Here is our ceremony. I finished it today and DF approved it!
Amanda & Milton Andrade- Monday June 18th, 2012 @5pm Wedding Pavilion
REV. JACK DAY
ORGAN PRELUDE
GRANDPARENTS ENTER
GROOMS MOTHER ENTERS
PROCESSIONAL-GROOM ENTERS
BRIDAL PARTY ENTERS
BRIDE ENTERS WITH MOTHER & BROTHER
INTRODUCTION
Dear friends & family, out of the affection for Amanda and Milton, we have gathered here at this hour to witness and bless their mutual vows, which will unite them in marriage. To this moment they bring the fullness of their hearts as a treasure to share with one another. They bring dreams which bind them together.
They bring that particular personality and spirit which is uniquely their own, and out of which will grow the reality of their life together. As Christians, we look upon this ceremony as a worship celebration. It is the highest we know in love- the pledging of Amanda and Milton’s deepest faith and love to each other and the expression of the highest aspirations.
If marriage is to last a lifetime, it must be built upon love. In the 13th Chapter of Corinthians, the Apostle Paul gives a beautiful description of the type of love it takes to build a happy home:
“Love is patient; love is kind and envies no one. Love is never boastful, nor conceited, not rude; never selfish, not quick to take offense. Love keeps no score of wrongs; does not gloat over another’s sins, but delights in the truth. Love always protects, always hopes, always preserves. Love never fails.”
PRAYER
Father, hear our prayers for Amanda and Milton, who today are united in marriage before your altar. Give them your blessing, and strengthen their love for each other. We ask you this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives, and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
GIVING IN MARIAGE
Who presents Amanda to be married to Milton?
Amanda’s mom says “I do.”
TO THE MOTHERS
Amanda and Milton have asked me to publicly express their love and appreciation to you, their mothers, for all the love and guidance you have given them. Through you, they have learned the meaning of the words “love” and “commitment.” For this they “thank you.”
CONSENT
You, Amanda and you, Milton, have come to this hour signifying your desire to be united in marriage. You are to enter this relationship with mutual love; a mutual love for each other and a mutual love for God. The essence of the marriage commitment is the taking of another person in his or her entirety, as lover, companion and friend. It is therefore, a decision which is not to be entered lightly, but rather undertaken with great consideration, prayer, and respect for both the other person and oneself.
Marriage symbolizes the intimate sharing of two lives, yet this marriage must not diminish but enhance the individuality of each partner. A marriage that lasts is one in which each person is individually developing, while growing in understanding of the other.
Deep knowledge of each other is not something that can be achieved in a specific time period, but rather real understanding of the other’s feelings can develop fully only with years of intimacy. This wonderful knowledge of another person grows out of really caring for the other so much, that the one wants to understand as completely as possible what the other is feeling.
Since it is your intention to enter into marriage, join your right hands and declare your consent before God.
(Bride passes bouquet to Katie, Matron of Honor, and joins hands with groom.)
VOWS
Groom to say custom written vows
Bride to say custom written vows
BLESSING AND EXCHANGE OF RINGS
Lord, bless and consecrate Amanda and Milton in their love for each other. May these rings be a symbol of true faith in each other, and always remind them of their love. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Groom says) Amanda, take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, and of the son and of the Holy Spirit.
(Bride says) Milton, take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, and of the son and of the Holy Spirit.
SAND CEREMONY
Marriage is the union of husband and wife in heart, body and mind. It is intended for their mutual joy
and for the help and comfort given one another in prosperity and adversity.
Inasmuch as Amanda and Milton have consented together in marriage before this company of friends and family, we have gathered here today to witness the commitment that Amanda and Milton have made to join their lives together forever.
This sand ceremony represents a beautiful joining of two families and leaves the new united family with a visual reminder of the commitment that has been made.
From these two families a new family will be created today. At this time, I ask the mothers of Amanda and Milton to come forward.
These two vases of white Sand held by each mother represent each family.
The white Sand symbolizes that the marriage is grounded. (mother's pour sand)
Before you met, your lives were on separate roads, each going in different directions and seemingly leading to different destinations. But somewhere along the way you met, fell in love, and today you find yourselves standing together at the entrance of a new path that will forever join your once separate journeys into one.
