Seating of Grandmothers:

• I Love You Lord – Instrumental
• Eleanor and Jean are seated by Noel,
• Scott seats Sara and Gladys.
• Merle follows.

Seating of Mothers:

• Khris seats Bonnie (Larry follows)
• Scott seats Dawn.
• Khris and Scott return to back.

Wedding Party Processional:

• As the Deer – Instrumental
• Fred, Khris, Noel, and Scott enter from side.
• Spirit Song - Instrumental
• Shawnna and Rebecca enter.

Bridal Processional:

• This Day I Marry My Best Friend - by Michael and Andrea Taylor- sung by Michael and Andrea
• Ken and Krista enter
• Dawn takes her place next to Krista

Opening Words:

• Fred: We are gathered today to celebrate one of the happiest moments in the lives of Khris and Krista, for on this day they will affirm before witnesses of Heaven and earth that they believe God has purposed that they should share life in the Holy bonds of matrimony.

Opening Prayer:

• Fred

Presentation of the Bride:

• Fred: Who rejoices in the marriage of this woman to this man?
• Ken & Dawn: We do.
• Ken and Dawn lift veil for kisses then replace veil.
• Ken and Khris shake hands.
• Krista gives bouquet to Rebecca.
• Khris and Krista join hands and face each other.
• Ken and Dawn are seated.

Readings:

• Linda Marshall: 1st Corinthians 13:1-13 (NIV)
  If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It 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. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.



• Barbara Downing: Why Do I Love You" by Roy Croft
  I love you, not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you.
  I love you, not only for what you have made of yourself, but for what you are making of me.
  I love you for putting your hand into my heaped up heart and passing over
  all the foolish, weak things that you can't help dimly seeing there,
  and for drawing out into the light all the beautiful belongings
  that no one else had looked quite far enough to find.
  Why do I love you? I love you for closing your eyes to the discords
  And for adding to the music in me by attentive listening.
  I love you because you are helping me to make out of the words
  of my every day, not a reproach, but a song.
  I love you because you have done more than any creed could have done to make me good,
  and more than any fate could have done to make me happy.
  You have done it without a word, without a touch, without a sign.
  You have done it just by being yourself.
  After all perhaps that is what Love means
  

The Rite of Marriage:

• Fred

Expression of Consent:

• Fred: Khris, Do you give yourself totally and lovingly to Krista, and do you promise to her before God and these witnesses that you will always be faithful to her, and treat her with honor, respect, kindness, and understanding throughout your lives?
• Khris: "I do."
• Fred: Krista, Do you give yourself totally and lovingly to Khris, and do you promise to him before God and these witnesses that you will always be faithful to him, and treat him with honor, respect, kindness, and understanding throughout your lives?
• Krista: "I do"

Vows:

• Khris: When I look into your eyes, I see the love you have for me.
  When I hold your hand I feel your reassurance.
  When you hold me, I feel warm and safe.
  You are my soul mate, the one God has made especially for me.
  You are my friend, the one who holds me up when I am falling.
  You are my true love, the one I am to spend the rest of my life with.
  From the moment I first met you, I knew you were special.
  A beautiful rose amongst a field of weeds.
  For you, my love, I will do anything.
  I will always have a hug and a kiss for you.
  My hand will always be there for you to hold.
  I will always be there for you when you need a good listener.
  I will forever love and respect you and honor your feelings.
  I love you.



• Krista: Khris, my love, I wish to tell you all that is in my heart
  as I contemplate our love. You are my dream come true.
  When I was a little girl, I dreamed of a wonderful husband,
  but I never dreamed it could be as good as this.
  You are unselfish, gentle, loyal, considerate, tender,
  giving, honest, passionate, and best of all, you are real.
  This is no longer a childhood fantasy!
  I cannot thank you enough for loving me.
  You have always been there for me.
  I am so blessed to have you as my best friend and soul mate.
  I promise you a devoted heart and a love that is ever true and ever growing.
  I will stand in front of you, sheltering you from the winds of adversity,
  behind you, supporting your dreams, and beside you as your best friend.
  I will respect and cherish you completely and forevermore.

