We are gathered here on this beautiful day on this great and historic ship, the Queen Mary, to witness and to celebrate the coming together of two separate lives, Andy Qunta and Teresa Stein. We recognize with thanksgiving the hopes they hold for their life together, and anticipate the growth and maturation of their love for one another; love which is nourished and strengthened by everyday little things - all those creative, special and unique ways in which people who love each other express and demonstrate the reality of the words “I love you”.

Who gives Teresa to Andy in marriage?

Marriage is an honorable estate, instituted by God at the very beginning of human history. Since it is divine in its origin and institution, marriage is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, soberly, and in a way which is both honoring to its originator and satisfying to its participants.

We together invoke God’s blessing upon them, asking Him to be their captain on the sea of matrimony so that they may continue to find in each other resources which will strengthen their marriage, enable them to grow together, and deepen their love for one another with the passing years.

Weddings are joyous occasions and we associate with marriage in our thoughts all the charms of home, and all that is beautiful and uplifting in the most tender and sacred relations of life. The foundation of this God-appointed relationship is unconditional love...freely given and joyously received...love whose character and qualities are expressed so beautifully in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

“Love is patient, love is kind, and it is not jealous: Love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly: It does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth: Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails...but now abide faith, hope, love, these three: But the greatest of these is Love.”

Questions

(Groom)

Do you Andy take Teresa to be your lawfully wedded wife? Do you promise to love her, honor and cherish her, and to support and assist her in all the labors of life? Do you pledge yourself to be her husband and to be faithful to her as long as you both shall live? If so you may answer “I do”.

(Bride)

Do you Teresa take Andy to be your lawfully wedded husband? Do you promise to love him, honor and respect him, and to support and assist him in all the labors of life? Do you pledge yourself to be his wife, and to be faithful to him as long as you both shall live? If so you may answer “I do”.

Vows

(Flowers to Maid of Honor, Turn to face one another)

(Groom - Repeat after me)

I Andy in the sight of God / and in the presence of my family and friends / take you, Teresa / to be my wife / from this day on / for better or worse / for richer or poorer / in sickness and in health / to love and to cherish / that we may together / enjoy life’s pleasures / and bear life’s burdens / as long as our lives endure. / I pledge to be faithful to my commitment.

(Bride - Repeat after me)

I Teresa in the sight of God / and in the presence of my family and friends / take you, Andy / to be my husband/ from this day on / for better or worse / for richer or poorer / in sickness and in health / to love and to cherish / that we may together / enjoy life’s pleasures / and bear life’s burdens / as long as our lives endure. / I pledge to be faithful to my commitment.

Who has the rings?

The circle has been a symbol of eternity from earliest recorded human history. Therefore these rings are symbolic of boundless and endless love. The rings are constructed of an imperishable metal, and thus they speak of the imperishable and enduring quality of the love which they represent. They should be given, received and worn with these concepts in mind.

(Groom - repeat after me): Teresa, I give you this ring / as a pledge / of constant faith and abiding love.

(Bride - repeat after me): Andy, I give you this ring / as a pledge / of constant faith and abiding love.

May these rings always be a symbol of your lifelong union as husband and wife, a sign of your love and loyalty to each other, and as a reminder that you will share all things together.

Forasmuch as Andy and Teresa have consented together in marriage, and have witnessed the same before God and families and friends and have given and pledged their faithfulness each to the other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving of these rings, and by joining hands, by the authority vested in me by the state of California as an ordained minister of the gospel, I do now pronounce them husband and wife. Whom God has joined together, let no one separate.

Benediction:

May the union of your lives dispel fear and loneliness, enlarge love and understanding, bring peace, mutual support, warmth, and maturing friendship as you journey through life together.

Andy, you may kiss your bride.

(Turn to face Congregation, have Bride get her flowers)

Ladies and Gentlemen, I have the honor to present Mr. & Mrs. Andy Qunta!