Vanessa Allen LaRotonda

INVOCATION

We are gathered here today to celebrate one of life’s greatest moments, the joining of two hearts. In this ceremony today we will witness the joining Michelle and Billy in marriage. For them, out of the routine of ordinary life, the extraordinary has happened. They met each other 30 years ago, shared some sweet moments that stayed in their hearts forever, went out and made all their terrible decisions, reconnected, always remained in love, and are finalizing it with their wedding today. Romance is fun, but true love is something far more and it is their desire to love each other for life and that is what we are celebrating here today. But today is also a celebration for the rest of you, where you finally get to see these two that you love so much officially join in marriage. And to have a delicious meal at the cabin, so let’s get on with it already!

A good marriage must be created. In marriage, the “little” things are the big things. It is never being too old to hold hands. It is remembering to say, “I love you” at least once a day. It is never going to sleep angry. It is standing together and facing the world. It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways. It is having the capacity to forgive and forget. It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow. It is a common search for the good and the beautiful. It is not only marrying the right person — it is being the right partner.

While preparing for the ceremony today, I was able to talk with Michelle and Billy about their relationship and the love they have shared through the years. What I loved hearing about more than the fun times they had riding motorcycles, going camping, torturing the kids with mandatory family firepit nights, learning the moon twerk, or having nerf wars, was how much they truly just love each other more than anything else in the world. The tears in Billy's eyes when he proposed, the sweet way Michelle would look at Billy when they were talking, and the fact that they both knew they had found their forever person from their very first kiss. They are a true love of a lifetime.

DECLARATION OF INTENT

This is the part of the ceremony where things start to get real. You're about to say two simple words, but they have extraordinary meaning. They hold promises that are meant to be kept for a lifetime, no matter how annoying each other may be at times. After these words, you can say to the world Billy is my husband, and Michelle is my wife.

Billy, do you welcome Michelle to be your wife, offering her your love and encouragement, your trust and respect, no matter how many times she doesn't know what she wants to have for dinner, or how many more animals she wants to add to the zoo, as together you create your future?

Billy: I do

Michelle, do you welcome Billy to be your husband, offering him your love and encouragement, your trust and respect, no matter how many times he takes you and the kids on a treacherous hike, or how many times he asks you to help him find things that are clearly in sight, as together you create your future?

Michelle: I do

Do you two together, promise to love each other even when you don't like each other, not get mad when there are random tools everywhere, cupboard doors left open, or argue over who's turn it is to clean up all the dog poop?

Together: We do

VOW EXCHANGE

You fell in love by chance, but you’re here today because you’re making a choice. You both are choosing each other. You’ve chosen to be with someone who enhances you, who makes you think, makes you smile, and makes every day brighter. You’re about to make promises to each other that you intend to keep. You’re going to vow to take care of each other, to stand up for one another, and find happiness in the other. There’s a simple premise to each of these promises: you’re vowing to be there. You’re teaming up and saying to the other, “Every experience I am going to have, I want you to be a part of.”

Billy, please repeat after me.

I, Billy, take you, Michelle, to be my wife. To love you when you drive me crazy, to respect you when we disagree, to support you if bad times come our way, and to always remember how grateful I am to have you by my side.

Michelle, please repeat after me.

I, Michelle, take you, Billy, to be my husband. To love you when you drive me crazy, to respect you when we disagree, to support you if bad times come our way, and to always remember how grateful I am to have you by my side.

RING EXCHANGE WITH RING WARMING

Something we often see at wedding is couples exchanging rings as a symbol of their lifelong commitment and eternal love. Before Michelle and Billy give each other their wedding bands, they want their family to warm the rings for them.

As you hold them in your hands, pause for a moment, and make your wishes for the couple and for their future together before you pass them on to the next person. These rings will not only be a gift from one to another but will be given with the love, support and wisdom of their family.

While the rings are passed around, I have a reading I found that reminded me of Billy and Michelle.

Marry your best friend.

Really, truly find the strongest, happiest friendship in the person you fall in love with.

Someone who speaks highly of you.

Someone you can laugh with. The kind of laughs that make your belly ache, and your nose snort. The embarrassing, earnest, healing kind of laughs.

Wit is important.

Life is too short not to love someone who lets you be a fool with them.

Make sure they are somebody who lets you cry too.

Find someone that you want to be there with you through the darkest times.

Most importantly, marry the one that makes passion, love and madness combine. A love that will never dilute - even when the waters get deep and dark.

Now that the rings have been warmed by those closest to your heart, may I have the rings please?

These rings represent the vows and promises you’ve willingly exchanged. They reflect the commitment those words inspire and all your hopes and dreams for the future. So as you place these rings upon each other's fingers, wear them with love and with honor.

Take these rings, hold them in your hands together, and now it is your turn to warm these rings with all of your hopes, dreams, and adventures for your married years ahead.

When you're ready, give your hands a little squeeze, and open your eyes.

Michelle, please take Billy's ring, place it on his finger, and repeat after me.

I give you this ring as a sign that I choose you, as my husband, my best friend, and I love you harrrrrr.

Billy, please take Michelle's ring, place it on her finger, and repeat after me.

I give you this ring as a sign that I choose you, as my wife, my best friend, and I love you harrrrrr.

UNITY SHOT

Now that Michelle and Billy have made their life long promises to each other and have exchanged rings, they’ve chosen to symbolize the joining of their two lives by participating in a very special ceremony ritual. BRING OUT THE TEQUILA!

You may not realize it, but a good tequila is like a good marriage in many ways. Stay with me here. It warms you from the inside, gives you strength and confidence, and helps you face difficult situations with a little bit of ease. When the rest of the world seems to turn their backs on you, tequila is there. Sometimes tequila gives you a little bit of a headache, but you get over it. Tequila is always forgiven.

Michelle and Billy, as you each pour a shot for the ritual, you are symbolically adding your own unique strengths that you bring to this marriage. The support, humor, and unwavering friendship that you've brought to this relationship are reflected in the shots you are about to take. So, when I say 1, 2, 3, Salud you two will seal the deal with a drink to your wedding and lifelong partnership. Ready, 1, 2, 3 Salud!!

**drink that shot of tequila and warm yourselves up for that kiss**

PRONOUNCEMENT

We did it!! We made it to the end of the ceremony and FINALLY the official beginning of your forever adventure. It is my greatest joy to say that by the power vested in me by the State of North Carolina, I now pronounce you Mr. and Mrs. Lewis!

You may share your first married kiss!!