Cynthia Lou VanHorn

You may be seated. Welcome, family and friends. We are gathered here to celebrate the union of CD and Kayla. Each of us has had a role in helping them along the path that has led to this joyful occasion. Whether as a family member or friend—our influence has touched their individual journeys, and we celebrate with them today as they now join their lives together, forever.

CD and Kayla, we welcome you to this moment in your lives and to the place you have earned in each other’s hearts. It wasn’t by chance or luck that you two met 9 years ago on a day in August at a gym in Georgia. We join with you on this day, as you commit before everyone present that from this point forward you shall live as one. I encourage you to always remember this Bible verse from Corinthians, which gives us the best description of love:  

"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things [and most of all, your love can] endure all things."

DECLARATION OF INTENT

OFFICIANT / TO THE COUPLE

CD and Kayla, do you now commit to forging a life together?

(Together) We do!

EXCHANGE OF RINGS AND VOWS

OFFICIANT TO WHOEVER HAS THE RINGS

May I have the rings, please? 

* PLACES THE RINGS IN OFFICIANT’S OPEN PALM/BIBLE

OFFICIANT TO ALL

CD and Kayla have chosen to exchange rings as a sign of their commitment. 

OFFICIANT TO THE COUPLE

Let these perfect circles symbolize the path you set upon together: endless and open, gleaming and priceless. May you wear them always as a reminder of the unbreakable bond you share. Let the timeless beauty of their precious metal recall the love of the families and friends who helped forge in you a core of confidence and compassion.

EXCHANGE OF VOWS

* DURING THE FOLLOWING PORTION OF THE EXCHANGE, THE OFFICIANT WILL SHARE 'CALL-AND-RESPONSE' STYLE WEDDING VOWS. EACH PARTNER WILL REPEAT THE VOWS WHEN IT'S THEIR TURN. 

OFFICIANT TO CD

Place the ring on her left ring finger, and repeat after me.

I give you this ring,

in token and pledge

of my constant faith and everlasting love.  

With this ring, I marry you.

* CD PLACES THE RING ON KAYLA’S HAND.

 

OFFICIANT TO KAYLA

Place the ring on his left ring finger, and repeat after me.

I give you this ring,

in token and pledge

of my constant faith and everlasting love.  

With this ring, I marry you.

* KAYLA PLACES THE RING ON CD’S HAND.

UNITY CANDLE

OFFICIANT TO THE RECEPTION

"At this time we will light the Unity Candle. CD and Kayla, please take one of the smaller candles. Each of the candles represents you as individuals. Please take your candles and light the center candle together. The center candle represents the joining of two individuals into one married couple. In Matthew 19:4-6 it is written

“Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female.’ And said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh?’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.

Let us bow our heads and pray a blessing on this marriage: 

Bless this day, O’ Lord, and bless this union. We put this marriage into your hands, and ask for your blessing as they start this new life together. May the peace of Christ rule in their hearts, and the joy of the Lord be their strength on this journey together. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

PRONOUNCEMENT

OFFICIANT TO THE COUPLE

Now that you have been joined in holy matrimony, may you strive all your lives to meet this commitment with the same love and devotion that you now possess.

By the power vested in me by the State of Florida and American Marriage Ministries, and through the witness of all here present, I now PRONOUNCE YOU HUSBAND AND WIFE!

* YOU MAY NOW KISS!

* THE COUPLE KISS.

RECESSION/ RECESSIONAL 

OFFICIANT TO THE GUESTS

It is my pleasure to present for the first time as a married couple,

Mr & Mrs CD Mayhew!

* APPLAUSE FOLLOWED BY THE RECESSIONAL, THE COUPLE MAKE THEIR EXIT DOWN THE AISLE.

* CEREMONY ENDS.