Kendra & Nick's Love Story Ceremony
Family and friends, we welcome you today in the presence of God to witness the marriage of Kendra and Nick. You have shared and contributed to their lives in the past, and by witnessing their marriage ceremony today, Kendra and Nick ask you to share in their future.
Every love story has a beginning, Kendra and Nick’s love story began in Jr. High School, although they didn’t know it at the time. They were friends, part of a group of friends, and although they each thought the other was “special” they never shared these feelings with each other. In high school and into their early twenties, they drifted apart. Khalil Gibran wrote, “And think not you can direct the course of love, for love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.” While Kendra and Nick went their separate ways, lived their separate lives, chased their separate dreams, the course of their lives kept intersecting. They had mutual friends, who kept them informed of what each other was doing. When they came back home, they would “run into each other” and, once again, be reminded of their special friendship. While still separate, the courses of their lives were coming together. New Years of this year, their courses finally came together and they knew it. Love had directed their course. And, now, they stand here before you, their family and friends, to join their lives into one course, one journey...together.
The beginning of their love story was friendship, and the things that made that friendship last throughout the years are the same things that will make their marriage last throughout the years…love, trust and forgiveness. In marriage, many days will bring happiness, while other days may be sad. But together, two hearts can overcome everything. That’s love. In marriage, all the moments won't be exciting or romantic, and sometimes worries and anxiety will be overwhelming. But together, two hearts that accept will find comfort together. Recollections of past joys, pains, and shared feelings will be the glue that hold everything together during even the worst and most insecure moments. Reaching out to each other as a friend, and becoming the confidant and companion that the other one needs, is the true magic and beauty of any two people together. It's inspiring in each other a dream or a feeling and having faith in each other and not giving up...even when all the odds say to quit. It's allowing each other to be vulnerable, to be himself or herself, even when the opinions or thoughts aren't in total agreement or exactly what you'd like them to be. It's getting involved and showing interest in each other, really listening and being available, the way any best friend should be. As your love story was begun on friendship, may you continue to build on it with love, trust and forgiveness…and know that true love stories have no endings.
Nick, do you take Kendra to be your wife? Will you love, honour, and cherish her, in good times and in bad, and do you promise to stay true to her as long as you both shall live?
(Nick) I do.
Kendra, do you take Nick to be your husband? Will you love, honour, and cherish him, in good times and in bad, and do you promise to stay true to him as long as you both shall live?
(Kendra) I do.
Kendra and Nick, may you pledge to each other to be loving friends and partners in marriage. To talk and to listen, to trust and appreciate one another; to respect and cherish each other's uniqueness, and to support, comfort, and strengthen each other through life's joys and sorrows. May you promise to share hopes, thoughts, and dreams as you build your lives together. May your lives be ever intertwined, your love keeping you together. May you build a home that is compassionate to all, full of respect and honour for others and each other. May your home be forever filled with peace, happiness, and love.
Kendra and Nick, please face each other and hold hands. Nick, as you look at Kendra, repeat these words after me:
(Nick) From this day forward, Kendra, I promise you these things: I will laugh with you in times of joy, and comfort you in times of sorrow. I will share in your dreams and support you as you strive to achieve your goals. I will listen to you with compassion and understanding, and speak to you with encouragement. I will help you when you need it, and step aside when you don't. I will remain faithful to you for better or worse, in times of sickness and health. You are my best friend, and I will love and respect you always.
Kendra, as you look at Nick, repeat these words after me:
(Kendra) From this day forward, Nick, I promise you these things: I will laugh with you in times of joy, and comfort you in times of sorrow. I will share in your dreams and support you as you strive to achieve your goals. I will listen to you with compassion and understanding, and speak to you with encouragement. I will help you when you need it, and step aside when you don't. I will remain faithful to you for better or worse, in times of sickness and health. You are my best friend, and I will love and respect you always.
The ring is a symbol of the commitment which binds these two together. There are two rings because there are two people, each to make a contribution to the life of the other, and to their new life together.
Let us pray: Oh Lord, bless the giving of these rings, that they who wear them may abide together in your peace and grow in one another's eyes.
(Nick) Kendra, I give you this ring in God’s name as a symbol of all that we have promised and all that we shall share.
(Kendra) Nick, I give you this ring in God’s name as a symbol of all that we have promised and all that we shall share.
Kendra and Nick, may your home be a haven of peace and your relationship be one of truth and understanding. May you enjoy length of days, fulfillment of hopes, and peace and content of mind as you, day by day, live and fulfill the terms of this covenant you have made with one another.
May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face. The rains fall soft upon the fields. May the light of friendship guide your paths together. May the laughter of children grace the halls of your home. May the joy of living for one another trip a smile from your lips, a twinkle from your eye. And when eternity beckons, at the end of a life heaped high with love, May the good Lord embrace you with the arms that have nurtured you the whole length of your joy-filled days. May the gracious God hold you both in the palm of His hands. And today, may the Spirit of love find a dwelling place in your hearts. Amen.