As we layer the individual colors. This symbolizes that the marriage is based on the strength of the individuals.
Amanda and Milton as your sands come together into one, (both of you are pouring while being read)
may it always be a reminder of the day that the two of you became one; hand in hand, heart to heart,
flesh to flesh and soul to soul.
Although you will be sharing one life, never forget you are two separate people. Cherish and affirm your differences. Love each other. Keep your commitment primary. Together you will laugh and cry, be sick and well, be happy and angry, share and grow. Grow sometimes together, sometimes separately.
So, Amanda and Milton remember this day and the ceremony that has joined your families.
Always keep in your minds the love that brought you together and that will keep your marriage
and your families strong.
Just as the grains of sand can never be separated, may the two of you be intertwined together in love for the rest of your lives.
COIN CEREMONY
(Joey, Best man will give coins to Rev. Jack Day.)
The symbolism of the 13 Silver coins in this ceremony is that the groom recognizes his responsibility as a provider, and pledges his ability to support and care for his wife. Acceptance by the bride means taking that trust and confidence unconditionally with total dedication and prudence.
(Rev. Jack Day give 13 coins to groom)
As I hand you the 13 coins and place them in the grooms hands they all represent different values that the couple desire to share between themselves: love, harmony, cooperation, commitment, peace, happiness, trust, respect, caring, wisdom, joy, wholeness and nurturing.
May these coins be a symbol of this couple's mutual love, fidelity and trust.
(Groom says) I, Milton, give you Amanda, these 13 coins as a symbol of my unquestionable trust and confidence I place in you as my beloved wife. As we unite our lives today I share all material responsibility with you.
(Bride says) I, Amanda, accept these coins and assure you of my total love and dedication in looking after you, your possessions and my unconditional love.
In exchanging these coins, Amanda and Milton are essentially saying, "What's mine is yours and what's yours is mine." I bless these coins knowing that they are also symbolic of the unlimited good the universe has in store for this loving couple.
LASSO CEREMONY
Amanda and Milton have chosen to incorporate the Lasso ritual into their wedding ceremony today. The Lasso is a wedding ritual in which the couple are bound together with a ceremonial rosary. Lassoing is a declaration of intent, where the bride and groom clearly state that they are marrying of their own free will.
With full awareness, know that within this Lasso you are not only declaring your intent to be bound together before your friends and family, but you speak that intent also to God.
The promises made today and the ties that are bound here greatly strengthen your union and will cross the years and lives of each soul's growth.
Amanda and Milton, I ask you to hold hands and look into each other’s eyes.
Will you honor and respect one another, and seek to never break that honor?
Will you share each other's pain and seek to ease it?
Will you share the burdens of each so that your spirits may grow in this union?
Will you share each other's laughter, and look for the brightness in life and the positive in each other?
(Bride & Groom say together) We will.
At this time, I ask the mothers of Amanda and Milton to come forward. (They will drape the Lasso in the form of an "8" around the shoulders of the Bride and Groom.)
Amanda and Milton, as you are bound together now, so too your lives and spirits are joined in a union of everlasting love and trust. Above you are the stars and below you is the earth. Like the stars your love should be a constant source of light, and like the earth, a firm foundation from which to grow.
(Mothers will remove the lazzo)
PRAYER
Let us pray.
Eternal God, without your grace no promise is sure. Strengthen Amanda and Milton with patience, kindness, gentleness, and all the other gifts you so abundantly impart, that they may fulfill the vows they have made this day. Keep them faithful to each other and to you. Fill them by your word and serve you all their days. Amen.
PRONOUNCEMENT OF MARRIAGE
Amanda and Milton, may your marriage bring you all of the exquisite excitement a marriage should bring. And may life grant you patience, tolerance and understanding.
Amanda and Milton, you have pledged your lives and souls to one another in our presence; therefore by the authority vested in my by the State of Florida, I now pronounce you husband and wife.
Milton, you may now kiss your beautiful bride.
INTRODUCTION OF THE NEWLYWEDS
Family and Friends, with the greatest pleasure, I present to you for the first time as husband and wife. Mr. and Mrs. Milton Andrade!
I can't help but draw for your ideas for inspiration 
and I can't wait to use some of your ideas (with my own twist) for my wedding.
