Patricia Yvonne Colvin

Invocation- *To Guest*

Hello everyone! We have gathered on this joyful occasion to celebrate love, laughter, and light on Robert and Jassanna’s wedding day.

Each of you here represents a piece of Robert’s and Jassanna’s life. Whether you came into their lives years ago, or recently, your presence here is a gift- and I know it means a lot to them. Thank you for being here!

On behalf of the bride and groom, we ask that you put your cameras and phones away during the ceremony. Robert and Jassanna want you to be truly present as they share their best day ever with you!

Before we begin today’s celebration, I have one question that I’d like you to answer loud and proud: Are we ready to get these two married?

Processional:

“Wedding party enters”

Announce “Please stand” signal to begin

*Bride enters with support”

Officiant Speech:

Please be seated… Thank you. Friends, family, and loved ones, we come together today, in the sight of the divine and of you as witnesses to join Robert and Jassanna in marriage. We gather around them now in this wonderful place, and we look on with love and hope as these two begin their new life together as one.

Marriage is a sacred institution in our culture. It’s a tradition of partnership, of trust, and of dependence on one another to navigate the sometimes stormy seas of life. People have said that marriage requires things like work, like commitment, and like sacrifice - and certainly all of those things are true. No matter what it looks like in the end, however, a healthy marriage always needs a solid foundation. It begins with love, to be sure, but what does that mean? People say they love chocolate, is that the same as the love we need for a solid marriage? Of course not. The love we need comes from being willing to make those sacrifices. The love we need comes from being committed to working through everything together, and maintaining open communications - even when it is difficult. The love we need makes the work it takes to maintain it all worth it.

On top of that foundation of love - a mixture of work, sacrifice, and commitment - we can build things like trust and intimacy, and all of the beautiful things that make a marriage worthwhile.

I would like to share a poem with you called "Blessing of the Hands", which speaks simply, yet profoundly, to your life ahead.

"These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever.

These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together, you build your future.

These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years and with the slighted touch, will comfort you like no other.

These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills your mind.

These are the hands that will wipe the tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow, and tears of joy.

These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children. These are the hands that will hold your family as one.

These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it.

And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch."

VOW EXCHANGE

Robert and Jassanna, are you ready to proclaim that foundation of love for one another in the sight of the heavens and these witnesses?

OFFICIANT (to Robert): Robert, do you take Jassanna to be your lawfully wedded wife? Will you honor and cherish her; love, trust, and commit to her, through joy and pain, sickness and health, and whatever life may throw at you both, until death do you part?

Robert: I do.

In addition to these vows Robert would like to confess his love for Jassanna.

OFFICIANT (to Jassanna): Jassanna, do you take Robert to be your lawfully wedded husband? Will you honor and cherish him; love, trust, and commit to him, through joy and pain, sickness and health, and whatever life may throw at you both, until death do you part?

Jassanna: I do.

In addition to these vows Jassanna would like to confess her love for Robert.

RING EXCHANGE-

OFFICIANT (to congregation):

At this time, Robert and Jassanna will exchange rings.

Robert repeated after me: I give you this ring as a symbol of my eternal love for you, and my unbreakable connection to you. With it, I promise to love you, cherish you, and stand by you in good times and in bad, for as long as I live.

Jassanna repeat after me: I give you this ring as a symbol of my eternal love for you, and my unbreakable connection to you. With it, I promise to love you, cherish you, and stand by you in good times and in bad, for as long as I live.

Pronouncement -

OFFICIANT (to couple):

Robert and Jassanna, having proclaimed your love and commitment to one another in the eyes of these loved ones, and with the power vested in me by the state of New Jersey, I am happy to pronounce you husband and wife You may kiss!

Closing Statement - OFFICIANT (to congregation):

Thank you all so much for joining us in this special moment in Robert’s and Jassanna’s life! Robert and Jassanna have asked that you enjoy a cocktail. Thank you all once again.