Kevin and Lisa's Christian Ceremony Script. Surprise Wedding at Elliott House, Kokomo

Lisa and Kevin got engaged and decided to throw an engagement party at Elliott House in Kokomo.  The historic house and museum also made the perfect backdrop for their surprise wedding!! Their guests had pretty much all figured it out already, but it was good fun when they arrived ready to celebrate.  Surprise weddings are more popular then you might think.  It removes a LOT of stress in your wedding planning.  It was catered by Olive Garden.  Until then, I didn't even know you could do that!

They provided me with this ceremony to perform and I'm sharing it with you! This ceremony includes more of a traditional sermon.  That's not something I generally perform in a wedding ceremony but I'm happy to perform just about any ceremony you provide me with of write a sermon for you.  

Welcoming Words
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Welcome!  Thank you for joining us here today,  to celebrate the joining together in marriage of Kevin and Lisa. We gather here today to celebrate their union, and to honor their commitment to one another,  Kevin and Lisa proclaim their love to the world, and we are happy for them.

We have come here as a community of family and friends to love and support the two of you. To witness your entrance into the sacred and joyous covenant of marriage, and to celebrate the beginning of your journey together as husband and wife.

Opening Prayer
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Let us pray.  Lord, behold our family here assembled. We thank you for this place in which we dwell, for the love that unites us,for the peace accorded us this day, for the hope with which we expect the morrow, for the health, the work, the food, and the bright skies that make our lives delightful; for our friends in all parts of the earth. We pray, O God, that you remain with Kevin and Lisa as a partner in their marriage. Grant to them, and to us all, love and understanding all of our days. Amen

We are all happy  that you have found each other And that through each other, You have come to know the power of love. We celebrate your union of hearts, minds, bodies, and souls and wish you great joy, a loving, and happy marriage.

Declaration of Support
more words about love and marriage

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 two people who are in love, it also touches the family and friends who in various ways support and contribute to the relationship. All of you are Kevin and Lisa's support system, and each of you has played some part in bringing them to this moment. 

Today we have come together to celebrate the love you have found with each other. By being here with you, Each of us is declaring our support For your decision to join together in marriage.

As family and friends, all of you here form the support That surrounds Them. Each of you, by your presence here today, Is being called upon to uphold them In honoring and loving each other. Always stand beside them, Never between them. Offer them your love and support, Not your judgment. Encourage them with your kindness and loving hearts, And honor this marriage into which they have come to be joined today.

Marriage is the ultimate relationship because it offers the opportunity of limitless intimacy between two people. It is a great and challenging adventure into the depths and heights of human caring, Affection, trust and understanding. Today as you make your vows, your lives are forever entwined. 

Your precious union is lovely in its innocence, Mighty in its strength, And abundant with possibilities. It belongs to you both. Over time you will give it identity. We wish for you the wisdom, strength of character, and divine creativity To make this a happy marriage, A safe harbor. And a joyful journey to share. 

Kevin and Lisa, You have known each other from the first glance of acquaintances to this point of commitment. At some point, you decided to marry. From that moment of yes to this moment of yes,  indeed, you have been making promises and agreements in an informal way. All those conversations that were held riding in a car or over a meal or through texts - all those sentences that began with "When we're married" and continued with "I will and you will and we will" - those late night talks that included "someday and somehow and maybe"- and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart. All these common things, and more, are the real process of a wedding. The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, "You know all those things we've promised and hoped and dreamed- well, I meant it all, every word." Look at one another and remember this moment in time. Before this moment you have been many things to one another- acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, dancing partner, and even teacher, for you have learned much from one another in these last few years. For after these vows, you shall say to the world, this is my husband, this is my wife. 

Believing this, are you, Kevin and Lisa, prepared to enter this covenant of marriage and to share all the joys and sorrow of this new marriage, whatever the future may hold?  To bring your A game every time? To play fair? To work through every 3rd and long situation, working together to move toward your goals? To dedicate yourself to team work? Playing each game the best you can right through to the last whistle with the intent to not only make it to the play-off’s but to win the SuperBowl?

