Patricia Marie Reardon

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

You don't have to have a ceremony to have a marriage. So why do we do it? The marriage ceremony has been an important feature across nearly every culture, religion, generation, and society. We have thousands of important moments that happen throughout our lives, but this one is regarded as one so critical, we acknowledge its special status by sharing it with others.

Why this moment?

Because despite all of our differences, love is what we all share. It's the great unifier — our one universal truth. That 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. That's why you both are standing here. That's why you all are here to watch them stand up here. 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

All of us here today have our own love stories. Some are short, others long. Some are yet unwritten, while others are just getting to the good part. There are chapters in all of our stories that are sad or disappointing — and others that are exciting and full of adventure.

And that brings them here. A time to pause, look back, and smile at all the moments that brought them here. And a time to look ahead at all the moments that are still to come.

I'm here — we're all here — because we want those moments for you. 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 story. It's not one moment — not even this moment. It's every moment. Big ones like saying "I love you," moving in together, getting engaged — but mostly a million little ones that come in between the big moments. Falling asleep next to one another, making dinner together, spending holidays with your families, binge-watching Netflix shows, getting a big hug when you get home from work… These everyday moments fuse together into one big experience.

And even though this experience is so incredible, words fail us when we try and explain it. That's just the way it is with love — it's meant to be felt, not described.

But trying to describe love is one of our favorite pastimes. We use the words we have to write stories, and poems, and songs about love. And even though we describe love in different ways — and even though love can look different from one person to the next — we all know it when we see it. And we see it here.

You fell in love by chance, but you're here today because you're making a choice. You both are choosing each other.

You're about to make promises to each other that you intend to keep. You're going to vow to take care of each other.

They have written their own vows and we will take the time to hear them now,

Dustin please say your vows to Brianna.

*(Vows)*

Brianna please say your vows to Dustin.

*(Vows)*

Now without further delay let us join these two people in holy matrimony.

Do you Brianna take Dustin to be your lawfully wedded husband?

*(Wait for Confirmation)*

And do you Dustin take Brianna to be your lawfully wedded wife?

*(Wait for Confirmation)*

Brianna and Dustin will now exchange rings as a symbol of their love and commitment.

*(Ring Exchange)*

I now pronounce you husband and wife!

You may now kiss the bride.