Caroline and Dakota Chaloupka’s Wedding Ceremony

Caroline and Dakota Chaloupka’s Wedding Ceremony

WELCOME

Today we are all here for two reasons - 1, to witness the union of two people we dearly love: Dakota and Caroline.

But we are also here for another reason - and that is because Dakota and Caroline trust you enough to help encourage them and hold them accountable to the decision and relationship they are committing to today.

And I mean it. Our world is full of messages that you can call it quits anytime you want. A message that has destroyed so many marriages and families. And so, part of the reason we are here today is to commit ourselves to support this relationship, to encourage them, in the thick and thin, the good and the bad.

So, if you, friends, and family, commit to be that support, will YOU say, “I do”

(“I Do”)

With that commitment from us all, let’s precede with this marriage.

ENTRANCE

Then Families, Dakota, Wedding Party, Caroline & father

GIVING OF THE BRIDE

Again, we are here to witness and support this marriage. Marriage - a single word with incredible meaning.

Marriage - All the way back in Genesis, when man and woman were created, we are given a picture of the family and of marriage. “Genesis 2:24 says This is why a man leaves his father and mother and bonds with his wife, and they become one flesh.”

Mr. Baum has worked for and waited for 20 years for this moment - raising his daughter well and in a way that one day, she might leave and begin her own family, with a good man, and become one with him.

But seldom, as fathers, do we see this moment coming from that far off. It is bittersweet - handing over a daughter you have loved, protect, cherished, and poured into so that another man could step up and now take up that role. But this is the way family works. This is how growth happens.

So, if yall believe Dakota is fit to receive your daughter and take up this role, then I ask, “Who gives this woman to be married to this man?”

(Her mother and I - I do)

PRAYER

While there are legal requirements for marriage in Texas and America, the One who truly instituted marriage and binds us together is the Lord, the one and only God.

This is something Caroline and Dakota have recognized, for as they sought after one another, the Lord and their relationship with Jesus, has been one of the primary factors of their relationship - bringing them together, encouraging them in love, and leading them to this moment.

And so they desire to keep loving God and each other and want that to be the focus of their marriage and relationship. And they want you and I, their family and friends, to support them in this.

So, they have asked we take a moment in prayer together, asking for God’s blessing and presence to be abundant in their relationship, that God might use us to help encourage these two toward Jesus daily, and that God might use their life together, in marriage, to be a light to the world of what it means to be made in God’s image and unified through the person and work of Jesus Christ.

So, for a moment, in silence, lift up a prayer for Dakota and Caroline.

MESSAGE

From the first pages of Genesis, the beginning of time, God designed us to be His image, as male and female. That a man and a woman united together in love, faith, and hope, is what displays the character and presence of our God to the world.

So, God instituted marriage to be the place we truly experience a oneness, closeness, and intimacy that reflects the relationship we can have with God.

He even said, “It is not good for us to be alone,” and from that statement, formed a marriage!

Marriage! It is more than a ceremony, more than a certificate, more than a word - it is to be the highest priority of our relationships, only second to prioritizing our relationship with Jesus, our Lord and Savior!

God even copied the picture of marriage onto the creation of the Church, that when Jesus, the Son of God, died for our sins and rose from the grave in victory, that if we believe in Him, surrender to Him, and follow Him, we, as the Church, would be given to Christ as His bride.

Marriage. It is more than a tradition, more than a title, more than a momentary decision. It is a choice every day…, to submit to one another, to live out love, to cherish and keep one another, to show faithfulness, and to prioritize each other every day.

Marriage falls under only your relationship with Jesus. This means this relationship is higher than your family, higher than your church, higher than your job, higher than your feelings, your desires, your preferences.

Marriage.

And though marriage is lifted up in the highest of responsibilities and commitments, there are passages of Scripture that are devoted to the joys and fun of marriage!

Marriage allows for a new level of friendship. A greater affection of love. A new journey in adventure. A new passion to support and care for one another.

