Cynthia G. Meredith

Wedding Ceremony

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1. Processional

End of aisle question:

• Who has the honor of presenting this woman to be married to this man?

• We do.

At the beginning:

• Take a deep breath (I take one too, making it loud and exaggerated).

• Take a look around at everyone who has come to celebrate with you. [pause]

• Now look back at each other and enjoy this moment.

2. Invocation

We are gathered here today in the sight of God, and the presence of friends and loved ones, to witness the union of Matthew Alan King and Samantha Noel Szumigalski in holy matrimony. This is a day of great celebration, for a married life – a shared life – is a great blessing. As Matthew and Samantha embark on this journey together they will be able to nurture a love that makes them better versions of themselves. Marriage is a garden we sow with love, and harvest in personal growth.

Matt and Samantha, on your journey together, keep your spouse in the space of highest priority in your heart. The love that you share must be guarded and cherished forever, for it is your most valuable treasure.

Marriage is a contract not to be entered into lightly but thoughtfully and seriously and with a deep realization of the obligations and responsibilities. Marriage is the moment where your hearts and souls are joined together for eternity.

PRAYER

Now, let us Pray

Heavenly Father we are here on this day to give thanks for the love you have shared with these two individuals. We ask that you help Matthew and Samantha to always remember when they first met… and to remember the strong love that grew between them. To work that love into practical things… so that nothing divides them. Please help them find words both kind and loving… and hearts, always ready to ask for forgiveness… as well as able to forgive. Father, we put this marriage in your hands. Amen.

Before we continue into the formalities of the ceremony, including exchanging vows and rings, I wanted to take a few minutes to share some things with you all, about this couple being celebrated today.

I asked them to answer a few questions about what brought them together, what are they really like as a couple, and what are they looking forward to from their future? And they don’t yet know each other’s answers.

• So, what attracted them to each other?

Matt said, “It was her intelligence, her motivation/drive. She is comedic and we can have a great time regardless of the situation.”

Samantha responded, “It was his smile. His willingness to help anyone. His cool attitude and work ethic. The way he is with my family.”

• How do they describe their relationship?

For Samantha, “Easy. A true companionship. Honest, fun, supportive and stable.”

For Matt, “Funny, family and good times. We enjoy trying new foods and discovering new places together. We also enjoy getting a few drinks now and again.”

• How do they describe the other, and what makes them smile when they think about the other?

For Matt, “She is easy to get along with. She makes me laugh. I enjoy every moment I get to spend with her. She is the life of the party.”

Samantha describes Matt as a great guy. Very hardworking, easy going and fun to be around. She said … the thing that makes me smile is that he would do anything to make me happy or make my life easier.

• And what are they most looking forward to about their life together, and what do they see when they think about their longer-term future together?

For Matt, “A house and progressing in life with the woman that is always there for me. Marriage, careers, kids, helping them to be all they can be.”

For Samantha, “Moving through the next stage in life together and continuing to tackle life’s challenges as a team. I see a permanent house and children. Growing as a family together with our families.”

• I know that that is a future that we can all support! RIGHT?

However, for those of you who don’t know the beautiful love story of Sam & Matt it goes a little bit like this: A young, not always shy Sam spots a very pretty man working in the kitchen at Eat ‘N Park. As time went on, Sam asked Matt to her sophomore prom and HE TURNED HER DOWN. Matt had no idea what he was about to get into. See, Matt told her, “I don’t do dances.” But little did he know, SAM ALWAYS GETS WHAT SHE WANTS. So, after 2 years of chiseling away at Matt, he said YES to being her date at Senior prom……and on Matt’s birthday last year, she said YES to his proposal. So, almost 7 years in the making, we are all here! They are truly family to me and I love them with all my heart!

This special day is blessed. Matthew and Samantha, we pray that all your days together are blessed ones.”

3. Vows

I want to remind you as you prepare to take your vows that you have chosen to take these vows in the presence of God. You also take these vows in the presence of your marriage partner who will trust you for the rest of your life…to hold true to them. And finally, that you take these vows in the presence of your friends and family who will also help you to hold true to them.

You have chosen to write your vows, and it is with these words you express your binding promises. If you are ready to make these promises to each other I invite you now to face each other and declare your intentions.

• Matt when you’re ready you may begin.

• Samantha when you’re ready you may begin.

Thank you for sharing your vows with us.

Minister (to the groom)

• Matthew Alan King…do you take this woman, Samantha Noel Szumigalski to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and woe, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself unto her for as long as you both shall live? Groom (to the bride) “I do”

Minister (to the bride)

• Samantha Noel Szumigalski…do you take this man, Matthew Alan King to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and woe, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself unto him for as long as you both shall live? Bride (to the groom) “I do”

4. Rings Exchange

The rings you are about to place on each other’s fingers are symbols of the love you expressed. They will remind you of the vows you have just spoken, and of the eternal love that you have for one another.

I would like to say a prayer at this time. Let us pray.

Bless, o Lord, these rings that they who give it and they who receive it may abide in thy peace and continue in thy favor until their lives end. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

• Matthew… please place this ring on Samantha’s finger and repeat after me.

Samantha Noel Szumigalski, I give you this ring… as a symbol of my love… and that I’m choosing to share… my life’s journey with you. I give you this ring… with the pledge to love you… today, tomorrow, and always.

• Samantha… please place this ring on Matthew’s finger and repeat after me.

Matthew Alan King, I give you this ring… as a symbol of my love… and that I’m choosing to share… my life’s journey with you. I give you this ring… with the pledge to love you… today, tomorrow, and always.

5. Unity Cross Ceremony

At this time, Matthew and Samantha will assemble the Unity Cross, a beautiful sculpture they will display in their home to remind them of the covenant they are making today.

In Genesis chapter 1, we read that God created man in His own image. That means that He created man bold, strong, to be a leader, to be a protector of his wife and family.

(Holding the groom's piece of the Unity Cross, the pastor says: )

The outer form of the Unity Cross represents the strength, leadership, and protection of the man. The book of Ephesians reminds husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church, totally and completely giving himself for her.

(At this time the pastor hands the piece to the groom and he places his cross onto the base.)

(Holding the bride's piece of the cross, the pastor says: )

As well, Genesis (Genesis 2:20-23) tells us that the woman was taken from man. The bride's piece of the Unity Cross represents the beauty and the many capabilities of the woman, designed with intricate, beautiful detail and is placed inside the protection of the groom's cross, completing the sculpture and representing the Two Becoming One.

(At this time, the pastor hands the bride her piece of the cross and she places it into the center of the man's cross.)

To complete this sculpture, representing the couple's covenant, we are placing three pegs to hold it together. These pegs represent the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, showing God's place in this covenant and the security and completeness that only our Heavenly Father can give.

(At this time the three pegs will be placed into the Unity Cross, completing the sculpture.)

The scriptures tell us that a three-stranded cord is not easily broken (Ecclesiastes 4:12). Matthew 19: 5-6 says, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So, they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate."

6. Pronouncement

Matthew and Samantha, you have pledged your faith to each other in the company of your family and friends. By the power vested in me by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, I now pronounce you husband and wife.

• Matt you may now kiss your beautiful bride! (Step aside out of picture)

• Family and friends, I am proud to present for the first time as husband and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Matt King!

7. Recessional

The ceremony ends and the wedding party exits.

• The couple makes their way down the aisle.

• The wedding party exits next, followed by the guests.