And now, for as much as you have made your vows, each to the other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving your rings, I pronounce that you are husband and wife. Nick, you may kiss your bride!
Every love story has a beginning, Kendra and Nick’s love story began in Jr. High School, although they didn’t know it at the time. They were friends, part of a group of friends, and although they each thought the other was “special” they never shared these feelings with each other. In high school and into their early twenties, they drifted apart. Khalil Gibran wrote, “And think not you can direct the course of love, for love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.” While Kendra and Nick went their separate ways, lived their separate lives, chased their separate dreams, the course of their lives kept intersecting. They had mutual friends, who kept them informed of what each other was doing. When they came back home, they would “run into each other” and, once again, be reminded of their special friendship. While still separate, the courses of their lives were coming together. New Years of this year, their courses finally came together and they knew it. Love had directed their course. And, now, they stand here before you, their family and friends, to join their lives into one course, one journey...together.
The beginning of their love story was friendship, and the things that made that friendship last throughout the years are the same things that will make their marriage last throughout the years…love, trust and forgiveness. In marriage, many days will bring happiness, while other days may be sad. But together, two hearts can overcome everything. That’s love. In marriage, all the moments won't be exciting or romantic, and sometimes worries and anxiety will be overwhelming. But together, two hearts that accept will find comfort together. Recollections of past joys, pains, and shared feelings will be the glue that hold everything together during even the worst and most insecure moments. Reaching out to each other as a friend, and becoming the confidant and companion that the other one needs, is the true magic and beauty of any two people together. It's inspiring in each other a dream or a feeling and having faith in each other and not giving up...even when all the odds say to quit. It's allowing each other to be vulnerable, to be himself or herself, even when the opinions or thoughts aren't in total agreement or exactly what you'd like them to be. It's getting involved and showing interest in each other, really listening and being available, the way any best friend should be. As your love story was begun on friendship, may you continue to build on it with love, trust and forgiveness…and know that true love stories have no endings.
Nick, do you take Kendra to be your wife? Will you love, honour, and cherish her, in good times and in bad, and do you promise to stay true to her as long as you both shall live?
(Nick) I do.
Kendra, do you take Nick to be your husband? Will you love, honour, and cherish him, in good times and in bad, and do you promise to stay true to him as long as you both shall live?
(Kendra) I do.
Kendra and Nick, may you pledge to each other to be loving friends and partners in marriage. To talk and to listen, to trust and appreciate one another; to respect and cherish each other's uniqueness, and to support, comfort, and strengthen each other through life's joys and sorrows. May you promise to share hopes, thoughts, and dreams as you build your lives together. May your lives be ever intertwined, your love keeping you together. May you build a home that is compassionate to all, full of respect and honour for others and each other. May your home be forever filled with peace, happiness, and love.
Kendra and Nick, please face each other and hold hands. Nick, as you look at Kendra, repeat these words after me:
(Nick) From this day forward, Kendra, I promise you these things: I will laugh with you in times of joy, and comfort you in times of sorrow. I will share in your dreams and support you as you strive to achieve your goals. I will listen to you with compassion and understanding, and speak to you with encouragement. I will help you when you need it, and step aside when you don't. I will remain faithful to you for better or worse, in times of sickness and health. You are my best friend, and I will love and respect you always.
Kendra, as you look at Nick, repeat these words after me:
(Kendra) From this day forward, Nick, I promise you these things: I will laugh with you in times of joy, and comfort you in times of sorrow. I will share in your dreams and support you as you strive to achieve your goals. I will listen to you with compassion and understanding, and speak to you with encouragement. I will help you when you need it, and step aside when you don't. I will remain faithful to you for better or worse, in times of sickness and health. You are my best friend, and I will love and respect you always.
The ring is a symbol of the commitment which binds these two together. There are two rings because there are two people, each to make a contribution to the life of the other, and to their new life together.
Let us pray: Oh Lord, bless the giving of these rings, that they who wear them may abide together in your peace and grow in one another's eyes.
(Nick) Kendra, I give you this ring in God’s name as a symbol of all that we have promised and all that we shall share.
(Kendra) Nick, I give you this ring in God’s name as a symbol of all that we have promised and all that we shall share.
Kendra and Nick, may your home be a haven of peace and your relationship be one of truth and understanding. May you enjoy length of days, fulfillment of hopes, and peace and content of mind as you, day by day, live and fulfill the terms of this covenant you have made with one another.
May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face. The rains fall soft upon the fields. May the light of friendship guide your paths together. May the laughter of children grace the halls of your home. May the joy of living for one another trip a smile from your lips, a twinkle from your eye. And when eternity beckons, at the end of a life heaped high with love, May the good Lord embrace you with the arms that have nurtured you the whole length of your joy-filled days. May the gracious God hold you both in the palm of His hands. And today, may the Spirit of love find a dwelling place in your hearts. Amen.
And now, for as much as you have made your vows, each to the other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving your rings, I pronounce that you are husband and wife. Nick, you may kiss your bride!