Opening Words

“Welcome family and friends we are gathered here today to witness as Kellie and David knock it out of the park with the biggest promises that two people can ever make to one another! For today they become husband and wife.

Have you ever noticed how much baseball is like marriage? Both endeavors usually begin with two sides, a crowd, some sort of ceremony and organ music. Both have traditions. Both have expectations. Both have rules. Both are known for their somewhat measured pace, pastimes that can seem almost routine until there is a sudden outbreak of excitement and drama and perhaps a comeback or rally. Elation, dejection, joy, surprise all of life’s emotions are encompassed in both. In baseball the players have an obligation to live up to the examples of the hero’s who have gone before them. In marriage the couple strives to make their parents proud by living up to the example they saw growing up of what it means to be in a strong and happy marriage. How many times has a baseball diamond been compared to holy ground? A park to a cathedral? While the theme that Kellie and David have chosen reflects their fun loving nature, make no mistake as to the sanctity of the promises they make this day.

Kellie and David, today you accept the responsibility that the promise of marriage brings. It is a promise not to live life by accident or individually. But to look at it together, by choice, as a team, remembering that your lives are forever intertwined and that one another’s happiness is an essential part of your own.

Marriage means that you have achieved a certain level of success, that deserves new levels of recognition and commitment. Although you have felt yourselves married in your hearts for sometime now, marriage in the larger sense has always been about family and friends. There is something very important about publicly making your promises to one another, in front of everyone here, who have an emotional investment in the two of you and in your happiness. Marriage is a promise to every one here, that the person they love will always be well cared for.”

Welcoming of the Guests

“Kellie and David 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 is no doubt that you are the people Kellie and David love most in this world. They described you all as fun loving, outgoing, caring and supportive, and the fact that they know all of you are almost as happy to be here right now as they are themselves, means the world to Kellie and David. You have been there watching them grow together and as individuals, encouraging them through difficult times and celebrating their successes. To see all of you gathered here now for no other reason than to show them how much you love them and to offer your support as they begin this new chapter in the journey of their lives, it is one of life’s most humbling and inspiring moments. Kellie and David thank you for your presence here today and they want you to know that whether you live near or far, that not a single one of you is ever far from their hearts.”

Kellie and David

“As many of you know Kellie and David first met at the tender age of sixteen, in of all places chemistry class! And while the chemistry between them was undeniable, they were each so young, with learning and growing to do on their own. And so they took some time to find and to better themselves. All the while, the three years they spent together never left their hearts…. Okay, if truth be told, Kellie in her words was thinking, “that bridge was burned…” But David kept calling anyway… And as their friendship rekindled, they realized what they once had and what the people they had each become could have. That was almost four years ago and since that decision to proceed forward was made, things have flowed easily and naturally for them.

In Kellie, David has found a woman who makes him feel safe and secure. He loves the way that she can always make him laugh, and the way the warmth of her smile brightens his every day. She is caring, considerate, and selfless in the way that she puts the needs of those she loves above her own. Kellie has a gentle way of reeling him in when he “gets out of hand” and can read him like a book. She also has all of the wonderful qualities that will someday make her a great mother to their children. And the fact that Kellie is beautiful inside and out… this is something that David promises will never go unnoticed in his eyes.

With David Kellie feels loved and safe. She loves that David is caring, passionate, funny and how easily they share in one another’s laughter. David is honest, is always there for her, and thinks nothing of placing her needs above his own. Kellie admires his work ethic, determination, and his outgoing personality. David is handsome and smart, with goals and direction, and he is in Kellie‘s words; “unique in all the world” for the way he sees things and for the fact that from this day forward he will be the one that she proudly calls her husband.”

Sand Ceremony

“Kellie and David have chosen to include in today’s ceremony a visual representation that answers the ago old question… Can a Mets fan and a Yankee fan live a long and happy life together? Marriage is more than peaceful coexistence. It is appreciating and admiring one another’s differences and strengths. The blue and orange sand represents, not only their favorite teams, but Kellie and David as individuals choosing to join together and create something larger than themselves. Below the center container is a real Home Plate, symbol of hearth and home, the place to which they will always return, and the life that they share. It has been signed by their parents and everyone of the bridal party, Kellie’s side in Mets orange and David’s in Yankees blue, as a symbol of how Kellie and David and their marriage are supported upon the earth by the love of their family and friends. As the sand is poured it will make a pattern that is unique to Kellie and David as a couple. Guided by their love for one another the marriage relationship they are creating will also be unique and beautiful, fitting them both as perfectly as these grains of sand will fill this vessel. Kellie and David, will you please step to behind the table and pour your sand?”

