Craig Alan Barnes

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Wedding Ceremony for Sarah Jenness and Dustin Pritchett

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[Processional]

Dustin seats his mother and Joanne

Wedding party enters

Me:

Will everyone please stand for the bride.

Bride enters

Me:

Who gives this woman to marry this man?

(Wait for an answer)

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[Welcome & Opening Remarks]

Me:

Welcome, dear friends and family. Today, we gather to witness a truly beautiful moment—the union of two souls who have chosen to walk life’s path together. Sarah and Dustin stand before us, filled with love and a deep commitment to one another, ready to declare that they have chosen each other, today and for all the days to come.

Their journey has led them to this very moment, surrounded by the love and support of everyone here, as they mark the beginning of a life shared. As we watch them exchange vows, we are reminded of the profound beauty in choosing to love, to support, and to stand by one another, unconditionally.

Let us hold this moment in our hearts and let us celebrate the love that brings us together today. Sarah and Dustin, as you affirm your commitment to each other in front of us all, it is a true honor to witness the beginning of this beautiful new chapter in your lives.

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[Invocation]

Me:

Corinthians 13:4-8 states:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, 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. Love never ends.

Let us begin by inviting the presence of God to bless this marriage.

Please bow your heads in prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for the love You have implanted in our hearts. May it always inspire us to be kind in our words, considerate of feelings, and concerned for each other’s needs and wishes. Heavenly Father, help Dustin and Sarah to be understanding and forgiving of human weaknesses and failings. Increase their faith and the ability to trust in You and may You guide their life and love. Bless this marriage with peace and happiness and make their love beautiful for Your glory. Amen.

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[Family/Guest Blessing and Remembrance]

Me:

Sarah and Dustin are grateful for the loved ones whose guidance and inspiration made them the people they are today. While some of those loved ones cannot be here with us today, Sarah and Dustin know that they are with us all in spirit, particularly at this important time in their lives, as they build on the lessons of the living, and the departed, to create their own family.

Me:

This wedding is also a celebration of family. It is the merging of two families, separate up to this moment, but united from this day forward – uniting their different traditions and strengthening the family tree. To honor this uniting of the families, Sarah and Dustin wish to ask for their parents’ blessing.

Me to Sarah’s Parents:

Brian and Joanne, do you offer this couple your goodwill and support.

** Allow time for Brian and Joanne to respond.

Do you welcome Dustin as a member of your family and give him your love and affection?

** Allow time for Brian and Joanne to respond.

Me to Dustin’s Parents:

Richard and Michele, do you offer this couple your goodwill and support.

** Allow time for Richard and Michele to respond.

Do you welcome Sarah as a member of your family and give her your love and affection?

** Allow time for Richard and Michele to respond.

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[The Charge to the Couple]

Me:

Sarah and Dustin come before us pledging their love and their hearts to one another. May they be true and loving, may their hearts be filled with kindness and understanding, may they forgive each other’s weaknesses, and laugh together often. May they be friends, companions, and partners, continuing to meet the joys and sorrows of life as one. As the years pass, and they move from one chapter in their life together to the next, may their love continue to deepen and mature, and may their home forever be a place of love and joy.

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[Ring Warming Ceremony]

Me:

Before we move forward, we’d like to invite family and the wedding party to join in a special moment: a ring warming ceremony. Sarah and Dustin’s wedding bands will be passed among their immediate family and closest friends, so that they may each hold them for a moment. As they do, we invite you to offer a silent prayer, a warm thought, or a blessing for their marriage.

(A designated person starts passing the rings around.)

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[Sarah and Dustin’s Story]

Me:

Before the couple exchange their vows, I want to take a few minutes to share some memories that the couple shared with me, that allow us to understand the journey that brought them to this moment today. What brought them together, what are they really like as a couple, and what sort of future are they looking forward to together?

There’s always “two sides to every story”, but that’s part of what makes this fun! And the best part is they will be hearing each other’s answers for the first time.

1. What attracted them to each other?

a. Sarah said, “I will honestly always start off with that beard.... dang that's a nice-looking beard and them tattoos. But when we had our first few encounters with each other he was always very calm, timid and kind of bashful. So, I was very intrigued with this tattooed, bearded, tall man but for him to be so kind, gentle, and caring. It just kept evolving for me with his deep concern with my well-being when things weren't going well for me.”

b. For Dustin it was, “Her smile. It was one that kind of stopped me in my tracks if you will, made my heart jump a little. There isn’t a whole lot in this world that scares me, but I was awfully shy to talk to her! She’s funny and goofy and we just click!”

2. How do they describe their relationship?

a. Sarah says that their relationship is, “Full of fun, laughter, jokes, adventures, but most of all its full of peace, honesty, love, understanding, and trust. but the one thing that describes our relationship the most is dang, do opposites attract.”

b. Dustin says that their relationship is, “Goofy, fun, happy, loving. We’re a great team, we love to adventure or just cuddle up on the couch. We didn’t hardly turn the tv on for the first month or 2 of our relationship because we could just get lost in conversation.”

3. How do they describe the other, and what makes them smile when they think about them?

a. Sarah stated that, “Dustin is one of the biggest softies I know...... But he is hard working and dedicated to not only me but our family too. Everything about him makes me smile.... his corky dad jokes, the way he loves me, how I don't ever have to ask him to help me out around the house He puts the work in to make this a true partnership.”

b. Dustin stated that, “She is selfless, she goes above and beyond for anyone and everyone. She loves unconditionally, and she loves deeply. She’s a pretty dang good cook but be prepared for her to take over if you start supper. She’s super sassy! A bit bossy at times but I still love her! She’s a great mother and a great spouse. My partner in crime! I literally smile at her all the time because we’re always joking around and being playful and goofy, but I would say just thinking of how much she loves me makes me smile the most.”