Vows
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Do you Kevin, take Lisa to be your wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do you part?

I do  

Do you Lisa, take Kevin to be your husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do you part?

I do  

Now, the couple would like to share the vows they have written for one another.  

Meaning of the Rings
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The rings please...

The ring is a circle... an ancient symbol of eternity and completeness, so perfect, with no beginning and no end, for love that is given comes back around again.

Ring Exchange
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Repeat after me:

Kevin: I give you this ring as a symbol of my enduring love and lifelong devotion. Wear it and know that I love you.

Lisa: I give you this ring as a symbol of my enduring love and lifelong devotion. Wear it and know that I love you.

Sermon

Kevin and Lisa, what is the purpose of marriage? Or, to put it another way, why are you getting married? We can identify different purposes: a setting within which we   may give loving and tender expression to the desires God gave us;
a secure environment within which children may be born and taught to know and serve the Lord; a structure that enriches society and contributes to its orderly function.

You have asked me to speak on a text that gives another reason, the most important reason, for marriage. You have asked me to speak on companionship in marriage.
Do you remember what we read in Genesis after the creation of Adam? God announced, "It is not good for the man to be alone". Up to this point, everything has been pronounced "good" or "very good". But now God says something is not good: "It is not good for the man to be alone". As the old song puts it, "one is a lonely number." So what did God do? God made Eve so Adam would not be alone. In the same way, God made Lisa so Kevin  would not be alone and God made Kevin so Lisa would not be alone. If one is a lonely number than two is a happy number.

Now, listen to your wedding text which speaks of this companionship:
(Ecclesiastes 4:9-12) Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

"Two are better than one." Do you hear the echoes of Genesis? Do you hear the old refrain going back to Adam & Eve? "Two are better than one." "It is not good for the man to be alone." So God provides a companion.

When Jesus looks at this companionship, He sees something holy and mysterious. He says the two become one flesh; He says they are no longer two, but one (Mt 19:5,6). They are joined together just like Christ and the church are joined together. So, not only are two better than one but two also become one.

Kevin and Lisa, the two of you are life-long companions of each other. From this point on you are each other's best friend and companion. From now on you travel the same road. None of us knows the kind of road the Lord has in mind for you. None of us knows the pitfalls, the curves, the valleys, the hills that you will face. But as you wind your way through life, you have the comfort and strength of each other as lifelong traveling companions.

I saved the most important line until last. The Spirit-inspired author of Ecclesiastes ends our Scripture reading with, "A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." He is repeating common knowledge: everyone back then knew that a rope made of a single or double strand of cord could be broken so easily; a rope, however, made of three strands was not so easily broken.

Kevin and Lisa, the author of Ecclesiastes is not trying to educate us about ropes; rather, he is trying to educate us about marriage. To have a strong marriage, a marriage that is not easily broken, you need to have three strands. Kevin, you are one strand. Lisa, you are another strand. And the third strand – that is God.

I came across a poem entitled "Marriage Takes Three" that speaks to this:
I once thought marriage took
Just Two to make a go,
But now I am convinced
It takes the Lord also.

And not one marriage fails
Where Christ is asked to enter
As lovers come together
With Jesus at the center.

But marriage seldom thrives,
And homes are incomplete,
till He is welcomed there
To help avoid defeat.

In homes where Christ is first
It's obvious to see,
Those unions really work,
For marriage still takes three.
Perry Tanksley 1984

"A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." This is an obligation and it is a promise. First, the obligation. the Lord Jesus needs to be at the center of your home and marriage.

"A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." This is also a promise. When the three of you – Kevin, Lisa, and God – travel together, nothing can tear you apart. When the three of you – Kevin, Lisa, and God – travel together, you are so intertwined with each other that no one and nothing can tear you apart.

