Gay Wedding

Minister Arrival

With Groom to the Left (Bride will be to the Right)

Announcement

Good afternoon everyone. We ask at this time that you please turn off your cellular, smart, or other recording devices as we are about to begin. We have a professional photographer that is taking pictures, and we want to be sure we get the right angles and line of sight.

Their will be a paused moment at the end where I will alert you and you will be able to take a “photo moment.”

Processional

Bridal Party walks in (Yebba’s Heartbreka by Yebba)

Chad with Alexis and Durenza

Derick & Jessica

Mark & Chavonne

Pause at the 1st Lanterns for picture

Pause at the 2nd Row of Chairs for picture and separation

If you would please stand. (Is this Love by Corinne Bailey Ray)

Bridal Processional (either)

Michael Curtis

Kevin Washington

Who Gives this woman to be married to this man?

“Both I and my wife do.”

The father sits down next to his wife.

Then, the groom takes the bride by the hand and steps towards the officiant.

Opening Prayer

Friends and family, we are gathered here today in the presence of God to unite in marriage Martrez Devon Gay and Taylor Ahneice Jones-Curtis.

Marriage is an honorable institution created by God that we might share in one of God’s greatest gifts… another person to share with, grow with, change with, be joyful with, and to stand with irrespective of the successes and failures of their lives. Marriage is therefore not something to be entered into lightly, but should be approached reverently, advisedly, soberly, and with God’s blessing. It is fitting, therefore, that we should begin this occasion by asking for God’s blessing on this marriage. Let us pray.

Heavenly Father, we gather to celebrate your gift of love, and its presence among us. We rejoice that these two people have chosen to commit themselves to a life of loving faithfulness to one another. We praise you, Lord, for the ways you have touched our lives with loving relationships such as is exemplified by Martrez and Taylor. We ask you God to renew within us an affectionate and loving spirit that we can all be an example of your love and grace here on Earth. Enrich our lives with the gracious gift of your love so that we may embrace others with that same love. May our participation in this celebration of love and commitment, give to us a new joy and responsiveness to the relationships that we cherish. In the precious name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.

You may be seated.

Homily

Marriage is a joyous occasion that has its beginning in the book of Genesis 2. Within this chapter, God noted his dissatisfaction with Man being alone and so he gave him a WOMAN who was formed out of the MAN. The two then came together in marriage as separate people joined together as though one flesh, embodying the scripture that says the two shall become one. Their is no way Adam could have known this, but in that moment God used his Marriage to represent the institution and relationship that was to come, that of Jesus Christ and the Church. For indeed Christ is not just our savior and Lord but we are indeed his bride awaiting his return unto us.

Noting this, the same scripture which speaks of our salvation shows us time and again the reverence with which God views the institution of marriage. The scripture even reveals to us what God expects of us IN Marriage. Put simply, marriage is not about whether you feel in love or not because, as people, our feelings are subject to change. But your marriage is about you consistently making the choice to act out love. Marriage is about whether you make the choice to have actions that portray love, even if your heart does not feel it. Marriage is about whether you can be faithful and consistent even when the chips are down. Can you be faithful in your leadership, faithful in your teamwork, and faithful in your service to one another? To that I challenge you, when love is the last thing on your mind, let love still occupy the first space in your heart?

No greater example of this faithfulness can be given than by the choice Jesus Christ made to die on the cross for our sins as a representation of his love for his bride. I therefore admonish you both, Martrez & Taylor, love one another as you would have God to love you. Cherish one another just as God has cherished you. And be faithful to one another, just as God has been faithful to you.

Charge

The Charge is a responsibility placed upon you by God and your witnesses as you enter into this covenant relationship.

Charge to the Husband

Scripture tells us in Proverbs 18:22 “Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, And obtaineth favour of the Lord.” This lets us know how God views the sanctity of marriage and the role that a wife can play in the success and future of a man willing to love her as God intends.

Therefore, it is your duty, Martrez, to be to Taylor, a considerate, tender, faithful, and loving husband: to support, guide and cherish her in prosperity and trouble; to thoughtfully and carefully enlarge the place she holds in your life; to constantly show to her the tokens of your affection, to shelter her from danger, and to love her with an unchangeable love.

Do you understand the charge being placed upon you as a husband? (If so, say I DO)

”I Do”

Charge to the Wife

Scripture goes on to tell us in Proverbs 31:11-12 “The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, So that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil All the days of her life.” This lets us know the level of trust that both God and man gives to a woman as a wife.

