Andrew Christian Geffre

ANNOUNCEMENT

OFFICIANT TO THE RECEPTION

We have a quick announcement before we begin. Due to some unforeseen and unfortunate circumstances, we are without a photographer for the evening! The couple would like to have all of you be their photographers through the ceremony and during the reception. They will have a Facebook page and a hashtag announced at the reception that they would like you to upload photos to! In that same token, during the ceremony, please mute your phones, so we don’t have distractions during their special moment.

PROCESSIONAL

GUESTS ARE SEATED FOLLOWED BY THE ENTRANCE OF THE BRIDAL PARTY.

INVOCATION

OFFICIANT TO THE RECEPTION

"We are gathered here today to celebrate a time of gratitude, gladness, and joy. It is one of life's greatest miracles when two people love each other so much that they are willing to commit their lives together, as one in spirit.

The ability to love is a miraculous gift that God has given us, and a wedding is a celebration of that gift. Today, we have been invited to share and to rejoice with Alyssa and Ryan, and to vow our unconditional love and support to them as they begin their journey as husband and wife.

Nothing is sweeter than love, nothing more courageous, nothing higher, nothing wider, nothing more pleasant, nothing fuller nor better in heaven or earth, because love is born of God, and cannot exist but in God; it is above all created things. Love is the reason we are here.

According to God's plan for their lives Alyssa and Ryan have chosen each other, and we are gathered here to witness their vows of love and to offer our blessings and support for their marriage.

They would also like to thank all their guests for being here today. And we take a moment now to recognize the family members of Alyssa and Ryan and to thank them for their love, support, and devotion, as these two grew from adolescence and into the beautiful individuals who stand here before us on this special day. Thank you for teaching them values and showing them the beauty and joy of loving another person.

At this time, we would also like to honor those who could not be with us today. Although some of our loved ones are not here with us physically, we feel blessed that they are with us in spirit on this beautiful day. We offer a moment of silence to honor their memory.

MOMENT OF SILENCE.

RECOGNITION OF CHILDREN

OFFICIANT TO THE RECEPTION

Alyssa and Ryan have enough love for each other to share with all of us, but also to envelop two very special hearts with a love and protection stronger than any other. Their children are a constant source of joy, inspiration, and hope for them.

Ryder’s curiosity, humor, and determination remind them to look at things with a light heart and focus.

Anna’s compassion, acceptance, and forgiving nature remind them to tend to others' needs and forgive moments of imbalance.

Their playfulness, affection, and flexibility remind them to be open to new changes and to find the fun in every step they take.

Without you, Anna and Ryder, this day would not be complete!

SERMON ON RELATIONSHIPS

OFFICIANT TO THE COUPLE

The two of you know quite well that life is difficult and relationships are challenging . . . but as you travel through life together, you'll always have someone to share the good, the bad & the ugly!

But what I’d like you to do now is reflect on the here and now . . . how you are feeling? Feel the air and the sun on your skin. How do your hands feel in each other's? Soak it all in. Look and see your friends and family. Who is sitting where and next to whom? Who's smiling or crying?

Soak the day in and remember it . . . treasure it, so you can forever remember what this moment felt like. You'll need this memory to face any challenging times in the future.

READING

OFFICIANT TO THE RECEPTION

Alyssa and Ryan’s mom’s will now read an excerpt from The Art Of Marriage by Wilferd Peterson.

LINDA & LINDA TO THE RECEPTION

Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens.

A good marriage must be created. In marriage, the little things are the big things.

It is never too old to hold hands.

It is remember to say “I love you” at least once a day.

It is never going to sleep angry.

It is at no time taking the other for granted; the courtship should not end with the honeymoon, it should continue through the years.

It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives.

It is standing together, facing the world. It is forming a circle of love that gathers the whole family.

It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy.

It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.

It is not looking for perfection in each other.

It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humour.

It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.

It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow old.

It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.

It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, dependence is mutual and the obligation is reciprocal.

It is not only marrying the right partner; it is being the right partner.

BIBLE READING

OFFICIANT TO THE RECEPTION

Alyssa and Ryan have chosen the following verses to celebrate their love.

Ephesians 4:2 — New Living Translation (NLT)

2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.

