Mr. & Mrs. LaRosa

It's hard to believe that only a mere week has passed since our wedding. After all the planning, and the expenses, and the family and friends that journeyed out to California to cerebrate with us... it went by in the blink of an eye. Now, I've been told by both my parents and the in-laws that everyone enjoyed themselves. And, I've been told by numerous guests that the whole event was beautiful- by the way, I could not believe how many people told us they had no intentions of crying, only to find themselves holding back tears when we read our vows. It's reassuring to know that my vision for our wedding came together as I'd hoped, and I can barely wait the allotted 4-6 weeks to see the professional photos! For those who were unable to join us for our wedding, here is the ceremony script (including our heartfelt, self-written vows) and several photos taken by guests throughout the event; hopefully it'll feel as real to you as it did to those who were there!

THE QUESTION
Officiant: Who brings this bride to be married today?

F: Her mother and I do.

WELCOME
Officiant: Let us begin. Welcome family, friends, and loved ones. We gather here today to witness one of life's greatest moments. In their love for one another, K and S wish to unite in the bonds of marriage, and to dedicate themselves to each other’s happiness and well-being as husband and wife. On behalf of the Bride and Groom, I welcome you all.

FOUNDATION
Officiant: Marriage is a supreme sharing, and perhaps the greatest and most challenging adventure in the closest of human relationships. It is a bold step and a promise taken together into an unknown future; it is risking who we are for the sake of who we can be.

That is because in marrying we promise to love not just as we feel right now, but also as we intend to feel in the future. In marriage we not only say, “I love you today,” but also “I promise to love you tomorrow.” Marriage symbolizes the intimate sharing of two lives, but this sharing must not diminish the uniqueness of each partner. It should enhance it and allow each person to grow as an individual as well as together; for by growing together in love, it is possible to share both the joys of life and the burdens of sorrow.

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 dedication and trust of the other in return. This wedding is more than a celebration of the love which lives in K and S's hearts today; even as the gift of love is shared by these two people, it knows no bounds. The devotion they have to one another also touches the friends and family members who support and contribute to their relationship in various ways. 

OFFICIANT’S ADDRESS
Officiant: And so, we are all present in this moment to witness a marriage that began with friendship, and from that beginning, has grown to love; it is a love so deep

that it has inspired these two people to unite and spend the remainder of their lives together. Although this is their day, the wedding of K and S is also a tribute to every one of you. All of you are present in this moment because, in one way or another, you have been a part of their lives, and by knowing and interacting with you, each person here has helped to make them who they needed to be to find one another.

You have all traveled from near and far, to share in the formal commitment they make today, to cherish the words which join them, and to allow K and S to start their married life surrounded by the people most important to them. As such, I encourage you all to celebrate their marriage; dance, eat, laugh, drink, and be glad as they begin this journey together. 

PARENTAL/FAMILY & FRIENDS HONORING
Officiant: Today represents not only the joining of K and S, but also the joining of their families, and so they want to take this time to acknowledge their parents on this occasion. R & K LaRosa and F Vera & S Ross, K and S offer their profound gratitude to you all for the care you have shown in raising them. As you continually watched, guided, and encouraged them through childhood, so too were you there when they found each other, and the unconditional love and support that you have given has inspired them to offer the same to one another. Without you, this day would not be possible, and it is fitting that today they are here before you, as they have always been, to ask you to witness their joining.

Today, as their lives, which began on separate paths, unite as one, they request that you will still be there to support them. To be present in joyous and difficult times, and to be there for your future grand-children, who will need your guidance as well. And truly, they thank you from the bottom of their hearts. 

READINGS
Officiant: In the spirit of family, K and S have asked K's sister, to read a poem about love by James Kavanaugh.

N:
To love is not to possess,
To own or imprison,
Nor to lose one's self in another.
Love is to join and separate,
To walk alone and together,
To find a laughing freedom
That lonely isolation does not permit.
It is finally to be able
To be who we really are
No longer clinging in childish dependency
Nor docilely living separate lives in silence,
It is to be perfectly one's self
And perfectly joined in permanent commitment
To another--and to one's inner self.
Love only endures when it moves like waves,
Receding and returning gently or passionately,
Or moving lovingly like the tide
In the moon's own predictable harmony,
Because finally, despite a child's scars
Or an adult's deepest wounds,
They are openly free to be
Who they really are--and always secretly were,
In the very core of their being
Where true and lasting love can alone abide.

Officiant: We will now have S's brother read a quote about love by Bob Marley.

