Venera Spadaro

Procession of Alyssa with family.

When Alyssa and Chris meet…

“Please be seated.”

Good afternoon Family and Friends….and Welcome!

We are gathered here to witness the union of Alyssa DeSimone and Christopher Spadaro in the holy bonds of marriage.

Each of us has had a role in helping them along the path that has led to today. I ask you for your continued love and support for Alyssa and Chris as they begin their new life.

(Chris and Alyssa face one another.)

Marriage is the celebration of two hearts becoming one.

For Alyssa and Chris…. out of the routine of the ordinary day, the extraordinary has happened. Comedy brought you together for your first date and shared laughter followed. Then came romance. Time passed and your relationship deepened as you grew to understand each other …and now….. you are about to begin a new journey, not as individuals but as one, united in love.

Alyssa and Chris want to thank their parents for providing them with the meaning of family and for being the best examples of how to live their lives. (Grayson will hold flowers; Alyssa and Chris present a flower to each of the parents)

As you may know, Chris is my nephew. We have watched him grow and become the caring and supportive man he is today….. and Alyssa, well, she became family for me long before this day.

Alyssa, if Chris wanted to know what the NY Giants score is, or who has pole position for the next Formula 1 race, you don’t skip a beat and transform into a walking commentary on the subject. Or, just your simple act of “how much peanut butter to put on Chris’ sandwich”, yes, you got this….by the way, Frank, Chris’ Dad, also had that job so many years ago.

Chris, we have shared many days together….we have worked beside one another at our family business, we have spent holidays together, we have been blessed ……….…you, are the guy that Alyssa loves to spend her “chill time” with. Indeed…Alyssa has found her “Bradley Cooper”!

I am so proud of you both as I have watched you embrace your role as Aunt and Uncle to Grayson and Avery.

Together, you both turn the volume up in the car and sing along to classic rock songs making even the simple act of driving a new and special experience. Keep singing as you create memories to hold and remember in the years to come.

Alyssa….Chris….. your gift, as a couple, is one that cannot be seen. It is the sense of warmth that is felt when we are with you. I know, because I have been given that gift so many times.

And now….“I am honored to officiate as Alyssa and Chris begin their new life together.”

Alyssa and Chris walk over to Memorial Candle.

Vera: MEMORIAL CANDLE LIGHTING – “For all those who could not be with us today and who are looking down to bless us from above, know that they, too, are continuing to watch over you ……Please take a few moments to remember our loved ones.”

READINGS:

Vera: “I would like to invite Chris’ sister, Lauren, for our first reading.”

Marriage Joins Two People In The Circle Of Its Love by Edmund O'Neill

Marriage is a commitment to life, the best that two people can find and bring out in each other. It offers opportunities for sharing and growth that no other relationship can equal. It is a physical and an emotional joining that is promised for a lifetime.Within the circle of its love, marriage encompasses all of life’s most important relationships. A wife and a husband are each other’s best friend, confidant, lover, teacher, listener and critic. And there may come times when one partner is heartbroken or ailing and the love of the other may resemble the tender caring of a parent for a child.Marriage deepens and enriches every facet of life. Happiness is fuller, memories are fresher, commitment is stronger, even anger is felt more strongly, and passes away more quickly.Marriage understands and forgives the mistakes life is unable to avoid. It encourages and nurtures new life, new experiences, and new ways of expressing a love that is deeper than life.When two people pledge their love and care for each other in marriage, they create a spirit unique unto themselves which binds them closer than any spoken or written words. Marriage is a promise, a potential made in the hearts of two people who love each other and takes a lifetime to fulfill.

Vera: “I would now like to invite Alyssa’s friend, Nicole, for our second reading.”

The Art of Marriage by Wilfred A. Peterson

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 the 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 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 the independence is equal,

dependence is mutual and the obligation is reciprocal.

It is not only marrying the right partner, it is being the right partner.

LIGHTING of the UNITY CANDLE:

“Before Alyssa and Chris exchange their wedding vows, they will light the Unity candle symbolizing two hearts now becoming One”:

Union by Robert Fulghum

You have known each other from your first glance to this day of commitment. At some point, you decided to marry. From that moment of “yes” to this moment of “yes”…indeed, you have been making promises and agreements. All those conversations that were held riding in a car or over a meal or during long walks - all those sentences that began with "When we're married" and continued with "I will and you will and we will" – all those late night talks that included "someday" and "somehow" and "maybe"….Today is the start of a life united. The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, "You know all those things we've promised and hoped and dreamed—well, I meant it all, every word." ……Alyssa…Chris…. Before today, you have been many things to each other - acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, dancing partner, and even teacher…for you have learned much from one another in these last few years. Now you shall say a few words and you both will never be quite the same. For after these vows, you shall say to the world, this - is my husband, this - is my wife.

Alyssa and Chris light the Unity Candle.

EXCHANGE of VOWS:

Alyssa and Chris will now declare their intent to enter into marriage.

Vera to Chris

"Chris, do you take Alyssa to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love and cherish, in sickness and in health? Do you promise to support her and be there through all of life’s joys and challenges? And forsaking all others for as long as you both shall live? If so, answer 'I do’."

Chris to Alyssa

"I do."

Vera to Alyssa

"Alyssa, do you take Chris to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love and cherish, in sickness and in health? Do you promise to support him and be there through all of life’s joys and challenges? And forsaking all others for as long as you both shall live? If so, answer ‘I do’."

Alyssa to Chris

"I do."

Ask Grayson (Ring Bearer) for the rings…..

EXCHANGE of RINGS

Vera to Alyssa & Chris

"The rings you are about to place on each other's fingers are symbols of your union. They will remind you of the forever love that you have for one another."

Vera to Chris

"Chris, please place the ring on Alyssa’s finger and repeat after me."

"This ring symbolizes an unbroken circle… From this moment forward... You will never walk alone... I give you my heart until the end of time... I have no greater gift to give."

(Chris repeats words to Alyssa and then places the ring on her finger.)

Vera to Alyssa

"Now, Alyssa, please place the ring on Chris’ finger and repeat after me."

(Alyssa repeats words to Chris and then places the ring on Chris’ finger.)

"This ring symbolizes an unbroken circle... from this moment forward... You will never walk alone... I give you my heart until the end of time... I have no greater gift to give."

Vera addresses Wedding Guests:

PRONOUNCEMENT:

“Alyssa and Chris, you came here today, in the presence of family and friends, to express your devotion to each other. Your lives have been changed forever and two familes have now become one. May all your tomorrows be blessed with new adventures and opportunities to renew your commitment to each other.

May your love be an example to all and may each day together be filled with laughter and friendship.

By the power given to me by the State of Connecticut and the American Marriage Ministries and witnessed by all here present…. I now pronounce you are married."

Vera to Alyssa & Chris:

"You may now kiss."

[Vera moves to the side. The Couple Kisses.]

Vera to the Wedding Guests:

"Family and Friends…..I present to you for the very first time………Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Spadaro."

RECESSIONAL