My First Wedding

Kevin & Kristle’s Wedding

• Father/Bride come down the aisle.

• On behalf of Kevin and Kristle, I welcome you here today. Marriage is as old as time itself. In Genesis we read about the beginning of life and the beginning of marriage. It’s reason for existence lies in the words of God: “It is not good for man to be alone. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife and they will become one flesh.” (Gen. 2:18,24)

• Who Gives this woman to be married?

• Today is a very special day in Kevin and Kristle’s lives and I know that they appreciate your presence here this evening to witness this wonderful occasion. Over seven years ago I became Kevin’s Brother–in–law. I have watched as he grew from a teenager to the man that he is today. I’ve been able to see Kevin go through many good times as well as bad. I have also been able to watch him as he stumbled through several “teen–age” relationships. But there was always something different in the way he approached his relationship with Kristle. The Commitment was stronger. The way he spoke of her was more caring. I saw the same in Kristle. I saw here commitment to Kevin and her love for him no matter the circumstance. It didn’t take long for myself and the rest of the family to begin to wonder if she wasn’t the one. Our suspicions proved themselves to be right. Tonight we have been invited to hear them promise to live a life together accepting whatever lies ahead.

• Let us Pray.

• Kevin and Kristle, nothing is easier to say in words, yet nothing is harder than living them day by day. What you promise today must be renewed and re–decided tomorrow. After tonight, legally, you will be husband and wife, but you must still decide each day that comes before you that you want to be married. Today some people take lightly the vows of marriage, even in Jesus’ days there were some who took lightly the marriage laws of God. In Matthew 19 some of these men questioned Jesus about marriage asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?” Jesus answered, “Haven’t you read that at the beginning the Creator made them male and female and said, for this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh? So they are no longer two but one, Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” Here Jesus re–established God’s law that marriage is for life. In order to make your marriage mean forever you must renew your love for each other everyday. In Colossians 3, the apostle Paul gave a great list of things that God’s people should share with one another, things like: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Yet in verse 14 he said, “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” You see we can be compassionate, kind, humble, gentle and patient to someone and yet if we don’t love them it will not be bound together and is in danger of falling apart. Paul gives the reason for this in I Cor. 13 when he describes love. “Love is patient, love is kind. I does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self–seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”

• Kevin, Repeat after me.

• Here among friends - I, Kevin, wish for us both - a marriage of love and laughter - of tears and then hope - where I am free - to touch you when you are sad - for you to hug me when I am happy - For my heart is open to yours - and yours to mine always. - I love you for the mother you will be - and the friend that you are - for the woman who helps me to grow - and to be one with myself. - I will work with you - so that our marriage can mean forever - In good times and bad - with guidance from God - I am your partner - I am your Husband - I Love You.

• Kristle, Repeat after me.

• Here among friends - I, Kristle, wish for us both - a marriage of love and laughter - of tears and then hope - where I am free - to touch you when you are sad - for you to hug me when I am happy - For my heart is open to yours - and yours to mine always. - I love you for the father you will be - and the friend that you are - for the man who helps me to grow - and to be one with myself. - I will work with you - so that our marriage can mean forever - In good times and bad - with guidance from God - I am your partner - I am your Wife - I Love You.