Todd David Catalano

**Musicians set-up at 10:40 (front-corner)

START OF CEREMONY – 11:30am

OFFICIANT TO THE CENTER ARBOR

i. All guests can be seated until 11:30.

ii. Groomsmen to escort parents/grandparents to their seats upon arrival

iii. Once seated, announcement below is given:

Before we begin, after the ceremony is completed, everyone present is requested to join the bridal party at the arbor for a large group photo. Afterwards, the parents, grandparents and bridal party are asked to remain for even more photos while guests are welcome to make their way to the patio for tasty appetizers and cool drinks provided by the Old Orchard Inn!

PROCESSION:

a. THE WEDDING PARTY ENTERS:

GROOM AND BEST MAN

BRIDESMAIDS AND GROOMSMEN

(MOTION FOR ALL TO STAND)

b. BRIDE WITH ANNA ENTERS

INVOCATION:

(ASK GUESTS TO BE SEATED)

Can you believe that this day - over 6 years in the making - has finally arrived!!! Welcome family, friends and loved ones. We are gathered here in the presence of GOD, family, and friends to witness a joyous occasion on this beautiful, not as hot as those weather apps told us, June day - the union of Morgan Elizabeth Brouse and Tyler Jay Hewitt in Holy Matrimony.

Each of us here has had a role in helping them along the path that has led to this joyful occasion. Whether as a family member, friend, co-worker, mentor—or whatever role we have played in their lives—our influence has touched their individual journeys, and we celebrate with them as they now join their lives together, forever.

We rejoice together today as Morgan and Tyler receive one of God’s greatest gifts – a loving partner to grow with, to share life’s joys and challenges with, to build a family with, grow old with, and to journey in faith throughout all their days.

I will - later in this ceremony - ask everyone here to pledge their continued love and support as Tyler and Morgan enter the next chapter in the love story (I'll talk about that in a moment). This morning, we gather to support Morgan and Tyler, celebrating their achievements, and nurturing, advising, and consoling them through life’s challenges. As time goes on, our relationships with Morgan and Tyler will continue to evolve, further strengthening the bonds among all of us gathered here today.

So now, let us bow our heads and ask GOD for HIS blessing on this marriage:

Heavenly Father, bless this couple as they give themselves to one another in this holy bond of marriage. Guide them with patience and love, lighting their path brightly as they walk together in your Spirit. Bless this union with a love that is pure and a desire to live in your faith. Amen!

(OFFICIANT TO THE COUPLE)

Morgan and Tyler, we welcome you to this moment in your lives and to the place you have earned in each other’s hearts. We all join you this morning, as you commit before everyone present that, from this point forward, you shall both live as one. When you embarked on this journey, the moment of your engagement signified not just a new chapter, but an entire book of boundless possibilities waiting to be written together.

MOMENT OF REMEMBRANCE

(OFFICIANT TO GUESTS AND COUPLE)

An important part of the 1st chapter of your book I just mentioned are those who helped create those memories, so let us take a moment to remember those who cannot be with us today, either because of distance or because they have gone before us. Though they may not be physically present here, today, they all still are with us in spirit—for they are linked forever with our lives and our shared memories.

In particular this morning, we lift up the bride's father, Steven Brouse. To share those memories Steven had with Morgan and Tyler, we welcome Leslie Moore, Steven's sister.

(OFFICIANT MOTIONS TO LESLIE TO COME UP)

Thank you, Leslie, for sharing those touching memories with everyone here today. Morgan, be comforted knowing that your father IS PRESENT here today with all of us, and is smiling upon you both!

DECLARATION OF INTENT

(OFFICIANT TO THE COUPLE)

As you both will soon realize, a successful marriage takes more than just love. It takes hard work and lots of patience. It takes commitment and trust. Marriage needs courage, an open mind and a heart full of hope.

Please face each other, hold hands, and declare to all witnessing today your free intent to marry one another:

Morgan and Tyler, are you ready to take the vows of marriage together to live together as wife and husband?

THE COUPLE: We are!