Solomon wrote about marriage in the book of Proverbs, Chapter 5 - It says,

15 Drink water from your own cistern, water flowing from your own well. 16 Should your springs flow in the streets, streams in the public squares? [No] 17 They should be for you alone and not for you to share with strangers.

Which, so far, Solomon is saying to stay faithful to each other and don’t share your own sacred fountain of marriage with others. Instead, he says

18 Let your fountain be blessed, and take pleasure, rejoice, in the wife of your youth.

He goes on to say some things that isn’t quite rated G for this audience, so we will move on! But he says, “be lost in her love forever.”

Solomon also wrote another book, Song of Songs, again, not rated G so we won't get into it much, but it is all about a song of love and joy, about a husband and wife enjoying marriage!

My favorite picture of marriage is found in Song of Songs, chapter 8. It says, 5 Who is this coming up from the wilderness, leaning on the one she loves?

The picture of a husband and wife, leading and leaning. A calling to you Dakota, to lead Caroline toward the Lord. A calling to you Caroline, to Support Dakota in the Lord!

The text goes on saying, 6 “PLACE ME LIKE A SEAL OVER YOUR HEART, LIKE A SEAL ON YOUR ARM. FOR LOVE IS AS STRONG AS DEATH, ITS JEALOUSY AS ENDURING AS THE GRAVE. Love flashes like fire, the brightest kind of flame. Many waters cannot quench love, nor can rivers drown it. IF A MAN TRIED TO BUY LOVE WITH ALL HIS WEALTH, HIS OFFER WOULD BE UTTERLY SCORNED.”

As Paul puts it in 1 Corinthians 13 - 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never ends.

This is the kind of commitment and excitement yall are pursuing! Love that rejoices together and cherishes one another! Love that enjoys life together and seeks to outdo one another with kindness! Love that chooses daily to self-sacrifice and faithfulness toward one another! This is the kind of love marriage demands!

Marriage. Though highly exalted in its position and responsibility, it is designed by God to be the most exciting and fruitful of all relationships.

And again, all to reflect what it means to be in relationship with Christ, to KNOW God fully and be fully KNOWN by God! To experience love unending, defined by His justice and mercy!

This is marriage.

Dakota, Caroline - this is what you have signed up for, what you are committing to. An enduring commitment, a relationship that lasts, spouses who are faithful! But also you are committing to the joys of marriage: an unending love for one another and for God, a new adventure you get to journey together, a new level of relationship where shame is eliminated, and you get to enjoy each other’s presence to the fullest extent. This is the marriage you are committing to today.

This is part of the reason yall have chosen to let rings be the symbol of this unending unity and love.

RINGS/VOWS

Do we have the rings here today?

(take the rings from __________ )

Dakota, as you place this ring on Caroline's finger, as a symbol of your unending love and commitment, Dakota, do you vow, to take Caroline to be your wife, do you commit to pursuing her and her alone, do you commit to her the fullness of your love and devotion regardless of circumstance and situation, do you commit to lead her toward the Lord and to submit to her support & love as you each enjoy this marriage together to its fullest?

“I DO”

And Caroline, as you place this ring on Dakota’s finger, as a symbol of your unending love and commitment, Caroline, do you vow, to take Dakota to be your husband, do you commit to pursuing him and him alone, do you commit to him the fullness of your love and devotion regardless of circumstance and situation, do you commit to support him toward the Lord and to submit to his leadership & love as you each enjoy this marriage together to its fullest?

“I DO”

DECLARATION OF MARRIAGE!

Then by the grace of God, since they have made these commitments before God and each of us here tonight, by the Lord’s authority, I proclaim Dakota and Caroline as husband and wife: Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

You may kiss your bride!

And now, it is my honor to present to you for the first time: Mr. and Mrs. Dakota Chaloupka!!!

EXIT

Reverse order

I dismiss the crowd

Reminder of their commitment to the couple - excited to be here with you (friends and family) - want you to enjoy the evening

Coffee cart

What else? ________