Kristen Ashley Lee

Jeff & Jennifer 10-6-2023

OPENING PRAYER

We are gathered here in the presence of God, family and friends to unite the lives of Jeff & Jennifer. Today, they will receive life’s greatest gift; another person to share with, grow with, change with, be joyful with and to stand with as one when trials and tribulations enter their lives. Today is a celebration of love and commitment. We are all here because we want to support you and celebrate the two of you and your families becoming one.

If you are here today it’s because Jeff & Jennifer are grateful you are in their lives and they want to share this beautiful moment with you. You’ve come from near and far to witness their special day and they are truly blessed to have each of you in their lives.

DEFINITION OF COMMITMENT

Marriage is a joyous occasion. It is connected in our thoughts with the charm of love, the warmth of home, and with all that is pleasant, as being one of the most important events of our lives. It’s sacredness and unity is the most significant and binding covenant known in human relations.

Jeff & Jennifer, let me advise you both to remember that your future happiness is to be in mutual consideration, patience, kindness, confidence and affection. It is the duty of each of you to find your greatest joy in the company of the other throughout your lives.

It is your duty, Jeff, to be to Jennifer, a considerate, tender, faithful, and loving husband: to support, guide and cherish her in prosperity and trouble; to thoughtfully and carefully enlarge the place she holds in your life; to constantly show to her the tokens of your affection, to shelter her from danger, and to love her with an unchangeable love.

It is your duty, Jennifer, to be to Jeff, a considerate, tender, faithful, and loving wife; to comfort, guide and cherish him in prosperity and trouble; to give to him the unfailing evidences of your affection; to continue making the place he holds in your heart, broader and deeper; to support him, value him and work with him to make your marriage the very best that it can be.

WEDDING VOWS

If you are ready to assume the obligations and duties, as I have defined them, you will unite your hands and pledge your love and your lives to each other.

Groom, repeat after me.

I Jeff, take you, Jennifer,to be my lawfully wedded wife,

to have and to hold, from this day forward,

for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer,

in sickness and in health,

to love and to cherish, for as long as we both shall live.

This is my solemn vow.

Now Bride, please repeat after me.

I Jennifer, take you, Jeff, to be my husband,

to have and to hold, from this day forward,

for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer,

in sickness and in health,

to love and to cherish, for as long as we both shall live.

This is my solemn vow.

EXCHANGE OF RINGS

You will now exchange rings as a symbol of the lifelong commitment and abiding love which you as husband and wife have promised to each other.

Groom, please place the ring on Jennifer’s finger, and repeat after me.

I give you this ring as a sign of my love and faithfulness.

And Bride, please place the ring on Jeff’s finger and repeat after me.

I give you this ring as a sign of my love and faithfulness.

CLOSING PRAYER

Eternal God, help Jeff & Jennifer to fulfill the promises they have made here today and to reflect your steadfast love in their commitment to each other. Give them kindness and patience, affection and understanding, happiness and contentment. May their family and friends continue to support them in difficult days, so that their love for each other may continue to grow as long as they both shall live.

Let us all pray.

Our Father, who art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name,

Thy kingdom come,

Thy will be done,

On Earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

And forgive us our trespasses,

As we forgive those who trespass against us,

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,

And the power, and the glory,

Forever and ever.

Amen.

DECLARATION OF MARRIAGE

Jeff & Jennifer, having witnessed your vows for marriage before all who are assembled here, by the authority invested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now share in a kiss!

It is my pleasure to introduce to you for the first time as husband and wife Jeff & Jennifer!!!

EXIT SPEECH

I want to thank you all so much for coming and sharing these special moments. Jeff and Jennifer are heading out briefly for Dennis to capture photos and will rejoin us shortly.

In the meantime, you are all invited to cocktail hour on the upper patio. Feel free to enjoy drinks, appetizers, and bottled water. You can congregate amongst each other until the bride and groom return.

On behalf of the couple, thanks for coming and have a wonderful evening. Are you ready to celebrate?!!