Peter Daniel Lawler

Family and friends, this will probably be a wedding ceremony different than you are used to. Why is that you ask? Well, it is my first and very possibly my last ceremony I have performed, and, If for no other reason, because this beautiful young lady is why I’m called Papaw today, and I owe her for some of this gray hair.

So, we have gathered here to celebrate the joining of two individuals, to create the beginning of a new life together. A life of Love, Compromise, Cooperation, Learning and even a few disagreements and then a time to make up and fall deeper in love with each other.

I have spent many hours trying to decide what to say today other than “You may kiss your bride”. (Hang on Zach, that will come soon enough). A few things I would like to offer to this brave young couple is this:

I don’t know of a single married couple that has not had a disagreement that escalated into an argument. Do not let the sun set on your anger. Do your best to find a way to solve the issue. If it is getting close to bedtime and you are still angry, try this:

Get two chairs and put them across from each other so when you sit down, you are looking at each other. Sit down and look deeply into each other’s eyes. (Kind of like you have been doing so far today), Keep looking at each other. I’m betting that before a few minutes are up, one of you will be laughing or making faces at the other. If nothing else happens, you will hopefully remember how much you love each other, and the disagreement will end. In the long run, Love wins out over the problem.

The second thing is this, Always and I mean always kiss your spouse good night. Tell him or her you love them and kiss goodnight.

One last thing I want to say to you two is this, I Love You, and I am proud of you both. Let your love grow daily and keep communicating, even when you don’t feel like talking.

OK, Let’s have a wedding!

We are gathered here I the sight of God to celebrate a bond, the roots of which, begun on the 5th day of creation when God decided it was not good for man to be alone, so he gave him a companion. (Someone had to keep us guys out of trouble). This bond is intended to last a lifetime and with work from both sides it is possible. It is a joint venture, not a one-sided arrangement. They say it takes two to tango, it also takes two to make a marriage work out.

Zach, will you have Kylee to be your wedded wife, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy state of matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her in sickness and health, and forsake all others, keep yourself only unto her so long as you both shall live?

Kylee, will you have Zach to be your wedded husband, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him in sickness and health, and forsake all others, keep yourself only unto him so long as you both shall live?

Who gives this woman to be married to this man?

Chris answers

Zach and Kylee have written their own vows to each other, so we give them this time to express their hearts to each other.

The ring is a perfect circle with no beginning and no end. While this marriage has it’s beginning today, we pray that like the rings they wear, there is no end to it.

Zach, do you have your bride’s ring?

Place the ring on the ring finger of her left hand and repeat after me: “With this ring, I thee wed.”

Kylee, do you have your groom’s ring?

Place the ring on the ring finger of his left hand and repeat after me: “With this ring, I thee wed.”

With the expression of vows to each other and the giving of the rings, In the sight of these people and in the presence of God, I now pronounce you Husband and Wife. What God has joined together, let no one take apart.

Zach, you may now, kiss your bride.

Ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Zach and Kylee Miller.

Zach and Kylee exit, followed by the wedding party.

Pictures and reception to follow.