Edwin D Robinson

Beloved Family, Treasured Friends and Honored Guests. We’ve gathered here today to celebrate the union of this woman, Olivia Rose Dawson, and this man, Daniel Phillip Settepani, and to be witnesses of this most significant and important occasion in their lives as they declare their commitment one to another in marriage.

The promises made between them are indeed important and sacred. We are not here to witness the beginning of their relationship, but to acknowledge, affirm and celebrate formally a lasting bond that already exists between them. All of us assembled here today were invited to this ceremony because each of you have played a special and significant role in Olivia’s and Dan’s lives.

A moment like this begs a question as tender as “will you marry me?”

Who gives Olivia away to married to Daniel today?

(Olivia’s family member responds, “I Do”)

It’s a tremendous honor to be here today. My name is Edwin and, if you haven’t immediately noticed the resemblance, Daniel is my brother! Seriously, I’ve known Dan for going on 15 years going back to when he was a student at the University of Tampa in Florida and, more specifically, when he became a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity. Since he left school, our friendship has been a series of text messages and phone calls from New York to Texas. In fact, this marks the first time we’ve been face to face since Tampa. I am deeply honored to stand by my brother's side today. The Bible says, "When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned as a child. But when I became a man, I put away childish things." When Dan told me he met someone he wanted to spend his life with, I had to meet her. Because, honestly, for my brother to take this man-sized step and make this decision, the young lady in question would have to be someone very extraordinary.

And that’s where Olivia comes in. From the moment I first spoke to her, several things were clear to me. God’s Word says that, “It’s not good for man to be alone. Therefore, I will create a help mate suitable for him.” Olivia is not just suitable, she is superb. When I asked Dan what makes Olivia special, he said, “It’s the way she includes me even in the most mundane decisions. It’s a mutual respect between us that I didn’t know could even exist. It’s a purposeful, driven, determined love. There is no me or her, it’s US and it’s been that way from the very beginning.” And so, today, we’ve gathered to acknowledge, affirm and celebrate the love of one man and one woman who today are, officially becoming an “us.”

The promises made between Olivia and Daniel are indeed important and sacred. We are not here to witness the beginning of their relationship, but rather to acknowledge, affirm and celebrate a lasting love that already exists between them. So how is love defined? Where can we find a standard of love that stands the test of time? In 1 Corinthians 13 God, speaking through the Apostle Paul, gives us what he called the most excellent way, the most excellent definition, indeed the gold standard of what love is….and what love is not. He writes:

“Love is patient, love is kind.

It does not envy,

it does not boast,

it is not proud.

It does not dishonor others,

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 FAILS.

And now, Paul concludes, these three things remain…faith, hope and love. And the greatest of these is love.”

Therefore, if you Olivia and Daniel, come here today to be united in marriage, WITH THAT DEFINITION OF LOVE one for the other, please look at each other and say, “I do.”

(Olivia and Daniel respond, “I do,” together)

You both have chosen to write your vows, and it is with these words you express your binding promises to love, honor and cherish one another. If you are ready to make these promises to each other, in your own way and in your own words, I invite you now to face each other and declare your commitment.

(Dan speaks his vows)

(Olivia speaks her vows)

May I have the rings, please?

(Best Man presents the rings)

You've both chosen to wear rings as a reminder of these promises. It’s often said that wedding bands are a perfect circle, with no beginning and no end. But these rings did have a beginning. The stones were formed a long time ago deep within the earth.

Eventually, a series of events caused them to rise to the surface, where someone dug them up. Metal was then liquefied in a furnace - molded, cooled, and painstakingly polished. Something beautiful was made from raw elements.

Love is like that. It comes from humble beginnings, and through a combination of serendipity and effort, imperfect beings shape it into something extraordinary. It's the process of making something beautiful where there was once nothing at all. As you look at these rings over the years, I hope you remember that. You've created something invaluable, and just as I know you'll protect these rings, I'm confident you'll protect the promises you've made to one another today.

Dan, please repeat after me:

Olivia Rose, my best friend

I give you this ring

As a symbol of my love and devotion

I offer you my heart, my hand, and my love

I join my life with yours

With all that I am…

With all that I have…

I honor you as my wife, today and always.

Olivia, please repeat after me:

Daniel Philip, my best friend…

I give you this ring

As a symbol of my love and devotion

I offer you my heart, my hand, and my love

I join my life with yours

To cherish and to protect you as my husband

With all that I am…

With all that I have…

I honor you as my husband, today and always.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NLT) tells us, “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple braided cord is not easily broken.”

Dan and Olivia, you’ve made your vows and promises to each other. As you bind these strands, remember to lift each other up, support each other, and keep God at the center of your marriage. Let His Love be the example that unites you each day, as you learn to be good and true with each other.

This braid symbolizes that bond. Your love is stronger when you love God first. Keep this cord in your home to remind you of the foundation God brings to your lives, first as individuals, and now united as husband and wife.

(Dan & Olivia braid cord. Then, return to the center of the altar.)

Let us pray….

Heavenly Father, we come before you with hearts full of joy and gratitude for the beautiful union of Daniel and Oliva. We thank you for the love they share, a love that reflects your own, a love that is patient, kind, and enduring.

Lord, we ask that you bless this new chapter in their lives. May they always keep you at the center of their marriage, relying on your wisdom and guidance in all they do. When joy comes, may they share it together, when sorrow threatens, may they bear it together. In gladness or in tears, in sunshine or in shadows, may they draw ever closer to each other and to You.

We pray that their home will be a place of warmth, laughter, and peace, a sanctuary where your presence is always felt. May they be a light to those around them, shining your love and grace into the world.

We pray that their lives together will be filled with joy, laughter, and abundant blessings. May they be a source of support and encouragement to each other, and may their love for one another grow deeper with each passing year. In short, Lord, may they always desire to be united, to be one, to be an “us,” today, tomorrow and for always. We ask these things in the strong, mighty, matchless name of Jesus, Amen,

Daniel and Olivia, today you both have vowed, in the presence of God and in the company of your family and friends, to be loyal and loving towards each other.

The two of you have formalized the existence of this bond between you with your vows, and have physically symbolized your promises to love, honor, and cherish with the giving and receiving of rings.

Therefore, by the powers vested in me as a proclaimer of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and by the laws and ordinances of the Great State of Texas, I pronounce that Daniel and Olivia are now husband and wife.

Therefore, what God has joined together, let no man ever separate.

Daniel, you may now kiss your bride.

Beloved Family, Treasured Friends & Honored Guests

It is my honor to present to you for the first time, my Brother and his beautiful Bride…

Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Philip and Olivia Rose Settepani