Willie Grady McElroy II

Ceremony Script for Matthew Ketterling and Dale Nicdao

Welcome Friends, Family, and loved ones! We are gathered together today in the sight of God and of each other as witnesses to celebrate the marriage of Matthew Ketterling and Dale Nicdao.

Before we begin, let us bow our heads and ask God’s blessing for Matthew and Dale

*Prayer*

“Heavenly Father, We gather to celebrate your gift of love, and its presence among us. We rejoice that these two people have chosen to commit themselves to a life of loving faithfulness to one another. We praise you, Lord, for the ways you have touched our lives with a variety of loving relationships, and we give thanks for Matthew and Dale, and for the special love and friendship you have put in their hearts. Renew within us an affection and a loving spirit. Enrich our lives with the gracious gift of your love so that we may embrace others with that same love. May our participation in this celebration of love and commitment give us a new joy and responsiveness to the relationships that we cherish. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.”

*To congregation*

Ladies and gentlemen, we hold marriage up as a sacred union between two people who are committed to loving one another and spending the rest of their lives together, faithful to each other, and to their journey together. But we also know as a society that marriage is a serious institution. It requires deep commitment, faith and trust in your spouse, and a lot of patience to make it work. In the time I’ve known Matthew and Dale, and in the conversations we’ve had discussing this ceremony, I’ve seen those things. I’ve seen their commitment to one another, their faith and trust, and their patience - and above it all, I’ve seen the love that these two wonderful people have for each other.

Now in the book of 1st Corinthians, the Apostle Paul provides us with a beautiful description of the kind of love that a marriage needs. He writes, “Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

*To couple*

Matthew and Dale, I want to urge you to hold to that vision of your love for one another, because even though all of us hear are behind you and rooting for you, life throws us challenges, and in the midst of those challenges, it’s the kind of love St. Paul was describing that is going to get you through it.

Knowing this, it’s time to declare yourselves to one another. Matthew and Dale, please share your vows.

*Vows*

Do you Matthew Ketterling take this woman Dale Nicdao to be your lawfully wedded partner, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and woe, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself unto her for as long as you both shall live?

*(Wait for Confirmation)*

Do you Dale Nicdao take this man Matthew Ketterling to be your lawfully wedded partner, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and woe, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself unto him for as long as you both shall live?

*(Wait for Confirmation)*

Matthew Ketterling and Dale Nicdao will now exchange rings as a symbol of their love and commitment.

*(Ring Exchange)*

By the authority vested in me by American Marriage Ministries and the State of Ohio I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss the bride.