David Walter Goreschak

The Wedding of Makayla and Luke Yarbrough

December 2nd, 2022 at 5:30pm MST

BEFORE CEREMONY

[TO THE AUDIENCE]

Ladies and gentlemen, good evening! My name is David Goreschak. I am one of Luke’s cousins on his mother’s side, and I’ve been asked to perform the ceremony here tonight. We’re about to get started but before we do I wanted to kindly ask you all to silence any electronic devices you may have with you, as not to distract from the ceremony. Thank you very much, and please stand.

OPENING

[TO THE AUDIENCE]

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness and celebrate the joining together of Makayla and Luke in holy matrimony. We come together not to mark the start of a new relationship, but to acknowledge and strengthen the bond that already exists between them. This ceremony is a public affirmation of that bond and as their dearest friends and family, it is our honor and privilege to witness this event.

And so I’ll ask, who gives this woman to be married to this man?

Makayla’s Father: Her mother and I.

[TO THE COUPLE]

Makayla and Luke, this day is made possible not only because of your love for each other, but through the grace and support of your all who have gathered here today. It is our hope that your fulfillment and joy in each other will increase with each passing year.

Marriage is a commitment in life, where two people can find and bring out the very best in each other. It offers opportunities for sharing and growth that no other human relationship can equal, a physical and emotional joining that has the promise of a lifetime.

PRAYER

Let us bow our heads in prayer.

Lord, we thank you for allowing everyone to gather here today. We ask that you help Makayla and Luke remember the love that they share; and continue to demonstrate it, so that nothing can divide them. May their love always inspire them to be kind in their words, considerate of the other’s feelings, and concerned for the other’s needs and wishes. Increase their faith and trust in You and bless their marriage with peace and happiness so that the words of their mouths and the meditation of their hearts be acceptable unto you, both here and in eternity.

Amen. 

STORYTIME

Please be seated.

[TO THE AUDIENCE]

I have to be honest, this is always my favorite part of the ceremony. Because I get to tell the couple’s story for them, in front of all their family and friends.

So let’s a moment, and transport ourselves back in time to the summer of 2017...

Donald Trump was in his first year as President… North Korea was launching missiles regularly… a mass shooting in Las Vegas shook the country… and Colin Kaepernick caused uproar within the NFL by kneeling during the national anthem…

But perhaps most importantly, Makayla, a saxophone player, attended her first marching band practice heading into her freshman year of high school. And Luke, also a saxophone player, happened to be sitting in the same section.

At first, they didn’t talk much. But it wasn’t long before the tension started to ease, and Makayla was drawn to Luke’s quick wit, light-hearted demeanor, and well let’s face it, he was also a football player.

By the band season of the next year, they were casually texting back and forth, though neither had confessed that they had feelings for the other. These short conversations went on for some time, but the feelings continued to grow.

It wasn’t until Makayla lost a bet, which resulted in her buying Luke a Wendy’s Frosty, for Luke to confess to her that he had had a crush on her for some time. The date was June 3rd of 2019, and that became their first date.

Over the next three years, their love started to flourish. They shared dates, laughs, birthdays, tears, holidays, and memories for twelve seasons. Then, on their third anniversary, on June 3rd of this year, Luke asked a question that would change their life forever.

They had planned to go fishing, but the weather had other plans. They decided to go for lunch, and a quick hike at Fox Run Park. After hiking deep in the woods, they stopped for a brief moment to catch their breath and enjoy the scenery. It was then that Makalya noticed Luke’s heart was racing, and just minutes later he knelt down on knee and asked her to marry him.

Of course, she said yes!

[TO THE COUPLE]

And well, Makayla and Luke, now we’re here! Not quite six months later, and your closest family and friends are gathered to witness and celebrate another major milestone in your lives, and the relationship you share.

DECLARATION OF CONSENT

[TO MAKAYLA]

So Makayla, do you take Luke to be your husband; to live together in holy matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health; and forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?

Makayla: I do.

[TO LUKE]

And Luke, do you take Makayla to be your wife; to live together in holy matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health; and forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?

Luke: I do.

[TO THE AUDIENCE]

Dearest family and friends, Makalya and Luke have demonstrated in your presence today, their belief in their love, and their desire to live together in marriage.

If you also believe in their love and you wish to add your blessing to their marriage today, please respond by saying, “we do”.

Audience: We do. 

READINGS

Now, as it is God who brought you two together, knowing what you both needed to make you complete, let us be reminded of his words from First Corinthians.

If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so as to move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

For love is patient, love is kind; it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.

Love never ends.

But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

VOWS

[TO THE AUDIENCE]

The couple has decided to write and recite their own vows here for each other today.

[TO LUKE]

Luke, take Makayla’s hand in yours, and when you’re ready, recite your vows.

[TO MAKALYA]

Makalya, take Luke’s hand in yours, and recite your vows to him.

EXCHANGE OF RINGS

[TO THE AUDIENCE]

And now, Makayla and Luke will exchange wedding rings. As the maid of honor and best man bring the rings forward, I want to speak to the couple about the rings.

These wedding rings serves as a symbol of the promises you have just spoken. They are the outward and visible sign of an inward and invisible love that binds your two hearts together. But it is also a symbol of God. He is without beginning and without end—He is eternal.

As you can see, the ring is without beginning and without end. So this exchange of rings not only reminds us of the unending love you have for each other, but also reflects the eternal love God has for each of you.

Luke, please place the ring on Makayla’s finger and repeat after me.

I give you this ring as a sign of my love and faithfulness.

Makayla, please place the ring on Luke’s finger and repeat after me.

I give you this ring as a sign of my love and faithfulness.

LIGHTING OF THE UNITY CANDLE

[TO THE COUPLE]

Makayla and Luke, these two candles, that your mothers lit at the beginning of the ceremony, symbolize your separate lives. Your separate families, friends, experiences, thoughts, and feelings.

But today is the day where you are forever joined in marriage. Please light the unity candle at the center of the table, and remember that as you join hands to do so, that is represents the light the two of you will now bring into the world as one.

From this moment forward, you will never be alone. You will carry with you the love of another person, giving you a completeness and renewed lightness.

CLOSING

[TO THE AUDIENCE]

Let us close out in prayer.

Eternal God, help Makayla and Luke to fulfill the promises they have made here today and to reflect your steadfast love in their commitment to each other. Give them kindness and patience, affection and understanding, happiness and contentment. May their family and friends continue to support them in difficult days, so that their love for each other may continue to grow as long as they both shall live.

And now, let us all the Lord’s prayer together.

Our Father who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done on earth, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us,

and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory,

forever and ever, Amen.

Makayla and Luke, having witnessed your vows of marriage before God and all who are here today, by the authority vested in me by the State of Colorado…

I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride!

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my distinct honor and privilege to present to you for the very first time,

Mr. and Mrs. Luke Yarbrough!

ANNONCEMENTS

And now, on behalf of the family, you are all invited to mock-tail hour downstairs.

Thank you!