Brian Christopher Branham

PROCESSIONAL

Beginning of the Wedding Ceremony.

GUESTS ARE SEATED FOLLOWED BY THE ENTRANCE OF THE BRIDAL PARTY.

INVOCATION

OFFICIANT TO THE RECEPTION

"Welcome, family and loved ones. We are gathered here today, surrounded by the beauty of creation and nurtured by the sights and sounds of nature to celebrate the joining of Trevor Raymond and Maegan Branham in marriage.

Today is a celebration. A celebration of love, of commitment, of friendship, of family, and of two people who are in it for forever.

You don't have to have a ceremony to have a marriage. And when you think about it, the whole thing is kind of weird, right? You're standing in front of everyone, looking fancy, holding flowers, and being stared at by so many of those who you hold near and dear. So why do we do it? The marriage ceremony has been an important feature across nearly every culture, religion, generation, and society. We have thousands of important moments that happen throughout our lives, but this one is regarded as one so critical, we acknowledge its special status by sharing it with others. Why this moment?

Because despite all of our differences, love is what we all share. It's the great unifier - our one universal truth. That no matter who we are, where we've come from, what we believe, we know this one thing: love is what we're doing right. That's why you both are standing here.

That's why you all are here to watch them stand up here. We have all loved in our lifetimes, and in this moment, we're reminded that the ability to love is the very best part of our humanity.

All of us here today have our own love stories. Some are short, others long. Some are yet unwritten, while others are just getting to the good part. There are chapters in all of our stories that are sad or disappointing - and others that are exciting and full of adventure.

And that brings them here. A time to pause, look back, and smile at all the moments that brought them here. And a time to look ahead at all the moments that are still to come.

I'm here - we're all here - because we want those moments for you. We're here to hope with you, to support you, to be proud of you, and to remind you that love isn't happily ever after, love is the experience of writing your story. It's not one moment - not even this moment. It's every moment. Big ones like saying 'I love you,' moving in together, getting engaged - but mostly a million little ones that come in between the big moments. Hiking, golfing, skiing, going to concerts, bar and brewery hopping, spending time together with family and friends… These moments fuse together into one big experience.

And even though this experience is so incredible, words fail us when we try and explain it. That's just the way it is with love - it's meant to be felt, not described.

But trying to describe love is one of our favorite pastimes. We use the words we have to write stories, and poems, and songs about love. And even though we describe love in different ways - and even though love can look different from one person to the next - we all know it when we see it. And we see it here.

You fell in love by chance, but you're here today because you're making a choice. You both are choosing each other. You've chosen to be with someone who enhances you, who makes you think, makes you smile, and makes every day brighter. You're about to make promises to each other that you intend to keep. You're going to vow to take care of each other, to stand up for one another, and find happiness in the other. There's a simple premise to each of these promises: you're vowing to be there.

You're teaming up and saying to the other, 'Every experience I am going to have, I want you to be a part of.'"

DECLARATION OF INTENT

"You have chosen to write your vows, and it is with these words you express your binding promises to love, honor, and cherish one another. If you are ready to make these promises to each other I invite you now to face each other and declare your intentions.

When you're ready you may begin.

THE COUPLE READS THE VOWS THEY HAVE WRITTEN.

RING EXCHANGE

OFFICIANT TO THE COUPLE

These wedding rings symbolize eternal love and devotion, and will serve as a reminder of the promises you’ve made here. Wear them with pride – for the challenges you’ve overcome together, your integrity and commitment to each other, and for the life you’re building for the future. Let these rings remind you of how blessed you are to have one another.

OFFICIANT TO TREVOR

"Trevor, as you place this ring on Maegan's finger, repeat these words after me: This ring symbolizes my love for you and the commitments we made today."

TREVOR REPEATS THE WORDS AS THEY PLACE THE RING ON MAEGAN'S FINGER.

OFFICIANT TO MAEGAN

"Maegan, as you place this ring on Trevor's finger, repeat these words after me: This ring symbolizes my love for you and the commitments we made today."

MAEGAN REPEATS THE WORDS AS THEY PLACE THE RING ON TREVOR'S FINGER.

PRONOUNCEMENT

OFFICIANT TO THE COUPLE

"Trevor and Maegan, you have come here today of your own free will and in the presence of family and loved ones, have declared your love and commitment to each other. You have given and received rings as a symbol of your promises."

"By the power of your love and commitment to each other, and by the power vested in me by the State of Michigan and American Marriage Ministries, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss your bride.

OFFICIANT TO THE RECEPTION

Family and loved ones, I now present to you Mr. and Mrs. Raymond. Let's hear it for 'em!"

RECESSIONAL

End of the Wedding Ceremony.