Trevis Karper

Dearly Beloved we be gathered here today to join Daniel Hodges and Taylor Harris in the holy union of marriage. In the years that they have been together, their love for each other has grown, turning them into the couple you see before you. Now, they are ready to spend the rest of their lives together as husband and wife.

We are all so thrilled to be here with you guys today! Here in this garden are people who love you deeply and represent the many paths you have walked on your way to this moment. You can look around and find a lot of support for you today, support that extends well into the future. Life is best with someone steadfastly by your side. That's what today is all about!

I love these guys! I met Danny when I was running a skate club at the school I taught at. He was a scrawny 11 year old towhead kid full of energy and a passion for life. It has been a privilege to watch him grow and mature into the man he is today.

(meeting story )

He introduced me to Taylor a couple years ago. Since then we have gone on a few outings together camping and fly fishing on the Deschutes, hanging out in Skamakoway or Seaside and the occasional dinner. Each time I hang out with them

Marriage is a wonderful thing that can be very rewarding. My wife, Kim and I have spent the last several months connecting with Danny and Taylor around the subject of relationships and marriage. We have looked at what each partner needs from the other and how to spend meaningful time together and what it looks like to work through disagreements. Danny and Taylor I encourage you to always seek the best for one another. As the bible says, in 1st Corinthians

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8 Love never fails.

Marriage is all about love. Loving like this creates a lasting bond.

Danny once wrote of love

Love freely, Love openly with all your heart. Anyone who knows him knows that he loves this way.

He wrote too of how Love is not something we can do alone. We aren't strong enough for that. Strength, the kind we need for love, he acknowledged comes from God and God is love. It is with God that we are strong enough to love well enough.

These words are true and the Bible affirms them.

1st John 4

God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them

Danny and Taylor I would encourage you to grow stronger in your faith together and in as much stronger in love for one another.

Danny and Taylor will now share their vows.

*(Vows)*

Do you Daniel Hodges take this woman Taylor Harris to be your lawfully wedded wife , to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and woe, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself unto her for as long as you both shall live?

*(Wait for Confirmation)*

Do you Taylor Harris take this man Daniel Hodges to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and woe, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself unto him for as long as you both shall live?

*(Wait for Confirmation)*

*(Ring Exchange)*

Danny and Taylor will now exchange rings.

Your rings are a symbol to the world of your marriage, but they are also a symbol of your love for each other, so I want to encourage you when you look at your ring to remember your love for each other.

You may exchange them now.

MARRIAGE PRAYER

Let us bow our heads and pray a blessing on this marriage:

Dear God, bless this marriage. Help Danny and Taylor to grow into a strong love every day. Put your hedge of protection around them, and let nothing divide them.

Give them kind and loving words for each other every day. Grant them the sacred bond of kindness, truthfulness, and faithfulness in their home. Make their hearts always ready to ask for forgiveness as well as to forgive. I pray that they continue to bring out the best in each other and remember to keep you in their hearts.

Lord we put this marriage into your hands, and ask for your blessing as they start this new life together. In your name we pray, Amen.

CLOSING WORDS

Danny and Taylor, as you stand here holding hands, I want to remind you that these are the hands of your best friend, a person full of love for you, that will be there to catch you when you fall, that will lift you up when you are down, and that will celebrate the good times with you.

I encourage you both to spend time together wether that is going for hikes, fly fishing, walking the doggies or camping. Make memories and develop activites that you can share together. Go on vacations and plan time to be together. Leave love notes around the house and snuggle often! Remember the things you love about each other, it's why we are here today!

Danny and Taylor remember today and the loved ones you got to celebrate it with. Today is a celebration of your love for each other

PRONOUNCEMENT & INTRODUCTION

OFFICIANT TO THE COUPLE

Danny and Taylor, by the authority vested in me by the State of Florida I now pronounce you husband and wife!

You may now kiss!

MOVE

OFFICIANT TO THE RECEPTION

Let’s celebrate with Mr. and Mrs. Hodges