James Donald Bradley

Script for Rebecca and Andrew's wedding: October 10, 2023 Ouray, Colorado

Friends, we have been invited here today to share witness to a very important moment in the lives of Andrew Carpenter and Rebecca Bradley.

In the years they have been together, their love and understanding of each other has grown and matured, and now they have decided to live their lives together as husband and wife.

Marriage is a gift from God,

Given to us so that we might experience the joys of unconditional love with a lifelong partner.

God designed marriage to be an intimate relationship between two loving people.

Who gives this woman to be married to this man?

She gives herself, with the blessing of her mother and father.

We come now to the words Rebecca and Andrew want to hear.

The words that take them across the threshold from being engaged to being married.

A marriage, as most of us understand, is a voluntary and full commitment.

It is made in the deepest sense to the exclusion of others,

and is entered into with the desire and hope that it will last for life.

Before you declare your vows to one another,

I want to hear you confirm

that it is indeed your intention to be married today.

Rebecca,

do you come here freely and without reservation to give yourself to Andrew in marriage?

If so, answer “I do.”

Andrew,

do you come here freely and without reservation to give yourself to Rebecca in marriage?

If so, answer “I do.”

The Bible, in Corinthians tells us:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

It is not rude, 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, always trusts, always hopes, always persevers.

Being that this is the wedding of Rebecca and Andrew,

let us hear their vows:

Andrew:

Rebecca, I promise to be your wanderlust accomplice,

to run away together whenever you need an adventure,

and to remind you to answer when the mountains call.

I promise to be your shoulder, to be there,

to hold you when your hurting and wipe away your tears.

I promise to be your protector;

to be there to kiss your forhead every morning and every night.

To always hold your hand and your heart no matter what comes.

And so, I vow to be your husband,

to be your partner and life long friend

And to always and forever love you,

My heart is yours until times end.

Rebecca:

Andrew, I promise to always be your muse,

to kindle fires within your soul, to inspire your fullest life

and help you reach your highest goals.

I promise to be your glue,

to dance when no songs are playing,

to laugh even when your not funny and

not quit when I feel like quiting.

I promise to be your starlight,

to be a guide when times are hard.

To hold your hand and snuggle you warm

and always remind you of who your are.

And so, I vow to be your wife,

to be your partner and lifelong friend,

to always and forever love you.

My heart is yours, until times end.

Now, having heard Rebecca and Andrew vow their love for one another

it seems appropriate to have them exchange with each other

A symbol of continuous love.

A symbol of infinite love that has neither beginning nor end with no break.

Smooth edges to remind them how well they are together.

Now may we have the Rings that,

so traditionally, represents their Love for one another.

Rebecca: Take the ring and place it on Andrew's left ring finger and

repeat after me:

Andrew, with this ring, I thee wed.

Andrew: Take the ring and place it on Rebecca's left ring finger and

repeat after me:

Rebecca, with this ring, I thee wed.

We have witnessed the joining of spirits and commitment of Andrew and Rebecca to each other

and now have the honor to hear the blessing:

Kris, would you be so kind?

(blessing)

Our father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us;

and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever.

Amen.

And now, the moment has come to pronounce Andrew and Rebecca, husband and wife.

Andrew, you may kiss your bride.

(Kiss)

Please welcome to the world Mr. Andrew J. and Mrs Rebecca J. Carpenter.