That in mind, Taylor, it is your duty to Martrez, to be a considerate, tender, faithful, and loving wife; to comfort, guide and cherish him in prosperity and trouble; to give to him the unfailing pieces of evidence of your affection; and to continue making the place he holds in your heart, broader and deeper; to support him, value him and work with him to make your marriage the very best that it can be.

Do you understand the charge being placed upon you as a wife? (If so, say I DO)

”I Do”

Charge to the Couple

Martrez and Taylor, let me charge you both to remember that your future happiness is to be in mutual consideration, patience, kindness, confidence, and affection. It is the duty of each of you to find your greatest joy in the company of the other; to remember that your love pledged today must remain undivided for a lifetime.

Do you understand what is being asked of you as husband and wife? (If so, say WE DO)

”We Do”

Vows (Custom)

Your vows represent a promise to one another as you enter into this covenant relationship with one another.

I call your attention to the serious nature of the decision which you have made and the covenant you are about to declare before God. The vows you are about to take should not be taken without careful thought and consideration. With that in mind, the couple has written their own vows…

Martrez Devon Gay

Taylor Ahneice Jones-Curtis

Vows (Prescribed)

Your vows represent a promise to one another as you enter into this covenant relationship with one another.

Groom

"Will you have this woman to be your wife, to live together in holy marriage? Will you love her, comfort her, honor, and keep her in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?"

If so… say I DO

Bride

"Will you have this man to be your husband, to live together in holy marriage? Will you love him, comfort him, honor, and keep him in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?"

If so… say I DO

Blessing & Exchange of the Rings

Maid of Honor and Best Man Should Have Rings

We will now do the blessing and exchange of the rings.

Groomsmen gives to groom to give to me

Maid of Honor trades bouquet for ring and gives ring to me

Let Us Pray. Father, we thank you now for the gifts that you continually give each of us. We thank you for the love you have shown us and the love that we see here. God these rings are not merely jewelry, but they are given as a representation of commitment and that same love that was shown on Calvary. Let the wearers see these rings, always, as a testament to their commitment and a token of love. When days are dim let these rings shine as a beacon of light. I thank you even now God for what these rings represent in their lives and I believe you God for continued blessings on the hands that wear them. In Jesus name… Amen.

You will now exchange rings as a symbol of the lifelong commitment and abiding love which you as husband and wife have promised to each other.

Martrez, please place the ring on Taylor’s finger, and repeat after me. I give you this ring as a sign of my love and faithfulness.

And Taylor, please place the ring on Martrez’s finger and repeat after me. I give you this ring as a sign of my love and faithfulness.

Communion

We will now have communion as testament to the fact that Christ shall dwell at the center of this union as a testament to this couple’s commitment to serve as an example of his love and sacrifice.

1 Corinthians 11:23-25

And on the night Jesus was betrayed, he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said,

"This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me."

In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying,

"This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me."

Closing Prayer

We will now have a final moment of prayer.

Eternal God, many things have been done and said leading up to and on this day and we thank you for all that our eyes of seen and our ears have heard. Now God, we ask that you help this husband and wife to fulfill the promises they have made here today and to reflect your steadfast love in their commitment to each other. God take the promises of today, the vows of today, and help it to grow beyond a day and let it sustain them for a lifetime. Give them kindness and patience, affection and understanding, happiness, and contentment. I pray God that their family and friends continue to support them in difficult days, and they stand beside each other so that their love for each other may continue to grow as long as they both shall live. I pray God that people will look to these two amazing people that stand before you and see evidence that Jesus is real. And I pray now God that eyes hath not seen… Ears hath not heard… It has not entered the hearts of man the things that God has in store for you. Because you are just getting warmed up… believe that. This is my prayer, in Jesus name. Amen.

Declaration Of Marriage

Martrez and Taylor, having witnessed your vows for marriage before God and all who are assembled here. By the authority invested in me by the State of North Carolina and as Minister of the Gospel, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Remember, what GOD has put together let NO MAN put Asunder!

You may now kiss the bride!

It is my pleasure to introduce you to you for the first time…. Mr & Mrs. Martrez Devon Gay… (Taylor gets bouquet from Chavonne.

OFFICIAL PHOTO...

PHONE MINUTE...

Jumping the Broom

We will now commence with the jumping of the broom. This ceremony is one that extends back centuries. For many people, particularly the enslaved people of the Americas, the jumping of the broom was a reserved ceremony used to encapsulate a marriage. This was used at a time when black people did not enjoy the privilege of marriage as a legal right, so our ancestors did they could. This ceremony serves as a reminder of those ancestors and is a testament to where we have come.

Recessional

Song-

Wedding Certificate

Taylor Witnesses

Chavonne Jennings

Trez Witnesses

Mark Reyes