Katelyn Rita Kimball

Amanda & Will

WEDDING SCRIPT

May 13, 2023

Officiant Greeting

Welcome! Please be seated. My name is Katelyn, but you can call me Kate The Great for short (WINK at the crowd). I am very excited to be here today to celebrate these two awesome people, Amanda and Will. The rest of you are all here today because for some reason, Will said to Amanda, “Honey, I love you so much that I’ve just gotta get the government involved!”

So now that you are all settled in your seats, I want you to take one minute to your pictures of the bride and groom – go ahead, snap away! After you’ve taken a photo or two, please turn off your phones and enjoy being fully present in the moment as we get these two lovebirds hitched! The photographers will take care of the rest!

This means they are truly thankful for you all being here today while they declare their undying love to each other and then they let me sign a piece of paper after. But – on a serious note – I am truly honored to have been asked to take on such an important role in this special day. There’s no place I’d rather be right now – and believe me when I tell you this, because the golf course, beach, or karaoke bar didn’t even make the list.

Moment to Absorb

Now, Amanda and Will, I’d like to invite you to take a moment to look up. I’d like to invite you to take a moment to look around. To look over your shoulders, to look at your people. To take in their smiles, their looks of love, and maybe their tears of joy.

I want you to pause….breathe…and remember….what today smells like….what it feels like….what it looks like…

Invocation

Amanda (look at her), Will (look at him) --- I can’t think of two people more suited through life together than you. We all know your marriage will be built on a solid foundation of love and trust, and that’s the best shot any of us can give it. You’ll need to depend on that foundation of trust and of love throughout your marriage. You’ll need to be more patient than you’ve ever had to be before. You’ll experience higher highs, and lower lows than ever before, but now you’ll be in it together – and for good. There is a light in both of your eyes whenever you are with each other – which gives me the confidence that your love story is forever, and always.

Blessing

Today is a blessing. You both are very lucky to have many of your family and friends from near and far in attendance on such a special occasion. Today, I am asking the two of you to make a promise to find love in each other every day. However, we will not stop there. I am also asking each and every one of you here to make a promise to this couple.

Are you all ready? Promise that you will continue to support and encourage this love between Amanda and Will. Continue to find ways to integrate your families and friends together. If you will, everyone say I do. (Hold up hand)

Reading

Now, I’d like to ask Brittany to come forward to regale us with an Irish Blessing and a short reading.

Thank you Brittany! Now - let’s check off some of those legal boxes, shall we?

Declaration of Intent

Please join hands.

Will, do you take Amanda to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, to love, honor, and cherish, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?

Good, because if not I will find you.

Amanda, do you take Will to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, to love, honor, and cherish, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?

No brainer with this stud, right? (Gesture to Will)

Knot Tying Ceremony

Now, Amanda and Will are about to do something special to symbolize their love for each other by literally tying the knot.

Each of these ropes represents your past, your own individual and separate lives before today. As you intertwine your ropes, you are joining your two lives into one, representing the present. The finished knot symbolizes your future, and how your love and marriage will continue to be strong.

Amanda and Will, please tie the knot.

Ring Exchange

May we have the rings?

A ring is an unbroken circle. This represents the unending love for each other. But, may it also remind you of the circle of family and friends that are here supporting you today. May you always be reminded of this very moment and the love that you have promised to one another and also to us.

Amanda, please place this ring on Will’s finger and repeat after me.

Will, I give you this ring

As a symbol of my love

And that I’m choosing to share

My life’s journey with you.

Regardless of how much you play video games,

or if you say good morning to the cats before you say it to me.

I give you this ring

With the pledge to love you

As much as I love my Peloton,

And wine

And Netflix specials

And Wordle

I will love you today, tomorrow, and always.

Will, please place this ring on Amanda’s finger and repeat after me.

Amanda, I give you this ring

As a symbol of my love

And that I’m choosing to share

My life’s journey with you.

Regardless of how much you text your college girlfriends

or how many spiders you make me kill.

I give you this ring

With the pledge to love you

As much as I love Ashe and Smoke

And the Ravens

And hanging in Bristol with Kate at ESPN

And Jack Daniels

I will love you today, tomorrow, and always.

Pronouncement

Well, after that touching exchange, I guess there’s only one thing left to do, and that’s for me to do my part! It’s been such an emotional day already – even the cake is in tiers! (WINK!)

Anyways - By the authority vested in me, by the American Marriage Ministries & the State of New York, I now pronounce you, husband and wife.

Now, please, before we all party the night away with you and make this the best day of your lives, seal your everlasting love with a kiss!

Family and friends, I am proud to present, Mr. and Mrs. Dutton!