Lucas and I became Mr. and Mrs McCraw on August 21, 2010. We eloped to the mountains of Asheville, NC. We were wed at a beautiful Bed and Breakfast http://www.biltmorevillageinn.com/, The Biltmore Village Inn, by Reverend Dr. C. Fred Werhan http://www.weddingofficiantashevillenc.com/ and our wonderful photographer was Melissa Markis http://www.markisphoto.com/.
We were accompanied by Aaron and Ashley Hodgin.
Here is a copy of our complete wedding ceremony:
WEDDING CEREMONY - AUGUST 21, 2010
Lucas Gabe McCraw
Brandy Leigh Bryson
Minister: The Rev. Dr. C. Fred Werhan
Minister:
We have gathered on this joyous occasion for the purpose of uniting this woman, Brandy Leigh Bryson, and this man, Lucas Gabe McCraw, in marriage. You know, of course, that we cannot do this by ourselves. When the Bible says, "What therefore God has joined together..." it implies that marriage is something in which God participates. We pray that will be so today.
It is one of life's richest surprises when the accidental meeting of two life paths lead them to proceed together along the common path as husband and wife. It is one of life's finest experiences when a casual relationship grows into a permanent bond of love. This meeting and this growth bring us here today.
Marriage is an outward symbol of an inward union of hearts, a union created by friendship, respect, faith, passion and love. Love is one of the greatest experiences that we humans can have, but it is when love is combined with real friendship that both are infinitely enhanced. Today, we come together not to mark the start of a relationship, but to recognize a bond that already exists.
Lucas and Brandy, you come from different worlds. Now you plan to put your different worlds together to make one world. This fusion or blending of life is an act of eternal consequence. This is why we say that marriage is of God. There is risk and sometimes sadness in marriage. More often there is joy and reward in two lives so joined together.
Marriage, the bond, makes us free -- free to see, to be, to love, to try some things and resist trying others, because, having promised, we feel secure. Because we know we are loved, we can step beyond our fears; because we have been chosen, we can transcend our insecurities. We can make mistakes knowing we will not be cast out, take missteps knowing someone will be there to catch us. And since mistakes and missteps are the stuff of change, of expansion, in marriage we can expand to our fullest capacity.
You are entering into that holy estate which is the deepest mystery of experience and the very sacrament of Divine Love. You are performing an act of utter faith, believing in one another to the end. Because you have no idea what the future holds for you -- what joys and what sorrows await you -- your decisions to marry require tremendous faith on each of your parts. You must have faith in yourselves as individuals and in what you have to give to each other; faith in your relationship as a couple and in what you can be and do together; and most of all, faith in God and in God's presence with you to face whatever the future holds.
Let us pray.
Prayer by Minister:
Eternal and loving God, as we stand here with Lucas and Brandy, Aaron and Ashley, we invoke your presence to add your blessing to this special time in their lives. May the love that has grown between them to this time, continue to grow and mature as they share their life together in marriage. And may your presence in their walk through the future, give guidance and direction which will bring joy and happiness to their relationship. For this we pray. Amen.
Minister to Groom:
Lucas, do you take Brandy to be your wife, to live together in the holy bond of married life? Do you promise to honor and uphold her, and to join with her in making a home that shall endure in love and peace? Do you promise to seek the spiritual union with her whereby you both shall know the joy and fulfillment of love? Do you pledge to her your complete faithfulness through all the changing experiences in life? And, of your own free will, do you now give yourself to her completely -- body, mind and spirit -- that from this day forth you will be hers alone, so long as you both live?
Groom:
I do.
Minister to Bride:
Brandy, do you take Lucas to be your husband, to live together in the holy bond of married life? Do you promise to honor and uphold her, and to join with her in making a home that shall endure in love and peace? Do you promise to seek the spiritual union with her whereby you both shall know the joy and fulfillment of love? Do you pledge to her your complete faithfulness through all the changing experiences in life? And, of your own free will, do you now give yourself to her completely -- body, mind and spirit -- that from this day forth you will be hers alone, so long as you both live?
Bride:
I do.
Minister:
With these promises I would have you now to repeat your vows of marriage to one another.
I, Lucas, take you, Brandy, to be my wedded wife; to have and to hold from this day forward; for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, 'till death do us part. This is my promise to you.
I, Brandy, take you, Lucas, to by my wedded husband; to have and to hold from this day forward; for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, 'till death do us part. This is my promise to you.
Minister:
From the earliest of times the ring has been used as an official seal. A promise was made and to demonstrate the seriousness of the occasion, a ring would be given. Friends, kings, and even states have supported their vows with a ring. Now the ring serves its most sacred purpose. There rings will be a constant reminder of the promises and vows you have made to one another. By these rings all can see and know of the marriage covenant you have made with one another.
May I hold the rings to be exchanged.
Minister to Bride:
Brandy, will you receive this ring as a token of Lucas' affection, sincerity and fidelity, and will you wer it as a symbol of your own affection, sincerity and fidelity toward him?
Bride:
I will.
Minister to Groom:
Lucas, place the ring on Brandy's finger, and say to her, "With this ring, I thee wed."
Lucas, will you receive this ring as a token of Brandy's affection, sincerity and fidelity, and will you wear it as a symbol of your own affection, sincerity and fidelity toward her?
Groom:
I will.
Minister to Bride:
Brandy, place the ring on Lucas' finger, and say to him, "With this ring, I thee wed."
Minister:
It is with genuine joy that I do now say the minister's part: Acting by the authority given me by the laws of this State, and looking to God for blessing upon your life together, I pronounce you husband and wife. What God has made one, let no one put apart.
Lucas, you may now kiss the bride.
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