anewbeginning's Chocolate wedding

Here is our vows, they were just completed and perfected.
I absolutelty love them, I don't think they could be more perfect.

We did a lot of it, with a bit of help from our reverand as far as the wording and the order of things.

But I'm a words kind of girl, so I kept changing things around.
Anyway, here it goes. (it may be long...sorry)

(On a sidenote, I can't believe it's day after tomorrow!!
I'm off work tomorrow and my dad and Aunt are flying in this evening, so I'm not sure if I'll be on again before the big day!! I'm so nervous!! I want it to be perfect!)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Procession
Garren with Minister
Nicholas & Garren comes down aisle with Adriana
Dawn comes down aisle with Lynn

Welcome & Opening Words
Friends
we have been invited here today
to share with Garren and Dawn
a most important moment in their lives.
In the time they have been together
their love and understanding of each other
has grown and matured.
Now they have decided
to live their lives together
as husband and wife.

We are here to witness the promises of Garren and Dawn
to face the future together
accepting whatever may lie ahead.
The world that God has created for them
with its beauty and grace that is all around
with the strength that it offers
and the peace that it brings
makes them truly grateful.

Garren and Dawn
nothing is easier than saying words
but nothing is harder
than living them day after day.
What you promise today
must be renewed tomorrow.
At the end of this ceremony
you will legally be man and wife
but you must still decide each and every day
that you want to continue to be together
and to grow together as a married couple.

Real love is something beyond the warmth and glow
or the excitement and romance of being deeply in love.
It is caring as much about the welfare and happiness of your partner
as about your own.
But real love is not total absorption in each other.
It is looking outward together - in the same direction.
Love makes burdens lighter
because you divide them.
It makes joys more intense
because you share them.
It makes you stronger
so you can reach out and become involved with life
in ways you dared not risk alone.
In this spirit
you can create a marriage which will radiate to one another and give new hope and strength to all who watch your quest with interest.

Who presents this woman to be married to this man?
(Lynn says “I do”)

Honoring of Family Members
We are all members of one family
God’s family.
Today as Garren and Dawn seal their commitment to each other
they also make a commitment to their children.
We recognize the significant role that Nicholas, Garren, Adriana, and Jordyn play in this marriage celebrated today.
They will now join Garren and Dawn in this commitment to each other
by contributing part of their individual person
into one blended family.
Today this union is symbolized by the pouring of sand
representing members of the family
in all that they were
all that they are
and all that they will ever be.

Garren and Dawn
please come forward and pour your sand together into the larger container symbolizing the foundation you are laying for your new home and your new family with all of your children.
(Garren & Dawn pours sand together)
Now I will ask the children
Nicholas, Garren, and Adriana to gather around and take turns pouring a little of their sand into the family container symbolizing the blending of this new family.
Since Jordyn is not able to be with us today, Nicholas will be pouring tan-colored sand on her behalf.
(Towards the end of the sand being poured)
We will leave room at the top of the container to represent the possible growth of this family
additional children, grandchildren, and sons and daughter-in-laws down the road.
(Once all sand has been poured)
Garren, Dawn, Garren, Nicholas, and Adriana
Just as these grains of sand can never be separated and poured again into the individual containers
so will become the bond with your family.
(Children return to their places – Garren & Dawn return to Minister)

Prayer or Music
I will read now from Corinthians 1
Chapter 13
Verses 4-8:
Love is patient
love is kind.
It does not envy
it does not boast
and it is not proud.
Love is not rude
nor is it self-seeking.
Love is not easily angered
and it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil
but rejoices with the truth.
Love always protects
always trusts
always hopes
and always perseveres.
Love never fails
Amen.

Declaration of Intent
Garren and Dawn
as an expression that your hearts are joined together in love
will you please now join your hands.
(Dawn gives bouquet to Adriana)

Garren
do you take Dawn to be your wedded wife
to live together in marriage?
Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her
for better or worse
for richer or poorer
in sickness and in health
forsaking all others
and will you be faithful to her
so long as you both shall live?
(Garren replies with “I do”)

Dawn
do you take Garren to be your wedded husband
to live together in marriage?
Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him
for better or worse
for richer or poorer
in sickness and in health
forsaking all others
and will you be faithful to him
so long as you both shall live?
(Dawn replies with “I do”)

Vows
Garren, please repeat after me:
Dawn
I promise always
to love, honor, and protect you
to promote your dreams and aspirations
to dream together to create new realities
to share in your triumphs and failures
to lift you up and support you
through laughter and through tears
to be true to myself and to you
to cherish your laughter and beautiful smile
to build a loving family
to grow along with you
to be willing to face change as we both change
inspiring your love for me
and mine for you
and to grow old by your side
as your love and best friend.
I say these things
with all my heart
because in you
I have truly found
the one my soul loves.

Dawn, please repeat after me:
Garren
I promise always
to love, honor, and protect you
to promote your dreams and aspirations
to dream together to create new realities
to share in your triumphs and failures
to lift you up and support you
through laughter and through tears
to be true to myself and to you
to cherish your laughter and beautiful smile
to build a loving family
to grow along with you
to be willing to face change as we both change
inspiring your love for me
and mine for you
and to grow old by your side
as your love and best friend.
I say these things
with all my heart
because in you
I have truly found
the one my soul loves.

Exchange of Rings
May we have the rings?
(Nicholas and Garren give rings to Garren & Dawn)
For thousands of years
lovers have exchanged rings
as a token of their vows.
These simple bands are not of great value in themselves
but are made precious by your wearing of them.
Your rings say that even in your uniqueness
you have chosen to be bound together.
A circle is a symbol of the eternal spiritual truth
love and life
that which has no beginning and no end.
This represents love which is everlasting
which begins in trust
grows through companionship
and deepens with understanding.
Garren and Dawn
may these rings always remind you of the vows you have made here today
and may they always remind you of your love for one another.
Garren
please place Dawn’s ring on her finger and repeat after me:
Just as this circle
is without end
my love for you is eternal.
Just as it is made
of indestructible substance
my commitment to you
will never fail.
With this ring
I take you Dawn
to be my trusted friend
and partner for life.

Dawn
please place Garren’s ring on his finger and repeat after me:
Just as this circle
is without end
my love for you is eternal.
Just as it is made
of indestructible substance
my commitment to you
will never fail.
With this ring
I take you Garren
to be my trusted friend
and partner for life.

Blessing & Pronouncement
And so your two lives are now joined.
May your love for one another go from strength to strength
as you both grow in acceptance and understanding.
May the home that you make together
be bright with the laughter of family and friends
and a place of nurture for all who gather there.
May your home be the one place in the whole world where you most want to be.
Whatever trials you face in the future
may you trust each other always.
Through your marriage
may you bring warmth to each other and to those you love.
Before God and these witnesses
and with the power vested in me by the State of California
I now pronounce you
Garren
and you
Dawn
to be husband and wife.
Garren
you may now kiss your bride!

Presentation of the Couple
(After Kiss)
May I introduce you to MR. & MRS. GARREN H*****!!!

Recession
Ladies and gentlemen
Garren & Dawn would like to invite each of you to join them now for a very special toast……
(lead to champagne toast)