Blessing of the Rings:

• Fred: Let us pray: Lord, bless these rings and the union they symbolize. Grant Krista and Khris a deep trust in each other and strengthen the bonds of love which unite them. May their hands be forever clasped in friendship and their hearts forever joined in love. We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN

Exchange of Rings:

• Khris: As this ring encircles your finger, from this day forward, year in and year out, so will my love forever encircle you. Wear this ring as a symbol of my love.
• Krista: This ring is round and hath no end, so is my love unto my friend.

Family Vow:

• Fred: Would the families of Khris and Krista please rise.
• Ken and Dawn rise Scott moves beside them,
• Bonnie and Larry rise, Shawnna moves beside them.
• Fred: I want to congratulate you on the part you have played in their lives. I remind you that it is more than their lives that are joined here, it is yours as well. With this in mind, I ask you, Khris' family: will you take this woman, Krista, into your family and into your hearts? If so answer "We do"
• Larry, Bonnie and Shawnna: We do.
• Fred: And I ask you, Krista's family: will you take this man, Khris, into your family and into your hearts? If so answer "We do"
• Ken, Dawn, and Scott: We do.
• Fred: May the miracle of this marriage extend throughout your families.

Unity Candle:

• From This Moment- by Shania Twain- sung by Michael and Andrea
• Mothers light tapers.
• Khris and Krista light middle candle.
• Khris gives Dawn rose,
• Krista gives Bonnie rose.
• Hugs to all family (don't forget Scott and Shawnna).

Blessing:

• Fred: May your marriage bring you all the exquisite excitements a marriage should bring, and may life grant you also patience, tolerance, and understanding.
  May you always need one another--not so much to fill your emptiness as to help you to know your fullness. For a mountain needs a valley to be complete; the valley does not make the mountain less, but more; and the valley is more a valley because it has a mountain towering over it. So let it be with you and you.
  May you want one another, but not out of lack.
  May you entice one another, but not compel one another.
  May you embrace one another, but not encircle one another.
  May you look for things to praise, often say, "I love you!" and take no notice of small faults.
  If you have quarrels that push you apart, may both of you have good sense enough to take the first step back.
  May you have happiness, and may you find it making one another happy.
  May you have love, and may you find it loving one another!

Prayer:

• Our Father- sung "Advent style" Bridal party goes and joins hands with front row.

Pronouncement:

• Fred: By the authority invested in me as a Minister of the Gospel according to the laws of the State of Florida, I now pronounce you Husband and Wife, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Those that God has joined together, let no man divide. You may kiss the Bride!
• Khris lifts veil - The KISS!

Introduction of couple:

• Fred: Now it is my happy privilege to introduce to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Khristopher Cox.

Recessional:

• "This Day I Marry My Best Friend"
  by Michael, Andrea, and God
  
  (Michael sings)
  Here I am, I pledge my love for the rest of my life
  Only you, my gift from God above, a precious wife
  Take my hand, here's my heart, all I want is you
  
  (Andrea sings)
  Here I am, I give myself to you on this day
  Only you, you're the answer to my prayers and I say
  Take my hand, here's my heart, all I want is you
  
  Chorus:
  You complete me, your love frees me
  You and I, we can fly
  How I love you
  How I need you
  Thank you, Jesus, for our lives
  This day I marry my best friend
  
  (both sing)
  Here we are, joined together this day, two hearts now one
  Just we two, blessed by God above, our lives have just begun
  Take my hand, here's my heart, all I want is you
  
  Chorus
  
  
• Exit: Krista and Khris, Rebecca and Noel, Shawnna and Scott, Sabrina, Dawn and Ken, Bonnie and Larry, etc.

Reception follows . . .

Check out our other web pages:

• Bridal Shower for Krista Ellis
• Krista & Khris Wedding Photos
• Our New Home in Clermont, Florida
• Krista's web page
• Krista's Photography

Mail Comments To:

• Krista or Khris

Web page provided by:

• Ken Ellis
• www.kodachrome.org