David Albert Zan

Officiant Script

“Welcome all. (Amber & Jim respectfully request) At the request of the couple, I invite you all to silence your cell phones and keep them and all photographic devices away during the ceremony. The talented photographers and videographers with us today will capture and share these moments – we encourage you to enjoy the celebration, without the distraction of technology. (So please refrain from taking any pictures or videos with your devices) At the end of the ceremony, we will give everyone a chance to capture a photo with their cellphone or camera of choice.”

- Groomsmen walk to altar

- Groom walks to altar

- Parents of groom walk to altar

- Mother of the bride walks

- Bridesmaids/MOH enter

- Flower girl/ring bearer walks

“Please stand for the bride.”

- Bride walks with Uncle/Aunt, wait for song to finish

“Welcome. Please be seated.

Amber and James, today we are gathered here (in the presence of family and friends) to celebrate the love you have discovered in each other and support the commitment you are about to make.

Marriage is more than two people standing here and repeating vows. There is an entire lifetime ahead of you and there are skills to be learned and practiced daily. (Up until now, you have had a chance to do just that. But after today, it will become official.)

Part of marriage is finding happiness. Continue to search for the good, the fun, and the beautiful in this life to share with each other.

Part of marriage is being flexible. So, within your marriage cultivate flexibility, patience, and understanding, all while maintaining a sense of humor and joy.

Part of marriage is companionship. Strive to comfort one another and develop the capacity to forgive and heal your differences day by day.

(Part of marriage is honing your skills of listening to your partner. Learning to understanding your partner’s feelings, emotions, and point of view in every situation. And this process is on-going for the life of your marriage.)

Remember that your love can always prevail in times of turmoil. It will drive you to not only learn and to grow as individuals but become stronger partners together.

Today, as you join yourselves in marriage, there is a vast and unknown future stretching out before you. Today you enter as individuals, but you will leave here (joined) as husband and wife; your lives blending and expanding the ties of your family and best friends. You are embarking upon a great adventure, through which all of us here know you will prevail. (And I know that your family and friends who are here to share this moment with you will also support and encourage the both of you throughout your journey.)

Now, a reading by Robert Fulghum before the couple shares their vows:

The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, “You know all those things we’ve promised and hoped and dreamed – well I meant it all, every word.” Look at one another and remember this moment in time. Before this moment, you have been many things to one another – acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, dancing partner, and even teacher, for you have learned much from one another in these last few years. Now you shall say a few words that take you across a threshold of life, and things will never quite be the same between you. For after these vows, you shall say to the world, this- is my husband; this- is my wife.”

- Bride and groom collect rings

- Gives vows/exchange rings

“With the power vested in me by the state of NJ, I now pronounce you Husband and Wife, Mr. and Mrs. Tenerelli! You may kiss your bride! “

- Please step out of the way of camera

- Couple share kiss

- Give a few moments before next statement

“At this time, we will give everyone a chance to take pictures with their camera of choice before the couple retreats down the aisle.”

- Couple walks back down the aisle, followed by wedding party

“Please retreat into the venue for cocktail hour! Enjoy!”