Rogers Wedding

Announcements (Before Wedding)

We’ve placed flower petals on the seats along each aisle. After the “I do’s,” the kiss, and as the couple walks back down the aisle, toss those petals up in the air to celebrate! It’s going to look amazing!

“The bride and groom have requested to keep their wedding ceremony phone-free. If we’re honest, our phones can be a big source of distraction for ourselves and even those around us. To all the aunties and uncles that are dying to take photos and videos, don’t worry. You’ll get your chance! Once the entire bridal party has come in, I will queue everyone to take their photos. Then, for the rest of the ceremony, they are requesting for you to put your phones away. So please, out of love and respect for the bride and groom, put your phones on silent and do not use them for the duration of the wedding ceremony. Thank you.”

Processional

ALL RISE FOR THE ENTRANCE OF THE BRIDE.

WHO GIVES THIS BRIDE TO THIS MAN?

YOU MAY BE SEATED. You can take your photos now!!

Welcome

We’re gathered here today to join Kurtis and Ivy in holy matrimony. A special thanks to all of you that have traveled from far and wide to witness the promise these two are about to make to one another. We’re here to offer our love and support, and to stand with Ivy and Kurtis as they begin this new chapter of life. And it is my honor to join you in marking the start of Ivy and Kurtis’s marriage.

Homily (5-7 minutes)

One day, Ivy received a text message from her best friend the summer before going to college. But it wasn’t a normal text. No “hey girl,” no emoji, no context. Just… a photo. A cropped one — of a man’s chin, smile, and body.

Now, that best friend just so happens to be my wife, Liezel. And together, we may or may not have been trying to play a little matchmaker that summer. Let’s just say we were helping God out a lil bit.

Ivy noticed a couple of things. She thought to herself: (1) “Hmm, this guy is pretty fit,” and (2) “What is going on with this outfit?!”

Little did she know — that text was the beginning of a love story that only God could’ve timed perfectly.

Ivy’s first Friday night vespers at Southern wasn’t what she had expected. Normally, a freshman’s first vespers is great. A new place. A new school. But for Ivy, it was different. She was emotionally tired — overwhelmed by the new rhythm of life and overburdened by school work. So, at this vespers, she was not trying to socialize.

On top of that, Ivy had just gotten injured after playing a really intense version of tag. So Ivy was on crutches. Not the best way to start your first year of college.

Sometimes, love limps before it walks.

After the vespers program ended, Ivy found herself at the girls’ dorm — on crutches, just trying to make it back to her room — when she met a guy named Kurtis. But nothing dramatic happened when they met. No sparkles. No grandeur. Just a quick introduction and a few polite words, That was it. She didn’t think much of it. She didn’t even realize that the man standing in front of her was the same guy from that mysterious photo.

But something crazy happens after you meet someone — you start to see them everywhere. Ivy began to see Kurtis everywhere. And if you see each other more, you begin to talk to each other more — specifically between classes. And the talking between classes turned into walking each other to classes. Something felt like it was cookin’. And there was indeed something cooking.

Kurtis caught feelings.

If you know Kurtis, he doesn’t like to beat around the bush. Kurtis doesn’t play no games. He doesn’t like guessing, doesn’t like reading between the lines. He wants you to give it to him straight.

So, with these developing feelings Kurtis was having, he made a phone call.

Ivy picks up the phone. I’m assuming some small talk happened first. Then, Kurtis dropped the bomb: “Hey, I’m interested in you. I don’t know — how do you feel?”

And you can just imagine his heart pounding, his knees shaking, his palms sweating. Then Ivy hits him with something you wouldn’t expect. Instead of confessing her undying love for Kurty-poo, she basically says, “Ahh, I really wish you didn’t say that.”

Then she proceeded to quote Ellen G. White — explaining why he shouldn’t have shared his feelings:

“To trifle with hearts is a crime of no small magnitude in the sight of a holy God.”

Well, that’s a first. Most guys would get turned down with phrases like, “I’m not ready yet,” or, “Maybe let’s just be friends.” Kurtis got hit with the Spirit of Prophecy.

Y’know, most guys would probably back off after being hit with an Ellen White quote. But my boy Kurtis thought it was — and I quote — “exciting.” He wanted a fine woman who feared the Lord.

And even though it might have seemed like he was rejected, Kurtis trusted in his favorite Bible verse: “With God, all things are possible.”

But all joking aside, Ivy was serious. She was just guarding her heart — trusting that if this was from God, time would tell. Because the right thing at the wrong time is still the wrong thing.

After that phone call, they continued to spend more time together. Seeing each other more. Talking to each other more. And Ivy’s feelings started to ripen a bit. Every time Kurtis would be near, she would feel herself getting a little nervous, wondering if he would notice her. Ivy even started to work a little bit longer on her eyeliner when she was getting ready.

