Kathryn Lynn Baker

Ceremony Welcome - I will walk to the front with the groom.

WELCOME family and friends! Are you all excited to witness the joining of these two lovely people, Gregory Frazier and Arlene Williams, in the Holy bonds of marriage? Will you also support this couple’s marriage and stand with them through troubled times and cheer them on through their joys? Will you pray for them and be a source of strength and comfort for them? Let me hear you say YES! (I want the people that are in attendance to feel like they are a part of your day and get them excited)

I will ask you all at this time, Please mute your phones and devices so nothing is ringing, buzzing or playing loud music during the ceremony. (OPTIONAL)

Greg and Arlene respectfully ask that if you take wedding pictures or video today, please do not share them on social media. Instead please send them to Arlene so she will have the joy of sharing the images of their wedding first. (OPTIONAL)

After the ceremony, the wedding party will be having professional photography done. At that time, you will all be invited into the ballroom to enjoy hor d’oeuvres. Now please take this time to relax and enjoy the ceremony. (OPTIONAL)

Processional - I will be at the front with Greg.

The bridesmaids and ushers will proceed down the aisle with the Maid of Honor and Best man walking in last. (we will cover where everyone stands at the rehearsal)

The bride’s processional music will begin to play and Arlene and Father will walk down the aisle.

Arlene’s eyes should be locked on Greg’s eyes, walking slowly and smiling.

When Arlene gets to the front, I will ask father, who gives Arlelen to Greg in marriage?

Father says, Her mother and I Do. Dad and daughter can hug and kiss each other (if you have a veil, your dad can lift it at this point). Greg steps toward Arlene and father. Greg you can shake father’s hand or hug him (whichever feels most comfortable) Father will then place Arlene’s hand in Greg’s hand and Father will go sit in the front, on the bride’s side.

Arlene and Greg take your place in front of me. Arlene, hand your flowers to your maid of honor. If your gown needs to be adjusted, your MOH or one of the bridesmaids can do that at this point. Then stand facing each other, you can hold hands or keep them at your sides, whichever is most comfortable.

Officiant’s Speech

We are all here to witness Greg and Arlene’s wedding ceremony.

Their love story…… Still working on this started on Mother’s Day of 2014, their first date at Caraba’s. Arlene told me he was 100% attentive, sweet and caring toward her. Their love grew and she told me he is patient and hardworking. Greg planned a very romantic marriage proposal in July of 2018. He took Arlene on a river cruise on The Spirit of Philadelphia. He had been shopping for rings and dropped hints here and there but she was not aware that this was going to be when and where he intended to propose to her. Apparently, he had requested a song that the DJ either forgot to play or was taking too long to play. It rained but all that didn’t matter. Right there, both drenched by rain, Greg surprised her with a beautiful ring and his proposal. Greg loves her honesty and willingness to love. They plan to work together to have a long and happy marriage, to be loyal to one another and continue to have their love grow.

It takes a lot to make a good marriage and Greg and Arlene have a very good foundation.

Intent

The marriage contract is not to be entered into lightly but thoughtfully and seriously, and with a deep realization of its obligations and responsibilities.

Please remember that love, loyalty, understanding and faith in God are the foundation of a happy and enduring union.

Arlene Williams, are you here today to marry Gregory Frazier,

Arlene - I am

Gregory Frazier, are you here today to marry Arlene Williams,

Greg - I am

Religious Sand Ceremony Vows

Walk over to the table

“Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). God created you as an individual, perfect by His glory and love. But God also said that it was not good for man to be alone, and so he created woman to be his partner and helper. Today as you make a covenant before God to join in marriage, you become one flesh. You have chosen to symbolize that union with a sand ceremony.

First, I will pour in white sand, representing your faith in God as the foundation of who you are as individuals.

Now Arlene, pour some of your sand, representing yourself as an individual before you came to this union.

Now Greg, also pour some of your sand, representing yourself as an individual before you came to this union.

I will then pour some more white sand, representing your faith in God as the foundation of your marriage.

Then, Arlene and Greg pour your remaining sand together to represent you're joining as one in marriage completely and eternally.

Lastly, another layer of white sand represents God watching over you and protecting you with his everlasting love.

May God bless this marriage so that you are as inseparable as these grains of sand. Amen.

Vows

Do you Arlene Williams take this man Gregory Frazier to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and bad, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself unto him for as long as you both shall live? *(Wait for Confirmation)*

Arlene - I DO

Do you Gregory Frazier take this woman Arlene Williams to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and bad, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself unto her for as long as you both shall live? *(Wait for Confirmation)*

Greg - I DO

Arelen & Greg will now exchange rings as a symbol of their love and commitment.

I will take the rings from the best man and hand them to you one at a time.

*(Ring Exchange)*

Greg put the ring on Arlene’s’s left hand, third finger and say “I give you this ring - as a sign of my promise - to love you forever.”

Greg - I give you this ring as a sign of my promise to love you forever.

Arlene put the ring on Greg’s left hand, third finger and say “I give you this ring - as a sign of my promise - to love you forever.”

Arlene- I give you this ring as a sign of my promise to love you forever.

Pronouncement

By the authority vested in me by the State of Delaware, I now pronounce you husband and wife!

You may seal your promise with a kiss.

Presentation

Please give this couple a round of applause, as it is my honor to introduce to you for the first time, as husband and wife, Arlene and Gregory Frazier

Recessional

Greg and Arlene exit first. Be sure to smile, take your time walking back so pictures can be taken.

After Greg and Arlene are all the way down the aisle, the best man will offer his arm to the MOH and he will escort her back up the aisle.

Followed by the ushers and bridesmaids in the same manner. Followed by the children in the wedding if they are still standing with the bridal party.

I will congratulate the family of the bride and groom and let them go up the aisle next.

Closing remarks -

At this time, the wedding party will be getting their pictures taken. Now, you are all invited into the ballroom to enjoy hor d’oeuvres.

Then I will exit after your family.

After that the guests can proceed to where you want them to go, as I will announce in the closing remarks.

Signing the legal documents - please have your witnesses meet with me at the designated place immediately after the wedding to sign the marriage license. We will decide the meeting place at the rehearsal. Don’t forget your identification.