Larry Kenneth Hughes

Wedding for James Michael Cole and Dyan Nicole Steed

02-25-23

Processional

Invocation:

Friends, family and loved ones, we have been invited here today to share with Mike and Nikki, a very important moment in their lives. In the time that they have been together, their love and understanding of each other has grown and matured and now they have decided to live their lives together as husband and wife.

Question:

Who gives this woman to be married to this man? (Bobby: “I do”)

Reading from Corinthians:

1:13 Love is always patient and kind. It is never jealous. Love is never boastful or conceited, it is never rude or selfish. It does not take offense and is not resentful. Love takes no pleasure in other people’s faults, but delights in the truth. It is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope. It is always ready to endure whatever comes. True love does not come to an end.

Let Us Pray:

Heavenly Father, we thank you for today, Lord. Thank you for the opportunity to gather here around Mike and Nikki on their special day. Today we rejoice in love and commitment, and we thank you for showing us what love is and how you expect us to love others. Lord, we ask that you place a hedge of protection over this couple as they begin a new journey together. Let those of us gathered to bear witness to this union help them, support them and guide them. We ask these things in your Holy and precious name. Amen.

Declaration of Intent:

Mike, do you take Nikki for your lawful wedded wife, to live in the Holy estate of matrimony? Will you love, Honor, comfort and cherish her from this day forward, forsaking all others, keeping only unto her for as long as you both shall live? (Mike: “I do”)

Nikki, do you take Mike for your lawful wedding husband, to live in the Holy estate of matrimony? Will you love, Honor, comfort and cherish him from this day forward, forsaking all others, keeping only unto him for as long as you both shall live? (Nikki: “I do”)

Vow Exchange: (Mike and Nikki turn and face one another)

Mike and Nikki have chosen to write their own vows and will now exchange those vows.

Rings Exchange:

The wedding ring is a symbol of eternity. It is an outward symbol of an inward and spiritual bond which unites two hearts in endless love and is a token of your love and your deep desire to be forever united in heart and soul. (Please hand me the bride’s ring)

May this ring be blessed so he who gives it, and she who wears it, may abide in peace, and continue in love until life’s end.

Mike, place the ring on Nikki’s finger and repeat after me:

“With this ring I thee wed. Wear it as a symbol of our love and commitment.” (Please hand me the groom’s ring)

May this ring be blessed so she who gives it, and he who wears it, may abide in peace, and continue in love until life’s end.

Nikki, place the ring on Mike’s finger and repeat after me:

“With this ring I thee wed. Wear it as a symbol of our love and commitment.”

Pronouncement:

The true are of married life is in this inner spiritual journey. It is a mutual enrichment, a give and take between two personalities, a mingling of two endowments which diminishes neither, but enhances both. Inasmuch as you, Mike and you, Nikki, have consented together in the union of matrimony and you have pledged your faith each to the other, in the presence of God, your family and friends.

By the authority vested in me by the State of Georgia and American Marriage Ministries, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Mike, you may now kiss your bride!

Presentation:

Ladies and gentlemen, it is my Honor and great pleasure to introduce to you, for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Mike and Nikki Cole!

Recessional