Kristen Ashley Trusty

Officiant (to guests):

*Hello everybody, thank you for coming, We’ve gathered here today for the marriage of Desmend and Kelsey. Each of you

was invited to attend so that you could witness the joining of their lives and celebrate hereafter.

Officiant (to couple):

*Desmend and Kelsey, today marks the end of your lives as two individuals and the

beginning of your lives as a team. Look before you. Each of these vases filled with sand represents your individual life prior to your meeting.

*Kelsey, the vase on the right is yours.

*Desmend, the vase on the left is yours.

*The vase in the middle represents your new life together, and at the moment, it is empty.

*Officiant:

If anyone objects to this marriage, speak now or forever hold your peace.

*Vows*

Officiant:

Desmend and Kelsey, at this point in the ceremony, you will now exchange vows.

Please face one another as you give your vows before God and all assembled.

Let us begin with Kelsey.

Partner 1: Repeat after me--

I, Kelsey, take you, Desmend, to be my lawfully wedded husband. I promise to keep you

through good times and bad, for richer or poorer, and in sickness and in health. I vow to stay true to you, honor you, and love you until death do us part.

Officiant:

Desmend, you may now share your vow.

Partner 2: Repeat after me--

I, Desmend, take you, Kelsey, to be my lawfully wedded wife. I promise to keep you

through good times and bad, for richer or poorer, and in sickness and in health. I vow to stay true to you, honor you, and love you until death do us part.

*Declaration of Intent*

Officiant:

Would the couple please join hands? Desmend, do you take Kelsey to be your lawful

wedded wife?

Des 1:

I do.

Officiant:

Kelsey, do you take Desmend to be your lawful wedded husband?

Kels 2:

I do.

Sand Ceremony

**Officiant (to couple):

Earlier, I mentioned that the vase representing your new life together was empty. While your marriage does represent a new beginning, it’s also important to recognize that life never truly presents fresh starts – each of you are coming to this marriage with a wealth of experiences and relationships that shape you as individuals.

-But life does allow us to continually redefine ourselves. When you pour out your vase, I want you to think of how your life thus far may influence your relationship to your spouse, but you should also appreciate that your spouse will be your greatest teammate in pursuing life’s greatest promise:

life is an experience that you are always invited to redefine.

Desmend, Kelsey and Keegan, you are welcome to pour your respective vase into the middle

vase. Your individual grains of sand will never be able to be fully extricated from one another – so your lives be forever entwined from this point forward.

(Family members may also participate if the couple chooses

Ring Exchange

Officiant (to couple):

We have reached the part of the ceremony where you both will exchange rings.

These rings are a symbol of the bonds of marriage and your love for one another.

Officiant (to Partner 1):

Desmend, place your ring on Kelsey’s finger and repeat after me. “With this ring, I

give my marriage vows and promise my love and commitment.”

Partner 1:

With this ring, I give my marriage vows and promise my love and commitment.

Officiant (to Partner 2):

Kelsey, place your ring on Desmend’s finger and repeat after me. “With this ring, I

give my marriage vows and promise my love and commitment.”

Partner 2:

With this ring, I give my marriage vows and promise my love and commitment.

Pronouncement

Officiant (to guests):

By the power vested in me by the state of the State of Iowa and me, I now pronounce you husband and wife! Now, you may kiss the bride.

Now introducing to you for the first time, Mr. And Mrs. MenJares