Kimberley Anne Harris

Good afternoon, everyone! For those of you who do not know me, I am Bridget and Brad’s friend, Kym, and today I have the honor of marrying them.

Before we begin, to keep all our love and attention on the happy couple, they ask that you please silence and put away all electronic devices until after the ceremony. There will be plenty of opportunities for awesome photos and videos at the reception.

[Pause For a Moment]

Done? Great, but will you do one more thing for me? It’s super easy, I promise. I just need you to tell me one thing…. Are you ready to get these two married or what?!

Guests: "YES!" and cheer

That’s what I like to hear! Let’s take that excitement and turn it into something beautiful as we begin the ceremony.

Without further ado, let’s get this celebration started with a little music as the bridal party makes their entrance.

Music starts. Groom and bridal party enter from the back of the barn, pause for 3 seconds at the top of the aisle, then line up on either side of me.

Music changes. Please stand for the bride as you are able.

Bridget, escorted by dad, enters the barn from the back rear door, stops for 3 seconds, and then continues down to the arbor. Brad steps forward and shakes Dad’s hand.

Bridget and Dad hug. Dad sits down.

Brad holds Bridget’s right hand in his left hand, and both face me. Bridget holds her flowers in her left hand.

William adjusts Bridget’s train.

Please be seated.

Welcome, friends and family. A wedding is such a wonderful occasion, filled with hopes, dreams, and excitement. We’ve gathered here today to celebrate the love between Bridget Joy King and James Brandon Griffie and to witness the depth of that love as they join in the commitment of marriage.

In the 3 years that they’ve known each other, these two have had numerous adventures together, made many joyful memories, and supported and comforted each other through difficult days.

And with patience, understanding, laughter, and honesty, they’ve grown into the couple you see before you.

Now, they are ready to spend the rest of their lives together, building new memories as husband and wife.

And as every strong building needs a solid foundation, so does every marriage.

[To Brad & BK] The foundations of a true marriage begin long before the wedding day, and the efforts of marriage continue long after the ceremony ends. A moment in time and the stroke of a pen is all it takes to form the legal bond of marriage, but it takes a lifetime of love, commitment, and compromise to make marriage durable and everlasting.

A strong marriage isn’t about being perfect; it’s about valuing each other for everything you are and everything you’re not, and remembering that the little things, like saying “I love you” every day, holding hands often, kissing goodbye before work, and knowing when to zip it instead of getting that snarky last word in are actually the big things.

Bridget and Brad have chosen a quote, often attributed to Victor Hugo, from *Les Misérables* that beautifully captures the spirit of love, and have asked their friend Robyn to share it with you.

[Hand Robyn card with quote printed on it.]

“You can give without loving, but you can never love without giving. The great acts of love are done by those who are habitually performing small acts of kindness. We pardon to the extent that we love. Love is knowing that even when you are alone, you will never be lonely again. & great happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved. Loved for ourselves. & even loved in spite of ourselves.”

Those words remind us that love isn’t about grand gestures, but the small, everyday acts that keep a relationship strong.

[Smile] Thank you, Robyn.

With those words in mind, Bridget and Brad, today you declare your commitment to each other before family and friends.

[Look at Bridget and Brad] Are you two ready to take this next step together?

Couple: We are!

[Look at guests] If anyone can show just cause why they may not be lawfully joined together, let them speak now or forever hold their peace.

No one? Wonderful!

Bridget and Brad, please turn toward each other and join hands.

Bridget hands her flowers to William

[Look at Bridget] Do you, Bridget Joy King, take this man, James Brandon Griffie, to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and bad, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself unto him for as long as you both shall live?

Bridget to Brad: I do.

[Look at William] William, please hand Brad’s ring to Bridget.

[Look at Bridget] Bridget, as you place this ring on Brad's finger, please repeat after me.

With this ring I marry you. [Repeat]

[Look at Brad] Do you, James Brandon Griffie, take this woman, Bridget Joy King, to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and bad, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself unto her for as long as you both shall live?

Brad to BK: I do.

[Look at Drew] Drew, please hand Bridget’s ring to Brad.

[Look at Brad] Brad, as you place this ring on Bridget's finger, please repeat after me.

With this ring, I marry you. [Repeat]

You chose to exchange rings as a symbol of the promises you made here today. They will be a reminder to you of the love you’ve cultivated these past 3 years, and of all the joys yet undiscovered that lie on your journey ahead.

It is my great honor to stand beside you both today, joined by the people who love and support you the most, as you take this next step.

You both have declared your intent to marry, promised to be committed to one another, and exchanged rings.

I guess there is only one thing left for me to do...

Bridget [look at her],

Brad [look at him],

by the authority vested in me by American Marriage Ministries and the State of Maryland, I now pronounce you husband and wife!

[Pause]

[STEP TO THE SIDE SO YOU ARE NOT IN THE PICTURE]

[To Brad] Now kiss her, you fool!

[Pause, smile at couple]

Family and friends, stand with me now, as I present to you for the first time as husband and wife, BRADGET!!

[Pause]

Just kidding,

It is Mr. and Mrs.

King Griffie

[Bradget heads up the aisle, stopping halfway for Brad to twirl Bridget. The wedding party follows single file, alternating between sides, as follows: William, Drew, Heather, Paul, Jaimie, Nick, Bridget’s parents & Brad’s parents. ]

Will Brad’s siblings, his children, and Robyn please join the wedding party outside for photos?

While they are doing that, we invite the rest of you downstairs for cocktails.

Thank you all for being part of this amazing moment; now let’s celebrate them the way they deserve!