Song of Solomon 2:16 — King James Version (KJV 1900)

16 My beloved is mine, and I am his:

He feedeth among the lilies.

Song of Solomon 3:4 — The New International Version (NIV)

4 Scarcely had I passed them

when I found the one my heart loves.

I held him and would not let him go

till I had brought him to my mother’s house,

to the room of the one who conceived me.

Romans 12:10 — The New International Version (NIV)

10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

1 Peter 4:8 — The New International Version (NIV)

8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

PRAYER

OFFICIANT TO THE RECEPTION

Let's pray...

Heavenly Father, we gather to celebrate your gift of love and its presence among us. We rejoice that these two people have chosen to commit themselves to a life of loving faithfulness to one another. We praise you, Lord, for the ways you have touched all our lives with a variety of loving relationships, and we give thanks today for Alyssa and Ryan and for the special love and friendship you have put in their hearts.

Renew within us an affectionate and loving spirit. Enrich our lives with the gracious gift of your love so that we may embrace others with that same love. May our participation in this celebration of love and commitment give us a new joy and responsiveness to the relationships that we cherish.

In your loving arms we pray, Amen.

DECLARATION OF INTENT

OFFICIANT TO THE COUPLE

The covenant of marriage is one that can be entered into only by persons who are both legally and spiritually free to offer themselves to each other.

Therefore, in the presence of God and in the presence of all of the witnesses here, I will ask Alyssa and Ryan to state their intention. Have the two of you come here freely and without reservation to give yourselves to each other in the holy state of matrimony?

THE COUPLE RESPONDS IN UNISON WITH 'WE HAVE'.

VOWS EXCHANGE

Alyssa and Ryan have written their own vows, which they will share with each other now.

Alyssa?

Ryan, you are my best friend. When I am sad, you know the right thing to say to make me smile and laugh and just forget the reasons why I’m sad in the first place. You are the first person I think of when I have news to tell. You know me better than I know myself. I promise to be honest and love you unconditionally. I love you with all my heart.

Ryan?

Alyssa, I want you to know that no matter how hard times get, between sickness and health, right or poor, I will always love you and nothing will come between us. You are the moon and stars to my night and the sunshine in my day and all I’ll ever need on my cloudy days. During my cloudy nights, I know you’ll be my shining light on the other side. I love you Alyssa, forever and always.

RINGS EXCHANGE

May I have the rings please?

Lord, please bless these rings that Alyssa and Ryan are about to exchange. May these rings forever remind them of their covenant with one another, as well as the circle of love they have publicly created here today. May their compassion and kindness for one another always be like these rings, with no beginning and no end.

May the precious metal remind them of their precious commitment, and if either begins to tarnish, may they joyfully undertake the sacred duty to make it shine brightly again. May their relationship always be like these rings, separate but close, simple but beautiful. May these rings always belong to their hands, and their love always belongs in each others hearts.

Amen.

Alyssa, please take this ring and place it on Ryan's finger, and repeat after me:

I give you this ring

as a symbol of my vow

to devote my life and love to you,

with all that I am and that we are,

and all that I have to share in life,

I will honor and cherish you in the name of God."

Ryan, please take this ring and place it on Alyssa's finger, and repeat after me:

I give you this ring

as a symbol of my vow

to devote my life and love to you,

with all that I am and that we are,

and all that I have to share in life,

I will honor and cherish you in the name of God.

PRONOUNCEMENT

OFFICIANT TO THE COUPLE

We close with a final blessing for your marriage:

Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be a shelter to the other. Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to the other. Now there is no more loneliness, for each of you will be a companion to the other. Now you are two bodies, but there is only one life before you. Go now to your dwelling place to enter into the days of your togetherness.

And may your days be good and long upon the earth. Amen.

Since Alyssa and Ryan have truly and openly chosen each other, declared their love and purpose before family, friends, and God, and have made their pledge to each other, symbolized by the exchange of rings.

It is my pleasure to pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss!

OFFICIANT TO THE RECEPTION

Ladies and gentlemen, it is my great honor and privilege to present to you for the very first time, Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Hlavka!

RECESSIONAL

End of the Wedding Ceremony.