Opening Words

“Welcome everyone! It is such a wonderful feeling to be here with Jen and Jess to celebrate the beginnings of what we know will be an extraordinary marriage.

A good marriage isn’t just a beautiful love story… it is also the story of Love itself… It celebrates generations past… and all of our hopes for the future. Marriage is far reaching in the joy that a good marriage brings to the soul of family and friends… who see the people they love have found their place in this world… and that it is side by side..

This is the kind of story we celebrate today.

Jen and Jess, when Shakespeare wrote: “We are such stuff as dreams are made on.” I like to think that he knew a love like yours makes two people invincible. Yet as you well know, marriage and life itself are full of twists and turns. Happiness is often less about the events that surround us… but how we choose to look at things. Your desire for this day was simply to be married…. and to make your promises of forever in front of all those who know you best and love you most.

One of the most joyful aspects of your relationship is the way that together you have found the meaning of life to be in the journey itself, and in the privilege of experiencing it together. From pivotal accomplishments, to quiet nights at home… being fully present and together through moments both great and small… This is something you do with a sense of wonder, passion, appreciation and connection that is rare and beautiful… You have gone as far as you can as you now are… the promise of marriage changes you in ways you will discover in the years to come. Today we celebrate your personal history, the two beautiful families that will be joined as one… and all that you will together become as you spend the rest of your lives, joyfully joined in the bonds of love and marriage.”

Welcoming of the Guests

“We live in a time where we are keenly aware of how important it is to be with the people we love, especially when celebrating life‘s milestones. That all of you have made the effort to be here with Jen and Jess, to ensure that they were surrounded by your love as they made their marriage vows… this means a lot to our brides…. because they know that it isn’t easy on so many levels. Yet your efforts show that you love them just as much as they love you. With such an intimate gathering, there can be no doubt that you are the closest and most important people in their lives, their family and those who have become as family. All of you possess a beautifully wide variety of personalities and interests that make their life rich beyond measure. You are the people who are ever present in all of their favorite memories…. and that many of you will be joined together as one family from the moment they share the very next kiss, this is indeed cause for celebration! Knowing that all of you really are almost as happy to be here as they are themselves, this only reaffirms Jen and Jess‘s belief that there’s is indeed the love of a lifetime. Our brides thank you for your presence here today, and would like to take this opportunity to remind you that whether you live near or far that not a single one of you is ever far from their hearts.”

Personal Vows

“Jen and Jess’s vision for this ceremony was to keep it short and sweet, yet meaningful enough to represent the most important day of their lives. They have chosen to write their own vows that they would like to share with one another at this time.

Jess will you now tell Jen what is in your heart?”

Jess speaks her heart

“Jen will you now tell Jess what is in your heart?”

Jen speaks her heart

Presentation of the Rings

“May I have the rings please?

Officiant is given the rings

If you will, please take a moment to look at your rings before you exchange them. In these… your last moments before making your vows… this is the last time that these rings are ever going to be simply a piece of jewelry… While they are beautiful as they are now… they did not begin as bands. They came from raw materials, just as your marriage came from friendship, trust, respect, understanding and enjoyment of one another. The most beautiful thing about your rings won’t be something visible to the eye… It will be all the love and the trust, the honesty and integrity, the memories…. that you embody them with as you wear them every day as a faithful wife.”

Ring Vows

“Jen, do you take Jess to be your lawfully wedded wife? Do you vow to love her and care for her for as long as you both shall live? Do you accept her, with all of her faults and strengths, and offer yourself to her with all of your own faults and strengths? Do you promise to help her when she needs help, and to turn to her when you need help? Do you promise to be a faithful and loving companion and to always put the promises you make this day above all else?”

Jen: “I do.”

“Please place the ring on your bride’s finger and repeat after me…”

Jen places the ring half way on to Jess’ finger

“I Jen take you Jess to be my wife. I will love you, and honor you, respect and cherish you for all the days of my life.”

Jen places the ring the rest of the way on to Jess’ finger

“Jess, do you take Jen to be your lawfully wedded wife? Do you vow to love her and care for her for as long as you both shall live? Do you accept her, with all of her faults and strengths, and offer yourself to her with all of your own faults and strengths? Do you promise to help her when she needs help, and to turn to her when you need help? Do you promise to be a faithful and loving companion and to always put the promises you make this day above all else?”

Jess: “I do.”

“Please place the ring on your bride’s finger and repeat after me…”

Jess places the ring half way on to Jen’s finger

“I Jess take you Jen to be my wife. I will love you, and honor you, respect and cherish you for all the days of my life.”

Jess places the ring the rest of the way on to Jen’s finger

Pronouncement of Marriage

“Jen and Jess, in The Notebook, Nicholas Sparks wrote:

‘I love you. I am who I am because of you. You are every reason, every hope, and every dream I’ve ever had, and no matter what happens to us in the future, everyday we are together is the greatest day of my life. I will always be yours.’

May the sense of appreciation expressed in this quote you have chosen, deepen and enrich your marriage, with every passing day.

And now that you’ve made your vows and promises of love and faithfulness before these witnesses, and exchanged rings of commitment as a testimony to that love, it is my honor and privilege to pronounce you… Joined together as one in love and marriage! You may both kiss your beautiful Bride!”

Couple kiss and exit to greet their guests!