Rachel Robinson

INVOCATION

Please be seated.

On behalf of Mitch and Coutrney , 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.

All of us here today have our own love stories. Some are short, others long. Some are yet unwritten, while others are just getting to the good part. There are chapters in all of our stories that are sad or disappointing - and others that are exciting and full of adventure.

And that brings them here. A time to pause, look back, and smile at all the moments that brought them here. And a time to look ahead at all the moments that are still to come.

We're all here - because we want those moments for you two. 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 'I 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, binge-watching Netflix shows, getting a big hug when you get home from work… These everyday moments fuse together into one big experience.

And even though this experience is so incredible, words fail us when we try and explain it. That's just the way it is with love - it's meant to be felt, not described.

But trying to describe love is one of our favorite pastimes. We use the words we have to write stories, and poems, and songs about love. And even though we describe love in different ways - and even though love can look different from one person to the next - we all know it when we see it. And we see it here.

Marriage is not just putting on a beautiful dress, or a nice suit. It isn't about having a big party, celebrating with friends and family, or partying to the late hours of the night - although we definitely are going to do just that! All those things are what a wedding is about, but marriage... marriage is about the continued learning of not just living together as a couple of two separate lives, but living your lives as one complete life. It means continually moving forward as a couple, and working towards the success of your family. Let nothing stand in the way of your marriage. The success of the longevity of your marriage rests upon you. To honor your spouse, to be a loving and supporting parent, to support your better half in their ambitions, and to be a nurturing, loving pillar of your family.

So and ...are you ready to do this?!

DECLARATION OF INTENT

Mitch and Courtney, do you, with your family and friends as your witnesses, present yourselves willingly and of your own accord to be joined in marriage?

[I do]

Will you promise to care for each other in the joys and sorrows of life, come what may, and to share the responsibility for growth and enrichment of your life together?

[I do]

Courtney, please repeat after me

I, Courtney, take you Mitchell, to be my wedded husband

I promise to stay by your side,

In sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow,

As well as through the good times and the bad.

I promise to love you without reservation,

Build our dreams together

Comfort you in times of distress

Encourage you to achieve all of your goals,

Support you through times of trouble,

and rejoice with you in times of happiness.

Laugh with you and cry with you,

Grow with you in mind and spirit

Always be open and honest with you,

And cherish you for as long as we both shall live

Mitch, please repeat after me

I, Mitchell, take you Courtney, to be my wedded wife

I promise to stay by your side,

In sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow,

As well as through the good times and the bad.

I promise to love you without reservation,

Build our dreams together

Comfort you in times of distress

Encourage you to achieve all of your goals,

Support you through times of trouble,

and rejoice with you in times of happiness.

Laugh with you and cry with you,

Grow with you in mind and spirit

Always be open and honest with you,

And cherish you for as long as we both shall live

SAND CEREMONY

Two separate lives combine to create one. The two separate bottles of sand symbolize your separate lives, separate families, and separate sets of friends: they represent all that you are and all that you will ever be as an individual. They also represent your lives before today. As these two containers of sand are emptied, the individual containers of sand no longer exist, but will be joined together as one. And just as these grains of sand can never be separated neither will your love.

RING EXCHANGE

A ring is an unbroken circle, with ends that have been joined together, and it represents your union. It is also a symbol of completeness, just as you two complete each other. It is a symbol of infinity, and of your infinite love. It encircles an opening, which is the door to your future. When you look at these rings on your hands, be reminded of this moment, your commitment, and the love you now feel for each other.

Courtney place the ring on Mitch's finger and repeat after me:

Mitchell, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love with the pledge to love you today, tomorrow, always, and forever.

Mitch, place the ring on Courtney's finger and repeat after me:

Courtney, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love with the pledge to love you today, tomorrow, always, and forever.

PRONOUNCEMENT

To make your relationship work will take love.

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 what the future holds.

And it will take commitment, to remain true to the journey you both have pledged to begin today.

You both have stated your intent, you have declared commitment to one another, you performed the Unity Sand Ceremony, and have exchanged rings. There is now only one thing left to do...

By the power vested in me by the State of South Carolina, Ohio and the American Marriage Ministries, I now pronounce you husband and wife.

Mitch, you may now kiss your bride.

Ladies and Gentlemen. It is my honor and privilege to introduce to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Buening!