Music begins
Bride and Groom step behind the table
then intermingle their colored sand
and return to place as the music concludes

Presentation of the Rings

“May I have the rings please?

Officiant is given the rings

These beautiful bands are unbroken circles, symbols of eternity, with neither end, nor beginning. They are to remind you not only of the endless love you possess for one another this day, but of the precious gift of trust, honesty and commitment that you place in one another for all of your tomorrows. Kellie and David, from this day forward you will wear these rings as a sign that no matter where you go and what ever you do, there is someone in this world who loves you more than anything else, who whether near or far is always by your side. May these rings forever shine as a symbol of enduring strength and beauty in a
sometimes fragile world.”

~ Ring Vows ~

“David, the love, laughter, and friendship you share has been the foundation upon which all that is good in your lives has been built. Do you promise to nurture your friendship and the love that has blossomed from it, by sharing openly your thoughts and feelings and ideas, by truly listening, respecting, and supporting one another, by together sharing your successes and learning from your mistakes? Do you promise to encourage one another always to be more than you could be alone? Do you promise to do these things, in the spirit of love and joy and hope that brings you here today, And do you take Kellie to be your wife?”

David: “I do.”

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

David places the ring half way on to Kellie’s finger

“This ring I give you in Friendship, Loyalty and Love. I promise to walk neither in front of nor behind, but beside you, and to love you always. As we advance through the cycles of life I promise to grow with you and not away from you, I pledge to you, that as this ring encircles your finger, So shall my love forever embrace you. Whenever you look at this ring, Remember that my promise is eternal, And that I shall love you always. Even when the Yankees lose to the Mets.”

David places the ring the rest of the way on to Kellie’s finger

“Kellie, the love, laughter, and friendship you share has been the foundation upon which all that is good in your lives has been built. Do you promise to nurture your friendship and the love that has blossomed from it, by sharing openly your thoughts and feelings and ideas, by truly listening, respecting, and supporting one another, by together sharing your successes and learning from your mistakes? Do you promise to encourage one another always to be more than you could be alone? Do you promise to do these things, in the spirit of love and joy and hope that brings you here today, And do you take David to be your Husband?”

Kellie: “I do.”

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

Kellie places the ring half way onto David’s finger

“This ring I give you in Friendship, Loyalty and Love. I promise to walk neither in front of nor behind, but beside you, and to love you always.
As we advance through the cycles of life I promise to grow with you and not away from you, I pledge to you, that as this ring encircles your finger, So shall my love forever embrace you. Whenever you look at this ring, Remember that my promise is eternal, And that I shall love you always. Even when the Mets lose to the Yankees”

Kellie places the ring the rest of the way onto David’s finger

“I have in my hand another very special ring, Kellie’s engagement ring. The diamond is from her Grandmother Catherine’s own engagement ring. The ring speaks of family blessing and of all the love stories that have graced both families. David, please put this ring on Kellie’s finger, above her wedding band, so that your marriage will always be protected by the generations of love that have brought you to this today.”

Pronouncement and Presentation

“Yogi Berra once said; “Love is the most important thing in the world. But baseball is pretty good too.”

For you two this is opening day on your marriage. May the seasons of your lives bring more sunshine than rain. The love and support of the crowd to cheer you on. The presence of mind to remember that winning takes Practice, Dedication, Perseverance, and above all Patience. Remembering that even Babe Ruth himself only hit three and a half balls out of ten…. So although neither of you will always be perfect, today you have promised to never lose sight of the fact that you are perfect for one another.

And now that you’ve made your vows and promises of love and faithfulness before your biggest fans, and exchanged rings of commitment as a testimony to that love, it is my honor and privilege to pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your beautiful Bride!

Bride and Groom kiss

Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present Mr. and Mrs. David and Kellie Drago!”