Mitchell Alfred Tarr

When bride is in Doorway, ask attendees to please stand

Ask “Who Presents Gabrielle to be married to Sean?” (Her dad says I do)

To Audience. “Please be seated”

INTRO

 Welcome everyone!

 On behalf of Gabby and Sean - thank you ALL for coming.

 From nearby, from far away - they really appreciate that you are here today.

 To celebrate and bear witness to the union of these two very special people.

 Whose love and commitment to each other have brought them to this exact moment.

 All the planning, all the many decisions, all the anticipation…. The moment has finally arrived.

 A day you will all remember forever.

ANNOUNCEMENTS (2):

 Cell phones away. Let the photographers hired today do their thing, and capture/share these special moments. Less distractions.

 Will the families please stay after for family photos.

 To recap: Ceremony, Pictures then the Bar, OK?

 

Gaby and Sean - background

 Some of you might be wondering - Who is this guy up here marrying these two?

 Well, Gaby’s dad Dana is my cousin. He has been like a brother to me. No children of our own and no brothers for me, Gaby and I have always had a special bond since she was tiny and used me for her own private jungle gym. We stayed close throughout the years, and I have been constantly amazed by her focus on what she wants out of life.

 One of the great joys of my life is being involved Gabby and her sister’s their lives, getting to be the Fun Uncle, if you will.

 Gaby brought Sean to our home in CA for a very nice visit (I think to show him off and get our approval too). Jamie and I could tell they were a perfect fit for each other very quickly.

 So I was honored beyond words when Gaby & Sean asked me to officiate their wedding today.

 

MOMENTS OF APPRECIATION

 Gaby & Sean - a rhetorical question for you:

 What’s the one thing every married couple says about their wedding day?

 “It went by in a blink”....Mine certainly did.

 So, I hope you both remember to soak in the little moments. Like this one.

 Gaby & Sean, turn around and look at this incredible group of people - your family and closest friends.

 All decked out in their finest suits and dresses

 There may never be another time when all these people will be gathered in one spot.

 Notice all the smiling faces, the excitement, maybe a few tears of joy

 But MOST importantly…all the LOVE and SUPPORT this group represents.

 We also remember the loved ones who can’t be here today, who have passed on.

 Let’s keep them in our hearts today as well.

 

ATTENDEES = LIFELONG SUPPORT

 And all these people here today - they’re not just here to party, although I’m guessing they will, having seen the stack of adult beverages near the bar…

 Know that everyone here has your back today and long into the future.

 Because marriage is a life-long endeavor, full of ups and downs, just like life in general.

 So tap into the wisdom and experience of this group when you might need them..

 Alright - time for a reading - Will Nancy White please come forward?

 

Nancy White Reading

Here's To Right Now

You're surrounded by your loved ones, And all are wishing you well

As you create a brand-new chapter, In the story that's yours to tell.

We talk about the memories, You have yet to make together

And the moments you've already shared, To be carried with you forever.

But take the time to live today, As your marriage begins

Look around and Soak it up: the moment we are in.

For this is where the magic starts, When you both say your vows.

You pledge to spend your lives as one, Because of the love you feel now.

So yes, here's to a future that is bright and warm and clear

But more than that, here's to right now, and what it means to be here.

A Wedding Poem by Ms. Moem

 That was beautiful, Nancy, thank you.

Will Brett or Michele Leighton please come forward?

 

Michele & Brett Leighton Reading

Sean and Gaby,

Thank you both for wanting me to be part of your wedding, I am very honored.

As you start your new life together as man and wife, I just wanted to encourage you both, with one of my favorite Bible verses……

In the Book of Proverbs it says:

“5 Trust in the LORD with all your Heart,

And do not lean on you own understanding.”

“6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3: 5-6

I would ask you both to take these words to heart, and dwell on these verses – using them, always, to guide you both through your Marriage and through life. Please remember Jesus will always be there for you, through good time and bad times. This is my hope and prayer for you both.

I Love you Sean and Gaby so very much!

That was beautiful, Michelle & Brett, thank you.

