Jessica Lee Downing

(processional music begins)

May I please ask everyone to rise to welcome the bride?

(processional music quiets)

Thank you everyone. You may be seated.

Welcome everyone! Thank you so much for joining us this evening in this gorgeous historic setting. It is fabulous to be in the company of your dearest family, and friends who have become family, to share our excitement and well wishes with this lovely couple.

Steve, standing by Jessie’s side representing her family, do you give her your love, and support her commitment to this man? (I do)

Will you give Hayden your affection and respect, welcoming him with open arms into your family? (I will)

(Steve hug/kiss Jessie, shake hands with Hayden as Jessie hands off bouquet to Stephanie, Jessie and Hayden take each other’s hands)

Thank you for your blessings, Steve.

(Dad takes his seat)

As we head deeper into Autumn, a season of reflection and gratitude – with feasting and merrymaking— Today is for the making of beautiful new memories, where promises become permanent and dreams become reality.

Like the color of the leaves and the temperature of the air, Jessie and Hayden’s relationship is changing. Today they head into a deeper level of commitment, moving from partners to spouses.

This day is not just about the words spoken or the rings exchanged, nor is it all about grand pronouncements, pretty pictures, or the fabulous food being served at the reception.

This day is about Love.

If we asked everyone here to describe what Love is, we would hear it explained 100 different ways. Even though love can look different from one person to the next – we all know it when we see it.

And we all see it right here.

We see a love that is genuine, compassionate and kind, honest and open, passionate and blind, a love that doesn’t know space or time, a love that just IS.

Not only do Hayden and Jessie love each other in that mushy, gushy romantic way that you can see in every look, every touch, every moment they’re together — they also love one another as friends.

Actually… best friends, constantly giggling and taunting and teasing and obviously having a blast creating this new life together.

Jessie and Hayden, I want you to take a little moment just for yourselves. Close your eyes… and - just -- breath...keep your eyes closed and relax any nervousness… give each other a little squeeze… let yourself feel all “the feels”…

Now open your eyes and look across at the stunning human you are about to marry...

Look out at all of these amazing people, looking fabulous and fancy, dressed in their best, here to celebrate the two of you on your wedding day...

Everyone here has their own love stories. Some of our stories are short, some are long, some are simple and sweet, while others are crazy and complicated. And as some of our stories may yet be unwritten, some of us here (glance at couple, wink, nod) are just getting to the really good part.

These two beautiful souls couldn’t have made it to this "good part" all by themselves. Without all of you, this day would not be possible. As they were learning and growing, becoming the unique individuals they were destined to be, and as their relationship blossomed, you’ve all been imparting your knowledge, giving sage advice, and loving them every step of the way.

Hayden and Jessie are so thankful for the love and support of all who gather here today. Within each of us we carry the love of those who have come before us, the ones that showed us what it means to be truly loved, and taught us how to give our love to the fullest.

Our thoughts turn especially to Hayden’s mother, Peggy. We also honor his Nanny Sandy and Grandpa Bill. And we remember Jessie’s Mimi Carolyn, Papa Lee, and Grammy Pat.

Throughout today’s celebration, may their smiles be in your minds, may their joy be in your hearts, and may their love surround you always.

At this time, I would like to invite the brother of the bride, Kyle, to say a few words.

Hey everyone, hope we’re all having a good time! If not, you can let my father know. He loves small talk. Anyways! I am exactly one beer away from being able to give this speech…and exactly one beer away from being unable to do this speech. I believe that’s what they call equilibrium. To kick off this beautiful ceremony, I thought I’d talk about the reason we’re all here: me. I’m kidding, kind of… But seriously, if you had told me freshman year of college that the kid with mutton chops and a Beatles haircut down the hall would one day marry my sister… I probably would’ve thrown up. Sorry. I warned my mother that if they gave me the mic I was gonna try out some new material. At first, it was a little weird to start. I had known Hayden for years, but I had never seen him passionate for anything other than beating everyone else in Smash Bros… or Mario Kart… or Mario Party… or Wii Sports - you get it. But then he met Jessie, and everything changed. Now while Hayden and I go way back, I’ve actually known his bride-to-be even longer. Not to be sappy, but Jess, or as I call her Bessie, has been my best friend since we were babies. Even during the times where I was breathing her air. For the Butler family, and anyone else who somehow missed my Grandmother telling this story: when Jessie and I were little, we were riding home from one of our many yard sale or dollar store adventures with our grandparents. We were being our usual loud, annoying selves, and Grampy finally snapped, turned around, and asked what was wrong. Jess’s response? “hE’S BREATHING My Air” Sharing was always a “needs improvement” on her elementary school report cards. So, Hayden, just a heads-up: what’s your’s is her’s and what’s her’s… is also her’s. Honestly though, Hayden and Jessie made sense from the start. Two caring, adventurous, ridiculously fun people whose massive hearts are rivaled only by their combined forehead size. A match made in heaven…or a custom XL order from Lids. It’s been amazing to watch their story unfold. From flirting around campfires in New Hampshire… right in front of me, by the way… gross… to traveling the world together. They’re been everywhere from Toronto and Dublin and of course the very exotic Burlington, Vermont. I’m going to try and finish this without making another joke. Jessie and Hayden, you both mean the world to me, and to everyone who’s here celebrating with you today. So before you spend the rest of the night thanking everyone else, let me be the one to thank you. Thank you for all the laughs, the inside jokes, and the countless games of smash bros. Thank you for being two of the kindest, most genuine people I know, and for being two of my very best friends. I think I speak for everyone here today that we couldn’t be happier that you found each other. May your home always be filled with love, laughter, and of course… lots and lots of Kyo.

