Howard Ray Johnson Ii

Barbera & Forbes Wedding Sand Ceremony

Sept. 30, 2023

OFFICIANT (TIME 3:50PM)

Announcement(s): Hello everyone! Today is a precious day and we will be able to witness the love of our friends on this special day. Now a few house rules from the couple. Phones everyone holds them up high come on high, yes, there we go. Now please put your phone on SILENT.. Great job.. Now during the ceremony, the couple has asked that no one take pictures or video as the ceremony is in progress. See, that person there they will be taking pictures for the couple and they do not need to miss a shot because your head is in the way. But, at the end of the ceremony when the wedding party is leaving, at that time you can snap pictures and take videos. Trust me you are going to want to video the exit! Next, at the end of the ceremony, My lovely wife and I will follow the wedding party down the aisle. After we have reached the last row please follow us to the reception area right behind us there. Again, please wait till we are at the last row. Lastly, let's have fun let's make sure that this couple knows we are HAPPY TO BE HERE SUPPORTING THEM! So, when the wedding party is completely here and when the bride comes down the aisle. I want you all to give this couple all the love and appreciation they deserve filled with screams and yells and hand clapping. If I see you not clapping just know GOD is on my side. I will tell him…Now let's have ourselves a wedding..

WEDDING CEREMONY BEGIN

OFFICIANT: DJ QUE THE MUSIC (TIME 4:00 PM)

GROOM (CHARLIE) ENTERS THE AISLE (TIME 4:00 PM)

ORDER OF WEDDING ENTRY: THE WEDDING PARTY ENTERS THE AISLE, COUPLE MOTHERS, RINGBEARER, FLOWER GIRL, AND BRIDE.

OFFICIANT: Ask the wedding party to continue standing until the bride is down the aisle.

OFFICIANT: Rob & Maya greet Roark to receive the rings. Maya helps Roark to sit.

OFFICIANT: (TO COUPLE) HAVE CHARLIE & AMY TO FACE CROWD.

Now as we see we have an amazing amazing-looking group up here. We are here today to celebrate LOVE. So, everyone please show them some love come on let's let them hear you. YES, YES, YES!!! (Tell Charlie, and Amy to take it in and breathe will begin now. Speak softly).

INTRODUCTION

OFFICIANT: (TO THE GUEST) (CHARLIE & AMY FACE ME)

Thank you for gathering here today to witness the marriage of Charlie and Amy in the eyes of God. Your presence here for this celebration of the love between Charlie and Amy is a gift they will treasure forever.

OFFICIANT: (TO COUPLE)

Charlie and Amy, you stand before your family and friends to join your individual lives into a single union. Sitting to our left are vessels of sand signifying your lives before your marriage and one currently empty vessel that your commitment to each other will soon fill.

OFFICIANT: SHARE JOKES THAT THE COUPLE WROTE ON THE PAPER

VOWS

OFFICIANT: (TO COUPLE)

Charlie and Amy, I invite you to share your martial vows at this time. Please face each other and recite your vows to your partner before God and all gathered here today.

OFFICIANT: Charlie, you may go first and repeat after me.

Charlie: I, Charlie, take you, Amy, to be my lawfully wedded wife. I vow to love and cherish you through the best and worst we may face. From this day, and forever more. I am yours.

OFFICIANT: Amy, you may now share your vows.

Amy: I, Amy, take you, Charlie, to be my lawfully wedded husband. I vow to love and cherish you through the best and worst we may face. From this day, and forever more, I am yours.

DECLARATION OF INTENT

OFFICIANT: Charlie, and Amy at this time, please join hands with one another. (Give them a second to look into each other eyes and take in the moment). You will respond by saying “I DO”.

OFFICIANT: Charlie, do you take Amy to be a lawfully wedded wife? Please say “I DO”

CHARLIE: I DO

OFFICIANT: Amy, do you take, Charlie to be your lawfully wedded husband? Please say “I DO”

Amy: I DO

SAND CEREMONY

OFFICIANT: At the beginning of the ceremony I mentioned the vessels of sand representing your individual lives and an empty vessel representing your new life together. Your marriage today may represent the beginning of a new life together as one, but it is important to remember that this beginning is not simply a clean slate. Your family relationship is symbolized through the pouring of these 6 individual containers of sand- each one representing all that you were, all that you are, and all that you will ever be, as individuals and as a family. Just as the individual grains of sand can never be separated and poured again into individual containers, so will your marriage and your family be inseparable and whole.

First, I will ask Ben (Madison), and Mya (Spencer) to please now pour the sand from your respective vessels into the center vessel. This is your commitment to this family. Charlie, and Amy now I will ask you to pour your sand into the center vessel. This is your commitment to each other and to your family. Let’s take a moment and look at the center vessel of combined sand, and remember that as special as this is, so is your family. The 6 of you together are a very special family and like no other. Celebrate the special bond that you will always have.

RINGS EXCHANGE

OFFICIANT: (TO COUPLE)

OFFICIANT: As we come to the close of the ceremony. I would like to now invite Charlie and Amy to exchange their wedding rings with one another. Just as a circle, the very shape of your rings, is neverending, and so shall be your love and commitment to each other.

OFFICIANT: (To Charlie)

Charlie, place your ring on Amy’s left ring finger and repeat after me. “I give you this ring, a token of my undying love, as I give myself to you for now and for always”.

OFFICIANT: (To Amy)

Amy place your ring on Charlie’s left ring finger and repeat after me. “I give you this ring, a token of my undying love, as I give myself to you for now and for always”.

PRAYER

OFFICIANT: (TO EVERYONE BOW OUR HEADS)

Heavenly Father, we humbly bow before you. Today praising You Lord, and Your son. Lord, we first want to say Thank You, for today, and your word. In Matthew 19:6. Jesus told the Pharisees, “What God has joined together, let no man put asunder”. Marriage is a contract not to be entered lightly but thoughtfully and seriously and with a deep realization of the obligations and responsibilities. Marriage is the moment when your hearts and souls are joined together for eternity. In Jesus' name AMEN!

PRONOUNCEMENT

OFFICIANT: (TO GUEST)

By the power vested in me by the state of Tennessee. I now pronounce you husband and wife. Charlie, you may kiss your bride!

Everyone, please show your love for the new couple and for the first time as husband and wife, Mr. And Mrs. Charlie Barbera!

OFFICIANT: THE WEDDING PARTY ENTERS THE AISLE FOR EXIT (WEDDING PARTY EXITS WITH DANCE) EVERYONE BOW YOUR HEAD FOR PRAYER.

Prayer Before Reception

Father, thank you for this wonderful occasion to gather in the name of Love. Lord, we ask you to bless this food and the hands that prepared it. Let it nourish our bodies as you see fit. In Jesus' name, all say AMEN!

By the authority vested in me by American Marriage Ministries and the State of Tennessee, I now pronounce you wife and husband!