Joseph Trent Bogard

Rev 2

Nathan and Becky’s Wedding ceremony script (Saturday October 10, 2020)

Officiant: (Father of the Groom) Joseph Trent Bogard

Preselected music plays a half hour before ceremony.

5 minutes Prior to wedding party entrance announce to the congregation that the ceremony will start shortly and to silence all technology so as not to interrupt it.

PROCESSIONAL

Music plays as wedding party enter, after party is in place

Music for bride starts

officiant request congressional please stand.

Bride is escorted to the front by Rick and Dan. 

Music stops.

Ask congregation to sit down.” You may be seated”

Officiant: “who gives this woman to be wed to this man?”

Dan and Rick together: “We do.”

NATHAN walks to BECKY and holds out hand to receive her. BECKY gives “love to Dan and Rick” then walks forward to grab NATHANS hand.

Both NATHAN and BECKY proceed together to the wedding stage.

INVOCATION

Dearly Beloved family and Honored Guests, today you are all witnessing a monumental and joyful day that we have all been looking forward to for some time. I am honored to have the opportunity to officiate this moment in your lives and could not be happier that this day has finally arrived!...After 8 flipping years!

NATHAN and BECKY, 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 a Desire to follow God, love for self and each other, loyalty, and understanding are the foundations of a happy and enduring home. IS THIS YOUR COMMITMENT TODAY?

(Couple responds together: “we do”) 

It was obvious early in their friendship as teens in the youth group at church. Where Renee and I had the pleasure to serve and interact with the students, Nathan and Becky just “clicked”. They interacted very well together but also found time to spend with other students and friends. 

They seemed to be ok with not hanging all over each other and least when others were around, especially the parents. (pause for audience response) 

Nathan and Becky just seemed to have a natural draw to each other right from the beginning and built a great friendship early on. It was evident There was mutual respect for each other and their friends, which demonstrated a level of maturity and wisdom beyond their years. Time and time again they always found a way of balancing quality time spent with their friends , family and themselves. 

So many times we see young immature relationships fail or struggle with not seeing or interacting with each other everyday, but these two made it through while going to different schools and limited time seeing each other to mostly on weekends. 

In 1st Corinthians 13:4-8 Paul writes how important love is and that without love we are useless, it states:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always preserves. Love never fails.

I believe we all can be witness that the words of this scripture were evident and consistent throughout their relationship from the start.

I can remember One particular instance, On a youth trip to the south side of Chicago in 2011, we spent a week together helping a church in that community make repairs to their property. It was amazing to see these two form a deeper bond together while helping others. This is all apart of Gods plan, that we learn in life through building a relationship sold out to Christ and finding his purpose for our lives as individuals. Learning to love ourselves as Christ has loved us, then sharing that love with others unconditionally. 

Gods plan then expands that concept to marriage between Man and Woman who then combine their Love, strengths and values. Committing to serve God together, making them a stronger entity as the 2 become 1. 

This reminds me also of the parable of the wise and foolish man, where the wise man built his house on a firm foundation.

The Scripture found in Matthew 7:24 says, “Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Every day We are each building a life. Whereas the 2 of you are now starting to build your lives together. The proper foundation for a life together is Jesus’ words—not just the hearing of them, but the actions put to them. The meaning of this parable is quite obvious: proper foundations are necessary.

From witnessing your journeys as individuals, I could tell so many more stories of how You both continued to build the foundation of your relationship and I am sure you all, family and friends, have many similar accounts and personal experiences too. 

As we reflect on those foundational moments  through the last 8 years, let us now shift our focus to the event before us tonight.

LET US PRAY

Lord God Almighty,

Creator of the heavens and earth.

Thank you for the gift of marriage

For all the joy and love that it brings us.

We thank you for NATHAN and BECKY

Thank you that you have brought them together for this special day,And that you hold them safely in Your hands.

We pray that you would richly bless them as they exchange their vows and their wedding rings,

And from this day forward they would walk hand in hand into everything that you have destined them to be.

We give our hearts and beings to You now in adoration,

And welcome Your Holy Spirit amongst us.

Amen.

DECLARATION OF INTENT

NATHAN, do you take BECKY for your lawful wedded wife, to live in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love, honour, comfort, and cherish her from this day forward, forsaking all others, keeping only unto her for as long as you both shall live?

Groom: 'I do' 

BECKY, do you take NATHAN for your lawful wedded husband, to live in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love, honour, comfort, and cherish him from this day forward, forsaking all others, keeping only unto him for as long as you both shall live? 

Bride: 'I do'

VOWS EXCHANGE

(Ask couple to turn and face each other) 

 

(Vows- each has written their own printed on cards hand it to them)

Officiant hold microphone for each while they read.

Nathan and Becky will now exchange rings as a symbol of their love and commitment to each other.

RINGS EXCHANGE

The wedding ring is a symbol of eternity. It is an outward sign of an inward and spiritual bond which unites two hearts in endless love. And now as a token of your love and of your deep desire to be forever united in heart and soul. 

(Officiant then asks for the bride's ring.) 

May this ring be blessed so HE who gives it and SHE who wears it may abide in peace, and continue in love until life's end. 

(Groom placing ring on bride’s finger.) 

BECKY, With this ring I thee wed. Wear it as a symbol of our love and commitment. 

(Officiant then asks for the grooms ring)

May this ring be blessed so that SHE who gives it and HE who wears it may abide in peace, and continue in love until life's end. 

(Bride placing ring on groom's finger.) 

NATHAN, With this ring I thee wed. Wear it as a symbol of our love and commitment.

MUSIC STARTS FOR LIGHTING OF UNITY CANDLE AND SIGN LICENSE

Song: TBD

(as couple start to move back to position, music fades and ends when couple are in place. Officiant waits on music to stop.)

(Couple join hands, officiant takes their hands during prayer)

CLOSING PRAYER

Lord bless this beautiful couple with love and hope we pray.

Keep alive forever more the vows they’ve pledged today.

May you bless their dreams and visions,

And keep them always safe.

May peace and joy be with them now

On this their wedding day. AMEN

PRONOUNCEMENT

The true art of married life is in this inner spiritual journey. It  started as a friendship between individuals and now merges as a mutual enrichment, a give and take between two personalities, a mingling of two endowments which diminishes neither, but enhances both. Inasmuch as you, NATHAN , and you , BECKY  have consented together in the union of matrimony and you have pledged your faith each to the other in the presence of God, your family, and friends. 

By the authority vested in me by the State of Indiana, I now pronounce you both husband and wife. You may kiss your Bride!

Before we conclude, the Bride and groom would like me to make a Announcement: 

NATHAN and BECKY will be leaving to go take pictures with the wedding party. This will take about an hour. While they are out they would like to invite you to have dinner, drinks and socialize until their return.

Upon their return we will announce the wedding party and prepare to get the celebration underway!

After 8 flipping years! Ladies and Gentlemen, Without further ado, it is my pleasure to announce to you for the first time.... 

The Duke and Dutchess of “Boga-dizzlevile”,  

“N-bo” and “B-bo” fo-sho ever mo....

Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Bogard!

Exit Music begins, the crowd goes wild as wedding party exits

Play EXIT Music: “THIS WILL BE”

End of ceremony.