Anthony Maurice Avery

Rayshard & Jonathon’s Wedding

Date: September 27th

Time: 12:00 am

Proposed Script

Ceremony:

Hello, Friends, Family, and loved ones.

We are gathered together here this evening for the exciting occasion of joining Rayshard and Jonathon in marriage.

Love knows no bounds or barriers, and we are here to celebrate this moment of public commitment between two souls designed for one another with community and support.

“Now, every great love story has a beginning—and Rayshard and Jonathon’s started with a Bumble BFF swipe. That’s right, Jonathon was just out here looking for friends… but Ray quickly assessed that he “needed” something more.

Of course, Ray had to do a little bit of reconnaissance first before diving in. He admits that at their first meet and greet, he may have walked past Jonathon and observed him from a distance for ten whole minutes! (allegedly!) Just to see if he was worth his time. He then decided he would entertain him a bit, only to find out in a plot twist that it was HE who was, in fact, entertained.

From a simple meet-and-greet lunch… to their first date night of dinner, and a movie—The Color Purple. Then came a casual evening full of laughter and good vibes all night long, but now let’s be clear—Ray did indeed keep it cute. Jonathon got none.

But when Ray, in his own words “bid him adieu” the next morning, Jonathon came right back—and the truth is, they’ve been stuck together ever since. Tied at the hip, for better but never for worse, they’ve found their person and built a love that is bold, joyful, a little dramatic, and absolutely unapologetically theirs.

As Ray shared their love story with me, I couldn’t help but beam from ear to ear like I had just watched a classic Hollywood romance movie. It’s rare in today’s world to find such a pure tale of strangers, becoming friends, becoming more and now in front of all of you they’ll become forever.

Ray and Jonathon will now exchange vows. Please repeat after me

"I, _____, take you, _____, to be my husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish always."

“The couple will now light their unity candle” with the aid of chosen loved ones.

As a couple, you will now commit yourself to each other. Please repeat I do in response to me.

Do you, Rayshard, take Jonathon to be your lawfully wedded partner, for as long as you both shall live?

*(Wait for Confirmation)*

Do you, Jonathon, take Rayshard to be your lawfully wedded partner? For as long as you both shall live?

*(Wait for Confirmation)*

“We will now have the jumping of the broom. The act of jumping the broom symbolizes a new beginning and the sweeping away of the past. It also represents the uniting of two families while paying tribute to the wisdom and strength of our ancestors. During a time when traditional marriage rights were denied to enslaved Black people in America, jumping the broom became a sacred way to honor love, commitment, and African heritage. Today, many Black couples continue this tradition as a powerful reminder of resilience, unity, and legacy. Ray and Jonathon will now add their own page to this rich tradition, jumping the broom as a cultural affirmation of their love and as a beautiful unification of their lives together.”

You will now exchange rings as a symbol of your love and commitment to one another.

*(Ring Exchange)* - With this ring, I do wed, filled with love, happiness, and commitment to you. (Repeat)

Now, by the authority vested in me by American Marriage Ministries and the State of Maryland, I pronounce you life partners! You may kiss your husband.