Jacqueline Gene Hirlston

~Victoria & Tasha~

March 13th 2020

Welcome Statement:

Family & Friends, we are gathered here on this beautiful day to witness the union of Victoria and Tasha in holy matrimony. This is a day of great celebration and reverence, on which we come together to recognize and commemorate the sacred love and dedication shared between these two people. It is wonderful to have family and friends here to join us today. The couple would like to thank their guests for being here, and would like you to know that each of you were invited here on this day because you have played a special part in their intertwining lives.

In the time that Victoria and Tasha have spent together, they've built the sturdy foundation for a lifelong relationship. After a great deal of thoughtful consideration, they have decided to bind themselves to one another for the rest of their lives. May you all remember and cherish this sacred ceremony, for on this day, with love, we will forever bind Victoria and Tasha together.

Family Blessing:

Minister: Who gives these brides today?

Bridal Companion: I do.

Wedding Sermon:

Marriage is a sacred ceremony. Today we observe the union of these two people with the respect the occasion warrants. For married life – a shared life – is a tremendous blessing. Now, as Victoria and Tasha embark on this journey together, they will be able to nurture a love that makes each of them better versions of themselves. Marriage is, indeed, the perfect garden from which to sow and harvest personal growth.

Victoria and Tasha, you both have learned to work together, to laugh together, and love together. Don't get caught up in worldly things that will draw you apart. Instead, focus on your shared devotion and turn inward. As your relationship strengthens you will find that you come to share a remarkable love; a love that is both abundantly given and freely accepted. The joy you'll find as you pursue your shared lives will inspire you to face the challenges you'll encounter on this Earth head on. On your journey together, keep your spouse in the space of highest priority in your heart. The love you share must be guarded and cherished, it is your most valuable treasure.

Marriage is an ancient rite. As you enter into this union, you are choosing to take part in an ancient human tradition and are pledging your commitment before the witnesses present here today to enter into that tradition with honor.

Exchange of Vows:

Minister: Victoria and Tasha, the sacred vows that you make to one another today present you with the opportunity to express your love in your own words. At this time I would like to invite you to publicly declare these vows:

Victoria, when you are ready, you may begin with your promise.

Tasha,

My darling, my love, baby doll, babe, lovely, beautiful, gorgeous, Starlight. I’ve got 1000 different endearments that I call you on any given day. I do this because I’m trying to find any way to describe to you the depth of my love for you, but I feel that that is an impossible task.

I’ve tested every endearment, every simile and metaphor that I could find, but none of them fit quite right for what I feel for you. Yes, you are my soul’s mate, my north star, my home, but you are more than that. You are my rock and the solid ground beneath my feet, but you’re also my sun and my moon and all my stars. You are my everything and more.

You make me so much better, love. You make me a better person and a better friend. You are so good and kind and caring and it is amazing to see the love that you put out into the world every day. You are so supportive of me darling, and I can’t thank you enough for this. You are my number one supporter, always encouraging me to do what I love and what makes me happy. You are always positive and help me see the brighter side of things, and you’re always ready to put yourself forward to help anyone. There just aren’t enough words to describe to you what all you mean to me, how much I love and treasure you, so instead, let me tell you what I vow to you.

Today, tomorrow, and forever, my darling, I vow to love you. I vow to stand by your side always and walk with you on this journey we are taking together. I vow to laugh with you, to play games with you; to keep our hearts young and our lives full of joy. I vow to hold you when times are tough and support you through our worst storms. I vow to celebrate things loudly with you and to relax in the quiet with you. I vow to give you all that I can, every day. I vow to be brave for you- that includes killing all the crickets and chasing away all the spiders for you! I vow to communicate with you and build us ever stronger together.

And lastly, my beautiful, wonderful, darling, most amazing bride, I vow to read with you to share the things that we enjoy together for the rest of our lives.

Because, after all that we’ve went through and fought against, I think, my love, we ought to live Happily Ever After.

Tasha, when you are ready, you may make your promise.

Victoria

You are my best friend, my world, my everything. When I am with you, I know it’s exactly where I am supposed to be.

I knew from the moment we met that I wanted you in my life forever. When I started sending you anonymous confessions online, I hoped you’d know it was me. Little did I know, the same ones in my inbox were from you. And when a handwritten letter showed up at my house saying you loved me, I knew I had to hold on tight because the best girl in the world had just walked into my life.

Standing here, I see the girl I fell in love with seven years ago. You have the same smile and the same hazel eyes. You have the same laugh that I would do anything to hear and you have the same love and loyalty for you family and friends. But I also see the woman you’ve become, who is stronger and more confident. The woman who works hard for what she wants and the woman who is impossibly more beautiful than before.

I promise to walk by your side as we continue to grow and change, learning new things about you each day. I promise to support you in whatever you do. I promise to always load the dishwasher as long as you get the bugs. I can’t wait to build our future together, to start our family and grow old together. I know things will be hard, but I promise to stand by your side through it all. I promise to be there when we are laid up with the flu or surviving on ramen noodles.

But most importantly, I promise to stay by your side, appreciate you everyday and love you to the end of my days.

Declaration of Intent:

Victoria and Tasha please face one another and join hands.

Victoria, do you take Tasha to be your lawfully wedded wife?

Tasha, do you take Victoria to be your lawfully wedded wife?

Exchange of Rings:

Minister: To commemorate this union, you may now exchange rings. The circle formed by each ring symbolizes your eternal love and commitment to one another. Let these rings remind you always of that love, and of the promises you have made here on this day.

Victoria, will you place this ring on Tasha’s finger and please repeat after me..

*I, Victoria, give you Tasha this ring as a symbol of my love and commitment. With this ring, I thee wed.

Tasha, will you place this ring on Victoria’s finger and please repeat after me..

*I, Tasha, give you Victoria this ring as a symbol of my love and commitment. With this ring, I thee wed.

Pronouncement:

By the power vested in me, by the American Marriage Ministries and by the state of Tennessee, I pronounce you, Victoria and Tasha as wife and wife, lawfully wedded.

Kiss:

Minister:You may now kiss your bride, forever sealing your union.

Presentation:

Minister: Family, Friends, it is my honor & pleasure to present to you Mrs. and Mrs. Sutterland