James Patrick King

The Marriage of Steph Millage & Matt Carro

Please rise for the bride

Who presents this woman in marriage?

Please be seated

Welcome family. Welcome friends. And most importantly, welcome Matt and Steph. I would have been honored just to be here celebrating this joyous occasion, but I am lucky enough to be a part of it. This is the day Matt and Steph take their relationship to the next level. Marriage is a bond to be entered into only after considerable thought and reflection. As with any aspect of life it has its cycles, its ups and downs, and its trials. With full understanding of this, these two have come here today to be joined as one in marriage.

Some of you may have been participants in their relationship from the beginning, as their love took shape and blossomed. Others here got to know them later, as they grew from two people who were “just dating” into a couple. To some of you, they have always been the wonderful couple that we witness standing before us today. But regardless of how Matt and Steph came into our lives, we are all honored to be here for the most important time in their relationship; the declaration of their love and commitment to each other.

"Above you are the stars, below you are the stones.

As time passes, remember...

Like a star should your love be constant,

Like the earth should your love be firm.

Possess one another, yet be understanding.

Have patience with each other,

For storms will come, and they will go quickly.

Be free in giving of affection and of warmth.

Have no fear, and let not the ways or words of the

Unenlightened give you unease.

For the Old Gods are with you,

Now and always! "

Matt and Steph are grateful for the loved ones whose guidance and inspiration made them the people they are today. While some of those loved ones cannot be here with us today, Matt and Steph know that they are with us in spirit, particularly at this important time in their lives, as they build on the lessons of the living, and the departed, to create their own family.

A good marriage must be created. In marriage, the “little” things are the big things. It is never being too old to hold hands. It is remembering to say “I love you” at least once a day. It is never going to sleep angry. It is standing together and facing the world. It is having the capacity to forgive and forget. It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each may grow. It is not only marrying the right person, it is being the right partner.

Love is not something you go out and look for. Love finds you, and when it does, ready or not, it will be the best thing to ever happen to you. When they left to see The Maine in concert for their first date, neither Matt nor Steph knew that love would find them. By the end of the night Matt was certain he would spend the rest of his life with Steph. She wasn’t so sure. But, as we all know now, he was right. From this relationship grew best friends. It’s clear that these two were made for each other and that they have an exciting future ahead of them.

“Love is an Adventure” by Pierre Tielhard de Chardin (Pierre teelyard day shardin)

“Love is an adventure and a conquest

It survives and develops like the universe itself only by perpetual discovery.

The only right love is that between couples whose passion leads them both, one through the other, to a higher possession of their being.

Put your faith in the spirit which dwells between the two of you.

You have each offered yourself to the other as a boundless field of understanding, of enrichment, of mutually increased sensibility.

You will meet above all by entering into and constantly sharing one another’s thoughts, affections, and dreams.

There alone, as you know, in spirit, which is arrived through flesh, you will find no disappointments, no limits.

There alone the skies are ever open for your love; there alone lies the great road ahead.”

Now, will you please pass your flowers, and join hands (Now is the time) to express your vows of love and devotion to each other. Please repeat after me.

I, Steph, take you, Matt, to be my husband. To have and to hold. For better and for worse. For richer and for poorer. In sickness and in health. To love and to cherish. From this day forward as long as we both shall live.

I, Matt, take you, Steph, to be my wife. To have and to hold. For better and for worse. For richer and for poorer. In sickness and in health. To love and to cherish. From this day forward as long as we both shall live.

Do you, Steph, take Matt, to be your lawfully wedded husband?

Do you, Matt, take Steph, to be your lawfully wedded wife?

At this time, will you take out the rings you have for each other?

As you Steph, place this ring on Matt’s finger, please repeat after me:

I promise to you, before our family and friends. To commit my love to you. To respect your individuality. To be with you through life’s changes. And to nurture and strengthen the love between us. As long as we both shall live.

As you Matt, place this ring on Steph’s finger, please repeat after me:

I promise to you, before our family and friends. To commit my love to you. To respect your individuality. To be with you through life’s changes. And to nurture and strengthen the love between us. As long as we both shall live.

May the road rise to meet you,

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

The rains fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

May God be with you and bless you:

May you see your children's children.

May you be poor in misfortune,

Rich in blessings.

May you know nothing but happiness

From this day forward.

May the road rise up to meet you

May the wind be always at your back

May the warm rays of sun fall upon your home

And may the hand of a friend always be near.

May green be the grass you walk on,

May blue be the skies above you,

May pure be the joys that surround you,

May true be the hearts that love you

By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss your bride. Please join me in celebrating Mr. and Mrs. Carro!