Feelings were growing. Smiles were widening. And after many walks to class, a trip to California, and countless prayers, Kurtis and Ivy were officially together.

But here’s the beautiful part — those prayers didn’t start when they started dating. They started before. Ivy actually began a prayer journal for their relationship before there was even a “relationship.” She wanted God to lead whatever was happening between them. And that became the start of one of Ivy and Kurtis’s most important practices: praying together. Through every season of their relationship, Ivy and Kurtis continuously prayed together. To this day, Ivy and Kurtis pray together. That’s what it means to do the right thing, at the right time.

Ecclesiastes 3:11-13 says,

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil — this is God’s gift to man.”

I love this text. It doesn’t just say that “He has made everything beautiful.” It says, “He has made everything beautiful in its time.”

The seasons beat in the rhythm of four. The moon moves through all its phases every month. Our earth dances around the sun in 365 days. Our entire galaxy swings to the rhythm of love.

Think about it: no one yells at a flower to grow faster. The gardener plants the seed and patiently waits for time to do its thing.

You see, patience is the secret power of a thriving relationship. It keeps us from comparing ourselves to each other. It guards us from things we shouldn’t get into. And it’ll lead us into the places that God destined for us.

Ivy and Kurtis agree with this, too. When I asked both of them what advice they’d give to young couples, they both said, “Be patient. It’s not a bad thing to take your time.”

But what about those moments when your patience runs thin? What if times get rough and you find it impossible to see the light at the end of the tunnel? What then?

Well, look no further than to the One who created time itself.

Even when things were looking too grim, God — the Eternal One — became human, subjecting Himself to the very thing He created—time—so that He could be with us.

Friends, growing in love isn’t about growing a feeling. Yes, having the butterflies in your stomach is part of it. But it’s more than that. Love isn’t just a feeling, a chase, a source, or an idea.

Love is a Person. And His name is Jesus.

Love is the One that brought all of us here together. Love is the One that designed the breathtaking nature around us. Love was there with Kurtis, waiting for Ivy to pick up the phone. Love was there with Ivy, holding her hands as she was praying for Kurtis. And Love is here with us now — full of joy and pride, seeing how far you two have come. And He will continue to be with you two all the days of your life.

When you two are dancing your hearts out in the quietness of your home, Love will be right there dancing alongside you. When you two are in the heat of an argument, Love will be the one that tells you to sit down, be quiet, and listen. When you two are teaching your first child how to walk, Love will be there — giving their little feet the strength to take their first steps. And when you two are old and gray, eating pasta and opening the Sabbath with the family you’ve built, Love will be there.

Kurtis and Ivy, may you savor every single moment with each other — and with our Jesus — now and forevermore.

Amen and amen.

Vows

Now we’ve come to one of the most special parts of the day—Kurtis and Ivy are about to exchange their vows. These are the promises that will carry them through all the highs, lows, and everything in between. It’s a big moment, filled with the love and laughter that brought them here today.

So, let’s start with Kurtis.

Exchange of Rings

It is now time for you to exchange rings. Your rings symbolize the eternal commitment that you make to each other, and the never ending circle of your love. May these rings always remind you of the commitment you are making here today.

Kurtis and Ivy, please repeat after me. Let’s start with Ivy

I, Ivy…...give you, Kurtis…...this ring as a symbol of my love...and commitment to you.

I, Kurtis….give you, Ivy…...this ring as a symbol of my love...and commitment to you.

Beautiful.

Veil & Cord

In the filipino culture, it is tradition to have the bride and groom participate in the veil and cord ceremony.

At this time, I’d like to ask Ms. Joy and Mr. Josh to join us and to lay a veil over this couple to signify their union and oneness.

The Veil covers this couple to remind them of the love that covers the both of them. Let this be a symbol of the faithful love you have for each other. Let no distance or barrier separate your hearts and minds.

I now invite Ms. Elise and Mr. Vernon to place a cord over you.

This cord, looped and crossed in the middle, symbolizes the infinite bond of love which brings your hearts and souls together. This bond will keep you strong in the face of adversity. You are no longer two, but one in marriage. May this cord remind you to face your life together courageously and support each other in carrying out your duties and responsibilities as a couple. And, may your love grow stronger and bind you closer together through the years. 

Ms. Elise and Mr. Vernon, you may now remove the cord. And Ms. Joy and Mr. Josh, you can now remove the veil. Beautiful

Declaration of Intent

Now,

Do you, Kurtis, take this woman to be your wedded wife?

…I do...

Do you, Ivy, take this man to be your wedded husband?

…I do...

Declaration of Marriage and the Kiss

By the power invested in me as a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ, I now declare that Kurtis and Ivy are husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride! (GET OUT THE WAY)

Everyone, it is my greatest honor...to introduce to you..Mr. and Mrs. Rogers!

Cocktail Hour Announcement