Gerald T Farrell-McCollumn

MONTAGUE WEDDING CEREMONY

JUNE 17, 2017

We are gathered here today to celebrate one of life's greatest moments, the joining of two hearts and to give recognition to the worth and beauty of love, and to add our best wishes to the words which shall unite this couple in marriage.

Should there be anyone who has cause why this couple should not be united in marriage, Shush!!

Who Gives this Woman/Man today to be married

Today we have come together to witness the joining of these two lives. 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. A good marriage must be created. It is never being too old to hold hands. It’s remembering to say I love you every day and it is not just marrying the right person its being the right partner.

Vows

I, James take you Barbara to be my wife, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever.

I, Barbara take you James to be my husband, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever.

I Do’s

James do you take Barbara to be your WIFE? ("I do") Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect her, forsaking all others and holding only unto her? ("I do")

Barbara do you take James to be your HUSBAND? ("I do") Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect him, forsaking all others and holding only unto him? ("I do")

Rings

“Wedding rings are an unbroken circle of love, signifying to all the union of this couple in marriage."

James, This ring is my sacred gift, with my promise that I will always love you, cherish you and honor you all the days of my life. And with this ring, I thee wed.

Barbara, This ring is my sacred gift, with my promise that I will always love you, cherish you and honor you all the days of my life. And with this ring, I thee wed.

Jumping the Broom

We end this ceremony with the African American tradition of jumping of the broom.

Slaves in this country were not permitted to marry, so they jumped a broom as a way of ceremonially uniting.

Today it represents great joy and at the same time serves as a reminder of the past and the pain of slavery.

As our bride and groom jump the broom, they physically and spiritually cross the threshold into the land of matrimony.

It marks the beginning of making a home together. It symbolizes the sweeping away of the old and the welcoming of the new; the sweeping away all negative energy, making way for all things that are good to come into your lives.

It is also a call of support for the marriage from the entire community of family and friends. The bride and groom will now begin their new life together with a clean sweep!

One of the attendants then hands the broom to the groom, who makes sweeping gestures to eliminate any negative energies. The groom then hands the broom to the bride, who places it on the ground in their path.

Everyone count 1, 2, 3... Jump! Together! 1, 2, 3... Jump!

The bride and groom jump over the broom, then kiss.

By the authority vested in me by American Marriage Ministries and the State of Pennsylvania I now pronounce you wife and husband! I present to you our happy couple