Katieann Pirog Henkel

Announcement pre-start:

Hello and welcome, will all guests take the time now to silence cell phones. In addition, be mindful of the photographer while the ceremony is taking place, great pictures of the event happen when the photographer catches the ceremony without guests holding cell phones aimed at the couple.

Start: Honored Guests Please Stand.

[Tracy waits to see if Jeff sweats it out then she starts down the aisle. Haha]

Ceremony Starts:

You may be seated.

On this day we take ourselves out of our usual routines to bear witness to something unique. A single moment in which these two amazing people Jeff and Tracy tie the knot. Today they join as one in the union of marriage. They called upon us to share this event because we are the ones that they have supported and now it is our time to return that in spades. I know I am honored to be here today as a daughter-in-law and wedding official.

I better not mess this up, huh?

Jeff, are you ready?

Tracy are you ready?

Both say: "Yes"

Marriage is not to be entered into lightly but thoughtfully and carefully, and with a deep realization of its obligations and responsibilities. Remember love is a willingness to understand another person at their best or toughest times. Love is having a deep sense of humor and a knack for one liners, its remembering to bring snacks on those long antiquing marathons, it's always having enough cozy blankets around for naps, and it's especially knowing that there will be walls dedicated to beautiful Thomas Kinkade artwork that gets collected over this life time that helps tell your story as a couple.

Today we are here to watch Jeff and Tracy say to each other three little letters, two little words, "I do".

It's the simplest part of the day. But there is nothing simple about the things that will remain unsaid.

I do means, I do know I could be hurt but I am ready to be healed with you.

It means, I do want to try even when the fear of failure holds me back and I do not know the future but I am ready to be surprised along the way.

And I do means, I do want your love and I do give you mine and nothing we do, will ever be the same because you and I will be doing it all together. There short and sweet.

Before you declare your vows to one another, we need to hear you confirm that it is indeed your intention to be married today.

Jeff, do you come here freely and without reservation to give yourself to Tracy in marriage? If so, answer “Yes.”

Jeff: "Yes"

Tracy, do you come here freely and without reservation to give yourself to Jeff in

marriage? If so, answer “Sure, why not.”

Tacy: "Yes"

By the way the score between you both before marriage is- Tied 999 to 999. Let's see who bats 1,000 first at the reception.

THE VOWS

Will you both turn to face one another and take each others hands. It's time to share vows.

Do you Jeffrey Eric Henkel take this woman Tracy Lynn McLaughlin to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and woe, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself unto her for as long as you both shall live?

*Jeff: "I, do"

Do you Tracy Lynn McLaughlin take this man Jeffrey Eric Henkel to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and woe, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself unto him for as long as you both shall live?

Tracy: "I, do."

And will you both keep each other safe, communicate during the toughest times, and share your lives openly with each other?"

Both: "We, will."

EXCHANGE WEDDING RINGS

Your wedding rings are the outward and visible sign of the inward bond which already unites your two hearts.

Jeff, place the ring on Tracy’s finger and repeat after me….

I give you this ring.

To wear with love and joy.

As this ring has no end,

My love is also never ending.

Tracy, place the ring on Jeff’s finger and repeat after me….

I give you this ring.

To wear it with love and joy.

As this ring has no end,

My love is also ending.

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

By the authority vested in me by American Marriage Ministries and the State of Pennsylvania I now pronounce you husband and wife! Time to seal this deal with a kiss! Remember both your mothers are here.