Katey A Burnett

PROCESSION

GUESTS ARE SEATED. A DECORATED WEDDING ARCH STANDS AT THE FRONT OF THE ROOM, WHERE THE OFFICIANT WAITS TO BEGIN.

THE COUPLE ENTER TOGETHER OR JOIN EACH OTHER AT THE ALTAR, WALKING DOWN THE AISLE WITH AN ESCORT IF THEY CHOOSE. THE OFFICIANT MOTIONS FOR THE GUESTS TO STAND AS THE COUPLE MAKES THEIR ENTRANCE.

INVOCATION

OFFICIANT TO RECEPTION

You may be seated. Welcome, everyone, and thank you for being here today, as we join this couple for life.

Rick and Veronica have known this moment was coming from the first day they met back in middle school. You’ve heard stories of love at first sight? Well, it was just that way with these two. They may have taken the long way around, but today they will be joined in love forever. Standing in front of each other today – smiling and laughing like old friends from day one – they felt something familiar and extraordinary linking them together, as if they’d always known each other.

It was not long before they were sharing long walks together at moxie falls, staying up all night talking and laughing like 2 wierdos do, and spending weekends talking, dreaming, and planning for the future. Rick likes to say he is the Champ when it comes to food fights and thumb wrestling, but Veronica enjoys the adventure of the game. I wonder if this ceremony will earn him the golden belt of champions?

Rick and Veronica have shared the best and most vulnerable parts of each other over the past three years, supporting each other in every new adventure.

Now they’re ready to start the biggest adventure of all – marriage.

OFFICIANT TO COUPLE

Rick and Veronica, are you ready to take this next step together?

COUPLE TO OFFICIANT

Yes!

OFFICIANT TO RECEPTION

And does anyone here object? (brief pause) If so, you’re free to leave!

VOW EXCHANGE AND DECLARATION OF INTENT

OFFICIANT TO COUPLE

Wonderful! Rick and Veronica, you have our full support as you take your vows. Please turn toward each other and join hands.

OFFICIANT

In the place of the Vows, the couple has asked me to say a few words. So here is my advice to the couple and those here today.

Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens.

A good marriage must be created.

In marriage, the little things are the big things.

It is never being too old to hold hands.

It is remembering to say, "I love you" at least once a day.

It is never going to sleep angry.

It is at no time taking the other for granted;

the courtship should not end with the honeymoon;

it should continue through all the years.

It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives.

It is standing together facing the world.

It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family.

It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy.

It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.

It is not expecting the husband to wear a halo or the wife to have the wings of an angel.

It is not looking for perfection in each other.

It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humor.

It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.

It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow.

It is finding room for the things of the Spirit.

It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.

It is establishing a relationship in which independence is equal, dependence is mutual, and obligation is reciprocal.

It is not only marrying the right partner, but also being the right partner.

RING EXCHANGE

OFFICIANT TO COUPLE

Rick and Veronica, these wedding rings symbolize eternal love and devotion, and will serve as a reminder of the promises you have made here. Wear them with pride – for the challenges you have overcome together, your integrity and commitment to each other, and for the life you are building for the future. Let these rings remind you of how blessed you are to have one another.

OFFICIANT TO PARTNER A

Rick, place this ring on Veronica’s finger please and say, “With this ring I marry you.”

OFFICIANT TO PARTNER B

Veronica, place this ring on Ricks’s finger please and say, “With this ring I marry you.”

PRONOUNCEMENT

OFFICIANT TO COUPLE

Beautiful! Rick and Veronica, you’ve exchanged vows and the gift of rings as a promise of your love and commitment. It is my great honor and privilege to now pronounce you married!

I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU HUSBAND AND WIFE.

MR. AND MRS. GOULD!

You may now kiss!

RECESSIONAL

CROWD CHEERS AND THE COUPLE EXITS DOWN THE AISLE HOLDING HANDS.