Reverend Jonny Diane Thompson

***Review of Handfasting Wedding Ceremony for Chrissy and John on October 27th of 2018 at 1600/4pm

* I will arrive at your venue at:

6961 S. Rutan

Wichita, Kansas 67216

* 1 hour prior to the Wedding.

* You will need your Kansas Marriage License in hand

* 2 witnesses over 18 years of age to sign the legal paperwork

* I will provide you with a Keepsake Handfasting Certificate

* The witnesses & myself will sign all the paperwork in the hour prior to the Wedding then give to you for safekeeping.

* You will have 9 days to return the completed license to the county marriage office to have your document filed legally in the State of Kansas

* We will do a walkthrough of the entrance, ceremony and exit after your marriage in this time also ... I do promise all will be perfect so you both can just relax and enjoy your special day!

* I will have you both give me the Handfasting braid/ribbons prior to the ceremony to hold until ready for that part of the ceremony.

*******************

* Family & Guests will gather as arranged at the venue.

* I, the Officiant will be positioned where you decide in the venue.

* We will position you both with John to my left at the start of the ceremony.

* Chrissy to my right once you come into the area you’ve chosen in the venue.

* I will ask that you both holding hands facing each other during the entire ceremony.

*******************

“The Handfasting Ceremony”

Officiant:

* We are gathered together here to join

Christina (Chrissy) Emert and Janboulat (John) Shahankary

in the spiritual union of marriage.

Officiant:

* All those gathered here today and in spirit please let us lift up and surround both Chrissy and John in as much love, light & joy as they start this very special journey in their lives... We will now turn our focus on the most important people here today as they both are united in marriage...

* They have both come together today with the most thoughtfully and seriously intent, with a deep realization of the daily curves and corners that are part of becoming the unique family they’ve chosen to be today...

* The love, the loyalty, and the unique understanding of each moment are the true foundations of a joy filled and happy home...

* Chrissy and John will continue to bring themselves back to this day where they’ve chosen to focus on their hearts & hands to be united as one ... no matter when or where life takes them...

The Declaration of Intent by Chrissy and John

Officiant:

* Chrissy, as you offer your love to John you will respond to your vows...

* Chrissy, do you take John to continue to spend your life from here on together no matter the curves along the way?

* Chrissy: “I do”

Officiant:

* John, as you offer your love to Chrissy you will respond to your vows ...

* John, do you take Chrissy to continue to spend your life from here on together no matter the curves along the way?

* John: “I do”

Officiant:

* Chrissy and John will now focus focus on their rings as a symbol of their eternal love and devotion to each other ...

The Ring Blessing

Officiant:

* As we’ve spoken this day about love the Ring is a symbol of your unending love as a circle is never ending...

* As you both are holding hands with rings you worn proudly for years take as a way of honoring this long time commitment...

* I will have you both say together ...

* “With this ring, I thy wed.”

The Handfasting Ceremony

Officiant:

* A wedding is largely about symbols; symbols are important and helpful, because they make an idea and a value concrete and physical – something we can see and touch.

* They’re helpful because they serve as a powerful reminder of a time and a place and a memory – a feeling and even a promise – that may have faded over time. Chrissy and John have chosen to include a handfasting today.

* A handfasting ceremony is nothing to be intimidated by.

* In fact, it’s a privilege to facilitate one of the world’s oldest and best-known wedding rituals in a moving and contemporary way.

* It’s one of the world’s oldest wedding traditions and it’s found in cultures all over the world.

* In joining hands, Chrissy and John symbolize how they freely offer their lives to one another.

* And in fastening their hands together, the ribbon or braid symbolizes how when they leave this place today with lives now bound together.

* How after today, an idea of two stories come together and two sets of hopes and desires for the future are joined in commitment and intention.

* Chrissy and John, as I fasten your hands together and “tie the knot” ...

I invite you to reflect on the joy and responsibility that awaits you.

* From today, being bound together in the commitment and intention of marriage means that each of you is a lifelong, safe place to love and be deeply loved by the other.

* As I loop the ribbon over and tie these knots across your left wrists. may you both know and feel and remember always that together in this marriage, you are each deeply known and deeply loved.

* Now, with great joy in front of all your closest friends and family, I announce as handfasted from this moment forward ...

Officiant:

* Chrissy and John, I want to wish you both much love and happiness as you begin your newest journey... Remember to keep lots of laughter in your life and love will never be far behind...

* As gentle reminder that out of all we’ve done today I ask that you both always put each other 1st, stand together through all the winds of change as the mighty oak does each and every day... Sink your roots deep into each other’s hearts ... now and forever ...

Officiant:

* By the authority vested in me by the State of Kansas, I am now honored to pronounce you blissfully married ...

* Chrissy and John you may now kiss to seal your love & hearts ... to show all gathered here with you the joy that’s overflowing from within your hearts & ours in this celebration of unity ...

* Everyone if you would please join me and give a very joyful welcome as we celebrate Chrissy and John as they’ve joined their hands, hearts & spirits ...

* I am now delighted to introduce to you to this newlywed couple ...

* Mr. and Mrs. John Shahankary!

*********