Darlene Williams-Prades

Dearly Beloved and Honored Guests,

We are gathered together here to join Domenic Johnson and Ellice Scott in the spiritual union of marriage.

This contract 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.

Domenic Johnson and Ellice Scott will now share their vows.

*(Vows)*

Do you Domenic Johnson take this woman Ellice Scott to be your lawfully wedded partner, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and woe, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself unto her for as long as you both shall live?

*(Wait for Confirmation)*

Do you Ellice Scott take this woman Domenic Johnson to be your lawfully wedded partner, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and woe, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself unto her for as long as you both shall live?

*(Wait for Confirmation)*

Domenic Johnson and Ellice Scott will now exchange rings as a symbol of their love and commitment.

*(Ring Exchange)*

Rose Ceremony - Short Version

Minister: Your first gift to each other for your wedding today has been your wedding rings - which shall always be an outward demonstration of your vows of love and respect and a public showing of your commitment to each other. In addition, you both have given and received one of the most valuable and precious gifts of life - one I hope you always remember - the gift of true and abiding love within the devotion of marriage.

You now have what remains the most honorable title that exists between a woman and a man - the title of "wife" and "husband." It is now my great privilege to be the first to address you as wife and husband and for your first gift as wife and husband, that gift will be a single red rosebud.

(Minister hands each a red rosebud)

The rose is considered a symbol of love and a single rose always means only one thing - it means, "I love you." So it is appropriate that for your first gift - as wife and husband - that gift would be a single rosebud.

A rose!

Please exchange the rosebuds as your first gift to each other as wife and husband.

Within these rosebuds, if given proper loving care, is the potential for an even more beautiful expression of Life and Love in the form of the mature flower. And so it is with your marriage. At this point, your marriage is like these rosebuds - ready, with proper loving care - to unfold into a very beautiful expression of life.

____________ and ____________, if there is anything you remember of this marriage ceremony, it is that it was love that brought you here today, it is only loved which can make it a glorious union, and it is by is only loved which your marriage shall endure. Whatever the situation, love, understanding, acceptance, and forgiveness can make everything right.

By the authority vested in me by American Marriage Ministries and the State of Maryland I now pronounce you wife and wife!