Collin Juhnke

Dearly Beloved

We are gathered together to join Ellen and Ryan in the union of marriage. This 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, and understanding are the foundations of a happy and enduring home.

Do you Ryan take Ellen to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and woe, for richer or poorer, for as long as you both shall live?

Do you Jamie take Ryan to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and woe, for richer and poorer, for as long as you both shall live?

We begin with a layer of white sand in the bottom of the vase, which symbolizes the foundation of the relationship. The foundation includes their families, their upbringing, and all the important steps on their journeys that led them to be who they are today. This foundation will support them in their love as they grow and change together.

Now Ryan and Ellen will each separately pour their sand into the vase, symbolizing who they are as individuals.

First one person pours, then the other, forming two distinct layers of sand.

Then, you will pour simultaneously, blending your two colors as you will blend your lives in marriage. The couple pours simultaneously.

As the individual grains of sand can no longer be separated, may your bond also be inseparable.

But you are also making a bond with your children,Tegan and Beckett. As they also contribute their unique personalities and strengths to this new family, they will also individually add a layer of sand to this unity vase. Pause as the children pour their sand individually.

Then everyone, Ryan, Ellen, Tegan and Beckett will pour together, representing their commitment to each other . Everyone pours simultaneously. Lastly, I will add another layer of white sand, representing you, their community, supporting them and holding them in love. Though the vase may be moved around, and the colors may shift and blend in new ways, the grains of sand cannot be separated.

At this time, Ryan and Ellen will now exchange rings as a sign of their love and fidelity

Ryan if you could take Ellen’s left land and with the ring placed over her finger and repeat after me,

I Ryan take you Ellen to be my wedded wife,

to have and to hold from this day forward

for better for worse for richer for poorer

in sickness and in health

to love and to cherish

to death do us part

I hereby pledge you my faithfulness

Ellen if you could take Ryan’s left land and with the ring placed over his finger and repeat after me,

I Ellen take you Ryan to be my wedded husband,

to have and to hold from this day forward

for better for worse for richer for poorer

in sickness and in health

to love and to cherish

to death do us part

I hereby pledge you my faithfulness

By the authority vested in my by the American Marriage Ministries and the State of South Dakota, I now pronounce you Husband and Wife. (you may kiss the bride)