Suzanne Kay Goben

Lisa Richter & Paul Strain’s Wedding Ceremony

Good Evening! Welcome welcome welcome! Thank you ALL so very much for being here this glorious evening in this beautiful Kathryn Randolph Theater- to celebrate in the marriage of Lisa Richter & Paul Strain. And what a celebration this is going to be! Tonight will be a celebration of love, of commitment, of friendship, of family, and of two people who are in it for forever.

But… before we start I would like to take one brief moment and reflect on those who are no longer with us tonight… People who were very special to them—we honor them this evening and we will carry them close in our hearts.

(Thank you)

(SMILE!!!) Now, Let’s get this going!! (INVOCATION)

Mawage.

Mawage is wot bwings us togeder tooday.

Mawage, that bwessed awangment, that dweam wifin a dweam…

And wuv, tru wuv, will fowow you foweva… So tweasure your wuv.

Wuv…YES Wuv. Love—that 4 letter word. Those 4 letter words are going to carry you both, and your families through the rest of your lives. I do believe that LOVE is the BEST 4 letter word that exists—wouldn’t you agree?

Paul & Lisa...

We all know the REASON you are here tonight—but, do you all know the history of WHY it means so much to be in this building, in this room, on this stage?

You each had plans and dreams (Of your own) many many years ago, before you met.

But, guess what? ……………YOU MET!

And after that one instance, whether you realize it or not, that moment began to change your entire lifetime. The paths and dreams you EACH once had, have been transformed, as you now are choosing to create those plans and dreams together for your future. And on March 15th 2019--Paul asked you to be his wife, And mind you, in front of a castle with a Beast and animated “things”

But you both have come here tonight because you ARE making a CHOICE.

You both ARE choosing each other.

You've chosen to be with someone

who enhances you,

who makes you think,

who makes you smile,

and who just makes your everyday brighter.

I love the quote, and I am not sure where it ever started but, “You fall in love by Chance, but you stay in love by choice.” What better words to be repeated today…

DECLARATION OF INTENT

You both have chosen to write your vows, and it is with these words you will be expressing your binding promises to love, honor, and cherish one another. If you are ready to make these promises to each please turn and face each other and declare your intentions.

Paul, when you're ready you may begin.

Lisa, when you're ready you may begin.

VOWS EXCHANGE

(They read the vows they have written) Thank you for sharing your vows with all of us!

RINGS EXCHANGE (who has the rings?)

You've both chosen to wear rings as a reminder of the love you have just expressed.

When you look at them, they will remind you of the vows you have just spoken, and of the eternal love that you have for one another.

Paul, please place the ring on Lisa’s finger and repeat after me.

As this ring encircles your finger… From this moment forward... So will my love forever encircle you... You will never walk alone... My heart will be your shelter... My arms will be your home... We will walk thru life as partners & best friends... I promise to do my best to love, cherish and accept you... Just the way you are... I give you my heart until the end of time... I have no greater gift to give.

Now Lisa, please place the ring on Paul's finger and repeat after me.

As this ring encircles your finger... from this moment forward... so will my love forever encircle you... You will never walk alone... My heart will be your shelter... My arms will be your home... We will walk thru life as partners & best friends... I promise to do my best to love, cherish and accept you... just the way you are... I give you my heart until the end of time... I have no greater gift to give.

PRONOUNCEMENT

By the power given to me by the American Marriage Ministries and by the State of Illinois, I now pronounce you Husband and Wife. Please wrap this all up with a KISS!

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my honor to present for the first time, Mr and Mrs Paul Strain!

(Big Breath!)

After a few minutes

…Both of your lives, which began on completely separate paths, will be joined as one.

Please make sure you continue to give priority to the tenderness, gentleness, and kindness that each of you deserve.

Were you aware that Marriage IS about TIME:

Taking TIME…sharing,

Spending TIME…loving,

And giving your TIME listening to each other.

Today, in a brief moment in TIME and the stroke of a pen you will legally have a bond of marriage, BUT as I said earlier the PROCESS of marriage does not begin or end today; it is a lifelong pursuit. And as long as you HONOR the promises that you are going to make to each other today, you WILL create a life of love and happiness. Always remember to share your passions and grow TOGETHER. But most importantly, LAUGH often. Yes, there will be difficulties ahead, it is inevitable. But if you face them as a couple, with a strong sense of love and mutual support you will not only survive, but very much thrive.

Declaration Of Intent

Today is the day that the two of you start your path to forever. You put the past behind you, and you say I DO... and I WILL to each other.

