All Are Welcome Ministries

"Chris and Colleen - 6/28/08"

What a wonderful day this wedding ceremony was! I can truly say it was one of the most moving weddings I have had the pleasure of officiating and attending...

Chris has recently entered the National Guard, and is ready to serve his country. Though Chris and Colleen have been together for years, and they have three children, they knew it was time to officially tie the knot. This special day was made even more special by the fact that Chris and Colleen wanted their gilrs to be part of the ceremony.

At one point in the service, I called the girls to stand with their parents - hand in hand - facing the audience. We then had the audience make their vows to the couple, and to the new family standing before us...tears and sniffles were everywhere (in a good way of course!). Then, I asked the bride, groom, and the children to form a circle so that I could officially bless them and their new lives together.

I loved this ceremony for so many reasons - the participation of the children, the audience and the truly involved bride and groom, who had many wonderful ideas that I was able to integrate into their ceremony.

I wish Chris and Colleen the best....

Alisa