Carlos Alberto David

Alejandra & Chad’s Wedding Ceremony
(Officiant: Carlos, proud dad and temporary ringmaster)

Dear family, friends, and anyone who survived I-95 traffic or airport delays to be here today—welcome, bienvenidos, and thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

On behalf of my beautiful daughter Alejandra and her new favorite person, Chad Baker, thank you. Thank you for surrounding them here today with so much love. I didn’t bring my love meter with me today but am pretty sure we’re setting some sort of record with the amount of love in this room…

Most of you know me… I’m Carlos—Mookie’s…, I mean, Alejandra’s dad, the guy who used to carry her on my shoulders, and who now has the ridiculous honor of marrying her off… I mean, marrying her TO the love of her life. (Same thing, different tears.)

I remember the day (one year ago) Chad came to me and asked for my blessing for his proposal to Alejandra. He said he hadn’t met anyone with a bigger heart… and that he wanted to marry her. Well I didn’t know him that well yet, but after I witnessed how he’s been making her laugh (and occasionally making her roll her eyes) and taking care of her ever since, I realize she also won the lottery when you guys met.

Chad, welcome to the family, mijo.

Alejandra and Chad, I don’t believe you just happened to “find” each other. Somewhere along the way—between online conversations, fun dates, and probably a few arguments about whose playlist is better—God whispered, “Yes, these two...” Today you get to say it out loud.

Marriage, as you’re about to discover, is built on the small stuff: choosing to make coffee/breakfast for the other person even when you’re half-asleep, learning that “I’m fine” never actually means “I’m fine,” and discovering that two people can love the same TV show(s) and still fight over who has the remote control. It’s choosing, every single day, to keep choosing each other—with grace, with patience, and with the kind of love that reflects the One who first loved us.

We, your people, your family, promise to cheer you on, feed you when you’re too tired to cook, and remind you of this day when life gets loud.

And now for the good stuff

DECLARATION OF INTENT

Alejandra, do you take Chad to be your lawfully wedded husband—to laugh with him when life is easy, hold him when it’s hard, grow with him in love, and be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?
[Alejandra: “I do.”]

Chad, do you take Alejandra to be your lawfully wedded wife—to laugh with her (usually at your own jokes), comfort her when the world feels too big, grow with her in love, and be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?
[Chad: “I do.”]

Excellent life choices, both of you. The “I do’s” have it—democracy works!

VOWS
(Face each other, hold hands, try not to cry… uh oh! too late. :-))

Alejandra, repeat after me (or say whatever’s in your heart):

‘I, Alejandra, take you, Chad,

to be my husband,

my partner in life,

and my one true love.

I will cherish our friendship

and love you today, tomorrow, and forever.

I will trust you and respect you,

laugh with you and cry with you,

loving you faithfully through good times and bad,

regardless of the obstacles we may face.

I give you my hand, my heart, and my love,

from this day forward for as long as we both shall live”

Chad:

“I, Chad, take you, Alejandra,

to be my wife,

my partner in life,

and my one true love.

I will cherish our friendship

and love you today, tomorrow, and forever.

I will trust you, and respect you,

laugh with you, and cry with you,

loving you faithfully through good times and bad,

regardless of the obstacles we may face.

I give you my hand, my heart, and my love,

from this day forward for as long as we both shall live.”

RING EXCHANGE

These rings are simple circles because love doesn’t need corners—it just keeps going. They’re made of metal because, let’s be honest, you’re both a little stubborn, and that’s a good thing.

But before these rings slide onto your fingers for good, we’re going to do something special.

In just a moment, our matron of honor will pass your rings through the rows, held together on this little ribbon.

Family and friends, when the rings reach you, please take a second to hold them in your hands and warm them with your love, your blessings, your prayers, or your silent wish for these two. Some of you will whisper a prayer, some will just think _—————————and that’s perfectly fine. Every bit of love you pour into them will travel with Alejandra and Chad for the rest of their lives.

And while that is happening… we’ll have a short reading or does someone want to say a few words…

A READING
(just a short modified excerpt from “The Art of Marriage” by Wilferd Peterson)


A good marriage must be created — shaped with intention, softened with patience, and brightened by the small, steady acts that say I choose you.

In the art of marriage, the little things are the big things: the quiet gestures, the shared glances, the unspoken understanding that grows deeper with time.

It is never being too old to hold hands, even when life has weathered you both in different ways.

It is remembering to say “I love you” at least once a day, not as a routine but as a promise renewed.

It is never going to sleep angry, … unless the fight is about the thermostat, in which case Chad will just put on socks like a normal person.

It is finding joy in ordinary days — the morning coffee, the familiar footsteps, the comfort of knowing someone is always in your corner.

It is building a life where laughter becomes a kind of glue, where forgiveness is a language you both learn fluently.

It is recognizing that love is not a single moment but a thousand small decisions to stay, to listen, to grow.

It is standing together without losing yourselves, offering strength when the other is tired, offering grace when the other is flawed.

It is celebrating victories as a team and weathering storms as a united front.

It is understanding that marriage is not a destination but a lifelong art — a canvas you paint together, stroke by stroke, year after year.

And above all, it is choosing each other again and again, in the quiet mornings, in the loud seasons, in the ordinary hours where love quietly proves itself real.


[When the rings return…]

Look at that—two little circles that just took a love tour around the entire room. I’d say I’d they’re officially the warmest rings in Florida right now.

Alejandra, place Chad’s now very-well-wished-for ring on his finger and say:

“Chad, with this ring—warmed by every person who loves us—I promise to love, honor, and keep the fridge stocked with your favorite beverage, forever and ever, amen”

Chad, place Alejandra’s ring on her finger and say:

“Alejandra, with this ring—carrying the blessings of our crazy, beautiful family—I promise to love, honor, and always let you control the TV remote… most of the time. All my days, all my love—yours.

PRONOUNCEMENT

Alejandra and Chad, you’ve made your promises before God, before your people, and before your slightly emotional dad who is definitely losing the battle with the ugly-cry

By the power vested in me by the State of Florida, the American Marriage Ministry, and the much higher authority of a father’s overflowing heart—


I now pronounce you husband and wife! Partners for life!


Chad, you may kiss your bride. (Take your time, our photographer may need to take several shots). LOL

CLOSING & PRESENTATION

Family and friends, it is my joy, my privilege, and my official dad duty to present for the very first time—
Mr. and Mrs. Chad and Alejandra Baker!


(Go ahead, make some noise—they just signed up for a lifetime of love, laughter, and figuring out whose turn it is to take out the trash.)

¡Que Dios los bendiga siempre!

Now let’s celebrate like only we know how!