(Please take each other’s hands...I am going to share with you something you wanted shared today…)

Josie and Chanc, you are about to make your promises to each other... through your exchange of vows, but before you do…

Josie, do you promise to love and honor Chanc as your husband, taking HIM as your partner in life forever? If so, please answer by saying I DO… (I Do)

Chanc, do you promise to love and honor Josie as your wife, taking HER as your partner in life forever? If so, please answer by saying I Do. (I Do)

Vow Exchange

Josie and Chanc have prepared their own vows today, and would like to share them...

(Hand Josie’s First)

(Hand Chanc’s)

Ring Exchange

You made it through your vows! You are almost there guys!!!

Your wedding rings…what another beautiful image that comes to mind with marriage…

And I am sure you have heard the words before that a ring itself is an “unbroken, never ending circle.” YOUR Wedding rings are the symbol of the vows that you have just made to each other. As you wear them remind yourselves of the promises that you have made today.

Josie & Chanc, in just a few moments when you place the ring on each other’s finger, know that in that instant you are releasing the past, bringing with you only those memories and hopes that belong to each other into your future life together. These rings are YOUR symbol of YOUR committed and unending love.

1: (Lisa, will you please take Paul's left hand, and as you place the ring on his finger, repeat after me)

2: (Now Paul, will you please take Lisa's left hand, and as you place the ring on her finger repeat after me)

with this ring, I thee wed

I take you to be my best friend,

my faithful partner,

and my one true love.

I promise to encourage and inspire you

and to love you truly through good times and bad.

I will forever be there to laugh with you,

to lift you up when you are down

and to love you unconditionally

through ALL of our adventures in life. (Go back up for Paul)

Other (TO THE AUDIENCE)

Paul & Lisa have asked to have ALL of you as witnesses the signing of their marriage license. (Que Marry Me Again)

Please take each other's hands, one more time.

Tonight is going to be filled with Music, Food, Drinks, Dancing, and hopefully a lot of laughter, smiles, and stories...We will be creating memories tonight... moments, and we ALL have thousands of important moments that happen throughout our lives but THIS is your moment in time.

*******Take it. Right now*******

Take a deep breath in...And then look into each other’s eyes and then see the smile on each other face...CHERISH THIS MOMENT. This.Is.Yours. This is the day you have dreamed of... Take a picture of it in your mind…Remember this moment...Forever.

Pronouncement

Lisa, I was honored when you asked asked me to officiate your wedding--i know we have only known each other for about 16 years, but I feel like I have known you my entire life, as we have been around each other and each other’s families through so many of life’s blessings…and I have watched you and Chanc grow into this amazing couple, truly made for each other…so, my dear friends it has been an honor and a privilege to do this for the both of you today.

Chanc & Josie, you have promised your LOVE to each other with your declaration of vows, and exchanging of rings. May you enjoy a lifetime of love and happiness that is as heartfelt as it is this very moment.

By the power vested in me, FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, and the State of IL, it is with great pride, and my absolute pleasure that I pronounce you Husband And Wife.

Paul, you may now kiss your wife!

M ay I present to you, for the first time...Mr. and Mrs. Paul Strain

LISA SAID THIS: My dad's first show was Six Rooms Riverview in 1980 and I came to rehearsals with him. In 1981, my dad was in Bell, Book and Candle where I was stage crew and held book for all the rehearsals, in that same year was my first children's show, Tom Sawyer. I was a townsperson and had one line. "Kill him!" And in 1983, I was in my first adult show, Finishing touches.

Paul's first involvement would have been with his kids in Alice in Wonderland in 2013.

The first thing Paul and I did there together was the preshow for one of the Christmas shows in 2013. The first real show we did was he did lights and sound for me in the kids' show, Chasing Charming in 2014.

Our first show as a couple was Rabbit Hole in 2018. And by the time of the wedding we will have just finished The Gin Game.

Of course there is a lot of theater together at DLO.

From Paul: I don't know when I first became aware of Lisa, but I would have seen her first around 2011 when consulting at DHS, where she was teaching. We both had tiny parts in Red Mask's "The Christmas Thieves", where I was afraid to speak to her and ran out the door as soon as my part was complete. It was when I did sound for 'Promises' that we first interacted, then the kids were in her show "Chasing Charming" at RM and I did tech there too.

So my first time onstage at RM was in the show with her. The kids were in "Alice in Wonderland" before that, probably that in Sept of 2013

d!