 

It’s now time for “Things Everyone Should Know” - about Gaby & Sean

 Now, in preparation for today, I got the chance to talk to Gaby and Sean 1x1, and wanted to share a few fun things about them:

 Sean and Gaby met serendipitously, when she stopped at Leighton Jewelry to buy Maine Tourmaline while returning from a family trip to Canada. While in the store, Gaby and Sean’s eyes met and sparks ignited. When she went to check out, they struck up a conversation and discovered they had many similar interests including GIA schooling and making jewelry. While they were talking, Sean’s mentor Brett leaned over and mentioned “He’s single too” and Gaby’s mom piped up and said, “She is too!” making both their faces turn red. When they got back to the car, Gaby’s grandmother was not happy, well mad at having to wait 2 hours for Gaby to buy stones until her mom told her it was because of the cute boy in there, not the stones, and what a cute couple they would make. Fortunately, Gaby slipped Sean her business card on the way out and ended up calling Sean when she got back to California, did I mention how focused Gaby is on what she wants out of life. Sean is a lucky man to be at the top of her list!

 Speaking of luck, I was told by Sean’s best man, Will, look up luck in the dictionary, you’ll find Sean’s photo. If there is any kind of raffle and Sean enters, he will win it. He has been an entrepreneur his whole life, selling video game currency early on, bet you wish you still had those 3,000 bitcoins today. Sean is a true Maine man, hunting, fishing camping and enjoying the outdoor. One year Sean decided to apply for a Moose permit and began practicing moose calls constantly. He did not get a moose however, when he was deer hunting and saw a beautiful buck walk by, the buck was about to disappear so Sean, not sure what else to to do, he gave him a moose call. The buck stopped and turned around and Sean dropped him. His friend Will was in shock, the biggest 10 point buck he had ever seen at Sean’s feet. Sean and his best man were really into Parkour for a while, Gaby, you were lucky to catch him, not sure anyone else could.

 

 I’ve known Gaby since she was a baby, she and I have always had a special connection with her over the years. She has come a long way from Brownie (her stuffed chocolate lab), her Webkins and playing Back to Base in Bobby Gilday’s back yard with her sisters and friends. I watched her start making Jewelry and a young age, working a forge when she was in high school, and working in the Jewelry Mart in Los Angeles. Gaby is a true Maine Lady as well, she loves the outdoors, fishing, hunting and camping. Although, Sean, I’ve heard Camping on a beach is great, but not so much with giant spiders which are at the top of Gaby’s “things she’s terrified of” list.

 Their first kiss was in Long Beach, CA when Sean came to visit Gaby for a makeup Valentine’s date at “Gaby’s Mexican Food Restaurant”

 For their first official date, Sean drove 4 hours to Portland after she came home for Christmas from California. They went to Sapporo Sushi. Gaby didn’t want to see him leave so her sister, Courtney told her to make up a “Family Game Night” and invite him so he would stay longer. Good thing Gaby took Courtney’s advice. Sean got to meet the whole family, playing cards and checkers. Gaby’s sister Kaya teased her about how long Sean and Gaby kept eye contact throughout the evening.

 Gaby and Sean have a lot of Siblings, Gaby with three sisters and Sean one sister. There will be no shortage of Aunties down the road.

 Sean proposed during a picnic at Silver Beach in San Diego California on a gloomy, misty day looking at waves, presenting her engagement ring in a special box that her grandmother’s engagement ring was in. (Harmy’s)

 Alright…I hope everyone knows them both just a little better after those fun facts..before the serious business of today begins..

 

WHAT IS MARRIAGE?

 Alright, the time has come, to marry these two wonderful people

 Two quotes that I wanted to share:

 “To love is nothing. To BE loved is something. But to be loved by the person YOU love is everything.” - Anonymous

 “Where there is love, there is life” - Mahatma Ghandi

 Simply put…Marriage is a sacred, life-long pact between two people.

 Marriage is also partnership, friendship, romance, companionship, loyalty, family, sacrifice, hard work, commitment, holding hands..I should also mention that it involves decades of cooking, doing the dishes and laundry, so make sure to have an equitable plan around those fun things.

 Marriage, therefore, as I see it, is really the perfect embodiment of love and commitment to one another.

 Forever sharing a life together.

RITUALS

 Gabrielle & Sean come here today before God, their families and friends to pledge their love and their hearts to one another.

