Sarah Marie Lund

Dear friends and family, we gather here today to celebrate the love and union of Hannah Hokanson and Patrick Yeomans as they begin their journey of lifelong companionship.

Before we begin, we kindly request you to embrace this special occasion fully and refrain from using any electronic devices, as we are having an unplugged ceremony. Let us be present and enjoy this moment together! You may be seated.

At this time, I’m going to pass around the wedding rings. We call this a “ring warming”. As you pass the rings to the person next to you, we ask that you share your positive vibes, blessings, and prayers.

When they return to the front, Patrick and Hannah will exchange them and carry your love with them as they embark on their journey through life together.

They are starting as cold pieces of metal and will return to them ready to exchange, warmed with your love.

Pass the rings to the Maid/Matron of Honor

As this day is going to come and go, Hannah and Patrick, to look at your guests and to soak in the moment. Take in the community that surrounds you in support and love.

Today is a celebration. A celebration of love, of commitment, of friendship, of family, and of two people who are in it for forever.

This ceremony will not create a relationship that does not already exist between you. It is a symbol of how far you have come in the past 6 years. It is a symbol of the promises you will make to each other to continue growing stronger as individuals and as partners, no matter what challenges or success you encounter together in the years before you.

Today, your lives, which began on separate paths, will be joined as one.

Marriage, in a sense, is linking up and saying to the other person, 'Every experience I am going to have, I want you to be a part of,’ and choosing to go through whatever comes together. As the sentiment from The Little Prince goes, "There might be millions of roses in the whole world, but you're my only one unique rose." As you have journeyed through life apart, you are both truly lucky to have found one another. Patrick and Hannah, may you always see each other for the unique and priceless rose that you are to the other.

Let us pray for this couple as they gather here to pledge their marriage vows.

Gracious God, always faithful in your love for us, we rejoice in your companionship. You create love. You unite us in one human family. You offer your word and lead us in light. You open your loving arms and embrace us with strength. May the love of Christ fill our hearts with new joy and make new the lives of Patrick and Hannah, whose marriage we celebrate. Bless all creation through this sign of your love shown in the love that Hannah and Patrick have for each other. May all of us here rest in the love that knows no end. Amen.

Hannah, do you come here today to marry Patrick, and to join your path with his? If so, please say I do.

Pause

Patrick, do you come here today to marry Hannah, and to join your path with hers? If so, please say I do.

Pause

Two people who are joined in love do not live in isolation. Their love is a source of strength with which they may nourish each other and the world around them. And in turn, we, the community of friends and family, are responsible to this couple. By our steadfast care, respect, and love, we can support their marriage and the family they are creating today.

Please rise in body or in spirit as we show our support to this couple.

Pause

Will you, who are present today at this ceremony, surround Patrick and Hannah in love, offering them the joys of your friendship and supporting them in their marriage? If so, please say We Will.

Pause

Please be seated.

Hannah and Patrick will now exchange vows that they've written for each other. These words are promises they make to each other, to keep each day of their lives together.

Hand Patrick his book to hold during his vows

Hold the microphone for Patrick

Take back Patrick’s book

Hand Hannah her book to hold during her vows

Hold the microphone for Hannah

Take back Hannah’s book

Get the rings from the Best Man and hand Patrick’s ring to Hannah

Hannah, place this ring on Patrick’s finger please 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.

Pause

Get Hannah’s ring out and hand it to Patrick

Patrick, place this ring on Hannah's finger please 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.

Pause

Hannah and Patrick have also asked us to join them in a blessing of the hands to symbolize that their union takes place on a spiritual as well physical level.

Hannah, Patrick, take a moment to feel the softness of each other’s skin, the curve of fingers, the warmth of palms. Take a deep breath. Give each other’s hands a little squeeze. Relax into your partner’s presence, their support and strength, and let their hands anchor you in this moment.

These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever.

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

These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch, will comfort you like no other.

These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills your mind.

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 tenderly hold your children.

These are the hands that will help you to hold your family as one.

These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it.

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

As you walk through life as husband and wife, remember to hold life lightly – never forcing, and always grateful for what’s in your grasp. Remember to reach out to each other often. Reach out again and again.

May your hands be forever clasped in friendship, and your hearts joined forever in love. As we have learned from The Little Prince, "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye."

May you always be able to see each other with your hearts, always loving, always trusting, always persevering, and always holding hands.

Pause

Next, I would like to welcome Hannah's childhood minister and friend, the Reverend Jim White to the front, to offer a marriage blessing for Patrick and Hannah.

Walk to the side as Jim gives his blessing

Hannah and Patrick, you have come here today of your own free will, and in the presence of family and loved ones, have declared your love and commitment to each other. You have given and received rings as a symbol of your promises.

The true art of married life is in this inner spiritual journey. It is a mutual enrichment, a give and take between two personalities, a mingling of two lives which diminishes neither, but enhances both.

Inasmuch as you, Patrick, and you Hannah, have come together in the union of marriage and you have pledged your devotion to each other in the presence of God, your family, and friends.

By the power of your love and commitment to each other, and by the power vested in me by the State of Colorado, I now pronounce you husband and wife.

Start moving back and to the side

You may now seal your vows with a kiss.

Pause

Move back to the center

I would like to ask everyone to take out your packages of rose petals, open them, and be ready to toss them during their recession. I’ll give you a minute to get them ready.

Pause

It is my pleasure to present, for the first time as a married couple, Patrick and Hannah Yeomans!

Stand at the front as the recession begins and remain until the wedding party and guests have exited