Marriage Vows

as written by Troy

Introduction:

Jedon:
Good Afternoon. We have gathered here today in the love of friendship and family to celebrate the uniting of two souls. To honor their commitment to not just gazing at one another, but looking outward together in the same direction. As Troy Anthony Stepp and Jennifer Osborne come before you here today as two, they will leave this place as one, united in marriage.

Jedon:
Being assured that your love and your choice of each other as lifelong companions are in God's will and that you have your families' blessings. I now ask. Who gives this woman to be married to this man?

Robert:
Her mother and I do. (Robert places Jenn’s hand in Troy’s hand and is seated)

Jedon:
In marriage, we give ourselves freely and generously into the hands of the one we love, and in doing so, each of us receives the love and trust of the other as our most precious gift. But even as that gift is shared by the two people who are in love, it also touches the friends and family members who in various ways support and contribute to the relationship.

Jedon:
All of you are Troy and Jennifer’s community, and each of you has played some role in bringing them to this moment. This is why gathering as a community is such an important part of a wedding ceremony. Because Troy and Jennifer are now taking a new form, they become part of their community in a new way.

Vows:

Jedon:
(having them face each other).

Jedon:
Troy, do you take Jennifer, to be your loving wife, your partner in life and your one true love.
Will you cherish your friendship and love her today, tomorrow, and forever.
Will you trust and honor her
Will you laugh with her and cry with her.
Will you love her faithfully
Through the best and the worst,
Through the difficult and the easy.
What may come will you always be there.
As you have given your hand to hold,
do you give her your life to keep
So help you God

Troy:
I do.

Jedon:
Jennifer, do you take Troy, to be your loving husband, your partner in life and your one true love.
Will you cherish your friendship and love him today, tomorrow, and forever.
Will you trust and honor him
Will you laugh with him and cry with him.
Will you love him faithfully
Through the best and the worst,
Through the difficult and the easy.
What may come will you always be there.
As you have given your hand to hold,
do you give him your life to keep
So help you God

Jennifer:
I do.

Exchange of Rings:

Jedon:
These rings are a symbol of the unbroken circle of love. Love freely given has no beginning and no end, no giver and no receiver for each is the giver and each is the receiver. May these rings always remind you of the vows you have taken.

Troy:
I, Troy, choose you, Jennifer, as my everything. With this ring, I vow to love you through sickness and health, through the good and the bad, through richer and poorer. You are everything I need, and I know that all my prayers have been answered and that all of my dreams have come true. This is the moment I have waited my whole life for. I promise to give you my heart & soul and I know that I could not ask for more from you. I love you and always will. This is my solemn vow.

Jennifer:
I, Jennifer, choose you, Troy, as my everything. With this ring, I vow to love you through sickness and health, through the good and the bad, through richer and poorer. You are everything I need, and I know that all my prayers have been answered and that all of my dreams have come true. This is the moment I have waited my whole life for. I promise to give you my heart & soul and I know that I could not ask for more from you. I love you and always will. This is my solemn vow.

Closing:

Jedon:
Troy and Jennifer, although I’m officiating here today, it is not truly in my power to sanctify, legitimize or bless your relationship in any way, because the two of you have already done that in your hearts. So, by joining hands right now and looking into each other’s eyes, let it be known that you are joined, body and soul in this lifetime, and that this bond is sacred and eternal. And now that you have stood here before us all and exchanged these rings and these vows, and have agreed to be married according to the laws of the state of California, it gives me gives me great pleasure to pronounce that you are Husband and Wife. You may now kiss your bride.

Jedon:
May the two of you live happily-ever-after. I now present to you,

Mr. & Mrs. Troy Anthony Stepp.