Raquel Solomon

Good Afternoon Family, Friends and Honored Guests,

We are gathered together here to join Matthew Mejía and Fatima Aguilera in the spiritual union of marriage.

This contract is not to be entered into lightly but thoughtfully and seriously, and with a deep realization of its obligations and responsibilities. Please remember that love, loyalty, and understanding are the foundations of a happy and enduring home.

Matthew and Fatima will now share their personal vows to one another.

*(DECIDE BEFORE HAND WHO WILL GO FIRST AND I WILL STEP ASIDE SO THAT IT IS MORE INTIMATE) AFTER YOU READ YOUR PERSONAL VOWS I WILL READ THE FOLLOWING BELOW)*

Do you Matthew take this woman Fatima Aguilera to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and bad, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself unto her for as long as you both shall live?

*(Wait for Confirmation)*

Do you Fatima take this man Matthew Mejía to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and bad, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself unto him for as long as you both shall live?

*(Wait for Confirmation)*

Matthew and Fatima have chosen to celebrate their marriage by performing a hand fasting. (I WILL READ FIRST THE MEANING AND THEN PERFORM THE HANDFASTING BETWEEN YOU TWO)

Handfasting is an age old symbol of strength and love, of continued commitment and steady devotion. It signifies a willingness and desire to grow alongside one another, facing each new day as a team. Drawing on individual strengths while learning to accept each other's help and support. It communicates the belief that together you will meet challenges you could never meet alone.

Matthew and Fatima, you have taken this time to learn about each other, to let love grow stronger naturally and patiently, and to invest in one another fully. You've shared laughter and excitement, and met challenges with curiosity and joint efforts.

You have both come here to become handfasted to one another. To pledge to yourselves and to your family and friends that you will continue to love and support one another, growing stronger together each day. Is this true?

(AT THIS POINT I WILL THE LOCATE THE HANDFASTING ROPE AND BEGIN JOINING THE TWO OF YOU TOGETHER BY WRAPING IT AROUND YOUR HANDS AND WRIST.)

(ONCE IT'S WRAPPED YOU WILL HOLD UP YOUR HANDS TO SHOW YOUR GUEST AND THEN WE WILL UNWRAP.

At this time I would like to call up _____________________ to bring the rings.

Matthew please place Fatima's ring on her left rIng finger.

Fatima please place Matthew's ring on his ring finger.

(I WILL THEN READ THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE BURING OF THE BAY LEAVES. WHILE YOU BOTH ARE LIGHTING THE LEAVES AND THEY ARE BURNING I WILL HAVE YOU TURN TO ONE ANOTHER AND READ THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT BELOW.)

By the authority vested in me by American Marriage Ministries and the State of California I now pronounce you husband and wife! Matthew you may kiss your bride.

I PRESENT TO YOU MR. AND MRS. MATTHEW MEJIA!!!!! WHOOOOHOOOO