Barbara Ann Brooks

Joshua and Shaunna

Who gives this woman to be married to this man?

on behalf of Joshua abd Shaunna, thank you for coming today to share this wonderful day. Welcome friends and family.

In the time that they have been together, their love for each other has grown, now this couple are ready to spend the rest of their lives together as husband and wife.

A true marriage begins well before the wedding day, and the efforts of marriage continue well beyond the ceremony.

A brief moment in time and the stroke of the pen

are all that is required to create the legal bond of marriage, but it takes a lifetime of love, commitment, and compromise to make marriage durable and everlasting.

Today, you both come freely, and understand the responsibility and work involved to make your relationship thrive, and are committed to not only each other but also to hr children that will now be apart of this family unit. Joshua and Shaunna- be reminded that their are eyes and ears every where. Be the example to these children on how a man should treat a woman - and how a woman should treat her man. so, in a few years - they to will treat their partner with love- honor and respect, because that was normal growing up.

Today is a celebration. A celebration of love, of commitment, of friendship, of family, and of two people who are in it for forever.

You don't have to have a Huge ceremony to have a marriage.

Endless moments of planning that will fly by so quickly.

So why do we do it?

The marriage ceremony has been an important feature across nearly every culture, religion, generation, and society.

We have thousands of important moments that happen throughout our lives, but this one is regarded as one so critical, we acknowledge its special status by sharing it with others.

Why this moment?

Because despite all of our differences, love is what we all share.

It's the great unifier - our one universal truth.

That no matter who we are, where we've come from,

what we believe, we know this one thing: love is what we're doing right.

That's why you both are standing here.

We have all loved in our lifetimes, and in this moment, we're reminded that the ability to love is the very best part of our humanity.

Don’t be afraid to ask guidance from those you care about and care about you. But remember this is a one of a kind relationship between Joshua and Shaunna.

You have known each other for a while. As a couple you are learning each others quirks and habits.

Your figuring out toilet seat up or down. Who cooks, who cleans?

Understand there will be burnt meals or perhaps some raw ones as well.

Do you eat it ....if its safe Because you know the time, effort, and frustration the other has put in or just throw it out and go out to Red Lobster?

I encourage you to continue to have date nights.

communicate with your spouse.

Don't break the bond of trust.

You need to figure out what works for you.

Is it ....Always kiss me good night or Baby, I love you

but I don't really like you right now. Lets sleep on it and talk tomorrow.

you are here now , let me remind you that love isn't just happily ever after, love is the experience of writing your story.

It's not one moment - not even this moment.

It's every moment. Big ones like saying 'I love you,'

getting engaged - but mostly a million little ones

that come in between the big moments. Falling asleep next to one another, making dinner together,

spending holidays with or without your families,

making your own traditions,binge-watching shows,

getting a big hug when you get home from work… These everyday moments fuse together into one big experience.

You fell in love by chance, but you're here today

because you're making a choice. You both are choosing each other.

You've chosen to be with someone who enhances you, who makes you think, makes you smile,

Someone that encourages you and makes every day brighter.

You're about to make promises to each other that you intend to keep. You're going to vow to take care of each other, to stand up for one another, and find happiness in the other.

You're teaming up and saying to the other, 'Every experience I am going to have, I want you to be a part of.'"

repeat after me

I, Joshua Owens

take you, Shaunna Hageness

to be my lawfully wedded wife,

to have and to hold

from this day forward

for better or worse

for richer, for poorer

in sickness and in health

to love and to cherish,

forsaking all others

until death do us part

Shaunna, repeat after me

I, Shaunna Hageness

take you, Joshua Owens

to be my lawfully wedded husband

to have and to hold

from this day forward

for better or worse

for richer for poorer

in sickness and in health

to love and to cherish

forsaking all others

until death do us part

Will you, Joshua and Shaunna

be each other's partners from this day forward?

Will you bring out the best in one another, share your happiest moments together, and love each other absolutely for whatever may come next.

“We will “

butterflies

on this day, we remember this that have gone before us. whisper a wish as the butterflies are released.

Bring rings forward

You've both chosen to wear rings as a reminder of these promises.

People often say wedding bands are a perfect circle, with no beginning and no end.

love comes from humble beginnings,

and through a combination of serendipity and effort,

imperfect beings shape it into something extraordinary.

It's the process of making something beautiful where there was once nothing at all.

As you look at these rings over the years,

I hope you remember that. You've created something invaluable, and just as I know you'll protect these rings, I'm confident you'll protect the commitments you've made to one another today.

Groom to bride:

Joshua- please place this ring and repeat after me

Shaunna, with this ring, I thee wed

Shaunna, please place this ring and repeat after me

Joshua, with this ring, I the wed.

I leave you now with this blessing:

May you always be in love

May your love be as beautiful each day as it is on this day of celebration

May you always see and encourage the best in each other

May the challenges life brings your way make your marriage even stronger

And may you always be each other’s best friend and greatest love

Pronouncement: step aside

-You have pledged your faith to each other in from of your friends and family this 3rd day of October at Suttle Ridge.

By the power vested in me by the state of Arkansas

I now pronounce you husband and wife,

You may now seal your vows with a kiss.