Jessica Lee Downing

(Processional music begins, **Dog Brady walking down aisle, **4 ring bearers and **3 flower girls)

(Doors close, processional music changes.)

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

(Processional music quiets)

You may be seated.

(Dad-Virgil stays at Nicole’s side for welcome address)

Welcome everyone! What a bright and joyous time of year it is to celebrate! It is so wonderful to bask in mother nature’s gifts, and to enjoy the company of your dearest family, and friends who have become family.

While we enjoy the last of the day’s sun and breeze off the ocean, let us rejoice and celebrate Nicole and Derick’s new beginning, as they sail into their future as husband and wife.

Virgil, as you proudly stand here beside your daughter representing her family, will you continue to give Nicole your love, and support her in her commitment to this man? (I will)

Rather than ask you to “give Nicole away”, will you give Derick your support and respect, and welcome him with open arms into your family, and? (I will)

Thank you for your blessings, Virgil.

(Dad-Virgil gives Nicole a hug/kiss, then turns to shake hands/hug with Derick while Nicole hands off bouquet to Yalivi, Dad takes Nicole’s hand and places it in Derick’s)

There is so much time and patience wrapped up in the planning and preparation for today’s festivities. It’s easy to get lost in the excitement and all the little details.

If we slow down and think about what a wedding day really is, we realize that this day is not just about the words spoken or the rings exchanged, nor is it about grand pronouncements, pretty pictures, or the fabulous food being served later at the reception.

This day is about Love; a love that doesn’t know space or time, a love that is genuine, passionate and blind, honest and open, compassionate and kind.

If we asked everyone here to describe what Love is, we would hear it explained 100 different ways. So simple to spell, but difficult to define, and impossible to live without. No matter who we are, where we've come from, or what we believe, Love brings us together.

Love is exactly why Derick and Nicole are standing here today. This wedding is a celebration of everything that brought them to this day and everything they look forward to becoming together.

This Love is what we are all are here to bear witness to.

Nicole and Derick, I want you to take a moment to close your eyes and -just --breath...keep your eyes closed and let go of your nerves… 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, here to celebrate the two of you on your wedding day...

Everyone here has their own love stories. Some are short, some are long, some are simple and sweet, others are crazy and complicated. While some stories are yet unwritten, some of us (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 throughout their blossoming relationship, you’ve all been imparting your knowledge, giving sage advice, and loving them every step of the way.

You have been the lifeboats that carried them through storms; the light burning atop the lighthouse guiding them home.

Your love and support will continue to be their compass, pointing their way on this new adventure of married life.

Derick and Nicole are thankful for all who gather here today, and honor those who may not physically be here, but whose spirit stands by their side and celebrates with us.

Our thoughts turn especially to Nicole’s mother, Mirtha. Throughout this amazing day, may her smile be in your mind, may you feel her joy in your heart, and let her love surround you and radiate through you.

Nicole and Derick, I ask you in the presence of these witnesses here,

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

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

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

Love can find it’s way into our lives in some interesting ways, often when we least expect it. From a few cubicles away, two people caught the glance of someone special. They each took a chance with some office chit-chat and a few Instagram DMs. It was the beginning of an excellent adventure.

You found your person, a kindred spirit, someone who makes you smile, someone who makes you think, someone you want to share everything with, someone who feels like home.

For 7 years now, you two have been riding the waves of this relationship. You've come to know the intricacies of what loving someone can be. Side by side, you have been navigating the ups and downs, relishing the calm between life’s storms, and always finding your paradise within one another, regardless of all else.

And now here you stand— hand in hand, heart to heart, ready to fill in this next chapter as husband and wife. This chapter begins by making the ultimate commitment to your best friend and soulmate, to be partners in life and partners in all things that may ebb and flow in your future.

Nicole, would you please repeat after me?

I, Nicole, take you, Derick,

To be my best friend,

And faithful partner.

To have and to hold,

in sickness and in health,

for richer or for poorer,

In sorrow and in joy.

I vow to celebrate with you when life is good.

to encourage you when life is hard,

to listen deeply and to speak honestly.

I will be your strongest ally, and your biggest fan.

I vow to love, honor, and respect you

For all our days together.

Derick, would you please repeat after me?

I, Derick, take you, Nicole,

To be my best friend,

And faithful partner.

To have and to hold,

in sickness and in health,

for richer or for poorer,

In sorrow and in joy.

I vow to laugh together when life is great,

to hold you when life is tough,

to work as partners and grow as a family.

I will share and support your hopes and dreams.

I vow to love, honor, and respect you

for all our days together.

Levi, may we please have the rings?

(Levi places open box or loose rings in officiant's hand)

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

Your Love is just as simple. You both came into this relationship as two raw individuals, from humble beginnings, brought together with time and patience to make something beautiful, where once there was nothing at all, a complete and whole union that can now no longer be separated.

Derick, please take Nicole's ring. While placing it on her left hand, please repeat after me…

With this ring

I join my life with yours.

I give you all that I have

And all that I am.

Nicole, please take Derick's ring. While placing it on his left hand, please 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 the unbreakable bond between you.

As the ocean surrenders itself to the moon, guiding its tides, may these rings forever guide you back to one another.

Nicole and Derick,

Continue to ride the tides of this life with tenderness and laughter, learning to forgive, appreciating your differences, making the important things matter, and letting the rest just float away.

Find new reasons to love each other every day.

Go on amazing adventures together.

Keep being each other’s 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!

(Music for recessional)