Ashlie Marie Carrier

Natalie and Nick

June 7th, 2025

Rev. Ashlie to everyone

We are gathered here today to witness and celebrate the union of Natalie and Nick in marriage. Today is a joyous occasion, filled with love, laughter, and the promise of a beautiful life together. [Welcome Message] I am honored to be standing up here with these two beautiful people. As we begin this ceremony, I want to share a story that captures the essence of Natalie and Nick's journey together. It's a story that speaks to their sense of adventure, and unwavering commitment to one another. When I met Natalie for the first time, I asked her what made her realize that Nick was the one. She mentioned to me that after they broke up during college because of the distance, they then found each other again, and realized that they both still had strong feelings for each other. Nick told me that he knew right there and then, that they would be together forever from that moment on.

Today, as we stand here, we are reminded that love is not just about the perfect moments, but about how we navigate the imperfect ones together. It's about finding joy in the journey, even when the path is difficult. Natalie and Nick, your first dates were the start, and each and every bump in the road you may have hit, has set the stage for the incredible adventure that has brought you here today. As you embark on this new chapter of your lives, may you always find strength in each other, just as you have so far in your years together. May your love continue to grow, bringing you joy, laughter, and countless beautiful memories. Now, everyone, as Natalie and Nick make their vows to one another, committing to a lifetime of love, adventure, let us wish them unwavering support.”

Poem Reading:

Rev. Ashlie

Natalie and Nick have asked me to begin today, with a reading of the poem

DUST by Harry Baker.

It’s not the flowers, it’s the weeding in the mud with you.

It’s not the champagne, it’s the cuppa in the favourite mug you use.

It’s not the chocolate, ok yes it is but not one or two It is becoming Bruce Bogtrotter or Augustus Gloop.

It’s voting frozen pizza over fancy grub with you because some nights nothing can beat a slice of comfort food.

It’s knowing anything I eat will include some for you because you’re not hungry but you might just have a couple of spoons.

It’s not the dreaming, it’s the waking up with you; I want to be here long enough to gather dust with you.

For us love isn't in the air; that is just where we found it.

All this is built upon what we have done to ground it.

It's not the spark when we first met; it is the lifetime built around it.

It's by small amounts that mounds amount to mountains.

I need not justify, adjust or fear I'm judged by you.

Such is the glorious consistency of loving you.

My heart's not skipped a beat; it still constantly thuds for you.

Such is the everyday magnificence of loving you.

It's not something we fell into so much as stumbled through.

It's the spectacular normality of loving you.

It's not the dreaming; it's the waking up with you.

I want to be here long enough to gather dust.

DECLARATION OF INTENT:

Rev ASHLIE TO THE COUPLE

As we now continue, I ask that you join hands and together answer We do, as you Declare your intent in front your friends and family.

Natalie and Nick, do you now pledge your commitment to each other in marriage — to comfort, and provide for each other each day?

Natalie and Nick

(Together) We do!

Rev. ASHLIE TO THE COUPLE

Do you promise your devotion and dedication, and to keep your faith in each other even on the difficult days?

Natalie and Nick

(Together) We do!

Rev. ASHLIE TO THE COUPLE

And do you promise to have fun together, to seek new joys and discoveries, to play and laugh together – even when you’re old and gray?

Natalie and Nick

(Together) We do!

Handfasting, Rings and Vows.

Rev. Ashlie

For those guests who don’t know, a handfasting cord is a physical symbol of a spiritual bond. With each promise the couple makes, the cord is knotted, representing the unbreakable love these two share, and their commitment to honor and support one another always. This tradition has been carried on throughout the years, Some even say it is why we say “tie the knot” when we get married.

Natalie and Nick please clasp your right hands as your first promise."

• The couple clasps hands, right hand with right hand, either crossing in front of the body or standing side to side.

• Rev. Ashlie ties the first knot in the cord around the couples’ wrists.

Rev. Ashlie TO Nick

Nick, please repeat after me,

• "I Nick, take you, Natalie to be my partner in life, my best friend, and my one true love. I promise to cherish our friendship and love you forever, through thick and thin."

• "I promise to always be there for you, to support your dreams, and to make our love a priority."

• "I vow to love you without hesitation or boundaries, to choose our love every day, and to be your biggest fan."

Rev. Ashlie will tie a second knot.

Rev. Ashlie to Natalie

Natalie, please repeat after me.

• "I Natalie, take you, Nate to be my partner in life, my best friend, and my one true love. I promise to cherish our friendship and love you forever, through thick and thin."

• "I promise to always be there for you, to support your dreams, and to make our love a priority."

• "I vow to love you without hesitation or boundaries, to choose our love every day, and to be your biggest fan."

• Rev. Ashlie will tie a third knot.

Rev. Ashlie TO THE COUPLE

"Keep this cord with you for the years ahead, and let each knot remind you of the promises you made here today."

wedding RING EXCHANGE

Rev. Ashlie TO THE RECEPTION

"Of course, it would be hard to go through life physically tied together wouldn’t it? As a lasting symbol of these promises, Natalie and Nick have also chosen to exchange rings."

OFFICIANT TO THE RING BEARER

?? ( not sure who will have the rings) will you present the rings?"

• The couple slips the rings on each other’s hands.

• The handfasting cord will now be slipped off , and placed on the altar, table or passed to a guest for safekeeping.

Reading:

At this time, I would like to invite Nick’s father up to read a poem he has selected.

Wedding Blessing and Pronouncement:

Rev. Ashlie to the Couple,

Natalie and Nick,

Allow me to share a simple blessing for you both on this day.

"May the sun bring you new energy by day,

May the moon softly restore you by night;

May the rain wash away your worries;

May the breeze blow new strength into your being;

May you walk gently through the world and know its beauty all the days of your life."

PRONOUNCEMENT:

Rev. Ashlie

Natalie and Nick, you have pledged your commitment today, vowing to stand beside and support one another through all things.

By virtue of the authority vested in me by the State of New York, I now pronounce you husband and wife.

Go forth and live each day to the fullest.

You may seal this declaration with a kiss.

Rev. Ashlie to guests.

It is my pleasure and privilege to introduce our newlyweds for the first time. Mr. and Mrs. Crawford.