Brandon McMillin

You all may be seated.

My name is Brandon McMillin, and I have the privilege of welcoming you all as we gather on this joyful occasion.

Each of you here represent a piece of Anthony and Ashley's lives. Whether you came into their lives years ago, or more recently, your presence here is a gift to them as they wanted to be surrounded by the people they love most, so thank you for being here today.

Anthony and Ashley would also like to take a moment to especially thank their parents. You have provided the love and support they needed to become the people they are today. Each of you have demonstrated the true meaning of a loving and unconditional marriage and have helped guide them to where they stand today.

Now before we begin today’s celebration, I have one question for our family and friends. I’d like for you all to answer loudly and proudly:

Are we ready to get these two married?!

Family and Friends, we are gathered here today to witness and celebrate the union and love between Anthony and Ashley. In the years that they have been together, their love for each other has grown, turning them into the couple you see before you. Now, they are ready to spend the rest of their lives together as husband and wife.

A true marriage begins well before the wedding day, and the efforts of marriage continue well beyond the ceremony. A brief moment in time and the stroke of the pen are all that is required to create the legal bond of marriage, but it takes a lifetime of love, commitment, and compromise to make marriage durable and everlasting. The promises of marriage are many. Marriage promises companionship and laughter, challenge and joy, adventure and the peace we experience through unity. It’s a bond we build of the strongest faith in another person and their love for us, an ability to look at our lover with eyes unclouded and heart open. To see them as they are and to see our truest self in their love and acceptance.

Today, as you join yourselves in marriage, there is a vast and unknown future stretching out before you. Today you arrived as individuals in love with one another from a young age, but today is finally the day you will leave here as husband and wife. Your lives blending together and expanding the ties of your family and friends. You are about to embark upon the greatest adventure, through which all of us here know you will prevail.

I wanted to provide some thoughts from your friends regarding your love for one another. Here is what some of them had to say:

Nick: “I got to know Ashley and Anthony before they met, but not long before they started dating. It was really beautiful to see two young people find the person they’re going to spend the rest of their lives with. It was known right away by our friends and family that they were going to marry each other one day, even though we were only 15 at the time. They were just a perfect fit for one another. They balance each other's energy when we are all hanging out, which is good in a relationship. When one of them is cutting loose, the other one usually is pretty calm because they’re responsible for one another. When they both cut loose, we’re all in for a good time. I’m extremely happy for them and seeing both of them so excited to get married is truly beautiful.”

Connor: “They are a testament to the longevity of love being together for nearly a decade now, going through many changing periods of life, while only becoming closer. They complement each other in that Ashley is sillier and more lighthearted and Lope is more serious and analytical.”

Drew: “They have been together for almost ten years, and they seem as in love with each other as they are today as they were with each other in high school. As Ashley’s little brother, I’ve always looked up to Ashleys and Anthonys relationship and I always dreamed of having a relationship like theirs one day. I have never seen them fight or be mad at each other. I’ve always loved them together and I am so excited to see them get married.”

Natalie: “They work extremely well together. They are somehow always on the same page and work together as a team to get through difficult situations. They make a great partnership. I admire how confident they are about knowing they are each other's soulmate. Neither of them has ever had any doubts and I love it.”

Bailey: “They are our best friends and high school sweethearts. They are extremely cohesive in life and always have fun together. I love them so much.”

From hearing what your friends had to say about the love between you both, I believe there is no one present today who would object to you two getting married. Therefore, Anthony and Ashley, are you ready to take the vows of marriage together?

(Groom) Do you Anthony, take Ashley, to be your lawfully wedded wife? From this day forward, to have and to hold, for better, for worse, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish for all the days in your life?

(Bride) Do you Ashley, take Anthony, to be your lawfully wedded husband? From this day forward, to have and to hold, for better, for worse, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish for all the days in your life?

Anthony and Ashley will now exchange rings as a symbol of love and commitment to each other. May I have the rings?

These rings are a precious metal; they are also made precious by you wearing them as they enhance who you are. They mark the beginning of your long journey together. These rings are symbols of eternity and the unbroken circle of love. Love freely given has no beginning and no end. Today you have chosen to exchange rings, as a sign of your love for each other, and as a seal of the promises you make this day. May they always remind you that there is one other person in the world that has pledged to love you forever.

Anthony, place the ring on Ashley’s finger and repeat after me:

With this ring

I give you my heart

I promise from this day forward

You shall not walk alone

May my heart be your shelter

And my arms be your home.

Ashley, place the ring on Anthony’s finger and repeat after me:

With this ring

I give you my heart

I promise from this day forward

You shall not walk alone

May my heart be your shelter

And my arms be your home.

May these rings you exchanged today remind you always that you are surrounded by enduring love.

The hands you are holding are the hands of your best friend - young, strong, and full of love.

These are the hands that will work alongside yours as together you build your future.

These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes, tears of sorrow and tears of joy.

These are the hands that will give you support and encouragement to chase down your dreams. These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it most

And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged will still be the hands yours reach for, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.

Everyone may have advice for newlyweds, but instead, Anthony and Ashley, I offer these good wishes to you on this special day.

May your life together be blessed good health. May you always share open and honest communication between each other. May you respect each other's individual talents and gifts and give full support to each other's professional and personal pursuits.

May you cherish the home and family you will create together. May all the years to come be filled with moments to celebrate and renew your love. May your love be a life-long source of excitement, contentment, affections, respect, and devotion for one another.

With that being said and by the power vested in me, it is my great honor to pronounce you husband and wife.

You may kiss your bride.

Family and Friends I present to you for the first time Mr. and Mrs. Lopez!