Josh Cohen

Who gives this woman to be married to this man?

Please be seated.

Dearly Beloved and Honored Guests,

You have come here from near and far to share in this commitment now that Matt and Rachael make to one another.

You have come to offer your love and support to their union.

You have come to witness them start their married life together surrounded by the people dearest and most important to them.

On behalf of Matt and Rachael, I want to thank everyone for making the trip to join us for this very special day.

For those that don't know me, I'm Josh Cohen.

I've known and been very close friends with Matt and Rachael for 20+ years now. 20 years, wow, we've come a long way from Jnco Jeans, pagers, glow sticks, and Rachael's white 85 mustang!!!

*(pause)* --in case of chuckle--

Not everyone gets an opportunity to marry two of their best friends, and I am extremely honored and blessed to be standing before you.

Today is a celebration.

A celebration of love, of commitment, of friendship, of family, and of two people who are in it for forever.

We share with them their delight in finding love with each other, and support their decision to be together for the long haul.

No matter who we are, where we've come from, what we believe, we know this one thing: Love is what we're doing right.

*(Look up at Rachael and Matt)*

That's why you are both standing here before us.

We have all loved in our lifetimes, and in this moment, we're reminded that the ability to love is the very best part of our humanity.

Each of us have our own love stories, and here today, we all get to witness the start of yours.

We're here to hope with you, to support you, to be proud of you, and to remind you that love isn't happily ever after, love is the experience of writing your own story.

It's not one moment -- not even this moment, It's every moment.

Marriage is an ever changing, ever growing relationship moving the couple toward greater contentment within themselves, with each other and all those whose lives they touch.

We make plans and they don't necessarily turn out the way we envisioned, but somehow life happens, and it shapes and molds us to be better than we WERE.

Marriage is the single most important relationship that challenges us to be always be better.

Today promises to become permanent and friends become family.

This day is about Love. Its going to be the basis for every aspect of your relationship.

Love isn't just a word; its an action. Love isn't just something you say, it's something you do.

Love is genuine, honest, and open, compassionate and kind. Love doesn't know space or time, nor look through jealous eyes.

Not only do Matt and Rachael love one another passionately, they also love one another as friends, in fact, they're best friends.

That love and enjoyment of each other as best friends will sustain them through this marriage.

The love collectively [at this wedding], from friends, from family will help sustain and support the promises they make today.

All of us here will help solidify this bond, as these two individuals are joined as husband and wife.

This new journey will be at times richly rewarding and extremely difficult, but, most importantly, it will be a journey you take together.

******

--Pause--

(Look at Rachael and Matt)

DECLARATION OF INTENT AND SHARING OF VOWS

Matt and Rachael have chosen to declare to each other their love with their own written vows.

*(Rachael and Matt will read their own vows to each other)*

*(when they are done Pause)*

Matt and Rachael please join hands and look at one another now. It's been quite a journey for you both to arrive here at this point. Now take a second to remember this moment as you go forward, together.

*(Pause)*

*(Look at Rachael)*

*(Vows)*

Do you Rachael Haynes take this man Matthew Roland 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)*

*(Look at Matt)*

Do you Matthew Roland take this woman Rachael Haynes 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)*

Matt and Rachael will now exchange rings as a symbol of their love and commitment.

*(Pause)*

BLESSING AND GIVING OF RINGS

Please present the rings

Your wedding ring is a symbol of your promise to one another. The ring, an unbroken, never ending circle, is a symbol of committed, unending love.

*(Look at Matt)*

Matt, as you place this ring on Rachael‘s finger, repeat these words after me: This ring symbolizes my love for you/ and the commitments we made today

*(Look at Rachael)*

Rachael, as you place this ring on Matt‘s finger, repeat these words after me: This ring symbolizes my love for you/ and the commitments we made today

*hand box back to Ryan*

CONCLUSION & PRONOUNCEMENT

Matt and Rachael, 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 a ring as a symbol of your promises.

By your love and commitment to each other, and by the power vested in me by the state of Colorado, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now share your first kiss as husband and wife. Congratulations.

We conclude the ceremony with the traditional breaking of the glass. I would like to invite up Warren Goldberg to explain and lead us through this tradition.

*STOMP* -- Mozel Tov!!

It is my honor

to present

for the first time

as husband and wife

Mr and Mrs Matt and Rachael Roland!