Samuel David Adams

PROCESSIONAL

Beginning of the Wedding Ceremony. Guests are seated followed by the entrance of the Bridal Party.

INVOCATION

Welcome everyone to the wedding ceremony of Oladele Adeyemi Bolden and Erica Sharonda Buckman. We gather here today to celebrate the most intimate of bonds between two people, marriage. You all have been invited here not just as guests to a wedding, but as close and important witnesses of the love that Oladele and Erica share.

READING

When reflecting on the meaning of marriage, I would like to recite something Dr. Myles Munroe once said:

“Love is an ongoing debt that we owe each other, a debt that should never be paid off. Paul made this clear when he wrote to the believers in Rome, “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law” (Rom. 13:8). If we get into the habit of thinking of ourselves as always owing a debt of love to our spouses, we will be less inclined to take offense when they say or do something that we do not like.”

“God did not create woman from man’s head, that he should command her, nor from his feet, that she should be his slave, but rather from his side, that she should be near his heart.”

“Marriage is two imperfect people committing themselves to a perfect institution, by making perfect vows from imperfect lips before a perfect God.”

VOWS EXCHANGE

Oladele and Erica, you have chosen to write your vows, and it is with these words you express your binding promises to love, honor, and cherish one another. If you are ready to make these promises to each other I invite you now to face each other and declare your intentions.

(couple read vows they have written)

RING EXCHANGE

I would like to say a prayer at this time. Let us pray.

Bless, o Lord, these rings that they who give it and they who receive it may abide in Your peace and continue in Your favor until their lives end. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, amen.

As a visual representation of these promises, Oladele and Erica will now exchange rings, a symbol of their love and their commitment to each other.

Oladele, please place the ring on Erica's left hand and repeat after me: With this ring I join my life to yours.

Erica, please place the ring on Oladele's left hand and repeat after me: With this ring I join my life to yours.

SAND CEREMONY

Oladele and Erica are now going to partake in a Sand Ceremony. In this ceremony both Oladele and Erica will each take their different colored sand, and pour them into this single glass. This keepsake will be kept with them so that every day that they look upon this glass, they will be reminded of the union and promise that they make to each other today to live their lives together as one.

(During this time, Minister guides bride and groom to the table that holds three glasses. Ambient music is played until they have finished pouring the sand.)

PRONOUNCEMENT

Now that Oladele and Erica have exchanged their vows and rings in our presence and have in fact pronounced themselves husband and wife.

I now have the honor to introduce for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Bolden- Oladele, you may now kiss your bride!

RECESSIONAL

End of the Wedding Ceremony.