Christy L Williams

Hello everyone! Welcome to this absolutely incredible day! What an amazing journey it has been to get here! Make no mistake about it. Today, is a celebration. A celebration of love, commitment and of family.. Friends and family, you are here to witness the coming together of these two beautiful souls in marriage. (Smile) We are here to get married! But why do we go all out when it comes time to get married? Seriously, why do we do it? I mean, when you think about it, it could seem like a lot. I mean you two are standing up here and you look fantastic by the way, being stared at and having your photos taken by all of these people,. Not that any of that should make you nervous …. But why do we do it? Well honestly, no matter who we are, no matter where we come from, no matter what we believe. I think we can all simply agree that love is worth celebrating. Your love and you two are worth celebrating and that is exactly what we’re doing here today.

We’ve gathered here to celebrate the life and the love that you two have created together. Of course we all have our own love stories right? Some are short, some are long, some are still unwritten and some are just getting to the good part. And there are different chapters in everyone’s love story some that are sad & disappointing others that are exciting and full of adventure. But the lives that these two have created, the bond that they have built… Friends and family, it has its roots in the love, the friendship and the memories they’ve created with all of you that are joining them here today. You’ve been their support system. They are honored to have you here today as they are ready to take this paramount step in their journey together. The couple would like to thank each and every one of you for being here today and even though many of you might not live right next door, they do want you to know that you are never far from their hearts. So thank you for coming today as we get this opportunity to take a break from the outside world , gather around & be reminded that to love and to be loved in return is truly one of the best parts of life. So let’s get to it.. but first let us bow our heads in prayer

Heavenly Father, we come to you this evening, asking for your presence & blessing as we join Kayin and Lauren in marriage. We ask to bless this ceremony and the vows that they make to each other today. We have no doubt that with you at the center of their union It will be successful. We ask you to arm them with the tools they need to remain steadfast in the covenant that they enter into today. We thank you for the grace and mercy that you have with us, for the immeasurable love that you have for us and for all that you have done and continue to do for us Father. We love you and we thank you. And in your son Jesus’ name we pray amen.

Kayin and Lauren, you have reached the part of your journey where you’ve chosen to enter into the union of marriage. So what does it mean? What responsibilities does it place on you. Well, marriage is a contract and it’s not one to be entered into lightly but thoughtfully & with a deep realization of its obligations & responsibilities. Remember that love, loyalty, grace, respect and understanding are the foundations of a happy, high functioning marriage & happy home. Putting God first and each other immediately next will ensure that your marriage thrives. Difficult times will surely arise but you can take comfort in knowing that you have a strong partner to get through it with. Speak kindly to each other in times frustration. At Proverbs 15 verse 1, the Bible tells us that a mild answer turns away rage, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Don’t stir up anger in your home. Speak to each other using patience, kind words and a respectful tone. Additionally, Proverbs 15-3 tells us that the eyes of God are everywhere watching both the bad and the good. He sees all of these things and how you are treating each other in this union that you making with him. Be each other’s strength in times of weakness and each other’s encouragement in times of defeat. Be each other’s voice of reason in times of uncertainty. Be each other’s best friend…

Kayin

I remember you telling me that the first time you saw Lauren was when you were all up in the girls dorms during Duck week at school. You said she was sitting in her room away from all of the commotion that was going on. And when I asked you well what drew you in to her you said she had her hair in curls and they were beautiful. I could not stop looking at those curls. (To Lauren) So make a note to self to wear curls every now and again. Then I said to you well curls are great, but what made you decide that she was the person you wanted to marry. And you gave me all the beautiful things about her. You told me that you feel like she’s a female version of you. You said that you appreciate her so much for teaching you how to manage your emotions, how to relax and not react to impulsively. You told me that you love that when you’re down she will first try to give you a hug and if that doesn’t work, then she turns into a straight comedian and goes into full jester mode for you. Then you told me that you knew it was real and she was genuinely for you when she held you down in a moment where your irresponsibility, in your words not mine, left you kind of helpless on a boy’s trip. So what that tells me and what you probably already know is that you are getting a not only beautiful but dependable, loyal, thoughtful partner, who has shown you that she knows how to support you through the good and the bad. Remember that and treat her like the precious gift that she is. Kayin, Lauren wants you to know that communication means so much to her so open up to her. Share your thoughts with her. When you are happy, tell her and when you are worried, talk to her. Also remember to shut off the outside noise when it comes to matters of your union. You see, Genesis 2-24 says therefore a man leaves his father and mother and is united with his wife and they become one flesh. So it is with her that you should communicate so that you two can take on the daily obstacles of life.. even in times that you are angry or frustrated, communicate that to her, but make sure that you do it with kindness you see Proverbs 18-21 reminds us that the tongue holds the power of life and death and that means that speech can either nurture or damage a marriage so make sure that your words are always nurturing. Make sure she knows that you cherish and love her. Make sure she understands that she is protected and in the hands of strong leadership .. Because what the Bible also says loud and clear at Proverbs 18-22 is that he will find himself a wife find himself a good thing and you,ve found yours.

