Ammie M Gaylor

WELCOME

Welcome! We gather on this divine autumn day to celebrate the love discovered between Stacey and Donna. Autumn reminds us that transition is in our very nature. Like the color of leaves in the fall, their relationship is changing – and we mark that significance with their wedding today. This ceremony will symbolize Stacey and Donna’s transition to their next chapter.

Reading

The Bridge Across Forever by Richard Bach "A soul mate 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 soul mate 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 soul mate is the one who makes life come to life."

At this time, I’d like you to hold hands and meet each other’s gaze. Now, pause for a moment. Notice your heartbeat. Feel your feet on the ground, and just be right here, in this moment, with each other. [Pause] This is your moment, your day – your season!

INTENT

Now I ask you, Stacey and Donna: have you come here without reservation to welcome each other as husband and wife, offering your love, trust, and respect, today, tomorrow, and always? We have.

Vows Your wedding vows are an outward sign of your love and commitment. While there is a legal aspect of this wedding, a signed document does not create a marriage. What creates a marriage is the promises made and kept in your hearts.

As you look lovingly at each other, you’ll speak the promises that you’re pledging for a lifetime.

Stacey, please repeat after me: Today, I give you…my heart to hold…and my life to keep I take you…as my partner in life…and with this promise: I will support you…and encourage you…during the good times…and the trying times. I will laugh with you…and cry with you… And love you faithfully…for all the days and seasons…ahead of us both.

Now Donna, please repeat after me: Today, I give you…my heart to hold…and my life to keep I take you…as my partner in life…and with this promise: I will support you…and encourage you…during the good times…and the trying times. I will laugh with you…and cry with you… And love you faithfully…for all the days and seasons…ahead of us both.

At this time, Stacey & Donna would like to share a few words they have written with each other.

Ring Exchange

Thank you for sharing your personal vows with all of us! It is time for the rings! Your ring exchange will visibly seal the vows you just expressed to each other. Notice that your wedding rings are a circle, the ancient symbol of wholeness. Wear these precious rings as a reminder that your souls are united in your hearts.

Stacey, place the ring on Donna’s finger, and repeat after me:

Donna: I give you this ring as a symbol to the world that you are my lover, and you are my best friend - in all times and in all ways.

Donna, place the ring on Stacey’s finger, and repeat after me:

Stacey: I give you this ring as a symbol to the world that you are my lover, and you are my best friend - in all times and in all ways.

Handfasting Unity Ceremony

At this time, the bride and groom would like to share with you their Handfasting Unity Ceremony. This tradition is rooted in history that dates back centuries: when couples desired to pledge themselves for marriage, they would become “handfast”, or bound together, which loosely means, “to pledge an accord or agreement” and then they are considered betrothed. Additionally, to be handfast symbolizes that their union takes place on a spiritual as well physical level. This ceremony that dates back to 7000 BC would last exactly one year and one day, a sort of a “trial marriage,” and at the end of that period of time, the couple would declare their intent to marry or not. This beautiful ceremony is also the origin of the phrase “tying the knot.”

With each wrap of the cord or ribbon, these two deepen their commitment to each other, vowing to respect and support one another, to grow with each other, and offer each other compassion and understanding. This allows Stacey and Donna to begin their journey to take each new challenge and adventure as it comes, together. Let this bond be strong and loving!

We will begin the handfasting ceremony with the first cord, a gray/silver color, wishing the bride and groom full balance and neutrality, which joins them from two individuals into one, and also allows them both the bliss that encompasses their marriage and the liberty that is the retention of their individuality.

The second cord, ivory/white in color, brings to the union the blessings of truth, serenity and devotion. May the bride and groom find these gifts every day as they begin their love story with the peace and dedication that is shared between Stacey and Donna. [Pull and “tie the knot” here!]

Closing

Stacey and Donna: in closing my wish for you is this:

May your mornings bring joy, and your evenings bring peace.

May your troubles be few as your blessings increase.

May the saddest day of your future be no worse than the happiest day of your past.

May your hands be forever clasped in friendship and your hearts joined forever in love.

Your lives are very special, and God has touched you in many ways.

May His blessings rest upon you and fill all your coming days.

Pronouncement

You have pledged your lifelong commitment to each other, in front of these witnesses here today. By the power vested in me by American Marriage Ministries and the state of Oklahoma, it’s my delight to pronounce you husband and wife!

You may celebrate with a kiss!

It is my honor to introduce to you, for the very first time, Mr. & Mrs. Stacey and Donna Kelley!