Megan Marie Kenney

Before we begin today’s ceremony the Bride and Groom have asked that you please put your phones on silent and keep them in your pockets and bags. There will be plenty of time after the ceremony for photos.

PROCESSIONAL

When Jessica gets to the front.

OFFICIANT:

Who gives this woman to be married to this man?

WELCOME STATEMENT

OFFICIANT (to congregation):

Welcome friends, family, and loved ones - all who come in peace to witness the union of Craig and Jessica. We are here today to celebrate with them and to share in their triumph as they proclaim their love for one another and the bond their souls have formed together.

Craig and Jessica 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 with us here today, Craig and Jessica know that they are with us in spirit, especially at this important time in their lives, as they build on the lessons of the living, and the departed, to create their own family.

If you’ll all join us for a moment of silence in remembrance.

SPEECH

OFFICIANT (to congregation):

In getting to know these two not only as friends but as a couple I found that this excerpt from The Chaos of Stars by Kiersten White fits their relationship perfectly:

“I didn't fall in love with you. I walked into love with you, with my eyes wide open, choosing to take every step along the way. I do believe in fate and destiny, but I also believe we are only fated to do the things that we'd choose anyway. And I'd choose you; in a hundred lifetimes, in a hundred worlds, in any version of reality, I'd find you and I'd choose you”

A spiritual bond. A commitment to each other for eternity. A lifelong embrace. All are wonderful ways to describe marriage. But marriage is also about the little things. The warm smile your partner gives you when you need it the most. The hug that calms your nerves. The laughter that lightens the moment. And of course, the kiss that lets you know that you are in this together. Marriage is committing to not only a lifetime together, but to be there for the other person at any moment. To provide the support your partner needs. Marriage is a bond created on a single day that is renewed everyday thereafter, through thoughts and actions.

DECLARATION OF INTENT/VOWS

OFFICIANT:

​Craig, do you take Jessica to be your best friend, your faithful partner and one true love? Do you promise to encourage and inspire her and to love her truly through good times and bad? Will you be there forever? To laugh with her, to lift her up when she’s down and to love her unconditionally in this life and the next?

CRAIG: I do

OFFICIANT:

Jessica, do you take Craig to be your best friend, your faithful partner and one true love? Do you promise to encourage and inspire him and to love him truly through good times and bad? Will you be there forever? To laugh with him, to lift him up when he’s down and to love him unconditionally in this life and the next?

JESSICA: I do

RING EXCHANGE

Your ring exchange will visibly seal the vows you just expressed to each other. Notice that your wedding rings are a circle, the ancient symbol of wholeness. Wear these precious rings as a reminder that your souls are united in your hearts.

OFFICIANT TO CRAIG:

“Craig place the ring Jessica's finger and repeat after me:

Jessica, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love with the pledge to love and support you today, tomorrow, always, and forever."

OFFICIANT TO JESSICA:

"And now, Jessica place the ring on Craig's finger and repeat after me:

Craig, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love with the pledge to love and support you today, tomorrow, always, and forever."

HANDFASTING

OFFICIANT:

Craig and Jessica have chosen to conclude their ceremony with a traditional handfasting. This is a symbolic binding of the hands that inspired the terms "Bonds of Holy Matrimony" and to "Tie the knot" Throughout history in many different ways and in many different parts of the world, the hands of the bride and groom were bound as a sign of their commitment to one another. The cords are not permanent but perishable as a reminder that all things of the material eventually return to the earth, unlike the bond and the connection that is love which is eternal.

Please join your hands

These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness.

These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes: tears of sorrow and tears of joy.

These are the hands that will comfort you in illness, and hold you when fear or grief racks your mind.

These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times.

These are the hands that will give you support and encourage you to chase your dreams.

Together, everything you wish for can be realized.

PRONOUNCEMENT:

OFFICIANT:

The ties of this handfasting are not formed by these cords, or even by the knots connecting them. They are formed instead by your vows, by your pledge, your souls, and your two hearts, now bound together as one.

Now with your two souls deeply joined anew - walk forward together, forever hand in hand. May your marriage be a lifelong celebration of love! Now that the rituals are complete, you have made your promises, and exchanged your rings. May your lives together be filled with love and laughter. By the power vested in me by the state of Missouri, I now pronounce you husband and wife!

You may kiss your bride!

PRESENTATION

OFFICIANT:

Ladies and gentlemen, for the first time, I give you Mr. and Mrs. Ragland!!

RECESSIONAL

~EXIT MUSIC~