Barry T. Taller

Dearly Beloved and Honored Guests,

We are gathered here today to celebrate Father's Day. Happy Father's Day everyone.

We are ALSO gathered here to join Ariel Castro and Simona Gucciardi in the spiritual union of marriage. As many of you know, I am not your typical ordained minister. In fact, I am their close friend and I can think of no greater honor than to marry the 2 of them.

Ariel and Simona view marriage as a coming together at all levels of being, mind, and spirit. In many ways, they are already in sync.

Their journey started with a simultaneous right-swipe.

They became well versed in EDM music festivals.

They've nailed the couple-selfie.

They arranged a drone robot to take their engagement photos from 500 feet in the air

And now you are witnessing their wedding ceremony led by their dentist. Yup, (look at watch) it is 2018 and it is glorious.

This is the beginning of a NEW journey they now undertake together for their mutual growth in character, in mind, and in spirit. Within this journey there will be times of tranquility, excitement, and perhaps challenges. Marriage is the single most important relationship that challenges us to always be better. You must take every opportunity to seize the challenges and grow.

Because I want you to handle these challenges with ease I've run many algorithms and condensed them into one simple formula.

Step 1 is to acknowledge the challenge. It may be observed in different forms, but do not be thrown by its presentation. For instance, you may hear:

-Honey, I HAD to buy the Louis Vuitton shoes. Nothing else matched my Chanel purse...

or

-Hey Babe, can I PLEASE go out with the boys this Saturday?

Step 2 is to fight all your inner urges and emotions prior to forming a response.

Step 3 is to empathize with your partner and compromise.

Step 4 is to always remember that Saturdays are for the boys.

I have no doubt that you both with master the formula and thrive.

Ariel is one of the most driven people I've ever met. His determination is what has driven him to succeed through his years of schooling and profession as a physical therapist. Often times we see this trait can lead to a "me first" attitude. However, he so much cares, protects, and loves his friends, family and most of all, Simona.

Simona is also one of the most caring and supportive people I know. Her eternal optimism is radiant, her sense of humor is warm, and her beauty is breathtaking.

This is a match filled with unparalleled love and strength. Their experiences as individuals and as a dating couple have prepared them for this day and now they commit to embark on a life as one being to conquer all of life's struggles and embrace all of life's gifts.

Ariel Castro and Simona Gucciardi will now share their vows.

*(Vows)*

Do you Ariel Castro take this woman Simona Gucciardi to be your lawfully wedded partner, 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?

*(Wait for Confirmation)*

Do you Simona Gucciardi take this man Ariel Castro to be your lawfully wedded partner, 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?

*(Wait for Confirmation)*

The exchange of rings dates back to Ancient Egypt 5,000 years ago. Today, a wedding ring is, of course, a universal sign to the outside world that the wearer is committed to another. To the individual, the ring provides a tangible reminder of the marriage union and the promises that have been made. The rings you bring here today are, in many ways, representative of the very nature of love and marriage. And like the Ancient Egyptians, we recognize the symbol of a circle. It has no beginning and no end. The ring reminds us that love must never come to an end; it must always be continuous.

Ariel Castro and Simona Gucciardi will now exchange wedding bands.

Ariel, as you place the ring on Simona’s finger, please repeat after me:

As a sign of my love for you,

of choosing to share my whole life’s journey with you,

and of my knowing that in marrying you

I shall become much more than I am,

I give you this ring,

with the pledge that with you,

I shall become my highest expression of man,

Sharing the gifts that I have and I am with you and the world.

Simona, as you place the ring on Ariel’s finger, please repeat after me:

As a sign of my love for you,

of choosing to share my whole life’s journey with you,

and of my knowing that in marrying you

I shall become much more than I am,

I give you this ring,

with the pledge that with you,

I shall become my highest expression of woman,

Sharing the gifts that I have and I am with you and the world.

By the power vested in me I now pronounce you husband and wife! You may now kiss the bride!