Jessica Lee Downing

(processional music quiets, guests sit)

Welcome and thank you all for sharing in this wonderful afternoon. Surrounded by this gorgeous landscape, we are in the company of our family and closest friends to celebrate the love of Jarrod and Samantha as they unite in marriage.

Who is it who gives the bride’s hand in marriage? (Sam’s father: Her mother and I do, or I do) (have guests sit if not sitting)

Jarrod and Samantha, I ask you in the presence of the witnesses here,

Have you both come freely and without reservation to pledge your hearts in marriage? (We have)

(Sam: give bouquet to maid of honor)　

Please take each other’s hands. Take a moment to breath. Take each other in. Take it ALL in. Your lives been on quite a journey to bring you here today. From high school, to nursing school and the National Guard, to having children, buying a house, and everything in between. The joy you found in each other’s quirky personalities and open honesty has created a great love and sense of balance carrying you both to this moment in time, taking your journey to this next step, marriage.

From “Into the Garden” by Hass and Mitchell:

A wedding is but a moment, a marriage is about time.

Live with eyes wide open.

Do not fear what you will see in the other

or what they will see in you.

Do not hide your fears, but together see them through.

Be present in every moment together.

Even the closest people can have distance between them.

Live side by side and love the expanse between you.

It gives the possibility of always seeing each other as a whole,

and as you were the moment you found each other.

Jarrod: Do you accept Samantha as your one true love, to stand by your side for now and always, as your lawfully wedded wife? (I do)

Samantha: Do you accept Jarrod as your one true love, to stand by your side for now and always, as your lawfully wedded husband? (I do)

　

Jarrod, please repeat after me…

I, Jarrod, take you Samantha,

to be my best friend and faithful partner.

I vow to lift you up when you are down,

to laugh together when life is great,

To stand by your side and sleep in your arms,

To work as partners and grow as a family.

I vow to love, honor, and respect you

for all our days together.

Samantha, please repeat after me…

I, Samantha, take you Jarrod,

to be my best friend and faithful partner.

I vow to be joy to your heart and food for your soul.

To listen carefully and to speak the truth,

to encourage you when life is hard,

and celebrate with you when life is good.

I vow to love, honor, and respect you

For all our days together.

May I please have the rings? (get rings from Michael or Adam)

These rings were once just bits and pieces of metal but were forged into a complete and whole piece that can no longer be separated. You both came into this relationship as two individuals, melded and merged over time to come full circle in a complete and whole union. In Rylee and Michael there are bits and pieces of each of you that can no longer be separated. Let these unending circles stand the test of time as a symbol of your unending love and commitment to one another and to the family you have created together.

Jarrod, while placing the ring on Samantha’s finger, please repeat after me…

With this ring

I join my life with yours.

I give you all that I have

And all that I am.

Samantha, while placing the ring on Jarrod’s finger, please repeat after me…

With this ring

I join my life with yours.

I give you all of my heart

And all of my being.

Challenge each other so that you may continue to grow. May the love you hold for each other continue to mature. May your life together be a source of strength and inspiration to your family and friends.

By the love that has brought you here today,

by the integrity of your commitment,

and with the power bestowed upon me by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,

it is my pleasure and honor to pronounce you husband and wife.

You may kiss the bride.

(Kiss)

Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. and Mrs. Jarrod Pasquino!

(Music for recessional)