Sheri T Millikin

*(ENTRANCE/INVOCATION/DECLARATION OF INTENT TO WED)*

Dearly Beloved and Honored Guests,

We are gathered here this evening at this unique location together to join Ashley Danielle Vilmer and Richard Paul Gabbert in the precious union of marriage. Let us start with a brief prayer

Heavenly Father, Richard and Ashley come before You and these special people here tonight pledging their love for one another. Let us all remember Your words from 1st Corinthians 13:4-8 which states “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never ends.” Today Lord, we ask you Bless these two special people as they commit their lives to one another and help them along their journey with Your love and guidance. In Your name we pray, Amen.

Marriage is not to be entered into lightly, but thoughtfully and seriously, and with a deep realization of its obligations and responsibilities. Please remember that love, loyalty, and understanding are the foundations of a happy and enduring home. Today marks a new beginning for you both. Today you leave your pasts behind and begin a new day and new life together. You will be partners and friends. You will comfort and encourage each other. You will honor and uphold each other. From this day forward your lives will be changed and new, all because of your love for one another. Today you begin a new job of protecting the other’s heart because they’ve given it to you.

Ashley Danielle Vilmer and Richard Paul Gabbert will now exchange their vows.

*(Exchange of Vows)*

Do you Ashley Danielle Vilmer take this man Richard Paul Gabbert to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and bad, for richer or poorer, promising to keep your love as fresh and strong as it today and always put each other first for as long as you both shall live?

*(Wait for Confirmation)* (HERE’S WHERE YOU SAY “I DO” OR “I WILL”)

Do you Richard Paul Gabbert take this woman Ashley Danielle Vilmer to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and bad, for richer or poorer, promising to keep your love as fresh and strong as it today and always put each other first for as long as you both shall live?

*(Wait for Confirmation)* (HERE’S WHERE YOU SAY “I DO” OR “I WILL”)

*(Exchange of Rings)*

Ashley and Richard will now exchange rings as a symbol of their love and commitment for each other. I hold in my hand two beautiful rings, a circle with no beginning and no end, to be given and received as bonds of never-ending love and devoted friendship, circles of life and circles of love.

Richard, repeat after me: With this ring, I thee wed and offer it is as a symbol of our everlasting love (ring placed on Ashley’s finger)

Ashley, repeat after me: With this ring, I thee wed and offer it is as a symbol of our everlasting love (ring placed on Richard’s finger)

Ashley and Richard, I want to leave you with some special words for today. 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 as you share 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 may you always be each other’s best friend and greatest love.

Ashley Danielle Vilmer and Richard Paul Gabbert, you have pledged your faith to each other in the company of family and friends, and by the authority vested in me by American Marriage Ministries and the Commonwealth of Virginia, I now pronounce you wife and husband! You may kiss your bride!

Ladies and gentlemen, I am proud to present for the first time Mr and Mrs Richard Paul Gabbert.

***SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT***

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, BEFORE I CAN LET MR AND MRS GABBERT ENJOY THE EVENING WITH ALL OF YOU, I AM REQUIRED BY THE COMMONWEALTH OF WONDERFUL WIVES TO DO ONE MORE THING BEFORE CONCLUDING TONIGHT’S PROGRAM AND THAT IS TO HAVE ALL OF YOU JOIN IN WITH ME AS WE SING HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR GROOM!

*PLACE BOW ON ASHLEY’S DRESS*

RICHARD, YOU GOT YOURSELF A WIFE FOR A BIRTHDAY GIFT!

OK, LET’S START…..”HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU…..”

CONGRATS TO OUR NEWLYWEDS AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY RICHARD!

Feel free to snap your photos and stay for the reception.

Thank you all for coming.