Edward Ernest Elster

PROCESSION / PROCESSIONAL

JACOB AND OFFICIANT TAKE THEIR PLACES AT THE RAMADA. STEPHANIE WALKS DOWN THE OUTDOOR PATH TO JOIN THE OFFICIANT AND JACOB AT THE RAMADA.

INVOCATION

OFFICIANT TO GUESTS

Hello everyone! On behalf of Jacob and Stephanie, we ask that you put your cameras and phones away during the ceremony. Jacob and Stephanie want you to be truly present as they share their best day ever with you. Plus, there may be a pop quiz after the ceremony, so you should really pay attention during the whole thing!

Welcome, everyone. We are gathered here on this joyful day to celebrate the love, laughter, and light of Jacob and Stephanie’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.

Jacob and Stephanie first met on a Christian dating app and quickly connected over faith, honesty, and easy conversation. Their first date — coffee and talking about how God had moved in their lives — set the tone for their relationship.

Their first attempt at dating was brief, but their friendship continued. Over time, both realized how peaceful and natural it felt to be around each other. A year later, they found themselves back at the same coffee shop for a Bible study, where Jacob asked her to start dating him again — the beginning of their true chapter together.

A few months in, Jacob knew he was in love. Stephanie felt deeply supported, understood, and safe with him. He knew he wanted to marry her when he saw her caring heart, her strong moral compass, and the way she handled conflict with compassion. She knew he was the person she wanted to walk through life with.

Jacob proposed on their one year anniversary, nervously dropping to one knee the moment she stepped out of the shower — imperfect, sweet, and perfectly them.

They share playful memories, deep conversations, and a comfort that feels like home. They envision a peaceful, God centered life together — loving, supporting, and needing one another through every season.

OFFICIANT TO THE COUPLE

Jacob and Stephanie, today, your lives blend seamlessly together and you’re about to embark on the greatest of adventures. A new path is ahead of you, and to navigate it well, there are skills to be learned and practiced daily.

Wilferd Arlan Peterson, an American author who wrote for This Week magazine, reminds us in “The Art of a Good Marriage” that a good marriage doesn’t just happen, one must be created. In marriage, the little things are the big things; like never being too old to hold hands – and remembering to say, “I love you,” at least once a day. It also takes patience, kindness… and fighting the urge to snarkily respond when it’s best to keep your mouth zipped.

DECLARATION OF INTENT

OFFICIANT TO THE COUPLE

With this wisdom – and your love - in mind, I now ask you:

OFFICIANT TO JACOB

Jacob, do you welcome Stephanie to be your wife, and your cherished best friend?

JACOB RESPONDS IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

OFFICIANT TO STEPHANIE

Do you welcome Jacob to be your husband, and your cherished best friend?

STEPHANIE RESPONDS IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

EXCHANGE OF VOWS

OFFICIANT TO THE COUPLE

Before you pledge your vows to one another, let’s pause for a moment and take in the beauty that surrounds us here. Take a look at your guests and feel their love for you – as well as the love you have for each other.

Please look into each other’s eyes as you share your promises with each other.

COUPLE EXCHANGES THEIR WRITTEN VOWS.

RING EXCHANGE

OFFICIANT TO JACOB

Please place this ring on Stephanie’s finger and repeat after me:

This ring is a token of my love for you. Let it remind you that you’re always in my heart.

JACOB REPEATS THE LINES.

OFFICIANT TO STEPHANIE

Please place this ring on Jabob’s finger and repeat after me:

This ring is a token of my love for you. Let it remind you that you’re always in my heart.

STEPHANIE REPEATS THE LINES.

PRONOUNCEMENT

OFFICIANT TO THE COUPLE

Jacob and Stephanie, you have come here today of your own free will and in the presence of family and friends, have declared your love and commitment to each other. You have given and received rings as a symbol of your promises.

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, Jacob and Stephanie.

RECESSION

THE CEREMONY ENDS