Roch S. Jones

Welcome Statement

Minister: Dearly beloved, we are gathered here on this beautiful day to witness the union of Zain and Samantha in holy matrimony. This is a day of great celebration and reverence, on which we come together before God to recognize and commemorate the sacred love and dedication shared between these two people. It is wonderful to have family and friends here to join us today. The Groom and Bride would like to thank their guests for being here, and would like you to know that each of you were invited here on this day because you have played an integral part in their intertwining lives.

As the Bible reminds us in Corinthians, "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, and always perseveres. Love never fails."

In the time that Zain and Samantha have spent together, they've built the sturdy foundation for a lifelong relationship. After a great deal of thoughtful consideration, they have decided to bind themselves to one another for the rest of their lives.

May you all remember and cherish this sacred ceremony, for on this day, with love, we will forever bind Zain and Samantha together.

Wedding Sermon

Minister: (Addressing guests) Marriage is a sacred ceremony. Today we observe the union of these two people with the respect the occasion warrants. What we honor with reverence, however, we also celebrate with great joy! For married life – a shared life – is a tremendous blessing. Now, as Zain and Samantha embark on this journey together, they will be able to nurture a love that makes each of them better versions of themselves. Marriage is, indeed, the perfect garden from which to sow and harvest personal growth.

(Addressing couple) Zain and Samantha , learn to work together, to laugh together, and to love together. Don't get caught up in worldly things that will draw you apart. Instead, focus on your shared devotion and turn inward. As your relationship strengthens you will find that you come to share a remarkable love; a love that is both abundantly given and freely accepted.

The joy you'll find as you pursue your shared lives will fuel you to face head-on the challenges you'll encounter on this Earth. On your journeys together, keep your spouse in the space of highest priority in your heart. The love you share must be guarded and cherished, it is your most valuable treasure.

Consecration

Minister: Under the eyes of God, I solemnly consecrate these matrimonial proceedings and the sacred covenant you shall both enter into on this day.

Marriage is an ancient rite. As you enter into this union, you are choosing to take part in a historical human establishment and are pledging your commitment before the witnesses present here today to enter into that tradition with honor.

As Jesus said: "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female," he also taught that, "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate."

Exchange of Vows

Minister: Zain and Samantha , the sacred vows that you make to one another today present you with the opportunity to express your love in your own words. I would at this time invite you to publicly declare these vows:

Zain , you may begin.

Zain : (Groom states their vow...)

Minister: Samantha , you may now make your promise.

Samantha : (Bride states their vow...)

Declaration of Intent

Minister: Zain and Samantha please face one another and join hands. Under the eyes of God, Zain , do you take Samantha to be your lawfully wedded Wife? By making this commitment, you are joining in the sacred covenant of marriage.

Do you promise to honor her in love, to be sensitive to her needs, to comfort her in difficulty, and to put your full and complete trust in her, so long as you both shall live?

Zain : I do.

Minister: Under the eyes of God, Samantha , do you take Zain to be your lawfully wedded Husband? By making this commitment, you are joining in the covenant of marriage.

Do you promise to honor him in love, to be sensitive to his needs, to comfort him in difficulty, and to put your full and complete trust in him, so long as you both shall live?

Samantha : I do.

Sand Ceremony

Zain and Samantha , while the words you have spoken have sealed your union, it is the combining of sands that truly symbolizes the melding of your two souls.

At this time Zain and Samantha should receive a vessel, each containing a sand of a different color.

Each of you holds now a vessel of sand. Allow this sand to represent your life: every thought that's ever crossed your mind, and every word that's ever crossed your lips; all of your victories, and all of your failures; all of your joys, and all of your sorrows. Every grain of sand is another moment, either a moment that has been or a moment that is yet to be.

And now, tilt your vessels forward and pour your sand into the vessel of marriage.

Zain and Samantha should tilt their vessels forward, pouring their sand into the larger vessel centered between them.

Watch as the grains of sand mix together, forming one structure. So too, today, have your two spirits come together to form one singular entity. Just as your combined sands have combined to form a collection much grander than you ever could have accumulated on your own. Note also, that now combined, the sands may never again be separated. Your lives, like the sand, have become all the more grand for the involvement of your partner. Your spirits so intertwined that they may never again be truly torn asunder. As you move forth in life, keep your partner close to the heart, recognizing that they are an integral part of your being.

Exchange of Rings

Minister: To commemorate this union, you may now exchange rings. The circle formed by each ring symbolizes your eternal love and commitment to one another. Let these rings remind you always of that love, and of the promises you have made here on this day.

Will each of you please repeat after me as you place the ring on your loved ones hand?

Zain : I, Zain , give you Samantha this ring as a symbol of my love and commitment. With this ring, I thee wed.

Samantha : I, Samantha , give you Zain this ring as a symbol of my love and commitment. With this ring, I thee wed.

Pronouncement

Minister: By the power vested in me, by the Universal Life Church and by by the state of Hawaii, I pronounce you, Zain and Samantha as Husband and Wife, lawfully wedded before God.

Kiss

Minister: Zain , you may now kiss the bride, forever sealing your union.

Presentation

Minister: Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to present to you Mr. and Mrs. Forrest!