Jose A. Rivera

ANJELICA JUARBE &

JOHN SANDS, IV

WEDDING CEREMONY

June 22, 2024

Officiated by Jose A. Rivera

 

CONTENTS

Welcome: 3

Introduction: 4

Bible Verse Reading: 5

Anjelica & John’s Love Story: 6

Invocation: 9

Personalized Vows: 10

Declaration of Intent: 11

Unity Sand Ceremony: (we didn’t get to this, but i kept it in the scrpt.) 13

Pronouncement: 14

Recessional: 15

 

WELCOME:

Ladies and Gentlemen.

Welcome to the wedding ceremony of Anjelica Juarbe and John Sands, IV.

Please Rise!

Let the processional begin:

Anjelica and their children / wedding party come down the aisle.

 

INTRODUCTION:

You may be seated.

On behalf of Anjelica & John, I welcome you to their Wedding Day.

Today, in front of their friends and family, and seven beautiful children, Anjelica and John profess their love for each other and enter into holy matrimony.

My name is Jose Rivera. I am a childhood friend and Army brother to Anjelica’s Father JayR and also a great friend and Poker mentor to her mother Laura.

And just to get this out of the way, I am an internet ordained minister. Ordained by www.amercian marriage ministries.com. So, please do not call me father, pastor, or reverend later.

And the real reason I want to point that out is that you will see me drinking, dancing, and carrying on in a few minutes and I do not want you guys judging me. lol.

So now that I got that out of the way, now let us begin.

 

BIBLE VERSE READING:

The couple asked me to start with a bible verse and here is a perfect one on marriage:

1st Corinthians 13:4

4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

What does this mean: In a nutshell:

• Be patient with each other.

• Do not brag when you are right.

• Do not be upset when you are not.

• Do not keep score.

• Because Love really does conquer all

 

ANJELICA & JOHN’S LOVE STORY:

As I said, I’m close friends with Anjelica’s parents (we hang out all the time and even go on vacations together). So, when Laura asked me to Officiate her daughter’s wedding, I say “yes – of course” without any hesitation.

Now Laura didn’t tell me that Anjelica was marrying an Eagles’ fan, but… he seems like a good guy. Lol.

In anticipation of this day, I met separately with Anjelica and John. I like to do that to get to know them a little better and learn their stories.

I asked them each some questions and what I heard was a great love story.

I immediately saw their love for each other. They have a connection, a bond – that we all can see.

The way they talk about each other, the way they look at each other is amazing and even though it’s a house divided on their Football teams, you can tell that these two were made for each other.

Let me start with a couple of words about the couple for those of you +1’s who don’t know them very well yet:

• These two met on Facebook, but not in the traditional meeting on Facebook sort of way.

• John was looking for a home and found someone near him that helps people through the home purchasing process.

• They made arrangements to meet & for one reason or another had to reschedule a couple of times over several months.

• Eventually John asked if they could talk over lunch to discuss further, and Anjelica hesitantly agreed.

• They went to Tropical Smoothies – which turned out to be their first date…

• After lunch, they chatted a couple of times and had no real sparks, but they got to know each other more and more.

• John eventually shot his shot and asked her on a real date and the rest is history.

• I learned a couple of things from their stories:

o Love is out there. Even when you’re not looking for it. It can find you when you least expect it.

o And the other thing I learned was that John might be a genius in meeting girls online. Lol

 He did tell me that he never thought he would find the love of his life this way, but he did.

 He didn’t find a house, but he found his new life partner.

I also asked them, when did they know they met their “one”?

• Anjelica knew when he met her kids. She loved the way he treated them and instantly bonded with them.

o She also loves his work ethic.

o How he expresses his love all the time

o And how protective he of them

o And how he puts her and the kids above all else – every time.

• She told me that these are the same traits and qualities her Dad has, and she sees some of her Dad in John.

o She told me that her Dad still treats her like a princess and that John treats all their kids like princes and princesses too.

 

• John knew as soon as he saw you. He was instantly smitten. But he knew she was the one because:

o She has a great head on her shoulders.

o She’s real.

o And also, after meeting the kids and how they interacted – that cemented his realization that this relationship was something that could be special.

o He told me “I thought I knew what love was – but I didn’t know an ounce of what love was until I met Anjelica.”

Again, it is a beautiful love story.

 

INVOCATION:

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today for a thing called life – I know that’s the beginning of a prince song, but it's still true. lol.

