Welcome
Good afternoon! My name is Juli and it is a privilege to be here today to celebrate the love that Junior and Laura have discovered in each other and to witness their commitment to life together forever.
As we begin today’s celebration, I would like to ask Laura and Junior’s guests, do you support this couple’s decision to marry?” “We do”
Modern Version of Paul to the Corinthians
It is not the extraordinary things that make life worthwhile but the love that we share with those around us. There is an art to love, so let us be reminded that,
Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things, always perseveres. Love never fails.
Marriage Address
Marriage is a commitment to life with each other forever – a commitment that isn’t always easy. Yet, it’s in the ups and downs, the times of trouble and need that together a bond is forged, strong enough to withstand whatever the road ahead may bring. Love is about knowing when it is time to lead and when it is time to follow, but mostly it’s about two people walking through life side by side. Marriage deepens and enriches every facet of life. Marriage understands and forgives the mistakes life is unable to avoid. It encourages and nurtures new life, new experiences, and new ways of expressing love. Marriage is a promise, a potential, made in the hearts of two people, which takes a lifetime to fulfill.
Expression of Intent and Consent
Now just a few questions. First for you Junior:
Junior, from this day onward, do you choose Laura to be your wife, your best friend and your only love? To live together and laugh together; to work by her side and dream in her arms; to fill her heart and feed her soul; to always seek out the best in her; always loving her with all your heart, until the end of your forever? (I do)
Laura, from this day onward, do you choose Junior to be your husband, your best friend and your only love? To live together and laugh together; to work by his side and dream in his arms; to fill his heart and feed his soul; to always seek out the best in him; always loving him with all your heart, until the end of your forever? (I do)
Do you both promise to care for each other during the joys and sorrows of life; and to share the responsibility for the growth and enrichment of your life together? (We do)
Affirmation of Witnesses
Family and friends, you hold a special place in this couple’s lives. Through you, Laura and Junior have learned the lessons of friendship, love and kindness. Today they ask for your blessing over their marriage. From this day forward, do you promise to encourage them, love them, offer guidance and support them in upholding their promises here today? (We do.)
Exchange of Vows
Making your relationship work will take love. This is the core of your marriage and why you are here today. It will take trust, to know that in your hearts, you truly want what is best for each other. It will take dedication, to stay open to one another – and to learn and grow together. It will take faith, to go forward together, without knowing exactly what the future brings. And it will take commitment, to hold true to the journey you both will pledge today. Junior, Laura, we now come to the moment where you move from being engaged to being married. What you promise today must be renewed tomorrow and each day that stretches out before you.
Junior, please repeat after me:
You love and complete me in ways I never knew possible. I promise to listen to you and learn from you, to support you and accept your support. I promise to love you for who you are, and for who you are yet to become. I promise to be patient, and to remember that all things between us are rooted in love.
Laura, please repeat after me:
You love and complete me in ways I never knew possible. I promise to listen to you and learn from you, to support you and accept your support. I promise to love you for who you are, and for who you are yet to become. I promise to be patient, and to remember that all things between us are rooted in love.
Ring Exchange
Let these rings be a token of your vows, to symbolize that your love has a past, a present and a future within you both. And as you wear these rings upon your hands, may you always be reminded that your hands and hearts are joined together as one, forever.
Laura, please repeat after me:
Junior, take this ring as a symbol of my love for you. I promise to accept you for who you are, my best friend, the one I live for, the one I care for, and the one I love with all my heart, this day & forever.
Junior, please repeat after me:
Laura, take this ring as a symbol of my love for you. I promise to accept you for who you are, my best friend, the one I live for, the one I care for, and the one I love with all my heart, this day & forever.
Affirmation and Declaration of Marriage
From this moment forward you will never be alone. You carry with you the love of another person. Junior and Laura, we have heard your promise to share your lives in marriage; we recognize and respect the vows you have made here this day before each one of us as witnesses. Therefore, in the honesty and sincerity of what you have said and done here today, it is my honor to declare you husband and wife.
“you may kiss the bride”
Blessing of the Couple
May your journey down the road of life together be blessed. We don’t know what lies ahead for the road turns and bends, but may you always make the best of whatever comes your way. May you feel gratitude in your hearts for the love that you have found in each other and to love and be loved by the friends and family that have come here today to support you. May the vows you have shared here today, sustain you forever.
Introduction of the Couple
It is my personal pleasure and great joy to be the first to introduce you to the newly married couple… Junior & Laura!
Signing of the Register