4. What are they most looking forward to about their life together, and what do they think about their longer-term future together?

a. For Sarah, she stated, “making memories with all the traveling and adventures we want to do together. and when I think about our long-term future it is looking back on everything we have conquered together in the good times and bad in our forever home with a big covered front porch enjoying the outside covered up with a blanket.”

b. For Dustin, he stated, “fact that she loves me no matter what, if it’s a great day, or a bad day, or a whatever day we will always love each other at the end of the day. Life isn’t easy and we’ve had our moments of disagreements and headbutts, but we never hold onto them for long. We feel what we need to feel, say what we need to say, and at the end of it we forgive. Because we both know that we want nothing but love and happiness. I think our long-term future honestly is a promising one because we both have very similar wants and desires and life, and we just want to fulfill those to the best of our abilities and just have fun along the way!”

It’s clear that these two were made for each other and that they have an exciting future ahead of them. I know that I speak for everyone here when I say that their future together is a future that we are all excited about and look forward to being a part of.

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[Exchange of Vows]

Me:

Sarah and Dustin have prepared vows that they would now like to share with each other.

(Sarah and Dustin will read theirs and then follow and repeat after me.)

Me to Dustin:

Please repeat after me: "I, Dustin, take you, Sarah, to be my wife. I promise to love and cherish you, to support you and walk with you through all of life’s moments. I vow to honor and respect you, and to love you faithfully, today and always."

Me to Sarah:

Please repeat after me: "I, Sarah, take you, Dustin, to be my husband. I promise to love and cherish you, to support you and walk with you through all of life’s moments. I vow to honor and respect you, and to love you faithfully, today and always.

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[Three Rope Ceremony]

Me:

Today, Sarah and Dustin have chosen to incorporate the Three Rope Ceremony, also known as the Cord of Three Strands, into their wedding. This ceremony is a beautiful symbol of their faith and commitment, inspired by the verse from Ecclesiastes that says, “A cord of three strands is not easily broken.”

Each of these three chords represents a vital part of their relationship. The first cord, symbolizes God, the foundation of their marriage and a constant source of love and strength. The second chord represents Dustin, and the third chord represents Sarah. By braiding these three chords together, Sarah and Dustin are making a powerful commitment to keep God at the center of their lives, relying on His guidance and strength as they face life together.

As they weave these chords into one, they affirm that their marriage will be a bond of three: husband, wife, and God. This braid is a reminder that with God’s presence, their love will be resilient and unbreakable. Today, we witness not only the joining of two lives but also the creation of a lasting, spiritual foundation that will support and sustain them in all the years to come.

Me:

Matthew 19:6 states:

Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.

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[Sand Ceremony]

Me:

We have come to a meaningful symbol of the union not only between Sarah and Dustin, but also the blending of their families. The Sand Ceremony reflects how their lives—and the lives of their children—are now being woven together as one. Each color of sand represents an individual, and as they pour their sand into a single vessel, it symbolizes the joining of Sarah, Dustin, and their children into a new, unified family. Just as each grain of sand is unique, so too are the individual qualities that each person brings to this union. Together, they are creating something beautiful and strong—a family that will grow, support, and love each other through all the years to come.

Me:

Sarah and Dustin will each take their individual containers of sand, representing themselves, their unique qualities, and the lives they’ve led so far. Then, they will begin by pouring their sand into a single vessel, symbolizing the joining of their lives together.

Me:

Next, the children will also participate. Each child will add their own sand to the mixture, representing their place within this new, blended family. As the sands are poured together, they will blend into one, showing how their individual lives are coming together to form something new and stronger than before.

Me:

This ceremony is a beautiful reminder that just as the sand cannot be separated once combined, so too will Sarah, Dustin, and their children be forever intertwined, creating a new and unified family.

(Sarah and Dustin along with the children pour sand into a single vessel, one after the other or simultaneously.)

Me:

Just as these grains of sand can never be separated, so too will Sarah and Dustin’s lives be joined together in love, harmony, and mutual respect.

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[Ring Exchange]

Me:

May I please have the rings.

Me:

The wedding rings are a symbol of eternity. They remind us that love is never-ending and enduring. Having been warmed by your closest family and friends and filled with their love and good wishes. May they carry forward our hopes and prayers for Sarah and Dustin’s marriage.

Me to Dustin:

Dustin, as you place this ring on Sarah’s finger, repeat after me:

"I give you this ring as a sign of my love, faith, and loyalty. With this ring, I thee wed."

Me to Sarah:

Sarah, as you place this ring on Dustin’s finger, repeat after me:

"I give you this ring as a sign of my love, faith, and loyalty. With this ring, I thee wed."

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[Pronouncement of Marriage]

Me:

By the power vested in me by the State of Iowa, and with the support and joy of everyone here in attendance, I now pronounce you husband and wife!

(Start stepping to the side)

Me to Dustin:

Dustin, you may now kiss your bride!

(Sarah and Dustin kiss, to the applause and joy of everyone present.)

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[Closing Remarks]

Me:

Family and friends, it is my great honor to present to you for the very first time, Mr. and Mrs. Dustin and Sarah Pritchett!

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[Recessional]

(Then Sarah and Dustin exit as music plays, followed by the wedding party and guests.)

Me:

Sarah and Dustin now invite you to enjoy cocktails and snacks in the reception area as we continue this celebration!