OFFICIANT: Morgan and Tyler, do you promise to love each other faithfully and bravely, without reservation?

THE COUPLE: We do.

OFFICIANT: Morgan and Tyler, do you promise to share that love boldly and wildly, reflecting the gift of your love back to every person, every creature, and every landscape that you meet in your long lives?

THE COUPLE: We do!

OFFICIANT: Finally, Morgan and Tyler, do you promise to treat each other with generosity, with a generous spirit and generous mind, and to be generous with your time to each other, putting each other first in your lives?

THE COUPLE: We do!

SCRIPTURE READING

(OFFICIANT TO THE COUPLE)

Morgan and Tyler, in John 15 verses 9-12 of the Bible, it is written:

"Just as the Father has loved me, I have also loved you; remain in my love. If you obey my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that my joy may be in you, and your joy may be complete. My commandment is this—to love one another just as I have loved you."

This is the spirit of love you must carry in your hearts today – the promise to love one another as Jesus Christ has loved each of us, honestly and completely.

OFFICIANT'S WORDS

(OFFICIANT TO THE COUPLE)

I would like to take a few moments to share the beginning of the love story you are all seeing today. Who would have thought the symbol of future love wasn't a ring, or an arbor, but a Golden Arch! As the groom’s mother shared with me, Tyler (a man of few words) was quite talkative about a girl he met at work...Morgan. She described to me the look of the "biggest smile on his face and hearts in his eyes" when talking about her and having difficulty putting his feelings into words! I myself swear I heard a story somewhere that he told a co-worker that "I'm going to marry that girl one day!" His love for Morgan never faded over the years they dated, and when he went to pick up the engagement ring (which, secretly, Morgan knew about since she was able to track where he was - you should ALWAYS listen to your mother when she tells you to turn off your phone's location!!! ), he customized her dream ring...nervous and excited to present it to her on a beautiful autumn day in Sprague Brook Park! If you look at him now, you'll see the same smile...the same nervous heart skipping a beat...the same unending love for his "love at first sight."

And Morgan…well…at first, we really didn't know about Tyler ; it was kind of a secret since she wasn't sure how we'd feel about her dating "an older guy." Once she told us, and he started visiting her, they'd spend hours in our backyard gazebo, almost to the point that Donna and I either thought he'd ask her to marry him in the gazebo OR they'd be looking at putting in an outdoor kitchen and TV. However, once the relationship grew, she would talk about him to everyone: in texts, in person, to her friends, I would assume co-workers. It may sound cliché, but every time she mentioned his name, she'd never stopped smiling (sound familiar???) and when he would come over to visit, she would jump up into his, very tall, arms with these HUGE hugs that make every dad jealous for the same attention! I once recalled her getting really nervous about her upcoming prom, wondering if he'd ask her (like that wasn't a given) and Tyler secretly plotting to make this great huge sign when he asked her...um, this sign! (HOLD UP SIGN). Morgan's life revolves around Tyler…it did when she first started dating him, and it still does today. Morgan pictured marrying Tyler early in their relationship, and to Donna and me (and many of you) we knew it was only a matter of time.

So, to Morgan and Tyler, I ask that you encourage each other's joys and passions ; be each other's support system - you will face challenges going forward, like building a house, figuring out paint schemes, who gets priority driveway parking! But I know the strength of the two of you...together...as one couple...can overcome any obstacle, any trial.

Never take each other for granted, and especially, never lose sight of the reasons you fell in love in the first place : all of us have seen the true love that stands before us today. True Love At First Sights! As a science fiction fan, my favorite movie teased us with this closing thought at the end of the movie: the greatest adventure is yet to come...or, in your case, the continuation of the love story! All my love to you both!!!

READINGS

We now welcome the mothers of the Bride and Groom, Donna Catalano and Toni Hewitt, who wish to share a poem for Morgan and Tyler.

(HAND MICROPHONES FOR POEM)

We now welcome Groomsman Dominic Say-vone, who will share a bible verse from 1 Corinthians 13: verses 4-5.