Thank you so much, Kyle! I have no hope of following up the funniness, so I’ll move on to a bit of seriousness…

Hayden and Jessie,

I ask you both in the presence of these witnesses here,

Have you both come freely and without reservation to pledge your hearts in marriage? (We have)

Hayden: Do you accept Jessie as your one true love, to stand by your side for now and always, as your lawfully wedded wife? (I do)

Jessie: Do you accept Hayden as your one true love, to stand by your side for now and always, as your lawfully wedded husband? (I do)

None of us wants to go back and relive the pandemic, but it sure created some amazing memories and brought friends and family closer together. From two people who were just trying to get through Covid, connecting through Jessie’s brother and Hayden’s best friend, Kyle, finding you both have a love of movies, coffee shops, bookstores, and the outdoors, to getting your first apartment and becoming pet parents to a spicy but sweet orange kitty, all the way to Panda Fest in Boston for the perfect photo-op on a bridge, turned intimate proposal, you two have been filling the pages of your love story with some excellent adventures over the past 6 years.

Your book of life is now open to a fresh clean page so you can start to fill in this next chapter as husband and wife. It starts by making the ultimate commitment to your best friend, to your soulmate, to be partners in life, and partners in all things that may come in future.

Jessie, would you please repeat after me?

I, Jessie, take you, Hayden,

To be my best friend and faithful partner.

I take you,

With all your faults and strengths,

As I offer myself,

With all my faults and strengths.

I vow to celebrate with you when life is good.

to encourage you when life is hard,

to listen deeply and to speak honestly.

When you are not at your best,

I will give you the best of myself.

I promise to frustrate you and challenge you,

To listen to your advice,

And occasionally take it.

I vow to love everything you are,

asking you to be no other than yourself,

Wherever this journey takes us.

Hayden, would you please repeat after me?

I, Hayden, take you, Jessie,

to be my best friend and faithful partner.

I take you,

With all your faults and strengths,

As I offer myself,

With all my faults and strengths.

I promise to laugh together when life is great,

to hold you when life is hard,

to lift you up if you are down,

I vow to speak when words are needed

And share the silence when they are not.

I promise to be patient,

Not to take anything for granted,

And to never keep score,

even if I'm totally winning.

I vow to love who you are now,

and who you are yet to become,

Wherever this journey takes us.

Matt, may we please have the rings?

(Matt places rings in the palm of my hand)

These beautiful rings were once just simple bits and pieces of raw elements found in the earth, that were melted, shaped, and polished to become a complete and whole piece that can no longer be separated.

Your love is just as simple. You both came into this relationship as separate individuals, two raw souls from humble beginnings, that were melded and merged over time, to create a complete and whole union that can now, no longer be separated.

Hayden, please take Jessie’s ring. While placing the ring on her finger, repeat after me…

With this ring

I join my life with yours.

I give you all that I have

And all that I am.

Jessie, please take Hayden’s ring. While placing the ring on his finger, repeat after me…

With this ring

I join my life with yours.

I give you all of my heart

And all of my being.

Let these unending circles stand the test of time as a symbol of your unending love and commitment to one another.

Jessie and Hayden, continue to travel forward through time together as partners and best friends, finding new reasons to love each other every day.

Travel backward through memory together to celebrate the big things, the little things, and every messy moment in between.

May your epic love story be filled with lines of laughter, pages of passion, chapters of celebration, and many more amazing adventures with your favorite person.

With the power bestowed upon me by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,

It is my pleasure and honor to pronounce you husband and wife.

(Step off to the left for the first kiss)

You may kiss your bride!

(Kiss)

(Jessie takes bouquet back from Stephanie, join hands, turn to crowd, pause for cheers)

(Recessional music begins)