this joyous occasion. Together we are gathered here to witness a truly special ceremony: the union of Michelle and Candice before the universe. My name is Sam, and I am honored to be the officiant since I know the couple personally. This day has been a long time coming and I know we are all excited to get things started. At this time, I ask that everyone please limit cell phone usage during the ceremony and put them on silent. We are going to have a great time celebrating so without further ado lets gets started.

WELCOME STATEMENT:

My warmest welcome again to everyone here. Please be seated.

Michelle and Candice, today we celebrate the power of your love and the strength of your bond. Take a moment to look around at the many friendly faces before you. Know that all are here to offer love, support, and encouragement as you embark on this incredible journey together; myself included (you may face each other). This is my first time being an officiant, please bear with me. I was so inclined to take this opportunity because of my love for this couple. I have been a first-hand witness of their love and commitment. I met Candice and Michelle about six years ago through my wife; Michelle’s best friend and a fellow bridesmaid. Thus, making me a part of their fantastic journey. The journey and the story of Candice and Michelle started in high school. Here we have high school sweethearts who are truly soulmates. There are few greater joys in life than finding someone with whom we truly ‘click’. In that spirit, I will now share a short reading on soulmates from author Richard Bach:

“ A soulmate is someone who has locks that fit our keys, and keys to fit our locks. When we feel safe enough to open the locks, our truest selves step out and we can be completely and honestly who we are; we can be loved for who we are and not for who we’re pretending to be. Each unveils the best part of the other. No matter what else goes wrong around us, with that one person we’re safe in our own paradise. Our soulmate is someone who shares our deepest longings, our sense of direction. When we’re two balloons, and together our direction is up, chances are we’ve found the right person. Our soulmate is the one who makes life come to life.”

WEDDING SPEECH:

Michelle and Candice as you stand here today before the universe, realize that you are preparing to celebrate one of life’s greatest gifts, the depths of which you have only begun to explore. Your level of love and commitment is something that many seek, but not everyone finds. The bond you share is a rarity in this world, and its fruits more valuable than any precious stone or metal.

Marriage, of course, is more than a formal exchange of rings. It is a sacred and solemn promise to one another that no matter what, you’re in this together. Life is full of surprises – both positive and negative. By nature, it’s impossible to know what is around the next bend. However, with a trusted partner by your side, you may take comfort in the unknown. Whatever storms may come, you will weather them together. That is the beauty of love; not only does it cradle us when we are feeling weak and tired, it creates a solid foundation on which we can always rely.

Henceforth, your lives will become permanently intertwined. The union you form today is built to withstand any, and all challenges. Through sorrow and joy, through failure and success, through despair and triumph, your bond will persevere- buoyed by the everlasting love you share. With the vows exchanged today, you will both finalize this promise and begin life anew, together.

DEDICATION:

As we gather here under the universe, let us also recognize the seriousness of the occasion. Marriage is a profound, sincere commitment, and one worthy of our reverence.

Love is the soil from which life itself grows. As Carl Sagan famously wrote:

“The world is so exquisite with so much love and moral depth. We should remain grateful every day for the brief but magnificent opportunity that life provides. The sum of all our evolution, our thinking and our accomplishments is love.”

I will now invite the couple to exchange their vows.

DECLARATION:

Michelle and Candice please hold hands

Michelle, do you take Candice as your wife and your companion? Do you promise to share her laughter during the good times and wipe her tears during the bad, from this day forward?

Candice, do you take Michelle as your wife and companion? Do you promise to share her laughter during the good times and wipe her tears during the bad, from this day forward?

RING EXCHANGE:

The wedding ring is a symbol of the unending power of love between two beings. Its circular shape has no beginning and no end, representing a boundless spiritual connection. The rings should be worn proudly as a symbol of the commitment between you and your spouse. Even when you find yourselves apart, your rings will provide a powerful reminder of the eternal love you share.

Candice place the ring on Michelle’s finger and please repeat after me:

With this ring I Candice

commit my love to you Michelle

for all time

giving you all that I am and all that I will be

Please accept it as a symbol of my love.

Michelle place the ring on Candice’s finger and repeat after me

With this ring, I, Michelle

commit my love to you Candice

for all time

giving you all that I am and all that I will be

Please accept it as a symbol of my love.

PRONOUNCEMENT:

Family and friends by the power vested in me by the State of New York I now formally pronounce Michelle and Candice to be wife and wife.

Let us celebrate their union!

KISS:

The brides may now kiss