Linsey Strolberg Stoppelman

Opening:

Linsey: Today we have come together to witness the marriage of Michael Arneson & Cassandra Lillquist. For them, out of the routine of ordinary life, the extraordinary has happened. They met each other, fell in love, and are finalizing it with their wedding today. Romance is fun, but true love is something far more than that, and it is their desire to love each other for life, and that is what we are celebrating here today. But today is also a celebration for the rest of us, for it is a pleasure for us to see love in bloom, and to participate in the union of two people so delightfully suited to one another.

Linsey: Let us pray… Our Father, love has been Your richest & greatest gift to the world. Love between two lives which matures into marriage is one of Your most beautiful types of love. Today we celebrate that love. May Your blessing be on this ceremony. Protect, guide, & bless Michael & Cassandra in their marriage. Surround them & us with Your love now & always, Amen.

Linsey: When I first met Michael & Cassandra, I asked them to answer questions about each other. They don’t know what the other has said, so this will be a memorable, humorous surprise for everyone today. (Reveal Q&A). We all hope you two will find humor, like you did answering & hearing these questions throughout your marriage. When frustration and difficulty find you - as they do in every relationship at one time or another - focus on what still seems right between you, not only the part that seems wrong. This way, when clouds of trouble hide the sun in your lives and you lose sight of it for a moment, you can remember that the sun is still there. And if each of you will take responsibility for the quality of your life together, it will be marked by abundance and happiness.

Vows:

Linsey: Cassandra give your flowers to Amy… Now face Michael & join hands as your about to vow your lives to one another.

Linsey: Michael, repeat after me. I Michael, take you Cassandra… to be my wife… my partner in life… And my one true love… I will cherish our friendship & love… with you today, tomorrow, & always… I will trust & honor you… Laugh & cry with you… I will love you faithfully… Through the best & worst… Through the difficult & easy… Whatever may come… I will always be there… As I have given you my hand to hold… So, I give you my life to keep.

Linsey: Cassandra, repeat after me. I Cassandra, take you Michael… to be my husband… my partner in life… And my one true love… I will cherish our friendship & love… with you today, tomorrow, & always… I will trust & honor you… Laugh & cry with you… I will love you faithfully… Through the best & worst… Through the difficult & easy… Whatever may come… I will always be there… As I have given you my hand to hold… So, I give you my life to keep.

I do’s & Ring Exchange:

Linsey: Michael, please answer these questions when I call on you… Do you take Cassandra to be your wedded wife? If so answer I do… Do you promise to love, honor, cherish, & protect her? If so answer I do… Do you promise to take the trash out & scrap food off your dishes before cleaning them? If so answer I do… And do you promise to love her even when she’s cranky? If so answer I do…

Linsey: Cassandra, please answer these questions when I call on you… Do you take Michael to be your wedded husband? If so answer I do… Do you promise to love, honor, cherish, & protect him? If so, answer I do… Do you promise to not keep asking questions multiple times even though he answered them? And keep food on the table? If so answer I do… And do you promise to love him even when he’s cranky? If so answer I do…

Linsey: Jerrod, please place the rings in my hand… Let us pray… Bless, O Lord, these rings to be a sign of the vows by which Michael & Cassandra have bound themselves to each other in this Holy Matrimony; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Linsey: Michael take Cassandra’s ring, place it on her left ring finger, & repeat after me… I Michael… take you Cassandra… to be my wife… to have & to hold… in sickness & in health… for richer or for poorer… in joy & sorrow… And I promise my love to you… And with this ring… I take you as my wife… For as long as we both shall live.

Linsey: Cassandra, take Michael’s ring, place it on his left ring finger, & repeat after me… I Cassandra… take you Michael… to be my husband… to have & to hold… in sickness & in health… for richer or for poorer… in joy & sorrow… And I promise my love to you… And with this ring… I take you as my husband… For as long as we both shall live.

Closing:

Linsey: To make your relationship work it will take love. This is the core of your marriage and why you are here today. It will take trust, to know, that in your hearts, you truly want what is best for each other. It will take dedication, to stay open to one another - and to learn and grow together. It will take faith, to go forward together, without knowing exactly what the future brings. And it will take commitment, to hold true to the journey you both have pledged to today. By the power vested in me, with God & loved ones as witnesses, I now pronounce you husband & wife. Amy, give Cassandra her flowers back… Michael, you may now kiss your wife!... Michael & Cassandra face your family & loved ones… It is my pleasure to introduce Mr. & Mrs. Arneson!