Mario Fernando Garcia-Bone

Welcome. We gather on this joyful occasion to celebrate love, laughter, and light on Julio and Valerie’s wedding day.

Each of you here represents a significant piece of both Julio’s and Valerie’s lives. Whether you came into their lives years ago, or more recently, your presence here is a gift to them – and I know it means a lot to them. Thank you for being here!

Before we begin today’s celebration, I have just one question that I’d like you to answer: Are we ready to get these two married or what?!

Marriage is not just about dressing elegant. It's not about throwing a big party, celebrating with friends and family, or partying late into the night. Those things are generally involved with weddings. But marriage... Marriage is the continuous learning of living together as a couple of two separate lives but also, living your lives as one complete life. It means continually moving forward as a couple and working for the success of your union.

Julio and Valerie, today, your lives will blend seamlessly together and you’re about to embark on the greatest of adventures. A new path is ahead of you, and to navigate it well, there are skills to be learned and practiced daily.

Wilferd Peterson's “The Art of a Good Marriage” reminds us that a good marriage doesn’t just happen, one must be created. In marriage, the little things are the big things; like never being too old to hold hands – and remembering to say, “I love you” and “I’m sorry.” It also takes patience, kindness… and fighting the urge to snarkily respond when it’s best to keep your mouth zipped.

Corinthians 13: 4-8 tells us:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, 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. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

With this wisdom and your love in mind, I now ask you:

Julio, do you welcome Valerie to be your wife and your cherished best friend now and for the rest of your days?

Valerie, do you welcome Julio to be your husband and your cherished best friend now and for the rest of your days?

Looks like our Bride and Groom are ready. How about you?

SO, SINCE WE AGREE… LET'S DO THIS!

( PERSONAL VOWS )

The bride and groom have prepared personal vows that they would like to declare to one another today. Julio, we’ll begin with you... Now, Valerie

( DECLARATION OF INTENT )

Julio, do you accept Valerie as your wife? Do you promise to love her, honor her, care for her, and protect her, renouncing all others and clinging to her in sickness and in health, in wealth and in poverty, for as long as their lives last?

Valerie, do you accept Julio as your husband? Do you promise to love, honor, care for, and protect him, renouncing all others and clinging only to him in sickness and in health, in wealth and in poverty, for as long as their lives last?

( RING EXCHANGE )

Rings are made of a precious metal, but that same metal is also made precious when worn. Wedding rings are special because they enhance who you are. They mark the beginning of your long journey together. The wedding ring is a circle, a symbol of endless love. It is the seal of the vows you have just made to love each other endlessly.

Julio, please place this ring on Valerie’s finger and repeat after me:

This ring is a token of my love for you. Let it remind you that you’re always in my heart.

Valerie, please place this ring on Julio’s finger and repeat after me:

This ring is a token of my love for you. Let it remind you that you’re always in my heart.

THE MEANING OF A WEDDING CROSS

A wedding cross symbolizes Christ as the center for both Christian and Catholic marriages. It's a powerful reminder of the sacrificial love of Christ, which is the model for the love within the marriage. The cross also represents that same idea throughout your married lives. It involves carrying burdens with love, patience, and forgiveness, just as Jesus carried his cross.

( PRAYER )

Dear God, hear our prayer. Julio and Valerie entrust their lives into your care, joined as Husband and Wife. Please guide this young and loving couple and protect them in this life. May their love grow of its accord as they commend their lives to serve The Lord.

( STATEMENT )

This relationship has worked because love was never needed.

Both have declared their intention, declared their commitment to each other, and exchanged rings. Now there is only one thing left to do...

( PRESENTATION )

O Eternal God, Creator and Comforter of all people, Provider of spiritual grace, and Author of eternal life, thank You for sending Your blessing.

God, you have blessed us with today's marriage. Just as Isaac and Rebekah lived faithfully together, so You will give them the grace to honor their vows.

Keep them always together in love and in perfect peace, living according to your commandments.

We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Amen.

By the power conferred on me by the American Marriage Ministries, before our God, and friends who served as witnesses, I declare you Julio and Valerie as husband and wife.

Julio, you can kiss your bride!

Friends, It is an honor and a privilege for me to introduce to you for the first time Mr. and Mrs. Julio and Valerie Sirin.