Jason S McCrea

Dearly Beloved and Honored Guests,

[ Jacky not really to be "given away" but wishes to acknowledge those who can't be here, then Stuart can take her the last few feet. Do something here? or is the gratitude paragraph below good? Jacky will have a memorial table set up at the venue (Stuart can just take her the last few feet from her Uncle walking her down the aisle.) ]

Welcome to the family and friends who traveled from near and far to be here today. I know your presence means the world to Jacky and Stuart. We are all honored to be a part of their public pronouncement of their love and commitment to each other.

Some of you may have been participants in their relationship from the beginning, a shout-out to Caleb here, thank you [ to him with eye contact ], as their love took shape and blossomed. Others here got to know them later, as they grew from two people who were "just dating" into a couple [ speak to the congregation with as much eye contact as possible ]. To some of you, they have always been the wonderful couple that we witness standing before us today. But regardless of how Stuart and Jacky came into our lives, we are all honored to be here for the most important time in their relationship... the public declaration of their love and commitment to each other.

Jacky and Stuart are grateful for the loved ones whose guidance and inspiration made them the people they are today [ now eye contact with the parents directly ] . While some of those loved ones cannot be here with us today [ look at Jacky's mom ], Stuart and Jacky know that they are with us in spirit, particularly at this important time in their lives, as they build on the lessons of the living, and the departed, to create their own family.

[ I whisper "face each other and hold hands" if they aren't already ]

[ traditional Irish blessing, not overly-religious but acknowledges the spiritual significance of the event, wait for everyone to settle and be quiet if they aren't already ]

May God go with you and bless you.

May you see your children's children.

May you be poor in misfortune.

May you be rich in blessings.

May you be slow to make enemies.

May you be quick to make friends.

But rich or poor, quick or slow,

May you know nothing but happiness from this day forward.

[ Words on marriage section, optional but I think they'd like this ]

Joseph Addison said: "Love is like a friendship caught on fire. In the beginning a flame, very pretty, often hot and fierce, but still only light and flickering. As love grows older, our hearts mature, and our love becomes as coals, deep burning and unquenchable."

[ Couple's Story, also optional but I strongly recommend it ]

[ Each of them provides me a little meaningful story about the other, this whole section is only 3 - 5 minutes long, I'll edit their responses for brevity. ]

|| || and || Stuart sent me a text of some particulars ||

Jacky and Stuart will now share their vows.

[ Dramatic pause here? A moment to reflect the last time as singles to look into each other's eyes and breathe, before the Vows start? Not a moment of silence for the departed, 10 seconds of pause for them to catch their breath and commit this moment to memory. ]

[ Follow a simple "question and affirmation" format: ]

Jacky, do you promise to love Stuart in good times and bad, when life seems easy and when times are tough, when love is simple, and when it is complicated?

*(Wait for Confirmation)*

Will you take Stuart to be your husband, your life partner, and your best friend and will you love, honor, and cherish him for as long as you both shall live?

*(Wait for Confirmation)*

[ They're potentially doing their own additional private vows later to each other, and not part of this ceremony. They requested their own intimate thing and that's fine. ]

Stuart, do you promise to love Jacky in good times and bad, when life seems easy and when times are tough, when love is simple, and when it is complicated?

*(Wait for Confirmation)*

Will you take Jacky to be your wife, your life partner, and your best friend and will you love, honor, and cherish her for as long as you both shall live?

*(Wait for Confirmation)*

Jacky and Stuart will now exchange rings as a symbol of their love and commitment.

[ Best Man will have the rings and hand them to me ]

The circle reminded the ancients of eternity, fashioned as it is without a beginning or end; while gold is so incorruptible that it cannot be tarnished by use or time. So may your union, at this time solemnized, be incorruptible in its purity and more lasting than time itself.

As you Stuart, place this ring on Jacky's finger, please repeat after me: "I give you this ring as a symbol of my commitment to you and to our partnership in life. You have my heart always."

As you Jacky, place this ring on Stuart's finger, please repeat after me: "I give you this ring as a symbol of my commitment to you and to our partnership in life. You have my heart always."

[ Readings go here, secular or religious, all are optional. No more than two, an opportunity to have someone significant read something but isn't required. I like this single reading: ]

Friendship by Judy Bielicki [ pronounced bi-lick-ee ]

It is often said that it is love that makes the world go round. However, without doubt, it is friendship which keeps our spinning existence on an even keel. True friendship provides so many of the essentials for a happy life -- it is the foundation on which to build an enduring relationship, it is the mortar which bonds us together in harmony, and it is the calm warm protection we sometimes need when the world outside seems cold and chaotic. True friendship holds a mirror to our foibles and failings, without destroying our sense of worthiness. True friendship nurtures our hopes, supports us in our disappointments, and encourages us to grow to our best potential. Today, Jacky and Stuart pledge to each other not only their love, but also the strength, warmth, and, most importantly, the fun of true friendship.

[ Traditions: a sand ceremony, blessing of marbles, wine ceremony, hand blessing, etc. would go here. I have templates in my book if you want to know more. Some of these are a good way to get the audience involved if desired. One ritual or tradition should work and still keep us at or under 20 minutes for the ceremony. ]

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

!!! [ First order of business after photos is to get the License signed by generally: me, bride, groom, witnesses: best man and maid of honor. ]