Edward Ernest Elster

WELCOME MESSAGE

Officiant to the guests

(Welcome everyone. Since it’s a nice summer evening and we are about to proceed with an outdoor wedding ceremony, let’s begin with a quote from environmentalist John Muir)

Officiant to the couple and guests

“Wonderful how completely everything in wild nature fits into us, as if truly part and parent of us. The sun shines not on us but in us. The rivers flow not past, but through us, thrilling, tingling, vibrating every fiber and cell of the substance of our bodies as well as our souls, and every bird song, wind song, and tremendous storm song of the rocks in the heart of the mountains is our song, our very own and sings our love.”

We are here to unite these two people, LEANNA and ROMAN, in marriage.

Officiant addresses the couple.

Today the two of you have become a little more than you were before. In the eyes of the law, and in the eyes of your family and friends, your bond is one that is to be treated with respect and seriousness. You have made the choice to be together, and stay together through all that life brings, the big life issues, the small joys, the accomplishments, wins and losses, and every mundane thing that happens in between.

As you look at one another, remember what brought you here. Your love, yes, but also all the decisions you have made to keep your relationship growing. You each have come to recognize the value in yourselves and your relationship – that you are both deserving of love and worth the effort that goes into loving each other.

DECLARATION OF INTENT

Officiant addresses the couple

With that in mind I ask:

Do you, LEANNA and ROMAN, desire to be partners in marriage?

Do you promise to make every effort to share your love and respect for each other from this day on?

“We do.”

TRADITIONAL VOWS

Officiant to LEANNA

LEANNA will you take Roman as your husband in life; As your companion and best friend for life? Will you treat him with love and devotion, honor, and respect? Will you stand by him in the triumphs and tragedies of life, as a faithful and caring wife?

“I will”

Officiant to ROMAN

ROMAN will you take LEANNA as your wife in life, As your companion and best friend for life? Will you treat her with love and devotion, honor, and respect? Will you stand by her in the triumphs and tragedies of life, as a faithful and caring husband?

“I will”

RING WARMING CEREMONY AND EXCHANGE OF RINGS

Officiant addresses guests or witnesses

Wedding rings are highly symbolic pieces of jewelry. Throughout history, a wedding ring has represented a binding union and everlasting commitment between two people.

By themselves, these wedding rings are already loaded with meaning. However, before exchanging these physical manifestations of a lifelong love, LEANNA and ROMAN have decided to hold a ring warming ceremony.

As their closest people, I now invite all of you to warm these rings by passing them around to each other. As you hold them in your hands, pause for a moment, and make your wishes for the couple and for their future before you pass them on to the next person.

Once these rings return to the lovely couple, they will also be a tangible reminder that they are hot alone. As they enter this new chapter of their life, they have a community of people who want nothing but the best for them.

Officiant addresses the couple with this blessing

Whenever you glance at these rings, LEANNA and ROMAN, know that you are loved beyond all imagining. May these rings remind you that your love knows no bounds, that it grows without beginning or end, and that in its light, all things become possible. Let your love envelope each day of your lives together, with the fierce strength of the sun, warming you even on the coldest days and longest nights.

Officiant to LEANNA

LEANNA please place this ring on ROMAN’s finger.

LEANNA places the ring.

Please repeat after me

LEANNA repeats each line as it’s spoken

ROMAN I give you this ring with the promise

that I will love and honor you,

in all ways, for all our days.

It is a symbol of my deepest love,

My unending and devoted friendship,

and a pledge to stand with you in every tomorrow.

Officiant to ROMAN

ROMAN, please place this ring on LEANNA’ finger.

ROMAN places the ring.

Please repeat after me.

ROMAN repeats each line as it’s spoken

LEANNA, I give you this ring with the promise

that I will love and honor you,

in all ways, for all our days.

It is a symbol of my deepest love,

my unending and devoted friendship,

and a pledge to stand with you in every tomorrow.

Thank you both.

CLOSING WORDS AND FINAL WISH

Officiant addresses the couple

As we prepare to conclude our ceremony today, I have a final wish for the two of you and your marriage.

“May your souls forever be nourished by the forests

and the rivers that flow through them, and

May you always hear YOUR song of love.”

PRONOUNCEMENT

Officiant addresses the couple

LEANNA and ROMAN, on this 8th day of July 2023, you’ve expressed your love to one another through the commitment and promises you’ve made here today.

Therefore, in accordance with the laws of the State of Arizona and the power vested in me therein and by American Marriage Ministries, but mostly by the love that the two of you share, it is my genuine honor to pronounce you married.

I invite you to share your first kiss as a married couple.

Officiant addresses the guests/witnesses

Friends and family, thank you for joining LEANNA and ROMAN today as they have joined together in marriage. It has been a true pleasure to celebrate this day with all of you and now it is my genuine pleasure to introduce for the very first time, “Mr. and Mrs. Sadorf.”

RECESSIONAL

The ceremony ends.