Logan Preston Sandoval

Opening

*SMILE SMILE SMILE*

Good evening everyone. *wait for answer*

Are you ready for these two to finally get married???

The bride and groom have given us a great gift today. They have asked us to put our phones away so we don’t have to worry about those. There are professionals in the room and they are doing their jobs so let us be present and here in this momentous occasion. And on that note, let’s please make sure all our phones, pagers, beepers, anything electronic is set to silent or turned off.

 

Welcome

Ladies and gentlemen, family and friends, Welcome!! We are gathered here today in the presence of God and loved ones, to celebrate one of life’s greatest and most unique moments. That moment is the sacred union of Marlowe and Cory. This union is a celebration of love, commitment, friendship, family and of two people coming together as one!!

This marriage is a sincere covenant made before God and before all of us as witnesses. In acknowledgment of its Holy Purpose and the power of the occasion, let us all bow our heads in prayer.

“God of Love, who gives us the longing for, and the capability of loving, we give you thanks for Marlowe and Cory, for their open hearts and willing spirits, and for the example of love that they embody here in our presence. Be with them on this joyous occasion of sharing their love and making their vows; and be with us, their witnesses, that we may all be changed by what is said and witnessed here. In the Lord's name, Amen.”

 

An Address

You don’t have to have a wedding to have a marriage. So why do we do it? We spend all this time, money and stress, for what? Weddings are something that have been an important part of culture, religion and society, spanning not only across the many cultures of the world but also the fabric of time. In our very short time on earth, when we have thousands, if not millions, of incredible and fantastic moments in our lives, why do we hold this moment is such high regard?

Well I am here to tell you my friends, love is exceptional. Love is scary. Love is beautiful. Love is friendship that has caught fire. Love is selfless, timeless even. It is the great unifier, our one universal truth. Because, despite all our differences, love is what we all share. No matter who we are, where we’ve come from, what we believe; we all know one thing: love is what we are doing right. That’s why both Marlowe and Cory are standing before you today…

That’s why you are gathered here today. We have all loved deeply in our lifetimes, and in this moment, we are reminded that the ability to love unconditionally is the most pure and honest part of our humanity.

Every single one of you have your own love stories. Some are short, some are long. Some are still yet unwritten. While others are just getting to the chapter with the very best part. And just like all stories, there are chapters which are sad and disappointing, and others that are happy and full of life.

This is a time to pause, look back, re read a few of those chapters and smile. To realize those moments are what brought this beautiful couple together, and a time to look ahead to all the moments that are still to come. We’re all here in celebration because we want those moments for the two of you. We’re here to hope with you, to be proud of you; to support you and to remind you love isn’t happily ever after, love is the experience of writing the story. Love will never be defined as one moment, not even this moment… It’s every moment. Sure, there are the big beautiful moments like saying, “I love you” for the first time, moving in together, getting engaged, being here, right now. But true love comes in the millions of tiny moments stitched in between: falling asleep in each other’s arms, trying new food together, getting through tough yet formidable arguments that make you want to pull your hair out, playing video games together on a lazy Sunday, and getting that big hug after a long day… These, every day moments, fuse across time to write our stories.

And even though these moments are incredible, even though every one of these moments is uniquely powerful, words fail us when we try to explain it. But that is how true love is, it’s meant to be felt, not described. Wars have been fought and civilizations conquered all in the name of love. Love can look different from person to person, but we all know it when we see it. And we see it right here. Today.

You fell in love by chance, but you are here today because you made a choice. You are both choosing the other. You’ve chose to be with someone who enhances you, who makes you think, makes you a better person and that makes the 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 to find happiness in one another. There is a simple belief that these promises share: you’re vowing to be there. You are becoming a household, a team, a unity of two souls. You are saying, “Every experience I have, every new chapter I write, every part of me is now part of you.”

 

Reading

Cory and Marlowe have decided on a poem to be read that embodies the way their love is, to try to define it. This poem will be read by Marlowe’s sister, Margret.

*Sister reads “Sonnet 17” by Pablo Neruda.*

When speaking with Marlowe and Cory, i was reminded of their unwavering devotion for one another. Their journey to this point has been filled with challenging yet rewarding experiences. They have been each other’s biggest supporters during their toughest times. They have been there to inspire, motivate and embrace one another’s goals, ambitions and interests. As the two of you begin this next chapter in your lives remember to nurture those things you hold most important. To always remember to make time for yourselves, but never forget to make time for each other. During that time, let love speak to you. And when it does, listen. Listen when it tells you to love selflessly, without pride. Listen, when it tells you to let go of your ego. Listen when it tells you to put the other person first. For what is selflessness? But just stepping back and putting another person's wants and needs in front of your own?

 

Declaration of Intent

Marlowe and Cory, please join hands, look at one another now and remember this moment in time.

Cory, do you take Marlowe to be your wife, to live together in marriage? Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, be faithful only to her, so long as you both shall live?

*I do.*

Marlowe, do you take Cory to be your wedded husband, to live together in marriage? Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health and be faithful only to him, so long as you both shall live?

*I do.*

Marlowe and Cory, will you bring out the best in one another? Will you challenge and fight for each other? Will you not only experience all of life’s splendor together, but the pain as well?

*We will.*

 

Ring Exchange

You have both chosen to wear rings as a reminder of these promises. People often say wedding bands are a perfect circle with no beginning and no end. But that is just not true: these rings did have a beginning. Just like your love for each other. The stones were formed by God and put in the earth nearly a eon ago. Fortunately they eventually rose to the surface to be pulled from the ground. Metal was liquefied, cooled and painstakingly polished. Something beautiful and amazing was made from the raw elements…

Love is like that. It comes from very, very humble beginnings. And through effort and serendipity, imperfect beings shape it into something truly extraordinary. It’s the process of making something beautiful where there was nothing at all. As you look at these two rings over the years, I hope you remember that. You have created something invaluable. And just as you will protect and guard these rings, I’m confident that you will protect and guard the commitment you have made here today.

Marlowe, as you place this ring on Cory’s finger, repeat these words after me, “With this ring, I marry you and bind my life to yours. It is a symbol of my eternal love, my everlasting friendship and the promise of all my tomorrows.”

Cory, as you place this ring on Marlowe’s finger, repeats these words after me, ““With this ring, I marry you and bind my life to yours. It is a symbol of my eternal love, my everlasting friendship and the promise of all my tomorrows.””

 

Pronouncement

Marlowe and Cory, you have come together here today of your own free will. In the presence of loved ones and in the sight of the Lord, have proclaimed your love and commitment to one another. You have given and received rings as a symbol of your promises. Promises not only to each other, but yourselves. Do not forget these promises whether in darkness or light. Because these promises will carry you until the end of time. By the power of your love and commitment and the power vested in me by God and the state of Kentucky, I now pronounce you husband and wife.

Kiss

You may kiss the bride!

*Kiss*

Family and love ones, it is my honor to present you the married couple,

Mr. and Mrs. Eaves