Sarah Lynn Lindquist

"Welcome, family and loved ones.

We are gathered here today, surrounded by

the beauty of creation and nurtured by the sights and sounds of nature to

celebrate the joining of ANTHONY and MALENA in marriage.

Today is a celebration. A celebration of love, of commitment, of friendship, of

family, and of two people who are in it for forever.

You don't have to have a ceremony to have a marriage.

You're standing in front of everyone, looking fancy, holding flowers, and being stared at by so many of those who you hold near and dear.

So why do we do it?

The marriage ceremony has been an important feature across nearly every culture, religion, generation, and society. We have thousands of important moments that

happen throughout our lives, but this one is regarded as one so critical, we

acknowledge its special status by sharing it with others. Why this moment?

Because despite all of our differences, love is what we all share. It's the great

unifier - our one universal truth. That no matter who we are, where we've

come from, what we believe, we know this one thing: love is what we're doing

right. That's why you both are standing here.

That's why you all are here to watch them stand up here. We have all loved in

our lifetimes, and in this moment, we're reminded that the ability to love is

the very best part of our humanity.

All of us here today have our own love stories. Some are short, others long.

Some are yet unwritten, while others are just getting to the good part. There

are chapters in all of our stories that are sad or disappointing - and others that

are exciting and full of adventure.

And that brings them here. A time to pause, look back, and smile at all the

moments that brought them here. And a time to look ahead at all the

moments that are still to come.

I'm here - we're all here - because we want those moments for you. We're here

to hope with you, to support you, to be proud of you, and to remind you that

love isn't happily ever after, love is the experience of writing your story. It's not

one moment - not even this moment. It's every moment. Big ones like saying

'I love you,' moving in together, getting engaged - but mostly a million little

ones that come in between the big moments. Falling asleep next to one

another, making dinner together, spending holidays with your families,

binge-watching Netflix shows, getting a big hug when you get home from

work… These everyday moments fuse together into one big experience.

And even though this experience is so incredible, words fail us when we try to

explain it. That's just the way it is with love - it's meant to be felt, not

described.

But trying to describe love is one of our favorite pastimes. We use the words

we have to write stories, poems, and songs about love. And even though we

describe love in different ways - and even though love can look different from

one person to the next - we all know it when we see it. And we see it here.

You fell in love by chance, but you're here today because you're making a

choice. You both are choosing each other. You've chosen to be with someone

who enhances you, who makes you think, makes you smile, and makes every

day brighter. You're about to make promises to each other that you intend to

keep. You're going to vow to take care of each other, to stand up for one

another, and find happiness in the other.: You're vowing to be there.

You're teaming up and saying to the other, 'Every experience I am going to

have, I want you to be a part of.'"

DECLARATION OF INTENT

OFFICIANT TO THE COUPLE

"[PARTNER A] and [PARTNER B], please join hands, look at one another now

and remember this moment in time."

OFFICIANT TO PARTNER A

"Will you ANTHONY, keep MALENA as your favorite person - to laugh with her,

go on adventures with her, support her through life's tough moments, be

proud of her, grow old with her, and find new reasons to love her every day?"

PARTNER A TO PARTNER B

"I will."

OFFICIANT TO PARTNER B

"Will you, MALENA, keep ANTHONY as your favorite person - to laugh with

him, go on adventures with him, support him through life's tough moments,

be proud of him, grow old with him, and find new reasons to love her every

day?"

PARTNER B TO PARTNER A

"I will."

OFFICIANT TO THE COUPLE

"You have chosen to write your vows, and it is with these words you express

your binding promises to love, honor, and cherish one another. If you are

ready to make these promises to each other I invite you now to face each

other and declare your intentions.

When you're ready you may begin.

RING EXCHANGE

OFFICIANT TO THE COUPLE

"A ring has no beginning or end. Its path is endless and a symbol of your

endless love and respect for each other.

By placing these rings on each other's fingers, you are promising to not just

love each other, but to honor each other, to be compassionate, patient, and

understanding as you build your future together.

OFFICIANT TO PARTNER A

"ANTHONY, as you place this ring on MALENA's finger, repeat these words

after me: This ring symbolizes my love for you and the commitments we

made today."

PARTNER A REPEATS THE WORDS AS THEY PLACE THE RING ON PARTNER B'S

FINGER.

OFFICIANT TO PARTNER B

"MALENA, as you place this ring on ANTHONY's finger, repeat these words

after me: This ring symbolizes my love for you and the commitments we

made today."

PARTNER B REPEATS THE WORDS AS THEY PLACE THE RING ON PARTNER A'S

FINGER.

PRONOUNCEMENT

OFFICIANT TO THE COUPLE

" ANTHONY and MALENA, you have come here today of your own free will and

in the presence of family and loved ones, have declared your love and

commitment to each other. You have given and received rings as a symbol of

your promises."

"By the power of your love and commitment to each other, and by the power

vested in me by the State of NC and American Marriage Ministries, I now

pronounce you husband and wife. You may now seal your vows with a kiss.

OFFICIANT TO THE RECEPTION

Congratulations! Family and loved ones, I now present to you MR & MRS NICHOLS