Ryan Spade/Ashley Fountain Wedding

Ryan Spade and Ashley Fountain

We have come together – families and friends – to witness Ryan and Ashley as they exchange their vows of marriage.

We share with them their delight that God has brought them to find love with each other, and support their decision to be together from now until the day Jesus Christ returns, or calls them home.

We honor their willingness to commit to one another knowing that love requires genuine effort, action and perseverance.

They give thanks for the past, which brought them to this place, and look forward with hope to what the future will bring.

Who is it that gives this bride in marriage?

I have a few scriptures to read before go further.

A charge to you Ryan and Ashley and an exhortation to you both. Scripture tells us in,

Ephesians 5:25–28 ESV

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.

Ephesians 5:25-

Ephesians 5:25–33 ESV

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Ryan be a Godly man who understands the worth of Ashley and is willing to pay the price necessary for her. Acknowledge that she will be Second only to God in your heart.

The two of you, today, become one flesh, joined by God, in front of these witnesses. Enter into this commitment with the intent that nothing will ever tear that apart.

Proverbs 31:10 ESV

An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.

Romans 12:9–13 ESV

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

Ashley, be a virtuous woman by pursuing God and your husband,, and Ryan, value Ashley above all else.

1 Corinthians 13:4–7 ESV

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

1 Corinthians 13:4–8 ESV

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.

This marriage is a symbol of Ryan and Ashley’s commitment to that love.

1 Corinthians 13

My personal hope and prayer is that they will remember the vows they make to each other today and call upon that memory when they face the trials and hardships life can bring.

Today we celebrate the beginning of a beautiful love that will grow and strengthen as they live and lean on the Lord that brought them together.

Let us pray.

Ryan and Ashley have written their own vows, as you each read your vows, please reflect on what they mean and require. Do them with a heart for longevity and out of an optimism for the good life you will have together.

Ryan,

Here we are in front of our family and closest friends, there are people here today that know how hard you are to handle and maybe a couple people here that think I’m like my dad. We butt heads quite often but always seem to come to the understanding that I’m usually right. I thank you for loving me even when I am hard to love. I thank God daily that I have such a hard working man that I soon get to call my husband. I pray God continues to watch over us and lead us on the path he has made. Continue to be the caring loving man I know. I vow to always be by your side through everything. I vow to be the wife you need for the rest of our lives. I love you forever.

Ryan’s Vows

Well here goes nothing from our first date I thought you were the one for me and you thought I’d leave you alone well I can say I’m happy I didn’t from hiking to Laurel Falls in Tennessee to petting stingrays in the Bahamas there is no one else I’d rather explore this world with Ashley you are loving caring gorgeous intelligent and humble your selflessness shows every day you care more about other people then you do yourself you’ve taught me what’s mine is yours and yours is mine except sweets those are all yours so today as I stand in front of you Ashley I promise to love you I promise to do my best to become the man of your dreams I promise to make us my top priority I promise to keep you feeling happy and adored Ashley I am ready to start a family with you I am ready to be a father to our children most of all I am ready for the rest of my life as you being my wife and just for the record roses are red violets are blue but none of them are as beautiful as you

Ashley’s Vows

Ryan,

Ryan,

Ryan,

Here we are in front of our family and closest friends, there are people here today that know how hard you are to handle and maybe a couple people here that think I’m like my dad. We butt heads quite often but always seem to come to the understanding that I’m usually right. I thank you for loving me even when I am hard to love. I thank God daily that I have such a hard working man that I soon get to call my husband. I pray God continues to watch over us and lead us on the path he has made. Continue to be the caring loving man I know. I vow to always be by your side through everything. I vow to be the wife you need for the rest of our lives. I love you forever.

Here we are in front of our family and closest friends, there are people here today that know how hard you are to handle and maybe a couple people here that think I’m like my dad. We butt heads quite often but always seem to come to the understanding that I’m usually right. I thank you for loving me even when I am hard to love. I thank God daily that I have such a hard working man that I soon get to call my husband. I pray God continues to watch over us and lead us on the path he has made. Continue to be the caring loving man I know. I vow to always be by your side through everything. I vow to be the wife you need for the rest of our lives. I love you forever.

Based on the vows you to have just exchanged,

Do you, Ryan, take Ashley to be your wife?

Do you, Ashley, take Ryan to be your husband?

Ring exchange

Ryan, as you place the ring on Ashley’s finger, please repeat after me:

I give you this ring

as a reminder

that I will love, honor, and cherish you,

In all times,

In all places,

And in all ways, forever.

Ashley, as you place the ring on Ryan’s finger, please repeat after me:

I give you this ring

as a reminder

that I will love, honor, and cherish you,

In all times,

In all places,

And in all ways, forever.

You may kiss the bride!

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my sincere pleasure to introduce Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Spade.