Marcus Holloway

Ceremony Script for Teresa Ahumada and Michael Lee Taylor

PROCESSIONAL

At the start of the Wedding Ceremony, the officiant should remind the guests to rise. Following the entrance of the couple,

-TO THE GUESTS

Welcome to everyone who came today to serve as witnesses to the joining of Teresa and Michael in matrimony.

Your presence here represents your loving support for their commitment to one another. They would like to thank you for standing with them today and always.

-'Unplugged' announcement

Before we begin, we ask that you silence your phones, and if recording, please be respectful.

-Invocation

To be 'married' is the joining of two souls in matrimony. At times, tradition may suggest that marriage requires the taking of someone else's name or leaving a previous, separate life behind to become one.

But while marriage is, indeed, the joining of two hearts and two souls, it is also the joining of two individuals.

Two people with their own thoughts, beliefs, and their own identities; identities which are not lost simply by the commitment made to love and support one another.

On the contrary, marriage allows two separate individuals to collectively become greater than the sum of their parts, while also allowing a supportive relationship for the complete freedom to be themselves.

These two hearts beat on their own, but the love shared allows their hearts to beat as one. Teresa and Michael recognize that marriage is the culmination of their two lives, which are simply shared as one, which is the ultimate journey of togetherness.

-DECLARATION OF INTENT

Teresa and Michael, please face one another and join hands.

OFFICIANT TO [Teresa]

Do you, Teresa Ahumada, take this man freely, wholly, and without question as your lifelong partner and equal in all that you may face, encounter, celebrate, or endure?

[Teresa]

I do.

OFFICIANT TO [Michael]

Do you, Michael Lee Taylor, take this woman freely, wholly and without question as your lifelong partner and equal in all that you may face, encounter, celebrate, or endure?

[Michael]

I do.

-EXCHANGE OF RINGS

OFFICIANT

May I have the rings, please?

-TO COUPLE

These rings you hold each are individual in their design, which represents a unified symbol of your marriage to the world. May they also be a daily reminder of your promises, as well as your vow to stand together.

OFFICIANT TO [Teresa]

[Teresa], as you place this ring on [Michael's] finger, please repeat after me:

I [Teresa], take you, [Michael], to share our love in marriage.

I remain my own person, but give myself to you of my own free will.

I promise to always see you as whole,

I promise you room to breathe and encouragement, allowing you to grow, while appreciating you just as you are.

I vow to freely give you my trust and to be worthy of your trust in return.

This is a marriage of equals, and with this ring, I thee wed.

-After each line is spoken by the Officiant ( You), Teresa places the ring on Michael's finger.

OFFICIANT TO [Michael]

[Michael], as you place this ring on [Teresa's] finger, please repeat after me:

I [Michael], take you, [Teresa], to share our love in marriage.

I remain my own person, but give myself to you of my own free will.

I promise to always see you as whole,

I promise you room to breathe and encouragement, allowing you to grow, while appreciating you just as you are.

I vow to freely give you my trust and to be worthy of your trust in return.

This is a marriage of equals, and with this ring, I thee wed.

-PRONOUNCEMENT TO COUPLE

[Teresa] and [Michael], you have pledged your commitment in matrimony, vowing to stand beside and support one another through all things.

By the powers vested in me by American Marriage Ministries and the State of Arizona, I now pronounce youHusband and Wife,

You may now kiss the bride.

-INTRODUCTION of the newlyweds:

It is a great pleasure and honor to introduce for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Taylor.

-RECESSIONAL

End of the Wedding Ceremony.