Edward Ernest Elster

INVOCATION

OFFICIANT TO THE RECEPTION

Dearly beloved and honored guests, we are gathered here today to celebrate one of life’s greatest moments, the joining of two hearts and the beginning of a lifelong journey together. Today, we witness the union of Bryan and Ashley, whose love story has captured our hearts.

Bryan and Ashley are standing here before you today because they have decided to entwine their lives together. After today Bryan and Ashley will not just be a couple, they will be a family, a single entity held together by love and devotion.

And we are all here to bear witness to the creation of this new family, through their union.

Today, they will affirm this bond to each other and in front of all of you. This affirmation means so much more because they can share it with all of you who are here today - their most beloved friends and family.

Bryan and Ashley’s love story to this moment has been a beautiful tapestry woven with threads of friendship, laughter, and unwavering commitment. It’s a beautiful tale

that began when they first crossed paths on the first day of orientation for college. It was Ashley that approached Bryan to introduce herself because she recognized him from robotics competitions that they both participated in while in high school, but she was having a hard time meeting people. She recalls following one person that she knew from high school to the union where they were playing pool and stayed watching until Bryan walked in. She remembered him instantly but was faced with the decision of how to talk to him without it feeling “creepy”. So, she joined a group that was going to the next event and found a way to talk to Byan by noticing his robotics keychain where she had something to talk about. Later, he asked for her number so they could “keep in contact,” as he put it and talked every day after that. Ashley believes that God had a plan for them to be together, and that she just happened to get a preview of the rest of her life.

Their love story continues with Bryan’s memory of their first date not necessarily being an “official” one but simply just a natural progression from the deep friendship that he had already cultivated. Ashley, on the other hand, fondly recalls the evening at Sonic’s Drive In, a place where she always had a hard time picking what to eat but where she wanted Bryan to join her and spend as much time as possible with her. She remembers them just sitting in the car for hours sharing stories and laughs as Bryan nervously yet endearingly held her fingers, too shy to take her hand.

As time went on, their bond only grew stronger. Bryan knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Ashley, and so he carefully planned a proposal that would be both intimate and unforgettable. He was not very nervous because he knew this is what they both wanted, and that Ashley would say “yes.”

So, Bryan took her on a little hike to the top of Mt. Lemmon for the day and they hiked up to Marble Peak where they planned to watch the sunset on the way down. Ashley seemed suspicious that something was going to happen because Bryan started acting stranger. He kept telling Ashley that they had to stop to watch the sunset; however, the funniest thing is that at the place where they planned to watch the sunset there was another couple taking engagement photos. Upon stopping, he started asking Ashley if she had a nice day and was happy and then stated that they should take a cute picture with his Go-Pro camera. It was then that he proposed the question to Ashley and her instant response was “what kind of question is that?” followed by “of course!”

OFFICIANT TO THE COUPLE

Today is the day you will begin this new chapter in your lives. And so, without further ado, let us begin your declaration of intent to marry, to join as one ship sailing through the sea of life.

DECLARATION OF INTENT

EXCHANGE OF VOWS

OFFICIANT TO THE COUPLE

Your marriage vows are the promises you make for the years ahead. They are a symbol of the love and commitment you’ll nurture, a kind of magic, a spiritual spellcasting, an incantation under the stars. They are the truest mark of your marriage, the pledge and threads that will bind you, heart to heart, and hand in hand.

OFFICIANT TO THE RECEPTION

You might be asking, when did Bryan and Ashley first know they were in love? For Bryan, he first knew he was in love when they locked their eyes one day after going to a club fair. As they were walking back to where they parked, which was rather far away, Ashley just seemed happy to be around him and talking with him. The way she looked at Bryan that day just made him feel happier than he had been in a long time.

For Ashley, she realized she was in love for a long time. She remembers the time when they spent more than two days apart because Bryan went on an international trip with his family for a couple of weeks. She was a wreck because she was so used to talking and seeing Bryan every day. It was then that she realized how much she wanted him to be around because his presence made her feel so happy.

OFFICIANT TO THE COUPLE

Now, as you look lovingly at each other, you’ll speak these promises of a lifetime of love to come.

COUPLE HAS ASKED THAT THEY NOW EXCHANGE THEIR OWN VOWS

RING EXCHANGE

OFFICIANT TO THE COUPLE

A ring has no beginning or end. Its path is endless and a symbol of your endless love and respect for each other.

By placing these rings on each other's fingers, you are promising not just to love each other, but to honor each other, to be compassionate, patient, and understanding as you build your future together. You can both feel love in this room. These rings represent this love. Not just your love for each other, but from everyone here today. Let these rings be a reminder of that love, what you are feeling today.

OFFICIANT TO BRYAN

Bryan, place the ring on Ashley's finger and repeat after me:

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

BRYAN REPEATS THE PHRASE AS HE PLACES THE RING ON ASHLEY’S FINGER.

OFFICIANT TO ASHLEY

And now, Ashley, place the ring on Bryan 's finger and repeat after me:

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

ASHLEY REPEATS THE PHRASE AS SHE PLACES THE RING ON BRYAN'S FINGER.

PRONOUNCEMENT

OFFICIANT TO THE COUPLE

Sustaining a healthy marriage takes love. It takes trust. It takes honesty. It takes patience. It takes teamwork, compromise, and understanding.

You will need to have faith in each other, to go forward together, into an unpredictable future. It will take dedication to stay open to one another - and to learn and grow together.

OFFICIANT TO THE RECEPTION

When the couple was asked how they envisioned their life together, for Bryan, it was making a household they could both be proud of, adventures that they could remember, and remaining healthy and able to enjoy a long life. For Ashley, it was realizing that that they both had unlimited possibilities and that they both like making their own things and working on projects together. For Ashley, being together is what is important.

You both have declared your intent to marry, you have promised to be committed to one another and have exchanged rings. There is now only one thing left to do...

OFFICIANT TO THE RECEPTION

By the power vested in me by the State of Arizona and the American Marriage Ministries, I now pronounce you officially husband and wife.

OFFICIANT TO THE COUPLE

Bryan, you may kiss Ashley

OFFICIANT TO THE RECEPTION

Friends, family, it is my honor and privilege to introduce to you for the very first time, Mr. and Mrs. Schaefer!

RECESSIONAL

End of the ceremony.