Mary Frances Perry

Good Afternoon Family and Friends.

We are here to celebrate the marriage Rebecca Lockwood and Jeff Thomas, and to share in one of the greatest celebrations know to humanity , the spiritual union of marriage.

OPENING BLESSING

I ask that you all join me in a prayer as we ask God's blessings on what we do here today.

Lord, we thank you for this amazing day for the gift of Rebecca and Jeff and for their gift of their love in our lives, We ask your blessings on this celebration.

May we become clearer reflections of your compassion and graciousness in our world. Lord, we also ask your blessings of love and health and prosperity on this beautiful family. We ask this with our hearts full of faith, hope and love. Amen!

DECLARATION OF INTENT:

As we begin your ceremony today, we begin by stating your intention to marry and that you freely and without reservation chose to join together:

Rebecca Lockwood do you freely and without reservation choose to marry Jeff Thomas today?

Rebecca answers - I DO

Jeff Thomas do you freely and without reservation choose to marry Rebecca Lockwood today?

Jeff answers - I DO

WORDS on MARRIAGE and LOVE:

You're both here today because you've committed to each other and have made a choice. You are choosing each other. You've chosen to be with someone who enhances you, make you think, makes you smile, and laugh even sometimes makes you cry, but always makes every day brighter.

Today, you make promises to each other that you will strive to honor every day forward, for the rest of your lives together. The vows you make today represents who you are, what you value in life and in love, how you want to love each other, how to promise to show up on good days and bad. These are your promises to meet life as a team, and to share each moment each struggle and triumph, with each other.

And it is Rebecca and Jeff, that your family now bears witness as you give your word, and pledge your love and life to each other:

Rebecca Lockwood and Jeff Thomas will now share their vows.

*(Vows)*. Rebecca first, Jeff .

OFFICIANT:

Now Do you Rebecca Lockwood take this man Jeff Thomas 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)*. I DO

Do you Jeff Thomas take this woman Rebecca Lockwood 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)*. I DO

READING - KIM MASON - Colossians 3: 12 - 17

RING EXCHANGE: ( Taylor will have the rings)

Rebecca Lockwood and Jeff Thomas will now exchange rings as a symbol of their love and commitment.

Please hold each other's hand, if they are not already doing so.

These are the hands of your best friend, strong and full of love for you. These hands will work and play alongside yours as you build your future together. These are the hands that will passionately cherish you through the years and with the slightest touch of, will comfort you like no other. They will tenderly hold your family as one. And these are the hands that even when aged will still reach out to you with the same touch that comforts you today.

Whenever you glance at these rings, know that you are loved beyond all imagining.

Rebecca place the ring on Jeff's finger and repeat after me:

Jeff I give you this ring with the promise that I will love and honor you, in all ways, for all our days. It is a symbol of my deepest love, my unending and devoted friendship, and a pledge to stand with you in every tomorrow.

Jeff place the ring on Rebecca's finger and repeat after me:

Rebecca I give you this ring with the promise that I will love and honor you, in always, for all our days, It is a symbol of my deepest love, my unending and devoted friendship, and a pledge to stand with you in every tomorrow.

THE CHILDREN WALK OVER TO THE TABLE

FAMILY SAND CEREMONY WTH CHILDREN PARTICIPATION:

Rebecca, Jeff and kids walk over to the table.

Rebecca and Jeff today you are making a life-long commitment to share the rest of your Iive's with each other and to honor your children as well. Your family relationship is symbolized through the pouring of these five (5) individual container of sand - each one representing all that you were, all that you are, and all the you will ever be, as individuals and as a Family .

As you each hold your sand, the separate containers of sand represent your lives up to this moment, individual and unique, As you combine your sand together your lives also join together as ONE FAMILY.

(the family pours the individual containers into the large glass container. Rebecca starts, then children 1, 2, 3, and then Jeff finishes)

Officiant is saying while the family is pouring the sand:

Just as these grains of dandelion can never be separated and poured again into the individual containers, so will your marriage and your family be inseparable and whole.

Rebecca and Jeff return, children may return to seats or stand up with them - the choice of the bride and groom.

PRONOUNCEMENT / OFFICIANT

Now as you Rebecca and Jeff have consented together in marriage on this 7th day of June 2025 and have pledged your faith to each other by sharing your vows and giving and receiving of these rings before family and friends:

According to the power vested in me by the State of Maryland and American Marriage Ministries, I pronounce you married.

Officiant is moving out of site while saying ( so photographer and family take picture)

You may now share your first Kiss as a married couple .

OFFICIANT PRESENTATION OF THE NEWLYWEDS:

Family and friends, its my pleasure to present to you:

Mr. & Mrs. Jeff Thomas

RECESSION:

Bride and Groom

The Children

Bridal Party

Wedding Officiant