Mary Anne Wright

Good Evening Honored Guests and the soon to be wed Alex and Gretchen.

We are gathered together here to join Alexander Kevin Meier and Gretchen Lynne Mattes in the spiritual union of marriage. What greater thing for two persons than to feel they are joined together; to strengthen each other in labor, to rest on each other in sorrow, to help each other in need, to share joy, and to be one with each other-whatever life has to offer.

This is a special time of celebration that Alex and Gretchen will long remember, and because of this, they are thankful that you are here to day to share in their joy.

Alex and Gretchen, today begins a life of giving and sharing, nurturing and support; allowing each other the freedom to change and grow as individuals while developing your mutual spirit as time goes by. In the art of marriage, the little things are the big things. It is about establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, dependence is mutual, and the obligation is reciprocal.

Alex and Gretchen, you are about to make your promises to one another. You will find that as you live by these vows, over the years, investing your time, love, and your commitment to one another, the happy times of your life will be twice as joyous because you will share these joys in marriage.

Alex and Gretchen please join hands.

Gretchen, will you take Alex, whose hand you hold, choosing him alone to be your lawfully wedded husband? Will you live with him in the state of true matrimony? Will you love him and comfort him through good times and bad, in sickness and in health, honoring him at all times, and being faithful to him?

Alex, will you take Gretchen, whose hand you hold, choosing her alone to be your lawfully wedded wife? Will you live with her in the state of true matrimony? Will you love her and comfort her through good times and bad, in sickness and in health, honoring her at all times, and being faithful to her?

The ring, an unbroken circle, representing unending love. As often as either of you look upon these rings, may you be reminded of this moment and the love you promised to one another.

Alex, please place this ring on Gretchen's finger and repeat after me.

Gretchen, I give you this ring, as a symbol of my love, and that I am choosing to share my life's journey with you. I give you this ring, with the pledge to love you today, tomorrow, always, and forever.

Gretchen, please place this ring on Alex's finger and repeat after me.

Alex, I give you this ring, as a symbol of my love, and that I am choosing to share my life's journey with you. I give you this ring, with the pledge to love you today, tomorrow, always, and forever.

I leave you with the following words:

May all that you are, always be in love. May all that is love always be in you. May your love be as beautiful on each day you share as it is on this day of celebration; and may each day you share be as precious to you as the day you first fell in love. May you always see and encourage the best in each other. May the challenges life brings your way make your marriage even stronger, and you always be each other's best friend and greatest love.

Alex and Gretchen, you have pledged your faith to each other in the company of your friends and families. By the authority vested in me by American Marriage Ministries and the State of Pennsylvania I now pronounce you husband and wife! You may kiss for the first time as husband and wife.