Brett and I wrote our ceremony from start to finish. We had many long and meaningful conversations about marriage, love, and our future. Finally, with less than a week left, we completed the ceremony for Miss. Whitney to read. A few late nights for the 3 of us to read through and edit (first read through took us 1.5 hours!), after all was done, the hard work paid off!
Welcome
Welcome. Today we have come together
as a community of family and friends
to celebrate the love that Jennifer & Brett share.
We are here to witness their vows and the continuation of their journey together.
So let us come together now,
as an extended family
to witness, support, and celebrate
the union of Jennifer and Brett.
Jennifer & Brett have asked all of you
To be with them today
Because each of you have provided something unique
in their lives.
The small things
such as guidance,
a helping hand,
or a candid laughter
exhibits the wealth of love and friendship
they have found in all of you.
Wishing Stones
Jennifer and Brett, all of your friends and family have a small stone,
that will represent their presence today.
I ask everyone to find the stone, which was placed on your seat
And hold it in your hands.
These stones will now represent your thoughts and prayers,
Providing strength as Jennifer and Brett embark upon their journey as husband and wife.
Please take a moment in silence to make a personal wish or blessing for the bride and groom.
As you leave the ceremony this evening,
Please sign and combine the stones into the vase at the entryway.
Jennifer and Brett,
All of us are now intertwined,
through you, into one family.
“What is Love?”
The associations with love,
and all that the word brings to mind,
makes it nearly, if not impossible, to define.
In fact, the dictionary has 18 ways to define love.
Today, we are going to share the results from Jennifer and Brett’s own little study—
Kristina, Keagan, and Stacey are now invited to share
“What is love” from the viewpoints of children here this evening.
Reading by Kristina, Keagan, and Stacey
What’s a strategy for making someone fall in love with you?
“Show them a little smile.”
–Rachael, Age 6
“Look cute and say ‘I like you’ or ‘You’re my best friend’
–Ben, Age 7
“You present them with gifts”
–Tyler, Age 9
“Flirt like my brother says to do”
–Anna, Age 11
“Write them a letter and give them love notes and lots of presents”
–Rylie, Age 10
“You tell them, and then have a plane write it in the sky”
–Kristina, Age 14
How do you tell if a couple is married?
“Cause a person is in another persons house and they share a bed. They invite you in and say ‘see my house!’”
–Ben, 7
“Mr. and Mrs… HELLO!”
–Kristina, 14
How do you know your parents love each other?
“They were the ones who made me born” –Carson, 6
“They always kiss each other and hug. But mostly, they give love”
–Ben, 7
“Dad’s heart aches when he can’t see mom and sometimes he doesn’t speak properly”
–Tyler, 9
“Well mom’s still here isn’t she!?”
—Stacey, 12
“Dad will do anything for mom”
–Anna, 11
How old should you be when you get married and why?
“56, like my grandmother.”
–Nikki, 5
“31. You have to be old enough to drive your bride away in a car!”
–Carson, 6
“36.”
–Rachael, 6
“Like 16 or 17 or 18. If you get married when you’re a kid you won’t be rich!”
–Ben, 7
“At least 24, because you need to spend time with your boyfriend and make sure you love him.”
–Rylie, Age 10
“At least 20, cause you can’t be married in college!”
–Anna, Age 11
“21, You should be able to drink!”
–Stacey, Age 12
“When you fall in love… unless you are 10, then you should wait!”
–Kristina, Age 14
How do you decide who you should marry?
“You love them and think they’re awfully pretty.”
–Carson, 6
“They should be cute”.
–Ben, 7
It’s all up to you; it’s your choice.
–Tyler, 9
You make sure they love you for who you are and you love them for who they are”
–Rylie, 10
How would you ask someone to marry you?
“Will you marry me, ‘cuz I think you’re HOT!”
–Bobby, 6
“Will you marry me ‘cuz I like you a lot and you probably like me too!”
–Ben, 7
“You’d HAVE to be a boy, get down on one knee, and present the ring”
–Tyler, 9
“I would wait for my boyfriend to ask me!!” –Rylie, 10
What does Brett Love more then anything?
“Pizza. Well…. Maybe Jenni. No Pizza. Yeah Yeah… Jenni Aaaand Pizza!”
–Carson, 5
“Who’s Brett?”
–Ben, 7
“Me, no Jenni… just joking! Jenni.”
–Tyler, 9
Why should Jenni marry Brett?
“Because he’s handsome as a bunny and a very curious man!”
–Carson, 6
“Cause he bought her a car!”
–Ben, 7
“He just keeps kissing her!”
–Tyler, 9
“Brett is nice and funny and she DOES love him…”
–Rylie, 10
Do you have any advice about love for Jenni and Brett?
“You should probably name the baby before the wedding. You don’t want people to say ‘hey cutie’ and the baby doesn’t have a name.”
–Carson, 6
“Don’t be so picky and anxious. Just be nice and buy them what they want… they will like it.
–Ben, 7
“Be kind to each other”
–Rylie, 10
“Kiss a lot, it seems to work for mom and dad”
–Anna, 11
“As the song says… Don’t worry, Be happy!”
