Joseph N Bilotto

Hello everyone! My name is Joe (aka Joey or aka UJ, aka BATMAN), and I am Christina’s uncle, and I am honored to be able to officiate today and bring these 2 lives and families together.

PROCESSION / PROCESSIONAL

BEST MAN AND MAID OF HONOR (OR BEST PERSONS) TAKE THEIR PLACES AT THE ARBOR/ ALTER.

INVOCATION

On behalf of (CHRISTINA) and (STEVEN), Welcome, family, friends and loved ones. We gather on this joyful occasion to celebrate love, laughter, and the coming together of two lives and to witness the joining of (CHRISTINA) and (STEVEN) in marriage.

To celebrate with them the love they have discovered in each other and to support them in the making of this important and everlasting commitment.

Love is a friendship that has caught fire. It is understanding, mutual confidence, sharing and forgiving. It is loyalty through good and bad times.

Love of another is one of the greatest experiences that we can share, for it adds depth of meaning to our lives. Marital love is one of life’s greatest joys and when combined with genuine giving and sharing, the lives of each other will be infinitely enhanced. The day-to-day companionship, the joy of doing things together, and the delight of recounting experiences of the things done separately, is a continuous and central part of what two people who love each other can share.

Marriage symbolizes the intimate sharing of two lives…. It must not diminish the individuality of each self but rather enhance the character of each other. A good balanced relationship is one in which neither person is overpowered or absorbed by the other. Deep knowledge of another and a real understanding of the others feelings is not something that can be achieved in a short period of time but can only be developed fully with years of commitment, love and trust.

We are here today to celebrate the love which Christina and Steven have for each other and recognize their decision to take each other entirely and eternally. Into this bond of marriage these two people now come to be united. Christina and Steven, your love for one another and your constant and continuous commitment to your vows will result in a marriage which is blessed with a peaceful home and a relationship that will flourish.

Each of you here represents a piece of CHRISTINA’s and STEVEN’s lives. Whether you came into their lives years ago, or more recently, your presence here is a gift – and I know it means a lot to them. Thank you for being here! Those that can’t be here with us today, we know your light shines down upon us as we stand here today to celebrate their love for one another.

Before we begin today’s celebration, I have just one question for our family & friends, that I’d like for you to answer loudly and proudly: Are we ready to get these two married?!

GUESTS RESPOND "YES!" AND CHEER

CHRISTINA and STEVEN, today, your lives blend seamlessly together and you’re about to embark on the greatest of adventures. A new path is ahead of you, and to navigate it well, there are skills to be learned and practiced daily.

Wilferd Arlan Peterson's “The Art of a Good Marriage” reminds us that a good marriage doesn’t just happen, one must be created. In marriage, the little things are the big things; like never being too old to hold hands – and remembering to say, “I love you,” at least once a day. It also takes patience, kindness… and fighting the urge to snarkily respond when it’s best to keep your mouth zipped.

On that note, a good marriage sometimes takes a really good sense of humor... as the following reading reminds us.

READING

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." Look at one another and remember this moment in time. Before this moment you have been many things to one another—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 that take you across a threshold of life, and things will never quite be the same between you. For after these vows, you shall say to the world, this—is my husband, this—is my wife.

DECLARATION OF INTENT

OFFICIANT TO COUPLE

Christina and Steven, are you ready to take this next step together?

COUPLE TO OFFICIANT

Yes!

OFFICIANT TO RECEPTION

And does anyone here object? (brief pause) If so, you’re free to leave!

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.

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. Falling asleep next to one another, making dinner together, spending holidays with your families, binge-watching Netflix shows, getting a big hug when you get home from work… These everyday 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.'"

Take a look at your guests and feel their love for you – as well as the love you have for each other.

Christina and Steven, you have our full support as you take your vows. Please turn toward each other and join hands.

VOWS

STEVEN:

I vow to respect who you are and who we are together.

I pledge to hold your hand, look you in the eyes, listen to your needs, hopes, dreams and thoughts, and do the little things to brighten your day.

I vow to love you unconditionally; I’ll be there for you, through thick or thin, I will never leave you. I will be your life partner, and know that whatever we face, we’ll face it together.”

I promise to eat your cooking and go for seconds, support your love for Mahomes and the Chiefs, and come up with new creative ways to drive you crazy and “keep you less extra”

CHRISTINA:

I vow to respect who you are and who we are together.

I pledge to look you in the eyes and listen to your needs, hopes, dreams and thoughts and do the little things to brighten your day.

I vow to love you unconditionally; I’ll be there for you, through thick or thin, I will never leave you. I will be your life partner, and know that whatever we face, we’ll face it together.”

I promise to support your love for the Steelers, playing video games and to laugh at your jokes and good luck on the extra.

RING EXCHANGE

You have chosen to exchange rings as a lasting symbol of the vows you’ve made. These simple bands aren’t as mighty as Thor’s Hammer, or as flashy as Infinity Stones – but they’re made of something even stronger. Trust, respect, compromise, laughter, empathy, and communication.

As your new story begins today, let these principles lead you forward each day.

CHRISTINA:

Please place this ring on Steven’s finger and repeat after me:

This ring is a token of my love for you. Let it remind you that you’re always in my heart.

STEVEN:

Please place this ring on Christina’s finger and repeat after me:

This ring is a token of my love for you. Let it remind you that you’re always in my heart.

PRONOUNCEMENT

OFFICIANT TO THE COUPLE

Christina and Steven, 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 vested in me over the internet with the American Marriage Ministries and the State of New York and GOTHAM City, it is my delight and honor to pronounce you married!

Christina and Steven, you may seal your marriage with a kiss!

PRESENTATION OF THE NEWLYWEDS

Couple turns and looks at crowd

Congratulations! Family and loved ones, I now present to you the new Mr. and Mrs. Santiago, Let’s hear it for 'em!"

RECESSION