(HAND MICROPHONE TO DOMINIC)

“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, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails”

>>>PAUSE>>>

“Love “always perseveres.” Through those difficult times, despite obstacles, we find the strength in the one we choose to be with forever. The symbol of “forever” is, of course, a ring. Unending and unbreakable.

EXCHANGE OF RINGS AND VOWS

(OFFICIANT TO JACKIE BROUSE)

Therefore, I ask that Jackie Brouse, Steven’s wife, please bring the couple’s wedding rings forward.

(MOTION TO JACKIE)

THE RING BEARER PLACES THE RINGS IN OFFICIANT’S OPEN PALM.

(OFFICIANT TO ALL)

Morgan Elizabeth Brouse and Tyler Jay Hewitt will now exchange rings as a symbol of their love and commitment.

(OFFICIANT TO THE COUPLE)

Let these perfect circles symbolize the path you set upon together: endless and open, gleaming and priceless.

May you wear them always as a reminder of the unbreakable bond you will share. Let the timeless beauty of their precious metal recall the love of the families, friends and mentors present in person or in spirit, who helped forge in you a core of confidence and compassion.

OFFICIANT TO MORGAN

"Morgan Elizabeth Brouse, have you come here freely and without reservation to marry?"

BRIDE ANSWERS “I HAVE.”

"Morgan, please place Tyler’s ring on his finger, remain facing him and make your solemn vow to him."

Morgan PLACES THE RING AND OFFICIANT RECITES:

Repeat after me:

"I Morgan Elizabeth Brouse"

"take you, Tyler Jay Hewitt"

"to be my lawfully wedded husband"

"to have and to hold"

"in sickness and in health"

"in good times and struggles"

"for richer or for poorer"

"keeping me unto you"

"for as long as we both shall live."

OFFICIANT TO TYLER

"Tyler Jay Hewitt, have you come here freely and without reservation to marry?"

GROOM ANSWERS “I HAVE.”

"Tyler, please place Morgan’s ring on her finger, remain facing her and make your solemn vow to her."

TYLER PLACES THE RING AND OFFICIANT RECITES:

Repeat after me:

"I Tyler Jay Hewitt"

"take you, Morgan Elizabeth Brouse"

"to be my lawfully wedded wife"

"to have and to hold"

"in sickness and in health"

"in good times and struggles"

"for richer or for poorer"

"keeping me unto you"

"for as long as we both shall live."

(OFFICIANT TO ALL)

This marriage unites not just Tyler and Morgan, but all of you sitting here today. Tyler and Morgan now ask now for YOUR blessing. (TO ALL) Do you promise to support Tyler and Morgan in their marriage, to keep them in your prayers, to hold them up with love, and to rejoice in companionship in God as they walk this path together?

THE CONGREGATION ANSWERS, “WE DO.”

(THE OFFICIANT TO THE CONGREGATION)

Father of all, King of the universe, bless this marriage and bestow your spirit in the hearts of Tyler and Morgan. Let your divine light illuminate their path as they build a joyous life on profound love, compassion, devotion, and your eternal wisdom. For it is written in Genesis that “a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” And so, it is today, with this new couple. Let Morgan and Tyler be a comfort to each other, and bless them with patience, so they may always find strength and endurance to fulfill the promises they have made here before you and us all today. Amen.

PRONOUNCEMENT

(OFFICIANT TO THE COUPLE)

Morgan and Tyler, having witnessed your marriage vows in the eyes of God and before ALL who are assembled here, by the authority invested in me by American Marriage Ministries and the State of New York, I pronounce you husband and wife. Tyler, you may now kiss your bride!

RECESSIONAL

(OFFICIANT TO THE GUESTS)

Family. Dear Friends. Honored Guests: This is the end of our ceremony but the continuation of the love story. Therefore, it is my proud honor to introduce to you, for the first time, Mr. & Mrs. Tyler and Morgan Hewitt!

THE COUPLE MAKE THEIR EXIT DOWN THE AISLE.