 Gaby…Sean…Are you both ready to move forward here today, and make this commitment permanent, in front of these witnesses? (Yes)

 Let’s begin with your wedding vows that you have prepared to read to each other..

o Gaby recites her Vows

o Sean recites his Vows

 That was beautiful

 

Handfasting

• Now in a nod to Sean’s & Gaby’s Irish heritage, we are going to do something called a handfasting ceremony. Bobby Gray will be joining us for this ritual if you could please come up.

• The handfasting ceremony has its roots in ancient Celtic tradition and dates as far back as 7000 B.C. In ancient Ireland, when two people chose to be married, they were brought together to have a braided cord or ribbon tied around their hands in the presence of a priest to symbolize the intertwining and joining of their lives.

• First, Gaby and Sean have chosen this “rope” of Gray, White and Burgandy ribbons that symbolize the colors of the wedding, their family names and the intertwining of their lives.

• I will now tie this loosely, binding their wrists together as one. This symbolizes their journey through life as independent yet together.

• Now Boby Gray (or Mitch) will recite a blessing.

May your mornings bring joy and your evenings bring peace.

May your troubles grow few as your blessings increase.

May the saddest day of your future

Be no worse than the happiest day of your past.

May your hands be forever clasped in friendship

And your hearts joined forever in love.

• Thank you

Undo “Rope” and Set Aside

Now for Formal Vows – Gaby and Sean, face each other each speak directly to one another

 Sean, do you take Gabrielle to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love, honor and cherish, and to protect her, forsaking all others, forever in time? [I do]

 Gabrielle, do you take Sean to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love, honor and cherish, and to protect him, forsaking all others, forever in time? [I do]

Mariage is a state in which two people come together and create a union that is greater than the sum of its parts. As love is so difficult a concept to express in mere words, we use symbols. Since the dawn of humanity, the ring has been an emblem of the sincerity and permanence of a couple’s love for one another and the lasting value of their marriage. The circle reminded the ancients of eternity, fashioned as it is without a beginning or end, these rings are symbols of your eternal love.

May we have the Rings

 As you, Gabrielle, place this ring on Sean’s’s finger please repeat after me:

I promise you Sean, before God, family and friends, to commit my love to you, to respect your individuality, to be with you through life’s challenges; and to nurture and strengthen the love between us, as long as we both shall live.

 As you, Sean, place this ring on Gabrielle’s finger please repeat after me:

I promise you Gabrielle before God, family and friends, to commit my love to you, to respect your individuality, to be with you through life’s challenges; and to nurture and strengthen the love between us as long as we both shall live.

 

Pronouncement

“Let me be the first to proclaim – Gabrielle and Sean, you are now officially husband and wife”

 You may now share your first kiss of marriage.

Please turn around and face the attendees

I’d like to present to you Gabrielle and Sean Gray, Husband and Wife!

Let’s give them a hand!!

(Lot’s of clapping and cheering}

Will the families please stay after for family photos while the rest of the attendees may head to refreshments.

 

Appendix

 

A note from your wedding officiant

Gaby and Sean,

I wanted to thank you both for asking me to officiate your wedding. You are both very special people, and I love you both very much. I have been amazed over the years at Gaby’s growth as a person, professional and mom. Sean, every time I talk with you, or hear about you, I continue to be even more impressed with you as a person, professional and dad. You two are a perfect match and I am so happy for you both. I wish we were all closer so we could spend more time together. This will be a day I will always remember and cherish with love and affection.

I saw this and it really hit home for me thinking of you both and I want to share it on your special day.

“The Art of Marriage" by Wilferd A. Peterson

The little things are the big things. It is never being too old to hold hands.
It is remembering to say "I love you" at least once a day.

It is never going to sleep angry.
It is at no time taking the other for granted;
the courtship should not end with the honeymoon,
it should continue through all the years.

It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating
gratitude in thoughtful ways.
It is not expecting the husband to wear a halo or the wife to have wings of an angel.
It is not looking for perfection in each other.

It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humor.
It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.
It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow.

It is finding room for the things of the spirit.
It is a common search for the good and the beautiful. It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, dependence is mutual, and the obligation is reciprocal.
It is not only marrying the right partner, it is being the right partner.

 

Placeholder for copy of Marriage License