Tonette Michelle Lawson

INVOCATION

OFFICIANT TO THE GUESTS

Welcome family, you are here today serving as witness to the joining of Laura and Rebecca in marriage. To be present during this exchange of vows signifies your importance to them. Thank you for supporting them on this most important occasion.

Today we gather in celebration of love in its truest sense. Love is not defined as a commodity afforded only to a select few. Love is a universal and immeasurable gift given between and enjoyed by two people who have deepened their relationship far beyond that of casual friendship. Love is special, and deserves to be celebrated. Mrs. Maya Angelou said: "I am grateful to have been loved and to be loved now and to be able to love, because that liberates. Love liberates.

To make the ultimate commitment of matrimony is the highest public affirmation of love in our society. To quote the Supreme Court of The United States, "No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and family. In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than once they were."*

Today, Laura and Rebecca will promise to become that something greater, together, and will be joined with equal dignity in the eyes of the law.

OFFICIANT TO THE COUPLE

Rebecca and Laura, understand that marriage is never to be entered into lightly, but thoughtfully, and with deep respect to this commitment. This is the moment when your hearts and souls are joined as one, to face together all you encounter from this day forward. As this part of your journey begins, I would ask that you both remind yourselves often of the love that brought you here today. (In this cave…deep in this cave)

DECLARATION OF INTENT

OFFICIANT TO THE COUPLE

Laura and Rebecca, I ask that you turn to face one another, and join hands as you make these promises.

OFFICIANT TO PARTNER LAURA

Do you, Laura, enter into this union of your own free will, completely of heart, mind, body and soul, vowing to take Rebecca as your spouse, love, and partner, in all that life brings?

PARTNER LAURA

I do.

OFFICIANT TO PARTNER REBECCA

Do you, Rebecca, enter into this union of your own free will, completely of heart, mind, body and soul, vowing to take Laura as your spouse, love, and partner, in all that life brings?

PARTNER REBECCA

I do.

EXCHANGE OF RINGS

OFFICIANT TO COUPLE

May we have the rings, please?

• RINGS ARE GIVEN TO THE PARTNERS.

In reality, a ring is no more than a circle of metal on its own. But similar to the joining of two people in matrimony, with the addition of vows, a ring extends far beyond the sum of its part and represents an endless promise, never to be broken. These rings are to be an outward symbol of the love and commitment between you both, and a daily reminder of your vows.

OFFICIANT TO PARTNER LAURA

Laura, as you place this ring on Rebecca’s finger, please repeat after me:

Rebecca, this ring symbolizes my promise

to stand beside you and with you,

celebrating any joy and facing any and all challenges together,

loving you til the end of our days.

With this ring, I thee wed."

• PARTNER A REPEATS EACH LINE IN TURN AS THE OFFICIANT SPEAKS.

OFFICIANT TO PARTNER REBECCA

Rebecca, as you place this ring on Laura’s finger, please repeat after me:

Laura, this ring symbolizes my promise

to stand beside you and with you,

celebrating any joy and facing any and all challenges together,

loving you til the end of our days.

With this ring, I thee wed."

• PARTNER B REPEATS EACH LINE IN TURN AS THE OFFICIANT SPEAKS.

OFFICIANT'S BLESSING

OFFICIANT

We ask for blessings on this union, that the universe contributes to your strength, trust, and brings joy beyond your wildest imaginations. May you be an example of love to the world, and that you live in Grace, Peace, and be provided every dignity of having been joined in matrimony.

PRONOUNCEMENT

OFFICIANT TO COUPLE

Laura and Rebecca you have consented to this joining and have pledged your commitment to one another through sacred vows, thus allowing you every privilege of marriage.

According to the powers vested in me by American Marriage Ministries, I pronounce you Partners in Life, For Life. You may seal this covenant with a kiss.

INTRODUCTION

OFFICIANT TO GUESTS

It is my pleasure and privilege to introduce Rebecca and Laura as being duly married under the eyes of the law, in their hearts, and in their souls. Let this celebration of love continue!