Wedding Ceremony for Adrienne and Matt
Processional
Moms will be seated prior to processional.
Matthew (Groom), John (best Man) and Officiant will enter and stand at the front
Groomsman Adam will enter, escorting Colette.
Maid of honor, Kelly will enter, unescorted.
Officiant will have everyone stand.
Adrienne is escorted by Dave (Dad) and Gary (step-dad)
Dads kiss Adrienne and take their seats
Officiant will have everyone be seated and then she will welcome everyone on behalf of Matthew & Adrienne.
Opening Words
Officiant: We are gathered here today to witness the coming together of two people, Matthew and Adrienne, whose hearts and spirits are entwined as one. They now desire to profess before the entire world their intention henceforth to walk the road of life together.
Marriage is a commitment to life, the best that two people can find and bring out in each other. It offers opportunities for sharing and growth that no other relationship can equal. It is a physical and an emotional joining that is promised for a lifetime. Within the circle of its love, marriage encompasses all of life's most important relationships. A wife and a husband are each other's best friend, confidant, lover, teacher, listener, and cheerleader.Marriage deepens and enriches every facet of life. Happiness is fuller, memories are fresher, commitment is stronger, even anger is felt more strongly, and passes away more quickly. Marriage understands and forgives the mistakes life is unable to avoid. It encourages and nurtures new life, new experiences, and new ways of expressing a love that is deeper than life. When two people pledge their love and care for each other in marriage, they create a spirit unique unto themselves which binds them closer than any spoken or written words. Marriage is a promise, a potential made in the hearts of two people who love each other and takes a lifetime to fulfill.
Officiant will have Matt and Adrienne turn toward one another and hold hands.
Statement of Intention
Officiant: Matthew will you have this woman to be your wedded wife, to live together in marriage? Will you love her, comfort her, and honor her, in sickness and in health, in sorrow and in joy, so long as you both shall live?
Matt: I will
Officiant: Adrienne will you have this man to be your wedded husband, to live together in marriage? Will you love him, comfort him, and honor him, in sickness and in health, in sorrow and in joy, so long as you both shall live?
Adrienne: I will
Officiant: Having stated your intentions, before those of us gathered here, to live together in marriage, I now ask that you repeat after me:
Vows
Matt: I, Matthew take you, Adrienne to be my wife. I want to grow old alongside you; I want to share the blessings of children and family with you. Today, before these honored guests and beloved family members, I vow to love you and honor you for as long as we both shall live. I vow to respect you, listen to you, and grow with you through good times and bad times.
Adrienne: You, Matthew, are the love of my life, my reason for living. I love you with all of my heart and know that as long as you are next to me I will be willing to give my life to you. I, Adrienne, take your hand in marriage and hold you to be, from this day on, an integral part of me, promising to look upon you forever as I would look upon myself, with dedication, understanding, and unconditional love.
Exchange of Rings
Officiant will get the rings from John and Kelly.
(Officiant) These rings mark the beginning of a long journey filled with wonder, surprises, laughter, tears, celebration, grief & joy. May these rings glow in reflection of the warmth and love which flow through both of you today.
Adrienne, please extend your left hand. Matthew, please take Adrienne's ring and place it on her finger, repeating after me:
Matthew: I give this ring as my gift to you. Wear it and think of me and know that I love you.
(Officiant) Adrienne, please take Matthew's ring, place it on his finger, and repeat after me:
Adrienne: I give this ring as my gift to you. Wear it and think of me and know that I love you.
Sand Ceremony
Officiant: Matthew and Adrienne, today you join your lives together. The two bottles of sand symbolize your separate lives, separate families, and separate set of friends. They are all that you were, all that you are, and all you will ever be as an individual. As these two containers of sand are poured together, they will no longer be separate, but will be joined together as one. Just as these grains of sand can never be separated and joined again into individual containers, so will your marriage be. You each will remain individual, with your own uniqueness, but you will face the world united.
Matt and Adrienne will pour sand into the center container.
Blessing
Officiant:
Treat yourselves and each other with respect, and remind yourselves often of what brought youtogether. Give the highest priority to the tenderness, gentleness and kindness that your connection deserves. When frustration, difficulties and fear assail yourrelationship, as they threaten all relationships at onetime or another, remember to focus on what is rightbetween you, not only the part which seems wrong. In this way, you can ride out the storms when clouds hide the face of the sun in your lives -- remembering that even if you lose sight of it for a moment, the sun is still there. And if each of you takes responsibility for the qualityof your life together, it will be marked by abundance and delight.
Pronouncement
(Officiant)
Matthew and Adrienne, in so much as the two of you have agreed to live together in matrimony, have promised your love for each other by these vows, the giving of these rings and the joining of your hands, I now declare you to be husband and wife.
Matthew, you may kiss your bride.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I present "Mr. and Mrs. Matthew and Adrienne Smith"
Recessional
Everyone will exit as couples. Bridal party will go for photos. Guests will go for photos.