'We are gathered together this day to celebrate
and bless the joining together of
Clayton and Natalie in the sacrament of Marriage.'

'Who brings this woman to be given to this man?'

My father responded with 'I do' then he turned and lifted my veil, he kissed my cheek with a gentle kiss and then hands my arm to Clayton. We walked up to the altar and stopped by our Unity Candles, we turned and faced each other and joined hands.

Laura asks Clayton the following..

'Clayton do you take Natalie,
to be your wife and equal,
to live together openly and with honesty,
Will you love her, comfort her,
honor and keep her,
in sickness and in health,
and forsaking all others,
do you promise to be faithful to her
as long as you both shall live.'

Clayton smiles at me then says 'I do'

Laura then turned to ask me the following..

'Natalie do you take Clayton,
to be your husband and equal,
to live together openly and with honesty,
Will you love him, comfort him,
honor and keep him,
in sickness and in health,
and forsaking all others,
do you promise to be faithful to him
as long as you both shall live.'

I smiled back at Clayton and said 'I do'

Laura continued with a prayer, blessing our two families with the symbolism of the Unity candles. She then told us to take a candle that each of our mothers had lit, and for us both to light the main candle. Clayton and I smiled at each other as we raised our candles and lit the main candle to our new life.

We joined hands, as Sarah (maid of honor) and Fred (Best Man) gave Laura our Rings for a prayer blessing. She then gives Clayton the ring to give to me..

Clayton, as you present the ring that you bear to Natalie, please repeat after me..

'Natalie, with this ring
I pledge my faith
and trust to you.
Receive it as a symbol,
Of my constant love.
May it's presence
Always remind you
Of my devotion to you.'

Natalie, as you present the ring you bear to Clayton please repeat after me...

'Clayton, with this ring
I pledge my faith
and trust to you.
Receive it as a symbol,
Of my constant love.
May it's presence
Always remind you
Of my devotion to you.'

I will never forget that moment when we exchanged rings, Clayton looked at me so deeply and mouthed silently 'I love you' so many times. As Laura put a close to the ceremony her last few words meant a great deal to us both.

'Natalie & Clayton, please join your hands.
Look at these hands that are given to you in love.
To hold you, empower you
and love you all the days of your life.
This is your companion and friend,
your lover and confidant
Treasure and trust each other.'