Welcome

Welcome! Good afternoon family and friends, my name is Juli. We have gathered here today to celebrate the wedding of Monika and Dwayne. 

As we begin today’s celebration, I would like to ask who presents this woman to be married to this man? “I do” (Dad) 

Assembly Address

Today we have come together to celebrate love and to witness Dwayne and Monika promise to love each other today, tomorrow and forever. Today is a day that has been years in the making. From the moment they first saw each other in Courtroom 104, they KNEW that they would be together. There was only ever one hot Special Constable for Monika, and their first kiss in the lawyer interview room sealed the deal!

All of our yesterdays have led us here, to this moment in time.  And each milestone and memory has sculpted who we are today. You see, memories are history in the making.  They are the most important thing we take with us when we leave this world and the most important thing we leave behind. Today, the history of this family changes and grows as Monika and Dwayne are united as well as their family and friends.

Even though their love story began in 2016, Monika and Dwayne have set down roots together through their many projects including building their home and welcoming their beautiful son, Leo. Their busy go-getter life-style is balanced out with quiet, family time. But, today marks the beginning of a new chapter to their love story.  And you are all here today because you have had an impact on their lives, their story and their journey in life this far. On behalf of Monika and Dwayne, thank you for joining us to celebrate the love they have discovered in each other and for showing your support in their decision to commit themselves to one another for the rest of their lives.

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

Today, as we celebrate love, commitment, friendship and family and two people who are in it forever, let us be reminded of the journey.  Just as you have conquered all the days behind you, lived, loved and learned, may you meet each day ahead of you with anticipation knowing that together you are stronger, wiser and supported. 

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 Dwayne:

Dwayne, will you take Monika to be your lawful wife? Do you promise to love her, honor and keep her in sickness and in health and forsaking all others keep only unto her so long as you both shall live?  (I do)

Monika, will you take Dwayne to be your lawful husband? Do you promise to love him, honor and keep him in sickness and in health and forsaking all others keep only unto him so long as you both shall live? (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)

Family Commitment 

Dwayne and Monika, prior to this moment, you have walked separate paths. After today you will embark on a shared path. And yet, this journey is not yours alone. You have been blessed with a wonderful son, Leo and it is the strength of your love that will continue to bind and nourish you all together as a family.  So, I would like to ask you – is it your intention to unite your family as one this day and forever? (It is)

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. Dwayne, Monika, 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.

Dwayne, please repeat after me:

I, Dwayne, choose you, Monika to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, to love and to cherish, and to be faithful to you alone. This is my solemn vow.

Now Monika, please repeat after me: 

I, Monika, choose you, Dwayne to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, to love and to cherish, and to be faithful to you alone. This is my solemn vow.

Blessing of the Hands/Rings 

These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever.

These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as you build your future.

These are the hands that will love you and cherish you and will comfort you and hold you when fear or grief fill your mind.

These are the hands that will wipe the tears from your eyes and give you strength when you need it.

These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children and hold your family as one.

And lastly, these are 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.

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.

Dwayne, please repeat after me: 

Monika, with this ring, I give you my heart.  I promise from this day forward that you shall not walk alone.  May my heart be your shelter and my arms be your home.  With all that I am I honor you.

Monika, please repeat after me:

Dwayne, with this ring, I give you my heart.  I promise from this day forward that you shall not walk alone.  May my heart be your shelter and my arms be your home.  With all that I am I honor you.

Affirmation and Declaration of Marriage

Monika, Dwayne, from this moment forward you will never be alone. You carry with you the love of another person. May these rings that you now wear remind you that you are always surrounded in love. 

Dwayne and Monika, 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.

Dwayne, you may kiss your bride

Signing of the Register

Introduction of the Couple

We’ve been waiting and watching for this moment, so get ready to put your hands together and make some noise for the newly married couple…Mr. & Mrs. Dwayne & Monika…

Recessional