According to Jesus, God designed marriage to be permanent. God did not bring Eve to Adam for a one-night stand. God did not bring Eve to Adam so that they would stay together only until the children were grown up. God did not bring Eve to Adam until someone better came along. God expected Adam and Eve to be lifelong companions. God expected them to stay together until death do them part. Likewise, Kevin and Lisa, God's will is that you live together in a lifelong, exclusive partnership of love and fidelity. As Jesus puts it, "Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate". 

"Two are better than one." "A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." God bless you as you live out these words in your marriage.

Kevin and Lisa will now braid their strands. 

Marriage Blessing
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Kevin and Lisa, may you live happily ever after. May all your days be blessed with love and friendship. May each day and night of your lives be a new beginning.
May your home be filled with laughter.
May you find peacefulness and beauty, challenge, and satisfaction, humor and insight, healing and renewal, love and wisdom, as in a quiet heart.
May you always feel that what you have is enough.

My the two of you be blessed by God, may you be touched by angels.  May your heart stay full, may your spirits stay connected and may you love long and happily in one another’s arms.

Closing Prayer
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Let us pray. Father in heaven, You ordained marriage for your children, and you gave us love. We present to You, Kevin and Lisa who come this day to be married. May the covenant of love they make be blessed with true devotion and spiritual commitment.
We ask that You, God, will give them the ability to keep the covenant they have made.
When selfishness shows itself, grant generosity; when mistrust is a temptation, give moral strength;
when there is misunderstanding, give patience and gentleness; if suffering becomes a part of their lives, give them a strong faith and an abiding love.
Amen.

I now pronounce you Husband and wife!

You may kiss the bride!

Mr. and Mrs. Shallenberger






















 
We can reword this, it’s just something to start with, usually, I will add personalizations in real time based on everyone’s reaction.  We can script the whole thing out as well.  


Welcome!  Thank you for joining us here today,  to celebrate the joining together in marriage of Bride and groom .    We gather here today to celebrate their union, and to honor their commitment to not just gazing at one another, but to looking outward together in the same direction.  Bride and Groom proclaim their love to the world, and we are happy for them.

We have come here as a community of family and friends to love and support the two of you. To witness your entrance into the sacred and joyous covenant of marriage, and to celebrate the beginning of your journey together as husband and wife.

Who gives this woman to be married?

Mom and Dad’s:  We do.

Thank You!


Let us pray

O God, Creator of us all, we thank you for the gift of life and on
this day we thank you especially for the joy that Lisa and Groom 
have found in each other, and for the promises they will make before you.
Bless all of our families and friends who are present with us on this special occasion.
We also remember those who couldn't be here today, particularly  ____________
We pray, O God, that you remain with Bride and
Groom as a partner in their marriage. Grant to them, and to us all,
love and understanding all of our days. Amen




We are all happy  that you have found each other And that through each other, You have come to know the power of love. We celebrate your union of hearts, minds, bodies, and souls.  And wish you great joy and a loving and happy marriage.


Declaration of support:

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 two people who are in love, it also touches the friends and family members who in various ways support and contribute to the relationship. All of you are Bride and Groom's community, and each of you has played some part in bringing them to this moment. 
This is why gathering as a community is such an important part of a wedding ceremony. Because they are now taking a new form as a married couple, and in this form, they become part of their community in a new way.

Today we have come together to celebrate the love you have found with each other. By being here with you, Each of us is declaring our support For your decision to join together in marriage.

As families and friends, all of you here form their community of support That surrounds Them. Each of you, by your presence here today, Is being called upon to uphold them In honoring and loving each other. Always stand beside them, Never between them. Offer them your love and support, Not your judgment. Encourage them with your kindness and loving hearts, And honor this marriage into which they have come to be joined today.

Marriage is the ultimate relationship because it offers the opportunity of limitless intimacy between two people. It is a great and challenging adventure into the depths and heights of human caring, Affection, trust and understanding. Today as you make your vows, your lives are intermingled As the waters of two streams become one, Flowing together into a mighty river.

