Jose A. Rivera

Ruben Rivera &

Nina Rivera

Wedding Vow Renewal Ceremony

August 31, 2024

Officiated by Jose Rivera

 

 

Welcome and Introduction:

Ladies and Gentlemen.

Welcome to the Wedding Vow Renewal ceremony of Ruben and Nina Rivera.

In front of their kids, grandkids, grandcats, friends and family Ruben and Nina will renew their vows today.

I’m Jose Rivera – Ruben’s brother (if there are people who don’t know me)...

For those of you that don’t already know this, I am an Ordained Minister. Ordained by www.amercian marriage ministries.com.

So not a religious ministry, but very official.

That obviously means that I’ll be drinking, gambling and having fun today too. Lol.

 

Wedding Vow Renewal:

Ruben and Nina recently celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary.

I can’t believe it’s been 30 years since I stood next to you two and welcomed Nina into our family.

Now, it’s crazy to think of when you weren’t in this family Nina. We are so much better with you as a part of it.

Who else was there 30 years ago?

Today we are all here to celebrate this amazing milestone as they renew their vows to each other.

Renewing vows with one’s Life Partner is different than the first time around – right?

• Now you know each other.

• You know what makes each other great

• You know what you love about the other person

• You know what you hate about the other person.

• And you’re still willing to do this all over again.

It is a wonderful way to mark a milestone occasion in a relationship, or to simply reinforce a commitment to one another.

Before we start the official ceremony let’s take a walk down memory lane.

 

30 Years of Stuff

30 years! Wow. That’s amazing. I did some research and looked up what was going on in 1994:

• Michael Jackson Married Lisa Marie Presley for a couple of months.

• OJ Simpson was found not guilty.

• Nelson Mandela became the first black president of South Africa.

• The first Jurassic Park movie came out.

• Snoop Dog’s Gin & Juice was the # 1 rap song.

• My big guy - JJ was born.

• The internet was born in 1994 - but not like you see it today

o There were no smartphones, iPads, no Google, Netflix or even flat screen TVs did not exist.

 

Ruben & Nina’s Love Story:

Ruben and Nina:

You two guys are made for each other.

Nina is reserved, mostly quiet, and my brother, well let’s just say he’s not. Lol.

But both of you do share similar values. Family is very important to the two of you. You love your family and your family loves you.

Everyone you meet instantly becomes your family, because you are so open to sharing your love with others.

You love being surrounded by people and you make everyone who enters your beautiful home feel welcome.

I’m going to hand it off to them in a couple of minutes so they can reaffirm their vows to each other, but I wanted to say a couple of words about today and the last 30 years.

Remember the lessons you have learned along the way. Continue to nurture your relationship with love, forgiveness, and trust and your marriage will flourish for many years to come.

Facing the challenges of life together is what makes the bonds of marriage so rewarding and worthwhile.

As long as you continue to give your partner support, encouragement, and compassion day after day, your mutual commitment to each other will provide you with the strength and courage to continue to accomplish your goals together.

As you stand here today to renew your vows, remember what brought the two of you together in the first place.

The ceremony we are here to celebrate, with your loved ones here as witnesses, allows you to make your sacred bonds stronger and reassert the promises you made to one another those 30 years ago.

Personalized Vows:

Ruben and Nina:

Your marriage continues with the vows and the promises you speak to one another today. The marriage vow is the most important promise you will make to anyone.

Who wants to go first?

Ruben

Nina

That was beautiful…

 

Declaration of Intent:

Ruben and Nina – now’s the official part.

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

Ruben and Nina please join hands.

Ruben: do you take Nina as your spouse, continuing the bond you forged all those years ago, and continuing to cultivate your union as long as you both shall live?

Nina: do you take Ruben as your spouse, continuing the bond you forged all those years ago, and continuing to cultivate your union as long as you both shall live?

 

Exchange of Rings:

Exchange of Rings

On your wedding day – 30 years ago, you exchanged the rings you wear today.

These rings are a symbol of the continuous love and commitment you make to each other every day.

Much like your love for one another, these wedding bands can survive great pressure, and they will endure the tests of time.

Please repeat after me:

Ruben:

I, Ruben, give you this ring as an everlasting symbol of my love for you and our marriage. It shall always be found around your finger, and you will always be found in my heart.

Nina:

I, Nina, give you this ring as an everlasting symbol of my love for you and our marriage. It shall always be found around your finger, and you will always be found in my heart.

 

Pronouncement:

Ruben and Nina

30 years ago, you agreed to enter a matrimony together, a partnership that had ups, downs, and all arounds. That’s a real part of life.

There’s a saying I like to tell my kids:

“If it was sunny every day, you wouldn’t appreciate the Sun as much.

We need the rain (we need those down times), to remind us how amazing the sun it.”

So, think of all your amazing times together.

• The joining of your families

• The birth of Myranda

• The businesses you built together

• The joy you felt when Ruben came back home the first time from Iraq, Afghanistan, and everywhere in between.

• The time you finally moved down to Florida.

• The day you met Theo (we love her so much, so I had to add her in here).

• And the time you finally got your pool finished. Lol.

Focus on those joys and you’ll always be happy.

We all look to you as examples of longevity, an example of love, an example that marriage isn’t easy, but the rewards can be amazing.

Thank you for being an example to us all and we all wish you many many more years to come.

Ruben and Nina

By the powers vested in me by

www.amercian marriage ministries.com and the state of Florida.

I am honored to pronounce you once again, happily married.

May the renewal of your vows strengthen the love you share and reaffirm your commitment to each other.

I invite you to share a kiss and seal the renewal of your vows!

 

Recessional:

Family, Friends, and invited guests –

It is my honor to re-introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Ruben and Nina Rivera.