Julia G Jones

Brian and Hannah

(OPENING)

Welcome cherished friends and family. We gather here on this day to celebrate the union of Brian Bacon and Hannah Long. They have invited you, their closest loved ones, to share in their joy as they publicly declare their love. They’ll soon know marriage is not to be entered into lightly, but thoughtfully and seriously, with a deep realization of its obligations and responsibilities.

Brian and Hannah stand before you today as individuals, but many of you can tell they are basically already one. They found each other in a time of worldly uncertainty, taking a big gamble on love, and received the payoff of a lifetime. You can sense the comfort and strength they bring to one another.You can feel how beautiful and deep their connection is. The bottomless depth of their love is known only to them, but it shows itself in small ways. In Brian’s admiration for Hannah’s amazing mind, in Hannah’s love of Brian's smirk and his dimples showing when he smiles, in the way they parent their dogs, Mac and Lando, with gentle care. It’s in the way they trust, communicate, and share friendship and laughter. Any one of us can see it, they have truly found home in one another's hearts.

(WHAT IS LOVE)

It is often said that ‘love makes the world go round.’ However, without a doubt, it is friendship that keeps us going. It’s a true connection on which you build an enduring relationship, it is the mortar which bonds you together in harmony. It is the calm, warm protection we sometimes need when the outside world seems cold and chaotic. I asked them each what love meant to them. To Hannah, love is a continued daily choice and effort. Love means taking turns being the strong one, and having the one person you want to share all your success and shortcomings with. To Brian, love is simply caring for someone more than yourself.

(ADVICE ON LOVE)

Hannah and Brian have asked their parents to share some words on love and marriage.

Teresa and Jay would like to share this: Since Hannah has entered our world, she has been the sunshine of our lives. She loves and cares for others deeply like her mom but can also be moody and complicated like her dad. We always hoped for a special soul to share a life with her and love her the way she deserved to be loved. Brian, over the last few years you have proven to be the perfect match of love and patience for Hannah. Thank you for sharing your thoughtfulness, care and level headed compassion with her each and every day. As you know, Hannah’s sunshine is brilliant and bright, but can also scorch you when traveling too close. Your ability to provide a natural sunscreen creates perfect harmony. We wish you both a lifetime of love, encouragement, patience, acceptance, forgiveness and most of all happiness. We love you both endlessly.

Jenna would like to share this: Brian Sr. would probably say the best advice is not to ask for advice. If you ask most people what the secret to a good marriage is you’d hear communication, trust, honesty, fidelity, et cetera. While all that is true, I believe you have to go into it knowing that you will not always be happy. Knowing you have to choose every day to stay married. Knowing there is no secret formula to a successful marriage and more than that there is no real true definition of a successful marriage. I’d have to say the most important thing to me is to talk openly and honestly to Brian about EVERYTHING! Hopes, dreams, fears, money, wants, needs, everything! Your spouse will never be able to read your mind no matter how long you’ve been together or how many times you have expressed something to them. Don’t let expectations ruin a good thing, especially if you don’t communicate those expectations. If you assume your spouse knows what those expectations are without hearing back that they understand, you’ll be let down, angry, and disappointed. Expectations will get you every time. We are so excited to watch you build your beautiful life together. We could not be happier for the both of you, we love you!!!

Brian Sr. would like to share this: There are many things involved in keeping a relationship together. Here are a few that I consider most important: 1. Loyalty. Always stand behind your spouse and don’t ever talk bad about them. (Jenna had actually predicted he would say this and she herself has found it to be true!) 2. Don’t be lazy. Once you’re married you haven’t reached the finish line. You have to keep treating your spouse like you’re trying to win them - just like when you were first dating. 3. Don’t say things in anger that you’ll regret later, and don’t call them names. Lastly, 4. Always love each other for who you are and not who you can change them into, because you can’t change anyone, and everyone has lots of imperfections.

Thank you all for passing down these wonderful words with your children.

(VOWS)

Marriage is a commitment built on intimate promises of affection and devotion to your partner presented in your vows. These vows are your pledge to your partner that you should uphold through all that life throws at you. Hannah, will you repeat after me?

“I, Hannah, take you, Brian, to be my husband, my cherished companion, and my one true love from this day forward. I offer you my solemn vow to be your faithful partner in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, and in times of joy and sorrow. I will trust you and honor you, I will laugh with you and cry with you. No matter what may come, I will love you today, tomorrow and forever. As I have given you my hand to hold, I give you my life to keep.”

Now Brian, repeat after me.

“I, Brian, take you, Hannah, to be my wife, my cherished companion, and my one true love from this day forward. I offer you my solemn vow to be your faithful partner in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, and in times of joy and sorrow. I will trust you and honor you, I will laugh with you and cry with you. No matter what may come, I will love you today, tomorrow and forever. As I have given you my hand to hold, I give you my life to keep.”

And now, for the most well known part of the ceremony, just to really seal the deal, I have to ask:

Hannah, do you take Brian to have and to hold as long as you both shall live? (I do)

Brian, do you take Hannah to have and to hold as long as you both shall live? (I do)

(RINGS)

Do we have the rings? Raise them up and admire them.

The wedding band is a physical reminder of promises binding you together. As the circle is an endless loop, this unyielding circle symbolizes the unending nature of eternal love. The wedding ring is placed on the fourth finger of the left hand because it is traditionally believed that this finger has a direct connection to the heart - the perfect place for a symbol representing love and commitment. For this exchange, place the ring on your partner as you speak.

Hannah, repeat after me: “With this ring, I thee wed.”

Brian, your turn, repeat after me: “With this ring, I thee wed.”

(CLOSING / PRONOUNCEMENT)

As this ceremony nears its end, a beautiful marriage finds its beginning. Your vows have been declared, promises made. Your parents have shared with you their very best advice. As you embark on this journey of marriage, we all wish you a lifetime of love and joy. May you always find home in one another.

Brian and Hannah, by the power vested in me by American Marriage Ministries, I pronounce you Husband and Wife! You may now kiss your bride.

Ladies and gentlemen, let's hear it for our newlyweds!