Katherine and Alistair

Today is a celebration. A celebration of love, of commitment, of friendship, of family, and of two people who are in it for the rest of forever. The warranty is void and they are accepting each other as-is. And we get to be here to share this time with them- as only children both Katie and Alistair have built a network of family and chosen family and having you all here today is very important to both of them.

So it is my honor to officially welcome you to this celebration as we join Katherine and Alistair in marriage.

Kegan, you had a very special job today—you got to walk your mom down the aisle on her very special day. And they are both going to make some pretty big promises to each other in a few minutes. But I want your mom and Alistair to make a promise to you today. Will the two of you please hold Kegan’s hands?

Do you both promise to be devoted to make Kegan’s life full of happiness and accomplishments, nurturing his creativity, encouraging his independence, and always making sure he knows what a gift he is to this world?

Katherine and Alastair: "We Do"

I want us to take a moment to acknowledge those who should be here right now, but who aren’t because they have left us far too early. I have known Katie her whole life—she was born when I was a teenager and her arrival was a really big deal. I can’t begin to tell you how much that little girl was loved—by her parents, her grandparents, and her uncle. I know it breaks her heart that her dad can’t be here today, but I want to remind her that he IS here—that he walked with her down the aisle both in the pictures on her shoes and in the sweet little face of Keagan who is, in all seriousness, a carbon copy of Roy. And Alistair, while I haven’t known you quite as long, I know you and Katie share the pain that is the loss of a parent and I want to assure you that Shelley is here with you today. We’re standing where she married your step dad- I know she’s here. Let’s take just a few seconds of silence to acknowledge their presence and to call upon their memories.

Katie and Alistair have chosen the song You and Me as their reading today. They agree that it’s a pretty perfect description of their relationship. This is an interpretation of the lyrics:

You and me were always with each other
Before we knew the others was ever there
You and me we belong together
Just like a breath needs the air
I told you if you called I would come runnin'
Across the highs the lows and the in between
You and me we've got two minds that think as one
And our hearts march to the same beat

You and me we're searching' for the same light
Desperate for a cure to this disease
Well some days are better than others,
But I fear no thing as long as you're with me
They say everything it happens for a reason
You can be flawed enough but perfect for a person
Someone who will be there for you when you fall apart
Guiding your direction when you're riding through the dark,
Oh that's you and me

So, I want to talk to you both for a moment about tattoos. I know you both have them and even have ones you got together. Tattoos are art- they can be beautiful or menacing, but they are ultimately an expression of the person. Reading someone’s tattoos can read like a story of their life- an ongoing autobiography permanently etched into the skin. Marriage is a lot like getting at tattoo—it’s a little painful, it’s a lot beautiful, and it changes you forever. And that’s what you are doing today. Minus the ink. You are tattooing each other upon your hearts and establishing a permanence that will forever mark you as loved. With 25 tattoos between you, I know this analogy makes sense to you. I know you understand the permanence and the pain, and I know you understand that euphoria of riding the adrenaline as your body is marked by the artist. I want to encourage you to celebrate the happiness of this moment- to ride the adrenaline of the excitement of these past days and weeks- to celebrate the permanence of the commitment you are making.

True marriage is more than joining the bonds of marriage of two persons; it is the union of two hearts. It lives on the love you give each other and never grows old, but thrives on the joy of each new day. Marriage is love. May you always be able to talk things over, to confide in each other, to laugh with each other, to enjoy life together, and to share moments of quiet and peace, when the day is done. May you be blessed with a lifetime of happiness and a home of warmth and understanding.

Will the two of you please join hands?

No other human ties are more tender and no other vows more important than those you are about to take. Both of you come to this day with the deep realization that the contract of marriage is sacred as are all of its obligations and responsibilities. May you forever be tattooed upon each other’s hearts, and may this day be forever a part of your ongoing love story.

The exchanging of vows is an important part of a wedding ceremony, and Katie and Alistair have chosen vows that are a true reflection of their relationship.

Alistair,

Do you take Katharine to be your best friend, your faithful partner, and your one true love? Will you encourage, inspire and love her truly through the good times and bad? Do you promise to forever be there to laugh with her, lift her up, and love her unconditionally through all of your adventures in life together?

Alistair: "I Do"

Katie,

Do you take Alistair to be your best friend, your faithful partner, and your one true love? Will you encourage, inspire and love him truly through the good times and bad? Do you promise to forever be there to laugh with him, lift him up, and love him unconditionally through all of your adventures in life together?

Katie: "I Do"

You’ve both chosen to wear rings as a reminder of these promises. People often say wedding bands are a perfect circle, with no beginning and no end. But these rings did have a beginning. The stones were formed a long time ago deep with the earth. Eventually, a series of lucky events caused them to rise to the surface, where someone dug them up. Metal was then liquefied in a furnace at a thousand degrees — molded, cooled, and painstakingly polished. Something beautiful was created.

Love is like that. It comes from humble beginnings, and through a combination of serendipity and effort, imperfect beings shape it into something extraordinary. It’s the process of making something beautiful where there was once nothing at all. As you look at these rings over the years, I hope you remember that. You’ve created something invaluable, and just as I know you’ll protect these rings, I’m confident you’ll protect the commitments you’ve made to one other today.

Alistair, place the ring on Katie’s finger and repeat after me,

I give you this ring as a reminder of our vows and promises.

Alistair: "I give you this ring as a reminder of our vows and promises."

Katie, Place the ring on Alistair’s finger and repeat after me,

I give you this ring as a reminder of our vows and promises.

Katie: "I give you this ring as a reminder of our vows and promises."

Since Katie and Alistair have vowed to be loyal and loving toward each other, formalizing in our presence the existence of the bond between them, we bear witness to the ceremony they have performed-- the ceremony that has made them partners in life.

Because you have spoken a covenant of love and trust to each other you have made for yourselves a marriage and by the authority vested in by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the state of Kentucky, I am delighted to declare that your lives are now joined in marriage.

We gladly accept you in your new relationship one to another and pledge to dedicate ourselves to the continuing task of helping you build a deep and abiding love that touches all the world. We rejoice with you and as you prepare to leave it is with abiding confidence and affection we send you forth upon your journey of life together.

Benediction of Couple: 

May all that is noble and lovely abide now and forever with Katie and Alistair. May the love you have here declared blossom into that of fulfillment which only love can bring. With hearts full of joy, we make this our hope for you.

Benediction of Gathering:

May we leave here full of hope, joy, and love and may we remember always the two gathered here with affection, love, and supportive thoughts.

It is now my deep pleasure to present to you, for the first time as husband and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Alistair McDowell! Alistair, you may kiss the bride!