Deborah Louie

INTRODUCTION

Welcome family and friends.

Please be seated.

Poem 1:

"Love is a partnership of two unique people who bring out the very best in each other, and who know that even though they are wonderful as individuals, they are even better together. " - Barbara Cage

On behalf of Kelli and Celena, I would like to thank you all for being here this afternoon. For taking the time and making the journey, and for all the effort that it takes—not only to be a part of this day, but to be a part of each other’s lives. Kelli and Celena have invited you here to this beautiful place to show you a glimpse of the beauty of creation and to hear the sounds of nature to celebrate an important piece of their love.

REMEMBRANCES AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

At this time, Kelli and Celena would like to take a moment to honor those loved ones who are not with us today.

Please take a moment of silence.

Whenever we attend a wedding, we are given the opportunity to reflect on our own relationships. We might look at the couple before us and be tempted to compare their love to the quality of our own relationships. The truth is that every relationship is as unique as the individuals in it, but one thing holds true: For love to exist between two people, each person must allow the vulnerability of giving his or her love to the other, and each must be open to receiving the other’s love in turn. Therefore each of us is a powerful creator of love. Each of us, every moment of every day, has the choice to dedicate ourselves to one another or to withhold our love and caring.

If you ask couples who have a strong and abiding love what they like most about their partners, many will say when they are with that person they don’t have to pretend to be anything other than what they are. They are able to express themselves without fear of being judged or rejected. There is room in the relationship for both of them to be unique individuals. They are free to surrender to the vulnerability of true intimacy—to be known and loved unconditionally

You don't have to have a ceremony to have a marriage. And when you think about it, the whole thing is kind of extravagant. Right? You're standing in front of everyone, looking fancy, holding flowers, and being stared at by so many of those you hold near and dear. So why do we do it? The marriage ceremony had been an important feature across nearly every culture, religion, generation, and society. We have thousands of moments that happen throughout our lives, but this one is regarded as one so critical, we acknowledge it's 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 come from, what we believe, we know this one thing: love is what we're doing right. That is why you both are standing here.

That's why you all are here to watch Kelli and Celena 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 underwritten, while others are just getting to the good part. There are chapters in all in all of our stories that are sad and disappointing - and others that are exciting and full of adventure. And that brings these two here today. A time to pause, look back, and smile at all the moments that brought them to this decision, and a time to look ahead to all the adventures that are still to come.

I'm here- we're all here - because we also want those moments for Kelli and Celena. 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 "l 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, that big hug when you get home from work... those everyday moments fuse together into one big experience. This experience is incredible.

That is the way love is. Trying to describe love is our favorite pastime. Songwriters and poets use words in many ways to try to describe it. But we all know when we see it. We all know we see it here today.

You fell in love by chance, but you're here today because you're making a choice. You both have choosen each other. You've chosen to be with someone who enhances you, who makes you think, who makes you smile, and makes every day brighter.

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, to stand up for one another, and find happiness in the other. There's one simple premise to all of these promises: you're choosing to be there. You're teaming up and saying to the other, "Every experience I am going to have, I want you to be a part of."

Charge to couple

Officiant:

Kelli and Celena, the pledge which you are about to make to each other is meant to be a beautiful and sacred expression of your love for each other. As you pledge your vows to each other, and as you commit your lives to each other, we ask that you do so in all seriousness, yet with a deep sense of joy, with deep conviction that your are committing yourselves to a dynamic growing relationship of trust, mutual support and caring love.

Declaration of intent

Officiant:

To Kelli:

Will you, Kelli have Celena to be your wife? Will you love her, comfort and keep her, and forsaking all others remain true to her as long as you shall live?

_____- I will

To Celena:

Will you, Celena have Kelli to be your wife? Will you love her, comfort and keep her, and forsaking all others remain true to her as long as you shall live?

_____: I will

Now that you have declared your intentions, I invite you to share your vows with one another.

Kelli Leah Scull and Celena Noelle Stone will now share their vows.

*(Vows)*

Kelli Leah Scull and Celena Noelle Stone will now exchange rings as a symbol of their love and commitment.

*(Ring Exchange)*

OFFICIANT:

May I please have the rings

These rings have no beginning and no end. They set forth the eternal nature of real love. They will represent the love and trust that Kelli and Celena promise to each other this day.

Kelli then Celena

To: ______: ______will you take this ring and place it upon Kelli's finger, and as you do, repeat to her, after me, these words:

I give you this ring

(________)

As I give you myself

(__________)

With love and affection.

(__________)

Wear it with peace in your heart always.

(__________)

Poem 2:

"I am like a falling star who had finally found her place next to another in a lovely constellation, where we will sparkle in the heavens forever. " - Amy Tam

Poem 3:

"Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope. " - Maya Angelou

Officiant:

May this be the start of a happy new life

That's full of special moments to share

May this be the first of all your dreams come true

And of hope that will always be there...

May this be the start of a lifetime of trust

And if caring that's now begun...

May today be a day that you'll always remember

The day when your hearts become one...

Pronouncement:

Inasmuch as you Celena and you Kelli have consented in marriage and witnessed the same before family and friends,

By the authority vested in me by American Marriage Ministries and the State of Colorado I now pronounce you wife and wife! (MARRIED!)

You may seal your marriage with a kiss!

May I present to you:

Mrs. & Mrs. Celena and Kelli Stone