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Uniquely,
I Do's Couples
Chris & Alexis
09-19-2009
Elegant Gardens,
Kennewick, WA
The Vows:
Processional & Giving
away of the bride.
Alexis’s father shall
escort her down the aisle. Father turns up Alexis’s veil
and gives her a kiss. He shakes Chris’s hand and takes a
step back. He remains standing until I ask, "Who gives
this woman to be married to this man?" He answers with
a statement, such as, "I do." I will nod, then he
takes his seats.
Ceremony
Welcome, family, friends
and loved ones. We are gathered here today to celebrate
the wedding of Alexis and Chris. We share in this formal
commitment they make to one another, offer our love and
support, so they may start their married life together
surrounded by the people dearest and most important to
them.
Chris and Alexis thank you
for your presence today and ask for your blessing,
encouragement and lifelong support.
~
Two people in love do not
live in isolation. Their love is a source of strength
which may nourish not only each other, but the world
around them. And in turn, we, their community of friends
and family, have a responsibility to Alexis and Chris. By
our steadfast care, respect and love, we must support
their marriage and the new family they are creating today.
We must surround Chris and Alexis in love, offer them the
joys of our friendship and support them in their marriage.
~
Chris, Alexis, are you both
able to keep the vows you take here today, not because of
any religious or civic law, but out of desire to love and
be loved without limitation? [In unison, answer ‘We Are’]
No ceremony can create a
marriage. What a ceremony can do is witness and affirm the
choice to stand together as life mates and partners. So, I
ask now,
Chris, will you take this
woman to be your lawfully wedded wife? [yes] Will you be
faithful, loving and honest to her always? [yes]
Alexis, will you take this
man to be your lawfully wedded husband? [yes] Will you be
faithful, loving and honest to him always? [yes]
~
Marriage is perhaps the
greatest and most challenging adventure. It must be built
from love and patience, dedication and perseverance,
talking and listening. Helping, supporting and believing
in each other. Through tenderness and laughter, learning
to forgive and to appreciate differences. By learning to
make the important things matter, and to let go of the
rest.
~
Chris, if you are ready to
start this adventure, please repeat after me,
“Alexis, today, I give
myself to you.”
[repeat]
“I give you my heart
and my soul.”
[repeat]
“I thank you for
accepting me for who I am,
[repeat]
for never asking me to
change.”
[repeat]
----
“Today, I promise to
love you in good times,
[repeat]
to comfort you in bad
times.”
[repeat]
“When you walk a mile
in the wrong
direction,
[repeat]
I promise to be waiting
for you.”
[repeat]
----
“I will always be proud
to call you my wife.”
[repeat]
“You are my rock and my
best friend.”
[repeat]
“With you, I have found
the perfect love,
[repeat]
the perfect woman.”[repeat]
“You are the future I
dreamed of.”
[repeat]
“You complete me.”
[repeat]
---
“Today and all the days
to come,
[repeat]
I will love you
unconditionally.”
[repeat]
~
Chris, do you have a ring
for your bride? [“I Do”]
Chris, place this ring on
Alexis’s finger and repeat after me. “I give you this ring
as a daily reminder of my life long commitment to you.”
[Repeat]
~
Alexis, if you are ready to
start this adventure, please repeat after me,
“Chris, today, I give
myself to you.”
[repeat]
“I give you my heart
and my soul.”
[repeat]
“I thank you for
accepting me for who I am,
[repeat]
for always making me
feel pretty.”
[repeat]
----
“Today, I promise you.”
[repeat]
“I promise to always
miss you, even before you are gone.”
[repeat]
“To love you in good
times,
[repeat]
to comfort you in bad
times.”
[repeat]
----
“I will always be proud
to call you my husband.”
[repeat]
“You are my rock and my
best friend.”
[repeat]
“With you, I have found
the perfect love,
[repeat]
the perfect man.”[repeat]
“You are the future I
dreamed of.”
[repeat]
“You complete me.”
[repeat]
---
“Today and all the days
to come,
[repeat]
I will love you
unconditionally.”
[repeat]
~
Alexis, do you have a ring
for your groom? [“I Do”]
Alexis, place this ring on
Chris’s finger and repeat after me. “I give you this ring,
as a daily reminder of my life long commitment to you.”
[Repeat]
~
SAND CEREMONY
Chris,
Alexis, from this moment forth, your lives will no longer
be two, but one. You have chosen to symbolize this
joining. If you will please join me at the table for a
Sand Ceremony. [Chris escorts Alexis to sand table]
Chris,
Alexis, the sand in each individual container represents
all that you were, all that you are, and all that you ever
will be. When you pour the sand into the third container,
the sand will forever be inseparable, just as the union of
your hearts, your souls, your lives.
If you
will please together pour the sand into the unity vase, I
will share the poem Chris chose when he proposed to you,
Love is...
Love is the greatest feeling
Love is like a play
Love is what I feel for you
Each and everyday
Love is like a smile
Love is like a song
Love is a great emotion
That keeps us going strong
I love you with all my heart
My body and soul
I love the way I keep loving
Like a love I cant control
So remember when your eyes meet mine
I love you with all my heart
And I have poured my entire soul into you
Right from the very start
[Return to positions]
~
Alexis, Chris, your love,
rooted in faith, trust and acceptance, will be the
foundation of an abiding and deepening relationship. No
other ties are more tender, no other vows more sacred than
those you now assumed. Your life will have joy and the
home you establish will be a place in which you both will
find the direction or your growth, your freedom and your
responsibility.
It is with great honor and
by the power of your love and commitment and the authority
vested in me, to now pronounce you husband and wife!
Chris, you may kiss your bride.
Family and friends, when I
asked Chris and Alexis to share separately with me how
being married would change their relationship, one of the
things they both told me was, ‘We will have the same last
name.’ So, it is my pleasure to make it so. I present to
you, Mr. & Mrs. Chris Brodaczynski!
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