Christopher Slavik

Invocation

Good afternoon, everyone! Welcome and thank you for joining us to celebrate the wedding of Stephanie and Dylan. Weather notwithstanding, today is a very special day—it is the beginning of their marriage commitment and of their new life together. We are all here to share in the joy of this union and this day with you two, and we also commit to being continued sources of support long after this ceremony is over. We would also like to remember the loved ones who are missed today and whose love is still strongly felt in our hearts.

Wedding Sermon

Dylan and Steph: Marriage is an ancient tradition, but each marriage is unique and personal. It is a promise between two people who love each other, who honor one another as individuals, and who wish to spend the rest of their lives together. It enables two separate souls to share their desires and dreams, their joys and sorrows—and to help each other navigate the uncertainties of life. A strong marriage also nurtures each of you as individuals and allows you to maintain your unique identity and grow in your own way through the years ahead.

But first, in the midst of this day, I invite you two to pause; forget about all of the planning and the details and everything running through your minds. Look at each another. Take a breath. Remember this moment. . . . Before today, you have been many things to one another—crushes, friends, companions, jokesters, confidants. And in a few short minutes, you will say words to each other that will change your lives. After those vows, you will be able to say to the world, “this is my husband,” “this is my wife.”

Of course, it started with a dog. We should all thank Nikki’s dog, Georgia, for bringing these independent souls together. That first vet appointment led shortly thereafter to a double date (no dogs), and then more dates; a shared sense of adventure with travels to the tropics, the Wild West, Europe; more pets; plenty of concrete, culinary creations, and dirty jokes; a major move and a new home (Steph told me that “Dylan must really love me if he’s willing to move to Appleton”); a surprise engagement . . . and some biology. Because you want nothing more than to share the love only parents can love, you have two babies on the way to join your menagerie of a loving family. And I think we are all in agreement: it’s about time!

Reading

The couple has chosen the poem “Touched by an Angel,” by Maya Angelou, to encapsulate their view on the love they share. Ann will read it for us.

We, unaccustomed to courage

exiles from delight

live coiled in shells of loneliness

until love leaves its high holy temple

and comes into our sight

to liberate us into life.

Love arrives

and in its train come ecstasies

old memories of pleasure

ancient histories of pain.

Yet if we are bold,

love strikes away the chains of fear

from our souls.

We are weaned from our timidity

In the flush of love’s light

we dare be brave

And suddenly we see

that love costs all we are

and will ever be.

Yet it is only love

which sets us free.

Thank you, Mom.

Steph and Dylan, you are choosing each other for the rest of your lives. You’re making the decision to be with someone who enhances you, who makes you smile, and makes every day brighter and more fun—and you’re deciding to do those things for the other. You are promising to be there, to be brave together, to bring out the best in each other, to push each other, to be amazing parents together, and you’re saying, “Every experience I am going to have, from now on, I want you to be a part of.”

Exchange of Vows

Steph, would you please repeat after me?

I choose you, Dylan, to be my husband.

I promise freely from this day forward

to be worthy of your trust

and deserving of your confidence;

To be generous with my time, my energy, and my love;

To be patient with you and with myself;

To return love and generosity to your family;

To trust you;

To be devoted to you and our life together.

These things I pledge before you, myself, and our friends and family.

And Dylan, your turn.

I choose you, Steph, to be my wife.

I promise freely from this day forward

to be worthy of your trust

and deserving of your confidence;

To be generous with my time, my energy, and my love;

To be patient with you and with myself;

To return love and generosity to your family;

To trust you;

To be devoted to you and our life together.

These things I pledge before you, myself, and our friends and family.

Declaration of Intent

Now please join hands.

Stephanie, do you take Dylan to be your husband;

to love him with all your heart;

to share with him all your soul;

to be true and faithful to him;

to grow with him through all your days;

as long as you both shall live?

[Steph: I do.]

Dylan: Do you take Steph to be your wife;

to love her with all your heart;

to share with her all your soul;

to be true and faithful to her;

to grow with her through all your days;

as long as you both shall live?

[Dylan: I do.]

Exchange of Rings

The wedding ring is a symbol of unity and love. Dylan and Steph, let these rings be a visible reminder every day of the enduring love you have for each other and of the commitments you are making here today.

Please repeat after me, Steph first:

I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness.

As I place it on your finger, I commit my heart and soul to you.

Dylan:

I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness.

As I place it on your finger, I commit my heart and soul to you.

Pronouncement

This is an exciting new beginning for both of you, only one of many you’ll experience in the weeks and years to come. And while your vows here today may have been spoken in mere minutes, your promises to each other will last a lifetime. Your relationship will take work and certainly won’t always be easy, but, borrowing from Maya Angelou, I encourage you to let love be your angel and let it break away your fears and set you free. I speak on behalf of everyone here to wish you every happiness.

And so now, by the authority vested in me by the State of Wisconsin, it is my true honor to pronounce you husband and wife, sealed together today both in law and in love. You are married!

Dylan, kiss the bride.