Kaylee Marie Peddicord

1. Wedding Procession

>>>>>Officiant Kaylee will already be in place at the altar when the wedding begins.

>>wedding party enter- Groom and Groom’s Men first, then bridesmaids, ring bearer, flower girls. Last to enter: Bride escorted by her son John.

SAY: (To Son of the Bride): “Who gives this woman away in marriage to this man?” (John says: I Do.)

>>>At this point John lets go of Dena’s arm, hugs, and kisses her forehead. John walks up to Nasser and shakes hands with him and sits down.

>>> Dena then hands her flowers to her maid of honor. Maid of Honor will fluff the veil and straighten the dress if needed.

Dena and Nasser then stand there holding hands facing one another with officiant Kaylee behind them.

Say: (to guests) You may be seated.

2. Greet the couple and the Guests:

Say: Hello Nasser and Dena, Welcome to your wedding. (Look at them, briefly before addressing guests)

Say: (to Guests) I welcome all of you here today serving as witnesses to the joining of Nasser and Dena in Marriage. Today is a celebration of the love, commitment, and friendship of two people that are in it forever. Your presence is important to them, and they thank you for standing with them today and always. My name is Kaylee, otherwise known as the bride’s longtime Friend and I am especially honored to be here officiating their wedding today.

SAY: Nasser and Dena, these guests are here to support you, be proud of you, and remind you that love isn’t “Happily Ever After.” It’s the highs and the lows, the laughter and the tears, it’s the good and the bad, but more than anything, Love is the experience of writing your story together day after day, year after year, and choosing to love each other forever.

3. Prayer and Words on Relationship:

Say: Let us begin with prayer, (to guests and couple) Please bow your heads.

“Dear Lord, we come before you today to thank you for the gift of marriage. For all the joy and love that it brings us. We thank you for Nasser and Dena and we thank you for bringing them together for this special day, and that you hold them safely in Your hands. May their love-Like the wedding rings they will wear- be a circle that never ends. I pray you grow that love relationship into one that is patient and kind, not boastful or proud, one that is unselfish and trusting, and a love that protects and perseveres through every season of life. May their union be a source of light and joy to all around them. Amen”

Say: Nasser and Dena, (look at them) everyone has a love story of some sort. But this story, the one that has brought us here today is YOUR love story. And it all began in May of 2023, when two strangers, looking for love, matched on Bumble, and it was at that moment in time, that fate intervened and these two “strangers” became forever entwined as one.

From dinner dates at new restaurants, helping each other through difficult tasks, incessant days long conversations online, planning vacations together, and trying new foods together, your love and friendship blossomed. It is these adventures in love that have brought you where you are today, and you have done it ALL, together!

Say: Nasser, (look at Nasser) I knew Dena and her son John long before you did. We met while Dena and I were students together at Florida Southern College and I was working in the Preschool Lab. Dena had come in to see about working in the preschool and I mistook her for a parent looking to enroll her child. Little did I know that she really did have a son and was trying to enroll him but also looking to work there herself for the Work Study program.

From that day forward, we became fast friends and upon my graduation from college, we became roommates. Being roommates brought us closer together and I learned a lot of things about Dena and her past life before coming to Lakeland from Miami. I learned of her marriage to her first true love, Mike, and his untimely passing. I learned that she is great at decorating cakes, cooking in the kitchen, baking all sorts of treats, trying all the new foods or sweets from the store. I learned that she is very creative and loving and strong, I learned that she was a great mother to her son and a very loyal friend. I was there for her through her diagnosis, treatment and remission of her breast cancer, the passing of john’s grandfather (Grumpy), the passing of John’s Great Grandmother (Little Grammy), and I was there as Dena tried to continue with her life without the love of her life by her side. When Dena wanted to start again in Miami, I was her biggest cheerleader. But, deep down, I secretly longed for her to find another great love of her life, someone who would take her loneliness away. I hoped she would meet someone who truly made her happy again, someone she could grow old with.

And then came the Facebook Messenger text on June 14, 2023, which was the day that Dena told me she had met someone. She couldn’t stop talking about her guy. This guy named Nasser who was in a band. This guy she couldn’t stop talking about, and that’s when I knew that Dena had met someone special, she had met someone who would take her loneliness away. Thank you, Nasser, for loving my friend as much as you do, thank you for making her happy again. I am so proud to be standing here today and officiating your marriage to my dear friend.

4. Declaration of Intent:

Say:(to Bride and Groom): Nasser and Dena. Please face each other and join hands. Please declare your intent to marry each other today in the presence of your circle of near and dear ones.

Say: (to Nasser): Do you, Nasser Montes take Dena Brinkman, to be your lawfully wedded Wife? (Await confirmation)

Say: (To Dena): Do You, Dena Brinkman take Nasser Montes, to be your lawfully wedded husband? (Await Confirmation.)

5. Exchanging of Vows:

Say (to Both): The two of you have chosen to write your own vows today, which is a beautiful testament to your love and your commitment to one another. Your vows are a personal expression of your feelings for each other and rich with meaning and history. It is my privilege to witness you pledge your love in your own words.

Say: (to Nasser): Nasser, please read your vows to Dena. (Wait for vows to be read.)

Say: (to Dena): Dena, please read your vows to Nasser. (Wait for vows to be read.)

6. Exchanging of Rings:

Say: (to both): Nasser and Dena you have exchanged beautiful and heartfelt vows, pledging to love each other unconditionally and support each other through life’s sunshine and storms. You will now exchange rings as a symbol of your promises to each other.

>>>>officiant Kaylee will get rings from the best man and Maid of Honor and then turn toward Dena and Nasser

SAY: (to both): Nasser and Dena, A ring has no beginning or end. Its path is endless and a symbol of your endless love and respect for each other. By placing these rings on each other’s fingers, you promise to not just love each other, but to honor each other, to be compassionate, patient, and understanding as you build your future together.

You can both feel love in this room. These rings represent this love. Not just your love for each other, but from everyone here today. Let these rings be a reminder of that love, what you are feeling today.

Say to Nasser: Nasser, place the ring on Dena’s Finger and repeat after me:

“Dena, I give you this ring.” (Wait for him to repeat)

“As a symbol of my love…” (Wait for him to repeat)

“With a pledge to love and support you today,” (wait for him to repeat)

“Tomorrow, always and forever.” (wait for him to repeat)

Say to Dena: Dena, place the ring on Nasser’s finger and repeat after me:

“Nasser, I give you this ring.” (Wait for her to repeat)

“As a symbol of my love…” (Wait for her to repeat)

“With a pledge to love and support you today,” (Wait for her to repeat)

“Tomorrow, always and forever.” (Wait for her to

7. Final Blessing, Pronouncement and Kiss the Bride

Say: Nasser and Dena, you have committed yourselves to one another, and now you go forward together. As you begin this new chapter in your story, may your bond continue to strengthen. Take this love, this joy, and this strength and build a beautiful life together. May you walk through life with laughter, support each other’s dreams, and find joy in the everyday moments.

Say: Now, with the authority vested in me by American Marriage Ministries and the State of Florida, I now pronounce you husband and wife! You may now kiss your Bride! Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Montes!

8. Wedding Recession

>>>>>>>Bride and Groom exit first, followed by the bridal party

Say (to congregation): This concludes the ceremony, please help yourself to the cocktail hour, immediate family members please remain here for photographs.

>>>>>>>Congregation will exit.