Anika S. Benson

Family, Friends and Love Ones,

We are Gathered here together, in the sight of GOD and as witnesses to celebrate the marriage of

LAURA RODRIGUEZ and IVAN RIVERA in holy matrimony, 

We gather around them now in this wonderful place, and we look on with love and hope as these two begin their new life together as one.

Parents give the bride away

Officiant: Today, we will witness the coming together of not only LAURA and IVAN but also their families. To honor the impact their families have had on their lives. 

Luis and Felix, I want to ask, do you give your blessing for the union of LAURA and IVAN?

Answer: son and brother

OFFICIANT TO THE COUPLE 

IVAN please take your Bride LAURA hand; please face each other. 

Their LOVE STORY JOURNEY

Ivan and Laura paths 1st crossed In 2006 at a sweet 15 event. 14 yrs later in 2020 fate had their paths crossed again, at a mutual friend, birthday party. Ivan noticed Laura first, and they spent the whole evening talking and catching up. From that moment on, their bond grew stronger.

On Christmas of 2020, Ivan surprised Laura by asking for her hand in marriage in front of her children. It was a moment of pure happiness. As they started planning their wedding, life threw them a curveball. Ivan was diagnosed with T Cell lymphoma and had to undergo challenging rounds of chemotherapy and radiation. Together, they faced cancer and emerged stronger. Ivan is now celebrating his 1st year anniversary in remission.

Let’s Congratulations and may God bless you with many more..

Laura describes Ivan as charismatic, charming, funny, and incredibly handsome. He's not just intelligent but also resilient, never giving up in the face of trials. His determination is both firm and loving, pushing us towards our dreams and ambitions. He compliment her, bringing sunshine into her life.

Ivan describes Laura with deep admiration. She embodies love, patience, and strength not only as mother, daughter and now as his wife. Her beauty is not just in appearance, but in her unique and headstrong character. No matter what life throws at her, she seeks solutions with unwavering determination. She's his peace and greatest blessing.

Together, their journey is a testament of true love, endurance and the power of unity.

The READING

Philippians 1:7

“I hold you in my heart,

for we have shared together God’s blessings.”

The Message: Those who enter into the commitment of marriage don’t just

create a bond with each other, but with God.

We need only to look around to see the everyday miracles He has brought our way.

Let us pray for this man and woman

as they make their marriage vows.

Father, as IVAN and LAURA  pledge themselves to each other,

help them and bless them that their love may be pure,

and their vows may be true. 

Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen."

TO THE BRIDE & GROOM: 

LAURA and IVAN The contract of marriage is most solemn and is not to be entered into lightly,

but thoughtfully and seriously with a deep realization of its obligations and responsibilities.

Please remember that Love, Loyalty, Communication and Understanding; and being able to forgive and never stop fighting for each other. This is the Foundations of a Happy and Enduring Home. No other human ties are more tender and no other vows more important than those you are about to pledge.

Declaration of Intent

I ask you both 

OFFICIANT (to IVAN RIVERA )  

IVAN do you take LAURA to be your Lawfully Wedded Wife? 

Will you Respect, Honor and Cherish Her;

Love, Trust, and Commit to Her, Through Joy and Pain,

sickness and health, and

whatever life may throw at you both, until death do you part?

 

IVAN answer:

OFFICIANT (to LAURA RODRIGUEZ)

LAURA Do you take IVAN to be your Lawfully Wedded Husband? 

Will you Respect, Honor and Cherish Him;

Love, Trust, and Commit to Him, Through Joy and Pain,

sickness and health, and

whatever life may throw at you both, until death do you part?

LAURA Answer:

Ring Exchange & Vows 

NOTE: place rings in Wedding Officiant’s Hand. Bride and Groom place your hands on top of my hand as We bless your rings

The Wedding rings symbolise eternal love and commitment within a relationship.

Wear these rings as a reminder of the vows you have just taken.”

I bless these rings in the name of the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit Amen 

THE RINGS/OFFICIANT (to IVAN take Laura ring from my hand then

 The rings – place the ring halfway up each finger, hold there till after vows are spoken.

Repeat after me: 

I IVAN RIVERA, With this ring, I give you my heart, 

I promise to love you and commit to you my whole life. 

I promise to be there for you when you need me, to be honest with you, 

to be faithful to you and you alone, 

and to walk through the valleys of life together as one. 

I give you this ring, as token and pledge

of my constant faithfulness and everlasting love. 

My heart will be your shelter, And my arms will be your home

 Repeat after me: 

I LAURA RODRIGUEZ With this ring, I give you my heart, 

I promise to love you and commit to you my whole life. 

I promise to be there for you when you need me, to be honest with you, 

to be faithful to you and you alone, 

and to walk through the valleys of life together as one.”

I give you this ring, as token and pledge

of my constant faithfulness and everlasting love. 

My heart will be your shelter, And my arms will be your home.

Lighting of the UNITY CANDLE

Ladies and gentlemen, as we move forward in this beautiful ceremony, The Lighting of the Unity Candle.

IVAN and LAURA, These candles symbolize your individual lives and the journeys that have brought you here today.

Now, as IVAN and LAURA light their candles, they illuminate the path they've walked separately, with all their unique experiences and stories. These individual flames represent the essence of each of you.

And now, together as a couple, please take your candles and light the center candle. This central flame signifies the union of two hearts and two souls, coming together in love and commitment. As you watch the two flames merge into one, it symbolizes the creation of a new life together, bound by the sacred bonds of marriage.

In the years to come, on each anniversary, you'll have the opportunity to relight these candles, reminding yourselves of the love and vows you share. It will serve as a beautiful reminder of the day two lives came together as one."

Mark 10:8-9 (NKJV)

And the two shall become one flesh; 

so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. 

Therefore, what God has joined together, let not man separate.

Meaning: Your marriage has been blessed and sanctified by God.

Any person that should try to break your absolute commitment to each other,

has been forewarned.

Pronouncement

OFFICIANT (to couple):

IVAN and LAURA having proclaimed your love and commitment to one another in the eyes of God and your loved ones;  

By the authority vested in me by the American Marriage Ministry and The State of Pennsylvania. 

It’s my greatest joy and privilege to declare you Husband and Wife 

you may seal your promise with a KISS

Closing LAURA and IVAN 

OFFICIANT (to congregation): 

AFTER THE KISS. GUEST PLEASE STAND and BRIDE & GROOM TURN TO YOUR GUEST

NOTE: HOLD HAND AND WAIT FOR MY FINAL CLOSE OUT.

LAURA & IVAN turn to your family & friends/ guests. 

May this union between LAURA and IVAN provide the love and support as they now begin their new journeys together; we pray that God will continuously Guide their paths both individually and as husband and wife. 

It is my honor to present, you for the first time as HUSBAND AND WIFE 

Mr. & Mrs. RIVERA