Lauren

When you speak about, Kayin you tell me all of the wonderful things that you love about him. You told me how handsome you think he is and how when you all first met he’d always make you blush and you couldn’t do anything about it. You told me that you love that he is such a caring person with such a huge heart and how adorable you find it that he puts on his little baby voice whenever you fuss at him. You also told me that you knew that this is the person you wanted to spend your life with when you were having a really tough night after your 18th birthday party and he handled it, in your words, like a pro! You said that he made you feel safe he made you feel like everything was gonna be OK and he also made sure that everything was. You told me about times when you are really frustrated, but he assures you that you’re gonna get through whatever it is and he’s gonna be there to help you get through it every step of the way. You told me that Kayin taught you how to be extremely independent and to stand up for yourself whether he is in the room or not. So it goes without saying that what you have here is a leader, that he is supportive and strong, but he’s also not afraid to soften up at times. It tells me that he’s caring and considerate of your needs. Feed into that, let him know that he appreciated. Lauren, you know Kayin loves that you are so sweet and you’re always looking for ways to relay things to him in a gentle way, but one thing that he really wants you to know and to remember, is that when it comes to the tough stuff he really wants you to just be direct with him no sugar coating. Let him know exactly how you’re feeling about whatever it is. He’s present, he’s open and he’s ready to listen. So talk to him and trust that together, you will come to the best conclusions. Trust him to lead as you are choosing him to do today. The Bible tells us at Ephesians 5-22, 23 let wives be in subjection to their husband as to the Lord because the husband is head of the wife just as Christ is head of the church.

Marriage is a such beautiful thing. Continue to pour into each other ensuring that each your cups stay full.The Bible tells us that love is patient and kind. It does not envy, it does not boast and it is not proud. Pursue it with humility, kindness and mindfulness putting up with one another in love. And never forget to keep God at the center because as pointed out in Ecclesiastes, someone may overpower one person alone, two people together can make a stand but a three fold cord cannot quickly be torn apart!

Now let’s get to the fun part! The vows!

Lauren, do you take Kayin to be your lawfully wedded husband choosing him to be no other than himself, loving what you already know about him and trusting what you do not yet know? Do you choose him over all others and vow never to put anyone before him? Do you vow, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and bad, for richer or poorer , keeping yourself unto him for as long as you both shall live?

Kayin, do you take Lauren to be your lawfully wedded wife choosing her to be no other than herself, loving what you already know about her and trusting what you do not yet know? Do you choose her over all others and vow never to put anyone before her? Do you vow, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and bad, for richer or poorer , keeping yourself unto her for as long as you both shall live?

Kayin and Lauren have exchanged their vowels as a display of their dedication and eternal commitment to each other.

To honor this. They will now exchange rings.

Kayin, Please place your ring upon Lauren’s finger and repeat after me. With this ring I wed you Lauren, for today, tomorrow and all the years to come. (Pause) please wear it as a reminder of my eternal love, (pause) unwavering loyalty, (pause) and dedication to the vows taken here today.

Lauren, please place your ring upon Kayin’s finger and repeat after me. With this ring I wed you Kayin, for today, tomorrow and all the years to come. (Pause) please wear it as a reminder of my eternal love, (pause) unwavering loyalty, (pause) and dedication to the vows taken here today.

By the authority vested in me by American marriage ministries, and the state of Texas I now pronounce you husband and wife. And I now introduced to you, Mr. and Mrs. Kayin and Lauren Williams.

Kayin, you may kiss your bride honey…