Stephanie Lyn Lurz

Amber and Toma Cook Wedding

Innvocation

Who gives this woman to this man? Reply “I do” You may all be seated.

Welcome friends and family. We are gathered here today to witness and celebrate the marriage of Amber and Toma. Toma and Amber would like to honor and remember Toma’s grandmother and other loved ones who are unable to be here today. There is no doubt that they are here with you in spirit and proudly smiling on the two of you. We are not here to mark the start of a relationship as husband and wife; however, we recognize a bond that already exists and the love that Toma and Amber share for each other. So we have come together to bear witness to the bond that has grown and strengthened between them over the years. Today Amber and Toma will affirm this love and commitment formally and publicly. But this affirmation of love would be empty if they could not share it with their most beloved family and friends. Everyone is here today to show you both love and support and wishing you a lifetime of happiness and blessings. Because without the love between the two of you and the love you both share with the ones that are most important to you , today would be far less joyous. So again, thank you for being here today as Toma and Amber become husband and wife.

Vows

The most remarkable moment in life is when you meet the person who makes you feel complete. The person who makes the world a beautiful and magical place. The person with whom you share a bond so special that it transcends normal relationships and becomes something so pure and so wonderful, that you can’t imagine spending another day of your life without them. Toma and Amber have created their own vows to express the depth of their love for one another that comes from the purity of their soul.

Toma shares vows

Amber shares vows

Declaration of Intent

Toma, from this day forward do you choose Amber to be your wife, best friend, and your only love? To live together, play together, and laugh together; To work by her side and dream in her arms ;To fill her heart and feed her soul; To always seek out the best in her; Always loving her with all your heart, until the end of your forever? Reply: “I do”

Amber, from this day forward do you choose Toma to be your husband, best friend, and your only love? To live together, play together, and laugh together; To work by his side and dream in his arms; To fill his heart and feed his soul; To always seek out the best in him; Always loving him with all your heart, until the end of your forever? Reply: “I do”

Ring Exchange

May I have the rings please? May these rings symbolize your inherent wholeness and unity with one another, giving you the strength to happily honor your commitments to each other. May they remind you that marriage is not a destination but a journey, with no beginning and no end, just a moment to moment opportunity to love and be loved to the best of your ability.

Amber and Toma, place the rings on each other’s finger and repeat after me…..” I give you this ring/ to remind you of this day/ when we vowed that our love/ can overcome all things/ that our love unites, inspires and celebrates/ and will continue do so/ for the rest of our lives.

Sand Mixing

Toma and Amber, today you are making a lasting commitment to share the rest of your lives with each other. That commitment is symbolized through the pouring of these individual containers of sand; one that represents Toma (who now pours in some of his sand) and the other that represents Amber, (who pours some of her sand on top). Each of you comes to this relationship with unique strengths, vulnerabilities, and histories. As individuals, you are beautiful people all on your own. Yet when the two of you come together, you form something even more beautiful. Those strengths can blossom, those vulnerabilities can be cared for, and those people can soar.

As the two containers of sand are poured into the vase, (all participants simultaneously pour their remaining sand in the central vase) the separate colors of sand now blend into a new color. You have now blended your individual lives into one new union, as you start your journey in marriage, may the bond that the two of you share be, as inseparable as these grains of sand.

Charge to the Couple

I would like to leave you with the following reading called

The Art of Marriage by Wilfred Arlan Peterson

Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens. A good marriage must be created. In the art of marriage the little things are the big things….It is never being too old to hold hands. It is remembering to say “I love you at least once a day”. It is never going to sleep angry. It is at no time taking the other for granted; the courtship should not end with the honeymoon, it should continue through all the years. It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives. It is standing together facing the world. It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family. It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy. It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways. It is not looking for perfection in each other. It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humor. It is having the capacity to forgive and forget. It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow. It is finding room for the things of the spirit. It is a common search for the good and the beautiful. It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, dependence is mutual and the obligation is reciprocal. It is not only marrying the right partner, it is being the right partner. It is discovering what marriage can be, at its best!

This reading truly embraces the art of marriage. And I believe if the two of you approach each interaction with one another with these thoughts in the forefront of your mind, there is no doubt your marriage will last a lifetime!

Pronouncement

Amber and Toma, you have chosen to be joined in marriage today. The bible states “Two are better than one; they receive a good reward for their toil, because if one fails, the other can help the companion up again.” In my presence and in the presence of your closest loved ones you have exchanged vows and made promises. You have opened your hearts to one another, declared your love and friendship, and united yourselves with the exchange of rings. Therefore, by the power of your love and commitment and the power that has been vested in me by the State of Iowa and the American Marriage Ministries, it is my priviledge to pronounce you husband and wife. Toma you may kiss your bride!