Karan Beth Deardorff

WEDDING OF ANDREW AND EMILY

JUNE 6, 2025

Family, and friends, we gather today to witness the joining of two hearts…Andrew and Emily.

Today, Andrew and Emily stand before their friends and family, asking you to witness their new beginning. A beginning that began a few years ago when they both decided to just ‘swipe right’.

I’m reminded of a song sung by Country music artists Rascal Flats…Life is a Highway. We travel the road, follow the lines, maneuver around the detours, and sometimes, we must take an exit here or there. Marriage, like life, is a highway. A journey. Andrew and Emily, you’ve driven your separate highways, and today you begin your journey down a newly paved road. A road that is still under construction, where you will find detours and roadblocks, but your faith, hope and love will guide you.

In First Corinthians we find these words, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, 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….Three things will last forever; Faith, Hope and Love, and the greatest of these is Love”.

(Declaration)

Andrew, do you promise keep Emily as your favorite person, the one you will always take care of, the one who will never question her silly ideas, the one who you will go out and share bbq?

Emily, do you promise to be Andrew’s biggest supporter, his breath of fresh air, the one who you will go out and share bbq?

I asked you both how you knew each other was “the one”. Emily, you told me about one occasion where Andrew took such good care of you, and it was then you knew, you could not let him go. Andrew, you told me it was after you were her date for a wedding, you knew she was the one! You also spent a cruise with your mom texting her! And now, I ask you to share these vows to each other:

Andrew, repeat after me:

I Andrew, take you Emily, to be my wife, my friend, my forever date. I will always be there to take care of you. I will never question your silly ideas. I will always be obsessed with our cats.

Emily, repeat after me:

I Emily, take you Andrew, to be my husband, my friend, my forever date. I will always be your breath of fresh air, your best friend, your biggest supporter.

The ring, a perfect circle that has no beginning or end. A perfect symbol of your upmost love and respect for each other. A symbol to remind you each and every day of your unconditional love for one another, and the unconditional love from all who are here with you tonight. A full circle of love and support.

Andrew, please take Emily’s left hand and repeat after me:

Emily, I give you this ring, an unending sign of my promise to love and take care of you today, tomorrow and always.

Emily, please take Andrew’s left hand and repeat after me:

Andrew, I give you this ring, an unending sign of my promise, to love you, and be your biggest supporter today, tomorrow and always.

Let us pray:

Oh gracious, loving and giving Spirit, we ask your humble blessing on blessing upon Andrew and Emily as they begin their amazing journey, their amazing ride down life’s highway, as husband and wife. We ask you to ride alongside them, to lead and carry them on their new journey as one. Unite their hearts and souls in love that only you can shower upon them. As witnesses to this Union, we ask you to help us support them, guide them, encourage them, and be there for them when they need us. Bless this Union. Bless this love. Bless this new beginning. May Your Peace be with them, Indeed (Amen)

Marriage is a journey, a mutual one, down a highway full of give and takes between two personalities, molding and melting together, one not weaker than the other, but a light shining on both. Andrew and Emily, you have pledged yourselves to each other in the union of marriage. You have pledged your faith and love in the presence of God, family and friends. Yes, life is a highway, guided by Faith, filled with Hope and surrounded with Love.

By the authority vested in me by the state of Florida, I know pronounce you husband and wife.

What God as brought together, let no one break apart.

Andrew, you may kiss your Bride!

Family and friends, it is with much joy that I introduce to you for the very first time, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Shipotofsky