Marriage is a journey of transformation into the profound mysteries of life and creation. Perhaps these are the little secrets of life a couple share with each other? You know, funny little habits... In marriage, two become one and, the two of you together is much greater than the simple sum of your parts. In marriage, We do not give ourselves to another, But rather surrender into something greater.  We surrender to love itself. Today, you step into a much fuller experience and expression of the mysteries and miracles of love. Today it becomes officially legal!

Your precious union is lovely in its innocence, Mighty in its strength, And abundant with possibilities. It belongs to you both. Over time you will give it identity. We wish for you the wisdom, strength of character, and divine creativity To make this a happy marriage, A safe harbor. And a joyful journey to share. 

Bride and Groom, You have known each other from the first glance of acquaintance to this point of commitment. At some point, you decided to marry. From that moment of yes to this moment of yes,  indeed, you have been making promises and agreements in an informal way. All those conversations that were held riding in a car or over a meal or during long walks - all those sentences that began with "When we're married" and continued with "I will and you will and we will" - those late night talks that included "someday and somehow and maybe"- and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart. All these common things, and more, are the real process of a wedding. The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, "You know all those things we've promised and hoped and dreamed- well, I meant it all, every word." Look at one another and remember this moment in time. Before this moment you have been many things to one another- acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, dancing partner, and even teacher, for you have of much from one another in these last few years. of all of  you shall say a few words that take you across a threshold of life, and things will never quite be the same between us. For after these vows, you shall say to the world, this is my husband, this is my wife 


Believing this, are you, Bride and Groom, prepared to enter this covenant of marriage and to share all the joys and sorrow of this new relationship, whatever the future may hold?  To bring your A game every time? To play fair? To work through every 3rd and long situation, working together to move toward your goals? To dedicate yourself to team work? Playing each game the best you can right through to the last whistle with the intent to not only make it to the play-off’s but to win the SuperBowl?

Vows:



Do you Groom, take Bride to be your wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do you part?

I do  

Do you Bride, take Groom to be your husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do you part?

I do  

Now, the couple would like to share the vows they have written for one another.  


The rings please...

The ring is a circle... an ancient symbol of eternity and completeness, so perfect, with no beginning and no end, for love that is given comes back around again.


Repeat after me:

Bride: I give you this ring as a symbol of my enduring love and lifelong devotion. Wear it and know that I love you.


Groom: I give you this ring as a symbol of my enduring love and lifelong devotion. Wear it and know that I love you.





Bride  and Groom  have decided to perform the ceremony of the Cord of Three Strands.  It’s based on the Book of Ecclesiastes Chapter 4, Verse 12 that says “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.  A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”  

It states that the two of them together are stronger than they are separate and alone.  We often use the word synergy to say that the sum is greater than the parts. But what is it that actually makes us greater?  What’s that magical ingredient? The ingredient is Love. As a wedding officiant, I do believe that Love is the most powerful force in the universe.  It’s a power we can each lend ourselves to and allow it to be the place from where we operate. We can love ourselves and act in the world from a place of love.  Imagine the world where we all operate from a place of love? No one can speak for the whole world but today, by performing this ceremony Bride and Groom are saying that they are going to act from a place of love in their marriage.  They are saying that the power of love is greater than they are and that it’s a power that can make each of them better people and better together as a married couple. As your marriage changes and grows there will be times you wonder about the love that binds you. You may not always feel it and think it as gone.  At those times, I hope you look at this cord and realize it’s still there.  

They have 3 strands here - 3 cords.  One stands for each of them and the third stands for love - the tie that binds.  They will now braid them together.  

Bride and Groom, may you live happily ever after. May all your days be blessed with love and friendship. May each day and night of your lives be a new beginning.
May your home be filled with laughter and the warm embrace of a summer day.
May you find peacefulness and beauty, challenge, and satisfaction, humor and insight, healing and renewal, love and wisdom, as in a quiet heart.
May you always feel that what you have is enough.

My the two of you be blessed by God, may you be touched by angels.  May your heart stay full, may your spirits stay connected and may you love long and happily in one another’s arms.

I now pronounce you Husband and wife!

You may kiss the bride!

Mr. and Mrs. ____________!
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