Stephanie Lyn Lurz

**Mom walks bride down aisle---“Who gives this woman to this man? Mother replies: “I do”**

Opening Words

I read an article on the internet recently that talked about how you know you have found the one. And it talked about all the wonderful things that happen when we first fall in love. It said how you will always be attracted to your spouse and everything they do that could be annoying is just endearing. While this is usually all true, it is not long lasting. As Crystal and Daniel can surely attest after being together for over 3 years that those annoying things that you originally found endearing, in fact, do actually become annoying. And I guarantee you there will be a time you will look at your spouse and not be attracted to them at that moment in time. But that doesn’t mean you stop loving them. A reading called “sooner or later” sums it up well.

Sooner or later we begin to understand that love is more than verses on valentines, and romance in the movies. We begin to know that love is here and now, real and true, the most important thing in our lives. For love is the creator of our favorite memories, and the foundation of our fondest dreams. Love is a promise that is always kept, a fortune that can never be spent, a seed that can flourish in even the most unlikely of places. And this radiance that never fades, this mysterious and magical joy, is the greatest treasure of all -- one known only by those who love."

Vow Exchange

Crystal and Daniel have chosen to share their own vows with one another. Daniel…. (Daniel reads his vows to Crystal) Crystal…. (Crystal reads her vows to Daniel)

Daniel repeat after me…. “I, Daniel, take you Crystal, to be my wedded wife/ to have and to hold from this day forward, /for better or for worse/for richer or for poorer/in sickness and in health/ to love and to cherish/ til death parts us.”

Crystal repeat after me…. “I, Crystal, take you Daniel, to be my wedded husband/to have and to hold from this day forward/ for better or for worse/for richer or for poorer/in sickness and in health/to love and to cherish/til death parts us.”

Ring Exchange

A wedding ring is more than a mere piece of jewelry. While beautiful, it represents the vows you two have made to one another. When you look upon it, it will remind you of the triumphs and dreams you have accomplished together in your relationship. It will also remind you of the disappointments and trials you will undoubtedly endure at some time in your relationship. It is a circle because it is never ending just as your love is. It is a symbol of your marriage.

Daniel place the ring on Crystal’s finger and repeat after me… “Your love is my anchor/ Your trust is my strength/ I will give you all my love/ from now until eternity ends.”

Crystal, place the ring on Daniel’s finger and repeat after me….” Your love is my anchor/ Your trust is my strength/I will give you all my love/ from now until eternity ends.”

Time Capsule

Instead of participating in a tradition unity ceremony. Crystal and Daniel have decided to make a time capsule. Over the years, Daniel and Crystal have left each other numerous “love notes” for one another around the house. Some of these notes may simply be “I love you” because one of them must leave the house before the other wakes up. Some may be attributes that they love the most about one another including honesty, kindness, selflessness, and strength. These love notes may have been left as a celebration of a new job or as a comfort during times of loss. The truth is, none of us knows what is on every one of Daniel and Crystal’s love notes because it is a personal, quirky, and fun way for them to share their intimacy. So, at this time, Daniel and Crystal will place the love notes they feel are most representative of the love and joy they feel today and the ones that best represent their journey to become husband and wife into their time capsule. (The couple places their notes into their capsule)

Closing Words

Crystal and Daniel, your marriage is new, and this may be the time where those annoying things are endearing, and you are attracted to one another 100% of the time. But your relationship has endured over 3 years, so you are already wise and know that not every day will be like this. My prayer and blessing for you is that when you open your time capsule a year from now your love will flourish and thrive and be as described in I Corinthians 13:4-8 “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”. I will leave you with the following anonymous reading….

Treat yourselves and each other with respect and remind yourselves often of what brought you together. Give the highest priority to the tenderness, gentleness and kindness that your connection deserves. When frustration, difficulty and fear assail your relationship – as they threaten all relationships at one time or another – remember to focus on what is right between you, not only the part which seems wrong. In this way, you can ride out the storms when clouds hide the face of the sun in your lives – remembering that even if you lose sight of it for a moment, the sun is still there. And if each of you takes responsibility for the quality of your life together, it will be marked by abundance and delight.

Pronouncement

Now we get to the part that everyone has been waiting for, by the power vested in me by state of Nebraska and the American Marriage Ministries I am privileged to pronounce you husband and wife! Daniel, you may kiss your bride!! It is my honor to be the first to introduce to you all Mr. and Mrs. Marks!