April B Richey

(From start to finish this ceremony is less than 15 minutes, depending on how fast you talk.)

APRIL: Dearly beloved, we are gathered here on this beautiful day to witness the union of

Aaron and Courtney in holy matrimony. This is a day of great celebration and reverence, on which

we come together before God to recognize and commemorate the sacred love and dedication

shared between these two people. It is wonderful to have so many family and friends here to join us today.

The bride and groom would like to thank their guests for being here, and would like you to know

that each of you were invited here today because you have played an important part in the

intertwining of their lives. As the couple joined hands before taking their place on stage, each one

lit a candle in remembrance of three very special people who are no longer here on earth with us.

Family friend, Jake Sawyer, Aaron's younger brother Zach and Courtney and Aaron's son Carter Zane.

At this time we would like to take a moment of silence to remember those who are not here with us.

Even though they are not here physically, they are a large part of the foundation that makes Courtney

and Aaron the people they are today. May we always remember Jake, Zach and Carter Zane. Please

cherish the memories of this friend and family and all other who live on in our hearts. AMEN

As the Bible reminds us in Corinthians, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not

boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, 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, and always perseveres. Love never fails."

In the time that Aaron and Courtney have spent together, they've built the sturdy foundation for a

lifelong relationship. After a great deal of thoughtful consideration, they have decided to bind

themselves to one another for the rest of their lives.

May you all remember and cherish this sacred ceremony, for on this day, with love, we will forever

bind Aaron and Courtney together.

APRIL: Who gives this bride today?

Bridal Companion: I do.

APRIL: If there is anyone in attendance who has cause to believe that this couple should not be

joined in marriage, you may speak now or forever hold your peace.

APRIL: (Addressing guests) Marriage is a sacred ceremony. Today we observe the union of these

two people with the respect the occasion warrants. What we honor with reverence, however, we

also celebrate with great joy! For married life – a shared life – is a tremendous blessing. Now, as

Aaron and Courtney embark on this journey together, they will be able to nurture a love that

makes each of them better versions of themselves. Marriage is, indeed, the perfect garden from

which to sow and harvest personal growth.

(Addressing couple) Aaron and Courtney, learn to work together, to laugh together, and to love

together. Don't get caught up in worldly things that will draw you apart. Instead, focus on your

shared devotion and turn inward. As your relationship strengthens you will find that you come to

share a remarkable love; a love that is both abundantly given and freely accepted.

The joy you'll find as you pursue your shared lives will fuel you to face head-on the challenges you'll

encounter on this Earth. On your journeys together, keep your spouse in the space of highest

priority in your heart. The love you share must be guarded and cherished, it is your most valuable

treasure.

APRIL: Marriage is an ancient rite. As you enter into this union, you are choosing to take part in a historical

human establishment and are pledging your commitment before the witnesses present here today

to enter into that tradition with honor.

As Jesus said: "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and

female," he also taught that, "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined

to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh.

Therefore what God has joined together, let no person separate."

APRIL: Aaron and Courtney, the sacred vows that you make to one another today present you

with the opportunity to express your love in your own words. I would at this time invite you to

publically declare these vows:

Aaron , Please repeat after me.

AARON : I, Aaron , take you, Courtney, for my lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this

day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer. I promise to be true to you in good times and

in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life, until death do

us part. This is my solemn vow.

APRIL: Courtney, you may now make your promise, and repeat after me please.

COURTNEY: I, Courtney, take you, Aaron , for my lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold,

from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer. I promise to be true to you in good

times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life, until

death do us part. This is my solemn vow.

APRIL: Aaron and Courtney please face one another and join hands. Under the eyes of God,

Aaron, do you take Courtney to be your lawfully wedded wife? By making this commitment, you

are joining in the sacred covenant of marriage.

Do you promise to honor her in love, to be sensitive to her needs, to comfort her in difficulty, and to

put your full and complete trust in her, so long as you both shall live?

AARON : I do.

APRIL: Under the eyes of God, Courtney, do you take Aaron to be your lawfully wedded

husband? By making this commitment, you are joining in the covenant of marriage.

Do you promise to honor him in love, to be sensitive to his needs, to comfort him in difficulty, and

to put your full and complete trust in him, so long as you both shall live?

COURTNEY: I do.

APRIL: Aaron and Courtney, while the words you have spoken have sealed your union, it is the combining of sands that truly symbolizes the melding of your two souls.

At this time Aaron and Courtney please receive your vessel, each containing a sand of a different

color.

Each of you holds now a vessel of sand. Allow this sand to represent your life: every thought that's

ever crossed your mind, and every word that's ever crossed your lips; all of your victories, and all of

your failures; all of your joys, and all of your sorrows. Every grain of sand is another moment, either

a moment that has been or a moment that is yet to be. Aaron please tilt your vessel and pour a small amount of sand into the larger vessel to represent your single life. Now Courtney, please tilt your vessel and pour a small amount into the larger vessel to represent your single life.

And now both together, tilt your vessels forward and pour your sand into the vessel of marriage.

Watch as the grains of sand mix together, forming one structure. So today, your two

spirits come together to form one singular entity. Just as your combined sands have combined to

form a collection much greater than you ever could have accumulated on your own. Note also, that

now combined, the sands may never again be separated. Your lives, like the sand, have become all

the more grand for the involvement of your partner. Your spirits so intertwined that they may never

again be truly torn apart. As you move forth in life, keep your partner close to the heart,

recognizing that they are an integral part of your being.

APRIL: To commemorate this union, you may now exchange rings. The circle formed by each

ring symbolizes your eternal love and commitment to one another. Let these rings remind you

always of that love, and of the promises you have made here on this day.

Will each of you please repeat after me as you place the ring on your loved ones hand?

AARON: I, Aaron , give you Courtney this ring as a symbol of my love and commitment. With this

ring, I thee wed.

COURTNEY: I, Courtney, give you Aaron this ring as a symbol of my love and commitment. With

this ring, I thee wed.

APRIL: By the power vested in me, and by the state of Alabama, I

pronounce you, Aaron and Courtney as husband and wife, lawfully wedded before God.

Aaron you may now Kiss your bride, forever sealing your union.

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my pleasure to present to you Mr. and Mrs. Courtney and Aaron Smith!