Craig TATE

PARENTS BLESSING

​Minister: “Who presents this woman in marriage?”

​Family: “Her mother and I do.”

OPENING REMARKS

​“All of us are gathered here today, family and friends of this wonderful couple, have come together to celebrate a most joyous occasion. All of us are fortunate to have been asked to witness the most important transition in a relationship between two people. This is the transition in which two people in love commit themselves to each other, in word and action.

They take this step not because they need to, but because they want to. They desire to publicly pledge their love for each other, and commitment to each other. Kaitlyn and Vince, we are honored to bear witness to this transition and we know that you are not taking this step lightly. Many here have watched as your love for each other has grown and matured from the awkwardness of that first date, into the perfection that you manifest today. Today, we are privileged witness to this important step, as you proclaim your love for all the world to see.”

SPIRITUAL WORDS

​“Love is patient and Kind. Love is not jealous or boastful. It is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way, Love rejoices in the right. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes. Always perseveres. Love never ends.”

WORDS ON MARRIAGE

​“Marriage is not something to be entered into lightly since it requires that each person be willing to support the other in both good times, and in bad. Marriage requires that each person, at times, put their wishes and needs second to those of their partner. But in return, marriage provides a level of joy that one person by themselves cannot reach, and a type of love that only two people can create together.”

Marriage is a commitment- a decision to do, all through life, that which will express your love for one’s spouse. – Herman H. Kieval

THE COUPLES STORY

​Before the couple exchange their vows, I want to take a few minutes to share some memories that the couple shared with me, that allow us to understand the journey that brought them to this moment today. What brought them together, what are they really like as a couple, and what sort of future are they looking forward to together? There’s always “two sides to every story”, but that is what makes this fun! And the best part is, they will be hearing each other’s answers for the first time.

“WHAT ATTRACTED ME INITIALLY?”

Kaitlyn – “Hearing him in his back yard talking to Reese about going over to Reese’s moms, told me he was a single Dad, and that really got to me. Then he was clearly a carpenter, and I have a real soft spot for that kind of guy.”

Vince – “Her Perseverence. It wasn’t until she came over into the yard that I noticed how amazing her smile is and how beautiful she is.”

“HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR RELATIONSHIP?”

Kaitlyn – Our relationship is fun! We work as a dynamite team and know what the other one needs without even asking!”

Vince – Our relationship is the kind of relationship that everyone HOPES to find one day. We miss each other when one of us goes to the store without the other.”

“WHAT MAKES YOU SMILE WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THEM?”

Kaitlyn – “I smile when I think about him because he’s really handsome and the best dad ever and just makes me GENUINELY happy and at peace.”

Vince – “Everything makes me smile when I think about her. How she has absolutely no idea what to do with her hands most of the time makes me laugh out loud though!”



VOWS

Kaitlyn and Vince have crafted their own vows, and I now present the couple for this most intimate of commitments.

(after the personal vows have been read, have them face each other and hold hands)

Minister: “Kaitlyn, repeat after me.”

“I, Kaitlyn, take you Vince, to be my lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, from this day forward, until death do us part.”

Minister: “Vince, repeat after me.”

“I, Vince, take you Kaitlyn, to be my lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, from this day forward, until death do us part.”

RING EXCHANGE

The wedding ring seals the vows of marriage and represents a promise of everlasting love. It is a physical manifestation of the promises joining this couple together. The wedding ring is placed on the fourth finger of the left hand because years ago, it was believed that this finger was a direct connection to the heart – the perfect place for a symbol representing love and commitment. These rings are the physical embodiment of the spiritual bond that now binds the two of you together.

Minister: “As you, Kaitlyn, place this ring on Vince’s finger, please repeat after me:”

Kaitlyn to Vince – (ring on vince’s finger) “I give you this ring as a reminder that I will love, honor, and cherish you, in all times, in all places, and in all ways, forever.”

Minister: “As you, Vince, place this ring on Kaitlyn’s finger, please repeat after me:”

Vince to Kaitlyn – (ring on Kaitlyn’s finger) “I give you this ring as a reminder that I will love, honor, and cherish you, in all times, in all places, and in all ways, forever.”



READINGS

A good marriage must be created.

In the art of marriage, the little things ARE the big things.

It is never being too old to hold hands.

It is remembering to say, “I love you”, at least once each day.

It is never going to sleep angry.

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

It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family.

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

It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.

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

It is finding room for the things of the spirit.

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

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

CLOSING REMARKS

​“Kaitlyn and Vince, your friends and family, all of us here, rejoice in your happiness and we know that this day marks one of many special moments you will share in the days and years ahead. May both of you, committed to each other, keep this covenant which you have made. May you be a blessing and a comfort to each other, share each others joys, consolers of each others sorrows, and helpers to each other during life’s challenging moments. May you encourage each other in whatever you set out to achieve. May both of you, trusting each other, go forth fearlessly. May you not only express and accept affection between yourselves, but also reach out with love to all people.”

PRONOUNCEMENT/KISS/PRESENTATION

“Having witnessed your marriage vows, along with all who are assembled here today and by the power vested in me by the State of Missouri and the Internet, it is with great joy that I now pronounce you united, and legally married, as husband and wife!

Kaitlyn… you may kiss your husband, and Vince… you may kiss your wife!”

(kiss)

“It is my incredible honor to introduce for the very first time as a married couple:

Kaitlyn and Vince Laskowski