Edward Ernest Elster

PROCESSIONAL

AFTER THE WALK DOWN

OFFICIANT TO RECEPTION

I ASK THAT YOU PLEASE BE SEATED.

INVOCATION

OFFICIANT TO THE RECEPTION

Welcome, everyone. We are gathered here on this joyful day to celebrate the love, laughter, and light of Terry and Hunter’s wedding.

Each of you represents an important part of their lives. Whether you have known them for years or only recently, your presence is a gift, and it means so much to them. Thank you for being here.

Before we begin, let’s look back to where their story started.

From the very beginning, their story felt like timing finally aligning. They had heard of each other for years, always just missing one another, until January of 2023 — when life decided it was finally the right moment. And once they met, everything changed. By their first real date on February 14th, sharing dinner at Hemisphere and wandering from place to place for drinks afterward, they became inseparable.

For her, love arrived instantly — not in a dramatic moment, but in the quiet certainty of “this is my person.” And over time, it wasn’t one grand event that made her realize she wanted to marry Terry, but all the small ones: the comfort of being understood, the trust they built, and the feeling of being fully known.

Their proposal was perfectly them — heartfelt, a little chaotic, and unforgettable. During a trip to Borrego Springs, Terry kept stopping at scenic overlooks on the drive home. She was ready to get on the road, wondering what he was doing. Finally, he found the spot. He set up his drone — which, of course, wasn’t recording — and asked her to come see the view. She stepped out, he dropped to one knee, said everything he had prepared (neither of them remembers a word), and she responded with pure disbelief and joy: “Are you serious??” And then, “Yes!!”

Their life together has already been an adventure — Hawaii’s Mauna Kea, the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, countless states, and a move to Arizona. It feels like their entire relationship has been one long, beautiful trip. And through all of it, Terry has shown the depth of his love not only as a partner, but as a father. Watching him support her through pregnancy, labor, delivery, and their first year as a family has been one of her life’s greatest blessings.

They work because they understand each other. Even when disagreements happen — rare but inevitable — they come back together with respect, trust, and a willingness to see each other’s perspective. Their love is patient, joyful, rooted in faith, and built on the desire to create a home where they feel safe, understood, and able to grow through every stage of life.

And now, standing here today, ready to begin the next chapter, they step into marriage with gratitude for the journey that brought them together — and excitement for the one still ahead.

With that, we move into the moment where they speak the promises that will guide their life together.

DECLARATION OF INTENT

OFFICIANT TO TERRY

Terry, do you take Hunter for your lawful wedded wife, to live in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love, honor, comfort, and cherish her from this day forward, forsaking all others, keeping only unto her for as long as you both shall live?

• TERRY RESPONDS WITH 'I DO'.

• OFFICIANT TO HUNTER

Hunter, do you take Terry for your lawful wedded husband, to live in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love, honor, comfort, and cherish him from this day forward, forsaking all others, keeping only unto him for as long as you both shall live?

• HUNTER RESPONDS WITH 'I DO'.

VOWS EXCHANGE

OFFICIANT TO THE COUPLE

"Please face each other."

OFFICIANT TO TERRY

"Please repeat after me:

I, Terry, take Hunter to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, honor, and cherish, 'til death do us part.

OFFICIANT TO HUNTER

Please repeat after me:

I, Hunter, take Terry to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, honor, and cherish, 'til death do us part.

RINGS EXCHANGE

OFFICIANT TO THE COUPLE

The wedding ring is a symbol of eternity. It is an outward sign of an inward and spiritual bond which unites two hearts in endless love. And now as a token of your love and of your deep desire to be forever united in heart and soul.

OFFICIANT TO TERRY

"Please present Hunter's ring."

• TERRY PRESENTS THE RING.

May this ring be blessed so he who gives it and she who wears it may abide in peace and continue in love until life's end.

• TERRY PLACES THE RING ON HUNTER'S FINGER.

OFFICIANT TO HUNTER

"Please present Terry's ring."

• HUNTER PRESENTS THE RING.

May this ring be blessed so she who gives it and he who wears it may abide in peace and continue in love until life's end.

• HUNTER PLACES THE RING ON TERRY'S FINGER.

PRONOUNCEMENT

OFFICIANT TO THE COUPLE

The true art of married life is in this inner spiritual journey. It is a mutual enrichment, a give and take between two personalities, a mingling of two endowments which diminishes neither, but enhances both.

So, without further ado, by the power of your love and commitment to each other, and by the power vested in me by the State of Arizona and American Marriage Ministries, I now pronounce you husband and wife.

You may now seal your marriage with a kiss!

THE COUPLE KISSES, GUESTS APPLAUD AND CHEER

PRESENTATION OF THE NEWLYWEDS

OFFICIANT TO GUESTS

Family and friends, it is my pleasure to present to you for the first time as newlyweds, Terry and Hunter.

RECESSION

Ceremony ends.