Catherine Grudzinski

Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens.

A good marriage must be created. In marriage the little things are the big things.

It is never being too old to hold hands.

It is remembering to say “I love you” at least once a day.

It is never going to sleep angry.

It is at no time taking the other for granted; the courtship should not end with the honeymoon, it should

continue through the years.

It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives.

It is standing together facing the world. It is forming a circle of love that gathers the whole family.

It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy.

It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.

It is not looking for perfection in each other.

It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humour.

It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.

It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow old.

It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.

It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, dependence is mutual and the

obligation is reciprocal.

It is not only marrying the right partner; it is being the right partner.

We come now to the words Mateo and Hailey want to hear the most today…the words that take them across the threshold from being engaged to being married.

A marriage, as most of us understand it, is a voluntary and full commitment. It is made in the deepest sense to the exclusion of all others, and it 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.

Mateo, do you come here freely and without reservation to give yourself to Hailey in marriage? If so, answer “I do.”

Hailey, do you come here freely and without reservation to give yourself to Mateo in marriage? If so, answer “I do”.

Mateo and Hailey, having heard that it is your intention to be married to each other, I now ask you to declare your marriage vows.

Please face each other and hold hands.

 

Mateo, please repeat after me…

I, Mateo John Michael take you, Hailey Elizabeth to be my wife.

I will share my life with yours,

and build our dreams together,

Support you through times of trouble,

and rejoice with you in times of happiness.

I promise to give you respect, love and loyalty.

Hailey, please repeat after me…

I, Hailey, take you, Mateo John Michael, to be my husband.

I will share my life with yours,

Build our dreams together,

Support you through times of trouble,

and rejoice with you in times of happiness.

I promise to give you respect, love and loyalty.

EXCHANGE WEDDING RINGS

Your wedding rings are the outward and visible sign of the inward and invisible bond which already unites you two hearts in love.

Mateo, place the ring on Hailey's finger and repeat after me….

I give you this ring.

Wear it with love and joy.

As this ring has no end,

My love is also forever.

Hailey, place the ring on Mateo's finger and repeat after me….

I give you this ring.

Wear it with love and joy.

As this ring has no end,

My love is also forever.

May the wedding rings you exchanged today remind you always that you are surrounded by enduring love.

And so now by the power vested in me by the State of Maryland, it is my honor and delight to declare you husband and wife. You may seal this declaration with a kiss.

I am pleased to present the newlyweds, Mr. and Mrs. Garcia!

 

UNITY SAND CEREMONY

Hailey, please pour a little of your sand in the vessel to symbolize your life before your marriage.

Mateo, please pour a little of your sand to symbolize your life before this marriage.

Now both Hailey and Mateo both pour your sand in the vessel as you wish.

Just as these grains of sand can never be separated, our hopes for you today is that your marriages is never separated. May your lives together be blended like the sand, and may your love swirl around each other like the changing tides.

Now lets all form a circle, this is your new, bigger circle to lean on when wise words are needed.