photo credit to the amazing Jessica Nelson of Capture The Moment 

Opening Words

“Welcome family and friends, we are gathered here today to celebrate the marriage of Colleen and Katelyn. There has been such an overwhelming feeling of gratitude and joy as Colleen and Katelyn spoke of this day.

We are all here to not only witness as observers, but to be emotionally present and share in the joy that Colleen and Katelyn are feeling at this moment. The only thing happening right now, is all of us being physically, intellectually, spiritually, and joyfully present with them, in the here and now, to celebrate the beginnings of what we know will be an inspiring marriage.

Although the world has changed, the ideals of love and home and family remain as timeless as the desire to protect and care for the one that we love… the one that we choose to call our own and hold above all others for a lifetime. As untraditional as Colleen and Katelyn may seem at a glance, our brides share some very traditional values. They believe that the promise of marriage is a sacred vow, a promise of the heart that is made for a lifetime.

There is a spiritual intimacy that the bond of marriage provides that binds a couple closer than any spoken or written words can. Marriage is being one another’s first thought in the morning and in the evenings. Marriage is having the personal integrity to live by the valves that they make this day. Marriage is the promise that will create a stable and loving home for their children. And marriage is also a promise to Colleen and Katelyn’s parents, a promise that the person they love will always be well cared for.”

Welcoming of the Guests

“Colleen and Katelyn would like to thank you all for taking the time and making the journey and for all the preparations that were made on their behalf to ensure that they were surrounded by the love of family and friends as they made their marriage vows. With such an intimate gathering, there can be no doubt that all of you are the most important people in Katelyn and Colleen’s life. They described you as being a wonderful blending of traditional and outrageous, fun loving, supportive, and excepting. You are those who are ever present in all of their favorite memories and those with whom they wanted to share this most special of all days.

Colleen and Katelyn, as you look out now, upon your guests, know that each one of them is here today, for no other reason than to show you how much they love you, and to show their support. Know that you are a vital part of this community and that your happiness is essential to that of your parents and all who love you. These are the people with whom you share the story of your lives. It is a story that will continue to be written moment by moment through every day of the future that you will all share together as one family.”

Katelyn and Colleen

“As many of you know Katelyn and Colleen have been together for five years. They had gone to the same high school and share a sense of history that began long before their thoughts would ever turn to romance. For them it was the bonds of friendship the grew first. They were there for one another to lean on and to confide in in difficult times. They were also the first person that they wanted to bring all their good news to. It has been said that “it is only Love, when someone else and their happiness is more important than your own“. This is the way in which Katelyn and Colleen had come together spiritually and emotionally, long before they became a couple. Being together seems like the most natural thing in the world for them. Yet the adjustments that needed to be made to step into the future together… they were difficult. But the rewards are more than worth the effort. They are one another’s calm amid the craziness of our modern world, one another’s source of inspiration, best friend and greatest love.

To further express what love, their relationship and the journey of marriage mean from their perspective, Colleen and Katelyn have chosen to share with you these words, from the Honorable Robert Nesta Marley, or as he is better know Bob Marley.

‘Only once in your life, I truly believe, you find someone who can completely turn your world around. You tell them things that you’ve never shared with another soul and they absorb everything you say and actually want to hear more. You share hopes for the future, dreams that may never come true, goals that may never be reached. You share the many disappointments that life throws at you. When something wonderful happens, you can’t wait to tell them about it, knowing they will share in your excitement. They are not embarrassed to cry with you when you are hurting or laugh with you when you are being silly. Never do they hurt your feelings or make you feel like you are not good enough, but rather they build you up and show you the things about yourself that make you special and even beautiful. There is never any pressure, jealousy or competition but only a quiet calmness when they are around. You can be yourself and not worry about what they will think of you because they love you for who you are. The things that seem insignificant to most people such as a note, song or walk become invaluable treasures kept safe in your heart to cherish forever. Memories of your childhood come back and are so clear and vivid it’s like being young again. Colors seem brighter and more brilliant. Laughter seems part of daily life now where before it was infrequent or didn’t exist at all. A phone call or two during the day always brings a smile to your face. There’s no need for continuous conversation you find you’re quite content in just having them nearby. Things that never interested you before become fascinating because you know they are important to this person who is so special to you. You think of this person on every occasion and in everything you do. Simple things bring them to mind like a pale blue sky, gentle wind or even a storm cloud on the horizon. You open your heart knowing that there’s a chance it may be broken one day but in opening your heart, you experience a love and joy that you never dreamed possible. You find that being vulnerable is the only way to allow your heart to feel true pleasure that’s so real it scares you. You find strength in knowing you have a true friend and possibly a soul mate who will remain loyal to the end. Life seems completely different, exciting and worthwhile. Your only hope and security is in knowing that they are a part of your life.’

Finding this person is difficult, but once you have there is no other way to proceed into all of your tomorrows except together. Colleen and Katelyn, this is the wonderful place that you have come to. May the promises you make this day lead you through a lifetime of happiness.”

Invocation

“Colleen and Katelyn come before us today with precious gifts, Their Love, their Faith in each other, The support of this beautiful community, And their trust in many bright tomorrows. Let us each pray in our own way that they may find life’s deepest meaning and richest happiness. That blessings shall forever continue to shine upon them, granting them prosperity and abundance, health and happiness, joy and peace In both the physical and spiritual world for all the days of their journey.”

Presentation of the Rings

“May I have the rings please?

officiant is given the rings

“These beautiful rings are meant to serve as a physical reminder of the feeling you have in your hearts at this very moment. There are times in life that we tend to focus the things we have not yet accomplished, there will also be times of sorrow and loss. Yet as you look to your hand and your wedding band, it will softly speak of the great gift that you have been given and all that you have in one another. It shall also be a reminder in the times of great joy, that you have someone to share it with. Never again do you walk alone for your love shall be with you always.”

Ring Vows

“Colleen do you give yourself to Katelyn in marriage to love her as your wife and best friend from this day forward? Do you promise to encourage and inspire her, and to comfort her in times of sorrow and struggle? Do you promise to love her in good times and in bad, when life seems easy and when it seems hard, when your love is simple, and when it is an effort? Do you promise to cherish her, and to always hold her in highest regard today and for all the days of your life?”

Colleen: “I do.”

“Will you now place the ring on your beloved’s finger and repeat after me?”

Colleen places the ring half way on to Katelyn’s finger

“Katelyn, you are my life, my love, my best friend, and with this ring, I thee wed. May it be a reminder of how much I love you. Not only on this precious day, but every single day of my life.”

Colleen places the ring the rest of the way on to Katelyn’s finger

“Katelyn, do you give yourself to Colleen in marriage to love her as your wife and best friend from this day forward? Do you promise to encourage and inspire her, and to comfort her in times of sorrow and struggle? Do you promise to love her in good times and in bad, when life seems easy and when it seems hard, when your love is simple, and when it is an effort? Do you promise to cherish her, and to always hold her in highest regard today and for all the days of your life?”

Katelyn: “I do.”

“Will you now place the ring on your beloved’s finger and repeat after me?”

Katelyn places the ring half way onto Colleen’s finger

“Colleen, you are my life, my love, my best friend, and with this ring, I thee wed. May it be a reminder of how much I love you. Not only on this precious day, but every single day of my life.”

Katelyn places the ring the rest of the way onto Colleen’s finger

Pronouncement of Marriage

“Lao Tzu wrote; “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Today you have taken the first step into all of your tomorrows. May they be shared in love and laughter, wisdom and wonder.

It is my honor and privilege to pronounce you Legally Married! You may both kiss your beautiful Bride!”

Couple kiss and exit to greet their guests!