–Stacey, 12
“Jenni, Buy Brett a Car. Brett, buy Jenni lots of Flowers”
–Kristina, 14
Jennifer and Brett asked their grandmothers for advice on how to have a long and successful marriage.
“The love you have now is tender and blooming. It will grow to respect, tenderness and caring throughout the years. When you see your 50th anniversary you will reach your ultimate in affection.”
– Grandma Liz, Married 45 years
“To have a happy and successful marriage you must leave three words out of your vocabulary: I, Me, and Mine. And you must add three in their place: We, Us, and Ours.” – Granny Griffin, Married 47 years
As you can see, love is so simple,
yet very complex.
As love matures, it takes on a life
and meaning of it’s own.
As Friends and family,
You form the community of support that surrounds Jennifer & Brett.
Each of you, by your presence today
Is responsible for helping to uphold their promises and vows to one another.
They ask you to do this
By always standing beside them,
And never between them.
Offer your love and support,
But not your judgment.
Encourage them with your kind and loving hearts,
And honor the journey they are about to begin today.
EXCHANGE OF VOWS
Jennifer and Brett…
Being married is like trying to keep your balance in
a three-legged race.
You are walking side by side in a forward momentum,
Moment by moment each of you make decisions,
That will help you maintain balance,
Cause you to lose your rhythm,
Or forget your way.
While you are two separate individuals,
You walk along one path together.
Your every gesture, word, expression, and action
Or those you withhold, or omit
will determine the quality of your experience together.
Each of us knows that marriage is not created by a law or ceremony;
Rather it occurs in the hearts of two human beings.
It grows out of love, respect, and honesty.
Jennifer and Brett wrote letters to one another for me to share with you today.
Brett’s Letter
Dear Jennifer,
I am honored to have you as my beautiful bride
Seven years and seven months ago we met by chance
And from the beginning I knew you were the one to hold on too
You support me in my life long journey,
and gently guide me back when I can not find my way.
Our lives are interwoven together
and we have stood the test of time.
I have learned that love’s strength is not shown by the gifts and good times
Instead it is measured by how we emerge from life’s challenges
I love how you support my passions
and don’t get jealous of my love …. for pepperoni pizza!
Jennifer, marriage is not just a blend of two sole mates, but also a blend of two families.
I have been blessed by the love and acceptance of your family.
As we continue our life together, I am delighted to have you as my co-pilot.
There is no one else I would want to navigate my life with.
And when the day is done,
I always look forward to sharing my dreams with you.
Jennifer’s Letter
Dear Brett,
I am honored to become your wife,
and I am excited to have you as my husband.
In seven years, you have helped me realize that life—
and love is an ever-changing adventure.
Life with you has taken me coast-to-coast,
and provided us with many memorable adventures.
I now know, for certain, that between the two of us,
We have all the resources, imagination and strength that we will ever need.
Brett, Your smile truly lifts my spirit.
Your tenderness allows for my vulnerability.
I love your candid and unexpected way of expression.
I feel lucky when I think about how you embrace
my quirky behaviors… such as my urge to label things,
or that I refuse to get out of bed unless the clock ends in
a zero or five.
I admire you for always thinking outside the box,
and for having passion for everything you do.
You genuinely care for others,
and value friendship and family.
I am thankful, that at the beginning of every day,
I can go forth into the world with confidence,
And know that your love awaits me at days end.
Ring Exchange
Carson, please step forward with the rings.
Brett: Jennifer, you are my greatest love.
Today, I give you this ring as a symbol of my promise,
for I want to join my life with yours.
I know time will pass,
Trials may come,
Fortunes WILL smile.
No matter what we encounter,
I vow to take the on the adventure together.
I will faithfully stand by your side,
providing you with strength and honesty.
I promise to make your dreams as important as my own
and join your laughter at every opportunity.
I vow to make our marriage, and family my primary focus.
Brett do you enter into marriage
without hesitation,
with an open and trusting heart?
Jennifer: Brett, You are my only love.
Today, I give you this ring as a symbol of my promise,
for I want to join my life with yours.
I know time will pass,
Trials may come,
And fortunes WILL smile.
No matter what we encounter,
I vow to take the on the adventure together.
I promise to nourish you with my gentleness,
And always be your greatest fan.
I will provide you with patience,
an open mind, and a giving spirit.
I will stand by your side
to share a lifetime of unending love.
I vow to make our marriage, and family
A work of art.
Jennifer do you enter into marriage
without hesitation,
with an open and trusting heart?
Jennifer and Brett,
from this day forward
7 – 7 – 07 will be more then just one lucky day,
it will carry a special meaning for you.
Each year, when you come upon your anniversary,
Please remember to rededicate yourselves to these vows
Take stock of where you are in your marriage,
And how you are doing as partners.
Remember to express gratitude
for the ways you have effectively loved and supported one another,
and forgiveness for any challenges that have come between you.
Most of all… live a marriage full of abundance.
I now pronounce you, husband and wife.
Brett, you may now kiss your bride…
~Kissy Kissy~
It is now my pleasure to be the first to introduce to you
Brett and Jennifer Griffin.