We are gathered to celebrate one of life’s greatest milestones.

We are gathered here to join Anjelica and John in the union of marriage.

This contract is not to be entered into lightly, but thoughtfully and seriously, and intentionally, and with a deep realization of its obligations and responsibilities.

Remember that love, loyalty, and understanding are the foundations of a happy and enduring home.

We have all come together here, from all over, to show our support to Anjelica and John.

We come together to witness love.

Love between two people, who met, HAD A SMOOTHIE, fell in love, and decided to put a ring on it.

Two people promising to love each other.

Two people promising to take care of each other.

Two people who are promising to have each other’s back for as long as they both shall live.

And that’s what it’s really about right. Having each other’s back. Knowing when shi – um stuff goes down or when things are bad there is someone there that has your back.

Someone to share your triumphs, your failures, major accomplishments, and major setbacks. Knowing one person above all others has your back.

 

PERSONALIZED VOWS:

Anjelica and John:

Your marriage begins with the vows and the promises you speak to one another today. The marriage vow is the promise of fidelity and honesty.

I understand that you have each written your vows.

John –

Anjelica –

That was beautiful…

 

DECLARATION OF INTENT:

Anjelica and John – Let’s proceed with the Declaration of Intent.

Here is where you both publicly declare your intent to marry and where you will publicly declare you will be husband and wife.

Anjelica and John will now exchange rings as a symbol of their love and commitment to each other.

Can the ring bearer please present the Groom with the ring.

Declaration:

John, from this day forward, do you choose Anjelica to be your wife,

to live together, play together, and laugh together,

to work by her side and dream in her arms,

to fill her heart and feed her soul,

to always seek out the best in her.

to have her back,

And to always love her with all your heart, until the end of your days?

If so, say “I do”.

John says I do.

John:

Do you take Anjelica to be the wife of all your tomorrows, the companion of your heart and the friend of your life.

To stand united in the face of adversity and bask together in the light of good fortune.

Do you wish to marry Anjelica and join your life with hers?

If so, say “I do”

John says I do.

Anjelica, from this day forward, do you choose John to be your husband,

to live together, play together, and laugh together,

to work by his side and dream in his arms,

to fill his heart and feed his soul,

to always seek out the best in him,

to have his back.

And to always love him with all your heart, until the end of your days?

If so, say “I do”.

Anjelica says I do.

Anjelica:

Do you take John to be the husband of all your tomorrows, the companion of your heart and your friend for life?

To stand united in the face of adversity and bask together in the light of good fortune.

Except when the Eagles play our Giants.

Do you wish to marry John and join your life with his?

If so, say “I do.”

Anjelica says I do.

 

UNITY SAND CEREMONY: (WE DIDN’T GET TO THIS, BUT I KEPT IT IN THE SCRPT.)

Before I pronounce John and Anjelica as husband and wife, we have one more ceremony to perform.

The couple has exchanged vows and rings as a symbol of their devotion to one another as individuals, supporting each other’s individual dreams and goals.

But this marriage is not just about blending their two lives, it’s about blending the lives of nine individuals, with nine distinct personalities, into a new, singular ONE. While each will stay whole, their paths will join and become one.

To honor this, they’ve asked us to join them as they perform a sand ceremony, symbolizing this blending of their family into one.

Anjelica, John, and you guys, you may take turns pouring your sand into the vase, thinking, as you do, of the journey you will now walk together – as ONE.

Who will go first?

Thank you for sharing this beautiful ritual with us!

Now, Anjelica and John, please join me back at the altar/front/here.

 

PRONOUNCEMENT:

Anjelica and John:

There will be struggles ahead. There always are. But there will also be times of ultimate happiness and joy.

There will be times where you tell yourself, why the heck am I with this other person, and there will be times when you realize you love this other person more than anything else in the world.

Just work through the bad times together.

Remember that the Eagles only play the Giants twice a year.

Dwell on the good times.

Remember the good times.

Remind each other about the good times.

Ladies and Gentlemen, for those of you not already up, please rise.

Anjelica and John:

By the powers vested in me by the American Marriage Ministries (www.amm.org) and the State of Pennsylvania… I now pronounce you Husband and Wife.

John, you may kiss your bride.

 

RECESSIONAL:

Family, Friends, and invited guests –

It is my honor to introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. John and Anjelica Sands.

The wedding Party Exits.