Jerry & Jessica Guillen Wedding

OFFICIANT: Welcome everyone! We ask that you please move to sit towards the center of the aisles and keep your phones put away and on silent.

Processional (5 minutes)

**Bride and Bridal Party enter**

OFFICIANT: Please rise for the Bride

**Jerry walks down to Jessica and her Father/Step-Father for exchange**

OFFICIANT: Who gives this woman to be married to this man?

FATHER OF THE BRIDE/STEP-FATHER: “We do.”

**Jerry and Jessica walk up front together**

Welcome Statement/Introduction (1-2 minutes)

OFFICIANT (to congregation): Please be seated. Thank you.

Welcome Friends, Family, and loved ones, we are gathered together today in the sight of God and each other as witnesses to celebrate the marriage of Jerry and Jessica.

Today marks the first step on their journey together towards unity, in the ongoing adventure of married life!

Message on Marriage (5 minutes)

OFFICIANT:

Jerry and Jessica, this beautiful moment that you both have been planning, thinking (stressing) about, praying over, and anticipating for so long…has finally arrived.

Here you two are, standing side-by-side before the Lord and all of these people, to take vows of love and faithfulness to one another. Today is the day you will be joined together, before God as husband and wife.

It is a very special day, and I know that the Lord is smiling down upon all of us here today.

Before we begin, I’d like for you two to take a moment to face your friends and family who have gathered here today to celebrate your union.

These are the people who have made you who you are today. Both of you would not be here without the love, care, and support of these people. And they are all witnessing the covenant that both of you will shortly be making. They will remind you of the vows that you have taken to one another and come alongside you as you start your new life together.

** Pause to take in Audience**

Now, let us bow our heads and join in prayer.

Heavenly Father,

We thank you for your abundant goodness and blessings. We thank you for bringing Jerry and Jessica together and for every person who is here today to celebrate with them. We ask that you would bless Jerry and Jessica in their union, and we ask that you would walk with them together, just as you’ve walked with both of them in their lives up to this point. We come to you knowing that you have created them for a purpose, and we are confident that your will for their lives is better than we could ever ask or imagine. We ask that you bless them and keep them with you, as they walk together in your name.

In Jesus Name,

Amen.

Marriage is more than just a ceremony, party, and a piece of paper.

As Christians, we believe that marriage is a partnership between a man and woman, designed, defined, and directed by God to be a picture of his covenantal love for his people.

Jerry and Jessica, your marriage is intended to be a picture of God’s love for all to see.

Marriage isn’t always easy, but it is a very good thing—a wonderful gift from God.

It requires deep commitment, faith, trust, and patience to make it work.

And we are all here today to celebrate you two—but also remind you two, years from now, of the promises you will make to each other today.

Marriage requires more than our good intentions and effort, both of you will have to put Jesus first and continually seek him for grace and wisdom as you step forward into a new life together.

And our prayer is that Jesus would be at the center of your marriage, leading and guiding both of you in his plans for your lives.

Jerry and Jessica, I want to urge you to hold to that vision and calling of your marriage, and to know you have so many people in your corner, supporting you. And that above all, God is with you both as you make this next step in both of your lives.

But now it’s time for both of you to speak

Declaration of Intent (5 minutes)

OFFICIANT: It is time for the “I do-s” Jerry, do you take Jessica to be your lawfully wedded wife from this day forward - to have and to hold, in good times and bad, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health; will you love, honor, and cherish her for as long as you both shall live?

JERRY: I do.

OFFICIANT: Jessica, do you take Jerry to be your lawfully wedded husband from this day forward - to have and to hold, in good times and bad, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health; will you love, honor, and cherish him for as long as you both shall live?

Jessica: I do.

Personal Vows (5 minutes)

OFFICIANT: Jerry, Jessica, it’s now time to say your personal vows. And I know you both wanted to decide who goes first how you guys typically do: A game of rock-paper-scissors And before you start, it will be best of 3! So that you don’t try and change it up later!

**Jerry and Jessica read vows**

Communion (5 minutes)

OFFICIANT: Now before we get to the rings and kiss, Jerry and Jessica would both like to partake in communion together on this special day.

They do this in remembrance of Jesus, his body that was broken for us, and his blood that was poured out for the forgiveness of sins.

As they take this time to seek Jesus together, I encourage you all to pray for the couple at this time.

** Step out of the way**

Ring Exchange (3 minutes)

OFFICIANT: Wedding rings are a symbol and token of your love and commitment to one another. Your wedding rings serve as a reminder that you have chosen to be bound together. Every time you look at your ring, it is a reminder of the promise you are making to God and each other.

Diego, can you please present the rings?

**Diego presents the rings to officiant**

OFFICIANT: May these rings remind you always of the vows you have taken here today.

Jerry, as you place this ring on Jessica’s finger, please repeat after me:

“With this ring, I thee wed, and pledge you my love, both now and forever."

Jessica, please place this ring on Jerry’s finger and repeat after me:

“With this ring, I thee wed, and pledge you my love, both now and forever."

Pronouncement (2 minutes)

**Stand to the side**

OFFICIANT: Jerry, Jessica, having proclaimed your love for, and commitment to one another in the sight of God and these witnesses, by the power vested in me by God and the state of California, it is my pleasure to pronounce you husband and wife.

You may now kiss your bride!

**Jerry & Jessica kiss**

OFFICIANT: Gathered guests, it is my great pleasure to present to you Mr. & Mrs. Guillen!

The Recessional

**Jerry & Jessica exit, followed by wedding party & guests**

OFFICIANT: Cocktail Hour