Thomas Anthony Bowles

PROCESSION

WELCOME

Friends and family welcome and thank you for being here on this important day. Vaden and Beth invite you to leave behind the worries and concerns of everyday life and join them in the celebration of their marriage, for this day – the day of Vaden and Beth’s wedding – is about love. For love is genuine, honest and open, compassionate and kind, passionate and blind, love doesn’t know space or time, nor look through jealous eyes. “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.”

Vaden and Beth, today is the union of the two of you in heart, body, mind, and spirit. Therefore, marriage is not to be entered into lightly, but respectfully, honestly, and deliberately. And it is into this union that the two of you come now to be joined.

SOMETHING ABOUT BETH AND VADEN & ADVICE FOR THE COUPLE

I’ve known Beth since she was young and watched her grow, both in person and through the eyes of her parents. Beth has always been a beautiful, caring soul; someone who is positive and wanting the best for the people she loves and the world she lives in. So, it shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone that when Vaden met her, it didn’t take long for him to be struck with that moment we all hope to have in our lives; the moment of instant love and a knowing that one day this will be the woman I marry. Their relationship grew from like to love and during that time Vaden just fit, not just with Beth, but with her family. As their love story developed, it was clear to everyone that these two were meant to be together.

So, on their wedding day, everyone will have some advice:

• Never go to bed angry. Stay up and fight.

• Whenever you're wrong, admit it.

• Love is not a matter of counting the years; it is making the years count.

• A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.

Vaden and Beth, my wishes for you not just today, but throughout your marriage are simply:

• May your life together be blessed with prosperity and good health.

• Always share open and honest communication between each other.

• Respect and support each other’s individual talents and gifts.

• Cherish the home and family you will create together.

• “Let all that you do be done in love.”

READING

“Vaden you are not perfect, and neither are you Beth, and the two of you together will never be perfect. But if you can make each other laugh at least once, cause each other to think twice, and admit to being human and making mistakes, then hold onto one another and give each other the most you can give. Remember, he isn’t going to quote poetry, and she’s not thinking about you every moment, but you will each give the other a part of yourself that you know could be broken. So, don’t hurt her, don’t change him, and don’t expect for more than the other can give. Don’t analyse. Smile when they make you happy, yell when they make you mad, and miss the other when they’re not there. Love hard when there is love to be had. Because perfect people don’t exist, but there’s always one person that is perfect for you.”

VOWS

Vaden and Beth, today is the public affirmation and acknowledgement of all that you are to each other. Seemingly your relationship will be as it has always been; yet there is a power in the spoken word. May that power bring you all the warmth and closeness, security and comfort, joy and happiness that this world has to offer.

Now, please turn and face one another as you express your vows of love and devotion to each other.

Vaden, repeat after me. Beth, I take you to be my best friend (stop), my faithful partner, and my one true love (stop). I promise to encourage you and inspire you (stop) and to love you truly through good times and bad (stop). I will forever be there to laugh with you (stop), to lift you up when you are down (stop) and to love you unconditionally (stop) through all of our adventures in life together.

Beth, repeat after me. Vaden, I take you to be my best friend (stop), my faithful partner, and my one true love (stop). I promise to encourage you and inspire you (stop) and to love you truly through good times and bad (stop). I will forever be there to laugh with you (stop), to lift you up when you are down (stop) and to love you unconditionally (stop) through all of our adventures in life together.

EXCHANGE OF RINGS

A ring is an unbroken circle, a symbol of unity and love, representing the greater circle of life of which we all are a part of. Having neither a beginning nor end, but a continuous cycle of which each of you are an element. For you, it begins with the gift of life, and will continue through the end of time.

Vaden, please place the ring on Beth’s finger and repeat after me – Beth, I give you this ring that you may wear (stop), as a symbol of the vows we have made this day (stop). I pledge you my love, and respect (stop), my laughter and my tears (stop). With all that I am, I honor you.

Beth, please place the ring on Vaden’s finger and repeat after me – Vaden, I give you this ring that you may wear (stop), as a symbol of the vows we have made this day (stop). I pledge you my love, and respect (stop), my laughter and my tears (stop). With all that I am, I honor you.

PRONOUNCEMENT

Vaden and Beth, we have heard your vows and your promise of faithful love. You have exchanged rings as a symbol of your love and commitment to each other. We recognize the bond you have made here this day before each one of us as witnesses. Therefore, in the honesty and sincerity

of what you have said and done here today and by the power bestowed upon me, it is my honor and delight to pronounce you husband and wife. Vaden, you may kiss the bride.

PRESENTATION OF COUPLE

Family and friends, it is my pleasure to present for the first time Mr. and Mrs. Vaden and Beth Williams.

RECESSION

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1 Corinthians 13:7

1 Corinthians 16:14

“He’s not perfect” by Bob Marley (Adjusted to address both bride and groom)