Stephanie Lyn Lurz

Who gives this woman to this man? Fathers reply “We do”

Opening Words

Welcome family and friends. Today is a day of joy as we celebrate the love of Jenni and Ryan. It is not every day that someone comes into your life that you feel you can be completely yourself and comfortable with. Someone who does not judge your quirks and is there by your side even on your worst days. Someone with the amount of devotion, zest for life, and spunk that is the exact amount that you needed to make your life whole. But when the day comes that you do meet that person, you marry them!

Declaration of Intent

Ryan and Jenni, A wedding is more than a celebration of the Love which lives in your hearts. It reaches into the future and proclaims your intentions for that which tomorrow shall hold. A couple who wed are joined not only by the mutual affection and love they share, but also by their hopes, dreams and by their promises of what will be... The promises and vows the two of you make this day shall guide you into your common future. I will ask you now if you are prepared to make these promises? Reply: We are

Vows

I, Ryan take you, Jennifer to be my wife. I will share my life with yours, and build our dreams together, Support you through times of trouble, and rejoice with you in times of happiness. I promise to give you respect, love and loyalty. This commitment is made in love, kept in faith, lived in hope, and made new every day of our lives.

I, Jenni take you, Ryan to be my husband. I will share my life with yours, and build our dreams together, Support you through times of trouble, and rejoice with you in times of happiness. I promise to give you respect, love and loyalty. This commitment is made in love, kept in faith, lived in hope, and made new every day of our lives.

Ring Vows

Ryan, place the ring on Jenni’s finger and repeat after me….I give you this ring. Wear it with love and joy. As this ring has no end, my love is also forever.

Jenni, place the ring on Ryan’s finger and repeat after me….I give you this ring. Wear it with love and joy. As this ring has no end, my love is also forever.

Sand Mixing

Jenni and Ryan, 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 Ryan (who now pours in some of his sand) and the other that represents Jenni, (who pours some of her sand on top). But this marriage does not bring together only Ryan and Jennifer. It also brings together a family. So, another color represents Braeden (who pours in some of his sand) and the other represents Brooklynn (who pours in some of her sand)

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 and your family are blended together, the four of you form something even more beautiful. Those strengths can blossom, those vulnerabilities can be cared for, and those people can soar.

As the four 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 families into a new family, as you start your journey in marriage, may the bond this family shares be, as inseparable as these grains of sand.

Closing Words

I would like to share a 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 can follow these ideas, there is no doubt your marriage will last a lifetime!

Pronouncement

And now by the power vested in me by the State of Iowa and the American Marriage Ministries, it is my honor to pronounce you husband and wife. Ryan, you may kiss your bride! It is my privilege to introduce you all to Mr. and Mrs. Green!