Edwin D Robinson

Beloved Family and Treasured Friends. This evening, Siesta Key Beach is no ordinary venue. This evening, Siesta Key Beach becomes a beautiful sanctuary fit for a wedding. Created naturally and wonderfully by the hand of God, and decorated with a beautiful sunset. It is among these surroundings that we gather together this evening to join this man, Logan Clark, and this woman, Rachel Putnam, in the bonds of marriage. We have not gathered here to witness the signing of a contract, but the sealing of a covenant.

To my Clark family, welcome one more time to family reunion. It has been a sincere joy and privilege getting to know Logan’s family over the years. My appearance at these proceedings feels kind of fitting, seeing as how I have been present for the weddings and receptions of Ms. Maltby, Mrs. Drake and Mrs. Pariseau. But, to be promoted from wedding DJ to wedding officiant is, indeed, a nice touch and one amazing step up. I am honored!

Rachel and Logan are planning a big wedding celebration next year. And, quite possibly before that, the groom’s party will indeed increase by 1. For there will be an even bigger celebration to come soon, and his name is Carson Matthew Clark.

So, for this wedding celebration, we’re just going back to the basics. The basic truths about love….the way God designed it, demonstrated it and defined it to be.

So how is love defined? Where can we find a standard of love that stands the test of time? In 1 Corinthians 13 God, speaking through the Apostle Paul, gives us what he calls “the most excellent way”, the most excellent definition of what love is….and what love is not. He writes:

“Love is patient, love is kind.

It does not envy,

it does not boast,

it is not proud.

It does not dishonor others,

it is not self-seeking,

it is not easily angered,

it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

It always protects,

It always trusts,

It always hopes,

It always perseveres.

Love NEVER FAILS.

And now, Paul concludes, these three things remain…faith, hope and love. And the greatest of these is love.”

So, Rachel and Logan, do you come this evening to be united in marriage, WITH THAT DEFINITION OF LOVE one for the other? If so, please look at each other and say, “I do.”

Logan, repeat after me:

With all my heart, I Logan take you Rachel to be my wife.

I promise to be your lover, companion, and friend,

Your partner in parenthood,

Your ally in conflict

Your greatest fan

I will be your comrade in adventure,

Your comfort in disappointment,

Your strength in times of need

I will listen with understanding, and trust you completely.

All the days of my life.

Rachel, repeat after me:

With all my heart, I Rachel take you Logan to be my husband.

I promise to be your lover, companion, and friend,

Your partner in parenthood,

Your ally in conflict

Your greatest fan

I will be your comrade in adventure,

Your comfort in disappointment,

Your strength in times of need

I will listen with understanding, and trust you completely.

All the days of my life.

The rings, please…

May these rings forever remind them of their pledge to one another.

May their compassion and kindness for one another always be like these rings, with no beginning and no end.

May their relationship always be like these rings, separate but close, simple but beautiful.

May the precious metal of these rings remind them that their love is the most precious element in their lives.

Logan, place the ring on Rachel’s finger, please repeat after me:

Rachel, I give you this ring

as a reminder

that I will love, honor, and cherish you,

In all times,

In all places,

And in my heart, always.

Rachel, place the ring on Logan’s finger, please repeat after me:

Logan, I give you this ring

as a reminder

that I will love, honor, and cherish you,

In all times,

In all places,

And in my heart, always.

Let us pray:

Gracious God, our hearts are filled with great happiness on this the wedding day of NAME and NAME. They come before you, pledging their lives and their hearts to one another.

Grant that they may be ever true and loving, living together in such a way as to never bring heartbreak into their marriage.

Temper their hearts with kindness and help them to be sweethearts, helpmates, friend and guide, and of course Carson Matthew’s parents, and together, may they meet the cares and problems of life more bravely.

We ask that you keep in your loving care those family members that, while their physical presence is absent, their love and spirit are ever present. May their witness from a Heavenly grandstand provide them a view that, much like your love for us, is truly magnificent.

May Logan and Rachel’s home truly be a place of love and harmony where your Spirit dwells richly. Bless their wedding day, we pray, and walk beside them, through all their life together. Amen.

Logan and Rachel, this evening you both have vowed, in the presence of God and your family and friends, to be loyal and loving towards each other.

The two of you have formalized the existence of this bond between you with your vows, and have physically symbolized these vows with the giving and receiving of rings.

Therefore, by the powers vested in me as a proclaimer of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and by the laws and ordinances of the Great State of Florida, I pronounce that Logan and Rachel are now husband and wife.

Therefore, what God has joined together, let no man ever separate.

Logan, you may now kiss your bride.

Family, & Friends

It is my honor to present to you for first time at these proceedings, my Brother and his Bride (and future fellow Real Estate associates) …

Mr. and Mrs. Logan and Rachel Clark