Aaron A Fuchs

Krueger / Malone Wedding : May 16, 2026

Processional

Presentation

As a gesture of love, respect, and embracing of the new chapters that lie ahead: who presents Meredith to this marriage?

(Marty)

Photo message

Welcome, everybody. Before we start, I am here to offer a burden to be lifted off of you. The couple has commissioned a special recording and photography arrangement for today. The good news for you, is you get to enjoy the wedding without worrying about having to get the perfect photo. We’re taking care of that for you. However, if you need just ONE more chance to get a quick pic on your phones…now is your last chance–and we then ask you to please keep your phones away during the ceremony.

Speaking of, if you don’t mind…

Invocation:

Family, friends, Tom, Mere: We are gathered here today…for you. For your love for each other. For your dedication to each other’s needs and companionship. We are here, because we also love you, and we are here to assure you that every one of us will be here for you both as you continue to build on the responsibilities, joys, and sorrows of your shared lives’ journeys.

Remember those passed

We also take a moment to honor those who have passed, though are still here in spirit, including Meredith’s mother Darla, as well as passed grandparents, family, and friends.

-pause-

From the 73rd Psalm: My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Prayer

Let us pray together: Dear Lord, be with us today as we celebrate this loving union between Meredith and Thomas. Bless this ceremony as they declare their love for one another and as they begin their lives together as one. Be with all of us here, either as family or friends, as we witness this blessed exchange. May your guidance and love be with all of us, today, tomorrow, and always. Amen.

Reading

A reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans: Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in home, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.

Another from Paul, but this time to the Philippians: Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count other more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Homily

I have to say just how honored and humbled I am to be here with you today. Somehow, this mixture of genuine charm and questionable humor is exactly what you had in mind for your special day, and I cannot thank you more for that.

In reality, I’ve known for well over a year and a half that I’d be officiating this ceremony today. Any guesses on when I actually started writing this? If you guessed the week of the wedding…you’d be correct.

Webster defines marriage…it also defines chairs…and ambidextrous…it’s a big book of definitions and spellings. Everyone should have one.

Kidding aside, in reality, I’ve been mentally preparing for this for even longer than that. It was obvious from the start that Tom and Mere would be standing together in front of family and friends. However, if you ask them, they may not have known as soon as the rest of us did. I asked about their meet-cute story. They met here at camp, as summer staff. Meredith saw Tom on the first day of staff training wearing gym shorts…and boots. All she could think was, “Well, choices were made there.” On the other side of this, Tom saw Meredith in all pink with frills and likely had similar thoughts. But, all that aside, most of us here with spouses or committed significant others can relate to knowing that the first, serendipitous chance meetings aren’t always what they seem in the long run. I say this because little did they know that day that one evening in Belize in September 2024, Tom would be on one knee asking Meredith to be there every day for the rest of their lives.

Everyone standing up here has been with you both from the get-go – and have witnessed first hand the pure and genuine love and adoration you have for each other. As time goes on, you will lean harder into that love and will continue to be amazed by the other’s strength and determination.

If I can offer just an ounce of marital advice: find your balance. You each have unique and special abilities that work in harmony with the other. Always work as a team. The burdens aren’t there for only one to carry. You could even find something that seems downright magical to the other. Like folding a fitted sheet. Hear me out, the trick is to turn it inside out and join the corners together, and then fold. Thank me later. This advice just seemed fitting for the moment [stare]. [Laugh track comment as needed]

Watching the two of you together over the years has been nothing less than inspiring - and it is obvious that you have the love, faith, and courage to stay inspired.

Congratulations to both of you. We all love you.

Declaration of Intent

Meredith and Thomas, you are about to make your promises to one another in front of your closest family and friends. You will find that as you live by these vows, investing your time, love, and commitment to one another, the happy times of your life will be twice as joyous because you’ll share those joys in marriage.

I know that the two of you have privately exchanged personal vows to each other prior to this ceremony, promising everlasting love, honor, and compassion.

However, I still need to say some words and I really need you to say I WILL to make this all legal, so allow me if you will:

Thomas, will you take Meredith, whose hand you hold, choosing her to be your lawfully wedded wife? Will you love her? Will you comfort her? Will you be there through sickness, health, sadness, and celebration? Will you always be there when she falls off a horse? Will you have the willpower to humor her ideas of purchasing more horses and chickens? Will you be her trusting husband for as long as you both shall live?

If so, respond with I WILL.

(response)

Meredith, will you take Thomas, whose hand you hold, choosing him to be your lawfully wedded husband? Will you love him? Will you comfort him? Will you be there through sickness, health, sadness, and celebration? Will you always be there when, say, HE falls off a horse? Will you have 911 at the ready when any form of shenanigans take a sharp turn south? Will you be his trusting wife for as long as you both shall live?

If so, respond with I WILL.

(Response)

Rings

My notes for the ring exchange just say “Acquire from horse” – so pardon me for a moment if you will.

Joke for bridle or no bridle

[Look, even the horse is part of the bridle party. Get it, bridle? (Gesture) Anyway.]

[Only in a halter, I see…such a missed opportunity to be part of the bridle party. (Gesture)]

[Instead acquired from best man: Too bad you aren't a noble British landowner. Then you'd be the Lord of the Rings.]

Dear Lord, we ask that you bless these rings with everlasting love. A symbol of never-ending trust, understanding, and companionship. May these rings symbolize the events of this day and give lasting promise to the years to come. Amen.

Tom, place this ring on Mere’s finger and repeat after me:

Meredith, I give you this ring,

As a symbol of my love,

And that I am choosing you to share my life’s journey with you.

I give you this ring, with the pledge:

To love you today, tomorrow, always, and forever.

Mere, place this ring on Tom’s finger and repeat after me:

Thomas, I give you this ring,

As a symbol of my love,

And that I am choosing you to share my life’s journey with you.

I give you this ring, with the pledge:

To love you today, tomorrow, always, and forever.

These rings represent a public declaration of your love and commitment to one another. The tradition of using the left ring finger stems from the ancient belief of the ‘vena amoris’ – or love vein – that runs directly from the fourth finger to the heart – thus symbolizing the connection formed between your two hearts.

Unity Braid

Tom and Meredith will now perform the Cord of Three Strands Ceremony, symbolizing the joining of man, woman, and God in lasting marriage.

(The couple begins to tie the braid)

Why three strands? As Ecclesiastes tells us, two are stronger than one, made stronger still by Christ’s love:

“Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up. Also, if two lie down together, they can keep warm; but how can one person alone keep warm? And if someone overpowers one person, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.”

And also from Matthew 19, "So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate"

Meredith, Tom – remember to lift each other up and support each other. Let His Love be the example that unites you each day, as this braid symbolizes that bond. Keep this cord in your home to remind you of the foundation God brings to your lives, first as individuals, and now united as husband and wife.

Now, let’s all take a moment to pray, in celebration of the joy and love that God has put into these two hearts, and for the happy life that lies ahead of them.

Prayer

Lord, we stand here today, in celebration. Celebration as we join Thomas and Meredith in wedded matrimony. May you look after them through their lives’ journeys, through sadness, joy, sickness, and health. Be with them–and those who rely on them–as they take this great journey together. And for those of us here with them today, may we be there for this couple as they take on this commitment. Let us be there for them to laugh, cry, and understand. Bless us all with unity and the ability to grow with time, patience, sorrow, and joy. With your guidance, we know that above all three things will always remain. Faith. Hope. And love–with the greatest being love. Amen.

Pronouncement

Meredith, Tom: By the authority trusted to me, I now pronounce you husband and wife.

You may kiss your bride.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Krueger!

Recessional

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