Jesse Aaron Chavez

*(INVOCATION)

Ladies and Gentlemen, Family and Friends: Welcome!

There is a reason as to why all of you have been invited to witness this sacred union between Charley Stanley, and Anastasia Hernandez.

Does anyone know why?

It is because today marks the day that Charley and Anastasia make their union official. Each and every one of you have been a special part of their lives, and the couple want their friends and family to bear witness to their union, and that you take your beautiful memories of this day home with you.

*(FIRST READING)*

1 Corinthians 13:4

4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud

5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.

6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.

7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

Love, dear friends, takes lots of work. It isn’t just a beautiful emotion or feeling. It is a powerful commitment.

The bloggers of the world will have you think that chemistry is the key. Others will tell you that opposites attract, so look for someone that is different.

Some will say that the key is to have as many things in common as possible.

But the truth is that the secret to make a marriage work, is a commitment to loving and forgiving each other as often as possible. You both must pledge to remain together during the good, the bad and the ugly times of life. Because it is in act of being together that your marriage will grow strong. Together with stand but separate we fall.

We are gathered here in celebration now to create the good times and memories that will be cherished by Charley and Anastasia and all of us here for years to come.

Marriage is not just putting on a beautiful dress, or a nice suit. It isn't about having a big party, celebrating with friends and family, or partying to the late hours of the night - although we definitely are going to do just that!

All those things are what a wedding is about, but marriage... marriage is about the continued learning of not just living together as a couple of two separate lives, but living your lives as one complete life.

It means continually moving forward as a couple, and working towards the success of your family. Let nothing stand in the way of your marriage. The success and the strength of your marriage rests upon you.

To honor your spouse, to be a loving and supporting parent, to support your better half in their ambitions, and to be a nurturing, loving pillar of your family.

So Charley and Anastasia... are you ready to do this?!

Friends and Family, are you all ready to witness this?!

LET'S DO THIS!

*(SECOND READING)

Mark 10:9

Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”

With that being said...

*(DECLARATION OF INTENT)

Charley:

Do you take Anastasia to be your lawfully wedded wife?

Do you promise to love, honor, cherish, and protect her, forsaking all others and holding unto her in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer for as long as you both shall live?

Anastasia:

Do you take Charley to be your lawfully wedded husband?

Do you promise to love, honor, cherish, and protect him, forsaking all others and holding only unto him in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer for as long as you both shall live?

UNITY CANDLE

At this time we will light the Unity Candle.

Charley and Anastasia, please take one of the smaller candles. Each of the candles represents you as individuals. After lighting your candles.

Charley and Anastasia please take your candles and light the center candle together. The center candle represents the joining of two individuals into one married couple. Each year on your anniversary you will relight your candles and relive your vows.

RING EXCHANGE

A ring is an unbroken circle, with ends that have been joined together, and it represents your union. It is also a symbol of completeness, just as you two complete each other. It is a symbol of infinity, and of your infinite love. It encircles an opening, which is the door to your future. When you look at these rings on your hands, be reminded of this moment, your commitment, and the love you now feel for each other.

Charley place the ring on Anastasia’s finger and repeat after me:

Anastasia, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love with the pledge to love you today, tomorrow, always, and forever.

And now, Anastasia place the ring on Charley’s finger and repeat after me:

Charley, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love with the pledge to love you today, tomorrow, always, and forever.

*(WEDDING PRAYER)*

God, bless their marriage, as they begin their journey through the road of life together. We don't know what lies ahead for the road turns and bends.

But we know that if you are in the center of this marriage you will help them to make the best of whatever comes their way.

Help them to continue enjoying each other as much as they did when they first met.

Help them to realize that nothing, and no one is perfect. So they must focus and to look for the good in all things and all people, including each other.

Help them to respect each others likes and dislikes, opinions and beliefs, hopes and dreams and fears, even though they may not always understand them.

Help them to learn from each other and to help each other to grow mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

Help them to realize that no matter what happens to them they will hold on to each other and know that things have a way of working out for the good.

Help them to create a peaceful, stable home of love as a foundation on which they can build their lives.

But most of all, dear God, help them to keep lit the torch of love that they now share, so that by their loving example they may pass on the light of love to others.

Amen

*(PRONOUNCEMENT)

To make your relationship work will take love.

It will take trust, to know, that in your hearts, you truly want what is best for each other.

It will take dedication, to stay open to one another - and to learn and grow together. It will take faith, to go forward together, without knowing what the future holds.

And it will take commitment, to remain true to the journey you both have pledged to begin today.

You both have stated your intent, you have declared commitment to one another, you performed the Unity Candle Ceremony, and have exchanged rings. There is now only one thing left to do...

By the power vested in me by the State of Texas, I now pronounce you husband and wife.

Charley, you may now kiss your bride.

Ladies and Gentlemen. It is my honor and privilege to introduce to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Stanley!