Ami Beth Sikorski

Family, friends, honored guests, on behalf of Colin and Erica, I would like to warmly welcome you to the celebration of their marriage. They wish to express their gratitude to each of you who has chosen to be here today. During the ceremony this afternoon, we respectfully request that you silence and put away all cell phones and cameras so we can all be fully present in this moment. Thank you! Let us begin…

Welcome to this celebration of love and the blessing of the new life being joined together by the marriage of Colin and Erica. We are gathered here today to witness and celebrate an act of deep love. Colin and Erica, in their devotion, respect, and love for each other, wish to unite in marriage and to dedicate themselves to each other’s happiness and well-being as life partners.

Let us pray. (officiant)

Heavenly Father, we invite you here today as we celebrate the joining of Colin and Erica in Marriage. We acknowledge and praise you as the creator and source of unconditional and unending love. We pray that your loving spirit be poured over this wedding ceremony today. As Colin and Erica make their vows, promising their unconditional love and faithfulness to each other, may they be reminded, just as your love is poured anew over each of our lives every day, their love for each other is also continually renewed and strengthened daily. As all of us here witness this joyous and sacred act of marriage, may each of us be encouraged in our own relationships, growing ever closer to you, and to each other, cherishing one another and the special love and friendships we share. As we pray for those here today, we also remember those who could not be here today. We know we are all together in spirit, eternally connected through your perfect love. Amen.

Declaration of Intent

Colin and Erica - You fell in love by chance, but you're here today because you're making a choice. You both are choosing each other. You've chosen to be with someone who enhances you, who makes you think, makes you smile, and makes every day brighter.

Now, I have questions for you both.

Colin, will you keep Erica as your partner, favorite person, and best friend for life - to live together, play together, and laugh together? To respect her, be proud of her, and find new reasons to love her every day? To always give her your unconditional love, unwavering support, and, above all else, the freedom to be herself? To build with her a life that is full of love, laughter, happiness, commitment, respect, and growth?

Colin: I will.

Erica, will you keep Colin as your partner, favorite person, and best friend for life - to live together, play together, and laugh together? To respect him, be proud of him, and find new reasons to love him every day? To always give him your unconditional love, unwavering support, and, above all else, the freedom to be himself? To build with him a life that is full of love, laughter, happiness, commitment, respect, and growth?

Erica: I will.

Readings

True marriage is more than joining the bonds of marriage of two people; it is the union of two hearts. It lives on the love you give each other and never grows old but thrives on the joy of each new day. Marriage is love.

Now, a reading from the Apostle Paul, Corinthians Chapter 13, verses 4 through 7:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Let us pray for this man and woman as they make their marriage vows.

Father, as Colin and Erica pledge themselves to each other, help them and bless them that their love may be pure, and their vows may be true. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen."

Vows

You now have vows you have written for each other. Colin you may go first.

Ring blessing/Exchange

May we have the rings, please?

The circle has long been a symbol of God. Without beginning or end and with no point of weakness, the circle is a reminder of the eternal quality of God and of unending strength. Let the seamless circle of these rings become the symbol of your endless love. Your wedding rings are most special because they say that even in your uniqueness, you have chosen to be bonded, to allow the presence of another human being to enhance who you are.

Colin places ring on Erica’s finger.

I Colin, give you Erica this ring as an eternal symbol of my love and commitment to you. With this ring, I thee wed.

Erica places ring on Colins’s finger.

I Erica, give you Colin this ring as an eternal symbol of my love and commitment to you. With this ring, I thee wed.

Final Christian Blessing (uncle Gary prays)

Uncle Gary prays…………………….

Pronouncement

Colin and Erica, in the presence of our family and friends today, you have spoken the words which unite your lives. It is my great pleasure to pronounce you husband and wife. By the power vested in me by the state of Michigan, I now pronounce you husband and wife! You may kiss the bride!

Introduction of couple - Mr. & Mrs. Colin and Erica Layne!