Audrey Garcia

AT VENUE : **MAKE SURE HEART TABLE IS SET UP

OPENING REMARKS/ANNOUNCEMENTS (Before processional, while standing at front, after groom and best man at front) (To Guests)

Good afternoon everyone! We are moments away from beginning. Are you all excited to be here? Before we begin, the couple has said we are permitted to discreetly take photos, but please, be aware of the photographer. The most important thing is to have you all present in the moment, so we ask that you please silence your cell phones. Especially the groom and best man. ;) Thank you. We will proceed shortly.

PROCESSIONAL (Music, then Bride and Daniel walk in and arrive at alter, stop at front row or just after)

(To Daniel)

Daniel, on behalf of everyone present, do you give Catrina to be married to Philip today?

(Daniel responds) “I Do”

(Philip steps forward as Catrina and Daniel hug and then Philip gets Catrina’s hand and they walk up to take their places)

INVOCATION (To congregation)

Hello and welcome everyone.

We have come here today to witness the wedding of Philip and Catrina. On behalf of the bride and groom, thank you for joining from near and far. Each and every one of you have been a special part of their lives, and by your attendance, you celebrate with them the love that they have discovered in one another, and you support their decision to commit themselves to a lifelong relationship surrounded by God and the people most dearest and most important to them. May we all be an ongoing joyful and encouraging presence in their lives, through everything that comes their way.

If we could please take a moment and close our eyes and bow our heads in remembrance of all loved ones who are here in spirit with us today, and I also ask that everyone send a well-wish or a prayer up to the bride and groom. Please take a moment to do that. (bow heads)

In marriage, two lives are intimately shared; and the blending of the two must not diminish Either one. Rather, it should enhance the individuality of each partner.

Each of us knows that a marriage is not created by a law or a ceremony; rather it occurs in the hearts of two human beings. It grows out of loving, caring, and sharing ourselves with one another.

This ceremony is not magic, it will not create a relationship that does not already exist and has not already been celebrated in all the commitments Philip and Catrina have made to each other, both large and small, and in the days since they first met and recognized their connection to one another.

So, in witnessing this ceremony today, we are observing only an outward sign of an inward union that already exists between them. It is a symbol of how far they have come together and a symbol of the promise that they will make to each other to continue choosing to move through life together and to love each other solely and above all others.

DECLARATION OF INTENT (to the couple)

As I guide you in exchanging your vows, you, Philip and you, Catrina will declare your intentions for a lasting partnership in love and marriage. Are you here of your own free will and without reservation to do so?

Couple: yes/We are

Then without further ado, let’s do this.

VOW EXCHANGE

We begin with the couples expressions of love to one another. (To the couple) Catrina, please pass your flowers, and face one another. (At this tie, Catrina gives flowers to Daniel to hold)

We’ll begin with the groom*Phil will have his paper

And now Catrina *HAND CATRINA HER SCRIPT

Philip and Catrina, please join hands, look at one another now and remember this moment in time. And realize that the hands you hold are the hands that will give you strength when you need it, and the hands that, even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.

Do you, [Philip], take [Catrina] to be your wife, and do you [Catrina], take [Philip] to be your husband, to cherish your friendship, to bring out the best in one another, share your happiest and saddest moments together, to trust and honor one another, and to love eachother faithfully, absolutely, and if you should ever doubt, to remember the reason why you came together on this day?

Bride and Groom: We do/will

RING EXCHANGE (To John)

John, may we please have the rings? (John brings the rings)

These rings will be a visible sign of the vows you have made. The hand you place this ring on will not stay the same. Not only will each of you change physically over time, but internally you will change as well. Your ideals, values, and hopes may evolve. Throughout years you will change, but your rings, which represent your vows, will be constant. The promises to love, cherish, and respect one another no matter what life brings or what paths you take, will always be worn around your finger.

In giving and receiving these rings, you acknowledge that your lives remain joined in one unbroken circle, wherever you go, you will always return to your shared life together.

Philip, place this ring on Catrina's finger, and repeat these words after me:

(I hand Catrina’s Ring to Phil). (Tilt hands toward guests for pictures)

“Catrina, from this day forth… I promise to nurture you in sickness and in health… I promise to encourage you in low moments and high moments… I promise to be your unyielding support,… through all that life has in store for us… With this love,… I promise you companionship, respect, and devotion…. As I have given you my hand to hold… So I give you my life to keep… From this moment and continuing always,… my heart belongs to you.”

Catrina, place this ring on Philip's finger, and repeat these words after me:

(I hand Phil’s Ring to Catrina) (Tilt hands toward guests for pictures)

“Philip, from this day forth… I promise to nurture you in sickness and in health… I promise to encourage you in low moments and high moments… I promise to be your unyielding support,… through all that life has in store for us… With this love,… I promise you companionship, respect, and devotion…. As I have given you my hand to hold… So I give you my life to keep… From this moment and continuing always,… my heart belongs to you.”

UNITY HEART CERMONY

At this time Philip and Catrina have chosen to assemble the Unity Heart, a beautiful sculpture that they will display in their home to remind them that as of today, their two hearts will become one.

Please step to the table. (Go Behind Table)

“Beginning now, you will be to each other the joy and the comfort the other one needs. You will be the listening heart to each other’s deepest thoughts and most fragile feelings. You will be the inspiration for each other’s most beautiful dreams. You will be each other’s refuge of sheltering love at the end of every day. From this day forward, you will be two halves of one whole soul.” (TURN PAGE - I pick up the outside of the heart)

The outside of the Unity Heart signifies the groom; bold, strong, a leader and protector of the family. (Hand Phil the heart)

Place the heart onto the base.(He places outside heart onto base)

Yet when we look at the groom’s heart, although strong on the outside, the center is open, symbolizing that it could be made stronger with the addition of his bride.

(Turn the page)(I pick up inside of the heart)

The center of the Unity Heart signifies the bride; beautiful, creative and delicate and with intricate detail. When she places her heart inside the protection of his they entrust their hearts to each other, but at the same time they fulfill and complete one another, making two hearts beat as one.

(I hand Catrina the heart)

Please Place the heart into the center. (she places it into the outer heart)

(I pick up the center piece)

If the heart is left as it is, any challenge in life, the Unity Heart will fall apart. So we now secure and seal them in the power and the beauty of love and the blessings of friends, family and Christ. (I place center piece into hearts)

Symbolically you have been brought together as one, yet are still two separate entities with unique ideas, talents and ways of being. Respect and value those differences and your relationship will flourish. What love and Christ have brought together, let no one separate.

Let us return. (Come back to the front, I lead)

PRONOUNCEMENT

Philip and Catrina, you have come here today of your own free will and have declared your intent to commit your lives and love to each other in marriage. You have given and received rings to symbolize the strength of your bond, and the never-ending trust and commitment you share.

By the power vested in me by the State of Colorado and American Marriage Ministries, I am honored and proud to now pronounce you, in front of God, your family and friends, as husband and wife….Forever and Ever and Ever. 

(I STEP OUT OF THE WAY) You may now kiss the bride.

(Catrina and Phil, Kiss long enough for 2-3 good photos)

(After the kiss Catrina gets the flowers from Daniel, and then the couple holds one hand and faces the guests)

Congratulations. (I stay to the side)

Family and loved ones, I have the joyous privilege to introduce for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Philip and Catrina Martinez.

RECESSIONAL

(End of the Wedding Ceremony. Catrina and Phil stay at front, guests can come up to them.)

Somewhere in back of room OR before the couple leaves the alter, sign the Marriage Certificate (the couple and 2 witnesses).

(Before Leaving: GET UNITY HEART and MARRIAGE CERT)