Logan Hillary Lauren

It is my honor to welcome you here today and thank you for joining Chelsea and Patrick for their wedding ceremony. Families and friends from across the years – brothers, sisters, parents, extended family, neighbors, old friends and new friends--Chelsea and Patrick are so blessed to know each and every one of you and are grateful that you can be here today. Welcome, family, all of you.

Patrick and Chelsea met and fell in love nearly 10 years ago during their first semester at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. Since then, their love has grown and deepened, persisting through a long-distance separation overseas and times of uncertainty. Together they have run many miles (including a marathon), snowboarded down several mountains, travelled abroad to Paris and Scotland, and cheered on numerous sports teams (Zags, Ducks, Liverpool… the list goes on!). Throughout the years, they have especially cherished their families. From special friends, to oven fires, and meeting 30 of you on a second date-slash-family reunion (you know who you are), there has never been a dull moment. Without your support, Chelsea and Patrick would not be who they are today.

Before now, they have shared many aspects of their lives, such as sharing the joy and responsibility of two adorable dogs, Lily the Beagle and Nessie the Chesapeake, and sharing a home together in Eugene as they began their lives as adults. They have realized that some aspects of life are joined more easily than others--the closet and offices, for instance, are still divided, but the most important spaces, like their kitchen and the living room, are shared. And now, as the next step in their life journeys, Patrick and Chelsea are celebrating their commitment to each other and uniting all aspects of their lives together with their friends and families.

*Brittany gives a reading*

*Chelsea and Patrick take two lit candles and light a large candle together*

Fire represents love, the love that these two share. It starts small and fragile but soon grows to shed light and warmth to all nearby. As time passes, the fire does not diminish, but turns into deep-burning coals that provide a durable and unrelenting source for more warmth and love. The two candles represent Chelsea and Patrick as individuals. Together they will use their candles to light this center candle, which represents their unity that will continue to grow during their marriage. Let these candles show to all that these two are uniting their fire and their love, so that both will burn brighter together. Patrick and Chelsea will now share their vows, which they have written for each other.

*They state their vows to each other*

Do you, Chelsea, take Patrick to be your wedded husband, and in doing so, commit your life to him, encompassing all sorrows and joys, all hardships and triumphs, and all the experiences of life? Do you take this commitment made in love, kept in faith, lived in hope, and eternally made new?

*Chelsea confirms*

Do you, Patrick, take Chelsea to be your wedded wife, and in doing so, commit your life to her, encompassing all sorrows and joys, all hardships and triumphs, and all the experiences of life? Do you take this commitment made in love, kept in faith, lived in hope, and eternally made new?

*Patrick confirms*

*Take rings from the Best Man*

The wedding ring is a circle, a symbol of eternity. Worn on the hand, the wedding ring is an outward sign of an internal bond that unites two hearts in love. However, I want to point out that Patrick and Chelsea designed special rings together, and each ring is as unique as each of them. If you haven’t already seen the rings, I encourage you to bother the couple later at the reception to look at them. Both rings have a vintage design that reflects the art and architecture of the 1920’s. Patrick’s ring has six stars that represent dreams and goals, and leaves that represent growth. Chelsea’s ring is etched with wheat, which symbolizes prosperity, but also to remind them of the wheat fields of Eastern Washington, their home.

*Give them the rings*

Patrick: With this ring, I wed you and pledge you my love, now and forever.

Chelsea: With this ring, I wed you and pledge you my love, now and forever.

Now I offer a blessing for Chelsea and Patrick:

*Read blessing*

By the power vested in me by the State of Oregon and the Internet, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride--But first, let us take a selfie!

*Take selfie with wedding party*

NOW you may kiss the bride!

*They kiss*

It is my pleasure to introduce to you the newlyweds!