T: “Only once in your life, I truly believe, you find someone who can completely turn your world around. You tell them things that you’ve never shared with another soul and they absorb everything you say- and actually want to hear more. You share hopes for the future, dreams that will never come true, goals that were never achieved, and the many disappointments that life has thrown at you. When something wonderful happens, you can’t wait to tell them about it, knowing they will share in your excitement. They are not embarrassed to cry with you when you are hurting or laugh when you make a fool of yourself. Never do they hurt your feelings or make you feel like you are not good enough, but rather they build you up and show you the things about yourself that make you special and beautiful. There is never any pressure, jealousy, or competition, but only a quiet calmness when you are around. You can be yourself and not worry about what they think of you, because they love you for who you are… You find strength in knowing you have a true friend and possibly a soul mate who will remain loyal to the end. Life seems completely different, exciting, and worthwhile. Your only hope and security is in knowing that they are a part of your life.”
DECLARATION OF INTENT
Officiant: At this time, K and S will make public their intention to marry. K and S, you have both freely and deliberately chosen each other as partners, and so I ask:

Will you, K, receive this woman to be your wedded wife, beloved spouse and partner? Will you pledge your devotion and tenderness, cherishing her as your wife as long as you both shall live?

K: I will (To the Crowd: I will).

Officiant: Will you, S, take this man to be your wedded husband, beloved spouse and partner? Will you pledge your devotion and tenderness, cherishing him as your husband as long as you both shall live?

S: I will (To the Crowd: Samesies).

HANDS CEREMONY
Officiant: K and S, please face each. Take each other’s hands and clasp them tightly, so that you may know their true meaning.

K,
These are the hands of your friend, holding yours on your wedding day.
Smooth, young and carefree, these are the hands that will hold you tight and give you strength when you need it.
These are the hands that will hold and comfort you when sickness, fear or grief may find you.
These are the hands that will love you, support and encourage you for a lifetime of happiness.
These are the hands that will tenderly hold your newborn children, soothing them, nurturing them, and encouraging them as they grow.
These are the hands that will work with yours as you chase down the dreams you share together.
And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours.

S,
These are the hands of your friend, holding yours on your wedding day.
Young, strong and vibrant, these are the hands that will hold you tight and give you strength when you need it.
These are the hands that countless times, will wipe the tears of joy and sorrow from your eyes.
These are the hands that will love you, and with the slightest touch will comfort you.
These are the hands that you will place with joy against your stomach, until he too feels his child stir from within you.
These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as you build a future together.
And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours.

May the hands that you both hold now have strength to hold on through life’s hardships. May they be kind and gentle as they nurture each other in love. May these hands build a marriage founded in caring, respect, and admiration, reaching together to bring forth the very best in you both. May they build a loving relationship that lasts a lifetime.

As you promise to love each other all the days of your life, may these hands always be held by one another.

VOWS & EXCHANGE OF RINGS
Officiant: And so we come to the presentation of rings by which you symbolize and bind your love. May I have the rings, please?

The wedding ring is a symbol of unity, an everlasting circle without beginning or end. And today, K and S give and receive these rings as a demonstration of their vows to make a single life together, to work at all times to create a love that is whole and unbroken, and to love each other infinitely. This ring is a symbol of your marriage and a symbol of the life you will share as one.

K and S, please turn to each other and share the vows you have written.

K:
S,
This is the happiest moment of my life.
I could not ask for a better woman to stand with me tonight.
You are the love of my life.
You always cheer me up when I am feeling down.
You calm my nerves when I am feeling anxious
(To the Crowd: except for this moment, right now).
And you tell me to eat when I am feeling grumpy.
I cannot imagine my life without you.

I know that life is not easy and that we will face hardships.
Sleepless nights and stressful days are in our future.
I vow to always work with you to overcome these obstacles.
I vow to always be there to support you as you will be there to support me.
And I vow to always put away the dishes.

I look forward to the years ahead of us,
To the places we will go together,
To the memories we will have together,
And to the life we will make together.
I love you S, and always will.

I give you this ring as a daily reminder of my love, and with it I pledge my faithfulness to you. From this day forward, I promise to honor and treasure you: today, tomorrow, and always.

S:
K,
I love you with everything I am, and everything I hope to be.
I love you because you put others ahead of yourself and because you hold me close and dance with me in the kitchen. I love you because you kiss me good-bye in the morning- even if I’m still asleep, and because you can reach things on the high shelves I can’t.

You make me believe in us and you make me believe in myself.

I know sometimes its hard being with me- I know that. But I’m a better person because I am with you. This is why I offer you everything- because without you I am nothing.

And so today, and forever, I promise to look after you and up to you, to hold you tight but not hold you back, to pick you up when you fall, and to remind you who you are when you’ve forgotten. And I promise to stay by your side as you stay by mine.

So, I give you this ring as a daily reminder of my love and with it I pledge my faithfulness to you. From this day forward, I promise to honor and treasure you: Today, tomorrow, and always.

CONSECRATION
Officiant: Now, may the love that has brought you together continue to grow. May today’s celebration remain with you as a sign of the partnership you have formed. May the love and happiness that you feel in this moment continue to grow deeper and stronger, and may every word you have spoken here be a living truth in your life together.

PROCLAMATION & KISS
Officiant: K and , in the presence of your family and friends, today you have vowed to share your lives through marriage. And so, in accordance with the laws of the state of California, it is my legal right and privilege to declare you husband and wife.

K, you may now kiss the bride.

CONCLUSION
Officiant: Ladies and gentlemen, it is with great pleasure that I present to you, for the first time as husband and wife, Mr. & Mrs. K and S LaRosa.