Rachael Marie Morin

Good evening, everyone. The bride would LOVE to see everyone’s smiling faces and NOT their phone screens when she is walking down the aisle so I ask that you please hold all photography until after the ceremony. Thank you.

Please stand.

Before we begin, there are a few loved ones who are unable to be here with us tonight, and others whose absence we feel every day.

Let us take a moment of silence to honor them with love.

[10-15 seconds]

Thank you. You may be seated.

Invocation

Welcome, everyone. Family, friends. We are gathered here today to celebrate the love between Carly Regis Muller and Frank Joseph DeCusati Jr.

And what a magical setting we find ourselves in. For more than 90 years, this theater has captivated audiences through storytelling. And tonight, we get to be part of another epic tale.

It’s about a boy and a girl. Both looking for love, both equal parts apprehensive and optimistic about the possibility of finding it online.

But find it online, they did. Six years ago, Frank and Carly matched on a dating app and decided to meet face to face.

And although she was going out with a complete stranger, Carly famously lied about where Frank was taking her on their first date.

If you’re sitting there thinking to yourself “why would she do that?”

Well, folks… have you met our family????

Yes, she was willing to take her chances over the possibility of Cathy, Clint or Chris showing up and trying to get a look at this new guy that had her all excited.

But you know what, the fact that you both are standing here today is proof — proof that the Tinder algorithm is highly effective… proof that not all men on dating apps are serial killers, and proof that a date at Plan B can one day turn into your Plan A.

I think anyone who spends time with these two walks away feeling like they couldn’t dream up a more perfect pair. But in case you need additional convincing, the other week, I asked Carly and Frank to separately send me their draft vows… well, let me tell you these two are so in sync, what they wrote was nearly identical.

And I just sat there smiling to myself thinking, how wonderful that my cousin — kind and beautiful inside and out — found someone just as wonderful and thoughtful and witty as her.

Frank, Carly loves the way you make her laugh… your honesty and loyalty… and the ways in which you know her better than she knows herself.

Carly, Frank loves how you make him feel at ease… the way you’re always there for him… and the way you brighten every room you enter with your care and kindness.

Carly and Frank, this is one of those moments you wait for your whole life. One that Clint, Cathy, Elaine and Frank have been preparing you for through their own example each and every day.

And I simply can’t think of two people who are better prepared for the journey.

Reading

And now, I’d like to invite Frank’s Aunt, Janet DeCusati, to share a reading for the couple.

Vow Exchange

Thank you, Janet.

Frank and Carly will now share vows that they’ve chosen to write.

Carly vows

Frank vows

Declaration of Intent

Carly and Frank, you are about to promise your lifelong love and devotion to one another. And so, I ask…

Do you, Carly, take Frank to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, in good times and bad, for as long as you both shall live?

I do

Do you, Frank, take Carly to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, in good times and bad, for as long as you both shall live?

I do

Ring Exchange

The bride and groom will now exchange rings as a symbol of their love and fidelity.

Carly, please place this ring on Frank’s finger and repeat after me.

Frank, I give you this ring. As a symbol of my love. And that I am choosing to share my life’s journey with you. I give you this ring, with the promise. To love you today, tomorrow, always and forever.

Frank, please place this ring on Carly’s finger and repeat after me.

Carly, I give you this ring. As a symbol of my love. And that I am choosing to share my life’s journey with you. I give you this ring, with the promise. To love you today, tomorrow, always and forever.

Blessing

As often as you look at these rings, may you be reminded of this moment and the love you have pledged to one another.

May you always see and encourage the best in each other.

May the challenges life brings your way make your marriage even stronger, and may you always be each other’s best friend and greatest confidante.

Pronouncement

Carly and Frank, you have pledged your faith to one another in the company of your closest friends and family.

And so, by the power vested in me by the American Marriage Ministries and the State of Connecticut, I now pronounce you husband and wife.

You may now kiss the bride!