Celebrant: In this place, we take ourselves out of the usual routines of daily living to witness a unique moment in the lives of Kayla and Zander. Today they join their lives in the union of marriage.
To all their guests, they are happy to share this moment with you. They have known most of you for several years. You watched them grow up, you went to school with them, or you worked with them. Because you are the ones who have supported them and known them so well, it is only fitting that you are the ones to share this once-in-a-lifetime moment with them.
Zander and Kayla are pleased to have their parents in the front row...close to them for the ceremony. Kayla thanks her mother for providing her with every opportunity possible and being the best mother anyone could ask for.
Zander appreciates all the love and support his friends and brother have provided over the years.
A wedding day is often a day when couples miss family members no longer with them. For Kayla and Zander, there are family members whose memories they hold dear.
And so it is that Zander and Kayla present themselves to be married today...surrounded by the people they love the most.

Celebrant:
As Zander and Kayla prepared for the ceremony part of this wedding celebration, they reflected
on what it is that they love about each other. It was easy for them!
Zander, Kayla loves that you blend in so comfortably with her family. She is pleased that you are terrific with children and that you always see the best in people. She sees in you a funny, kind, and sweet man. She loves that you think she is funny and that you always find a way to compliment her.
She loves that you always want to be close. You remember details of the stories she tells. You want to be part of her family and circle of friends. You help her around the house. Most importantly, you are so close that even when she is at her worst, you have never made her feel like you want anything but to be closer to her.
Kayla, Zander loves that you always think about your relationship and put it first in your decisions and actions. He loves your brain, your smile, and your beauty. He appreciates that you are "low maintenance." He likes that you can be really silly. He loves your emails and texts. He loves your cooking. He loves your kisses. He just really loves you!
You both look to a shared future that includes raising a happy healthy family. That future also includes a richly lived life together...hanging out with family, relaxing at home in front of the TV.
The years will come and go...you won't take each other for granted, you will laugh a lot, you will be the best parents you can be, you will grow older and wiser together. It's a good story, and the ending is not in sight!

Celebrant:
The reading Kayla and Zander selected for their wedding ceremony is titled "On Marriage," by Kahlil Gibran. The words talk about the intense melding of two people in marriage...and at the same time, about two people who maintain an intense separateness...a separateness that keeps their individuality intact and flourishing. It's a lovely conundrum...and perhaps a formula for a successful marriage.
The reader is Ashley Wiggins Bride's best friend

Ashley:You were born together, and together you shall be forevermore.
You shall be together when the white wings of death scatter your days. Ay, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God.
But let there be spaces in your togetherness,
And let the winds of the heavens dance between you.

Love one another, but make not a bond of love:
Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.
Fill each other's cup but drink not from one cup.
Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf
Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone, Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music.
Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping. For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts. And stand together yet not too near together:
For the pillars of the temple stand apart,
And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow.
"On Marriage," Kahlil Gibran

Kayla: " Zander I promise to be faithful, supportive, and loyal and to give you my companionship and love throughout all the changes of our life. I vow to bring you happiness, and I will treasure you as my companion. I will celebrate the joys of life with you. I promise to support your dreams, and walk beside you offering courage and strength through all endeavors. From this day forward, I will be proud to be your wife and your best friend"

Zander: "Today, Kayla I take you to be my wife
I make a commitment to you today:
With God's help I will love and serve,
Honor, and protect you.
I'm choosing today
to spend the rest of my life with you.
I will walk with you when life is good,
and thru every storm.
Kayla you are a gift to me from God.
I hope others see His heart and love,
in the way I care for you.
Today, I pledge my love to you."

Celebrant:
We come now to the words Bride and Groom want to hear the most today...the words that take them across the threshold from being engaged to being married.
A marriage, as most of us understand it, is a voluntary and full commitment. It is made in the deepest sense to the exclusion of all others, and it is entered into with the desire and hope that it will last for life.
Before you declare your vows to one another, I want to hear you confirm that it is indeed your intention to be married today.
Bride, do you come here freely and without reservation to give yourself to Groom in marriage? If so, answer "I do."
Kayla: I do.
Celebrant:
Groom, do you come here freely and without reservation to give yourself to Bride in marriage? If so, answer "I do."
Zander: I do.
Celebrant:
Bride, please give your bouquet to Grace.
Zander and Kayla, having heard that it is your intention to be married to each other, I now ask you to declare your marriage vows.

Please face each other and hold hands.
Celebrant:
Bride, please repeat after me...
I, Kayla
take you, Zander
to be my husband.
I will share my life with yours,
Build our dreams together,
Support you through times of trouble,
and rejoice with you in times of happiness. I promise to give you
respect, love and loyalty
through all the trials and triumphs
of our lives together.
This commitment is made in love,
kept in faith,
lived in hope,
and made new every day of our lives.
Celebrant:
Groom, please repeat after me...
I, Zander,
take you, Kayla,
to be my wife.
I will share my life with yours,
Build our dreams together,
Support you through times of trouble,
and rejoice with you in times of happiness. I promise to give you
respect, love and loyalty
through all the trials and triumphs
of our lives together.
This commitment is made in love,
kept in faith,
lived in hope,
and made new every day of our lives.
Exchange of Wedding Rings Celebrant:

Your wedding ring are the outward and visible sign of the inward and invisible bond which already unites you two hearts in love.
The ring that Bride will receive today comes from her mother. Her mother wears her grandmother's ring which is identical. As this ring represents a family heritage, may it be a joy for Bride to wear for the rest of her life.
I ask Mr Casey to give Bride's ring to Groom.
Zander place the ring on Kayla's finger and repeat after me....
I give you this ring.
Wear it with love and joy. As this ring has no end, My love is also forever.
Mr Casey now please give Groom's ring to Bride.
Kayla, place the ring on Zander's finger and repeat after me....
With this ring,
I marry you.
Wear this ring forever As a sign of my love.
May the wedding rings you exchanged today remind you always that you are surrounded by enduring love.

Celebrant:
The signing of a marriage certificate is not just a legal requirement. It is in fact an ancient custom that represents the concept that not only must marriage be entered into consensually by both parties, but that it is also a social contract between a couple and their community...for the good of all.
Signing the marriage documents is also a self-defining moment for Zander and Kayla...perhaps one of the most impactful and consequential moments of their lives.
So I ask them to sign the documents before them.
Celebrant:
I ask Grace Merrick and Mr Casey to sign the marriage license as witnesses to this moment.
Celebrant:
May the legal benefits and obligations of marriage enhance your life for all the years to come.

Celebrant:
Now by the power vested in me by the City of Chicago it is my honor and delight to declare you husband and wife. You may seal this declaration with a kiss.
Celebrant:
I am pleased to present the newlyweds, Mr. and Mrs. Halstead-Casey.
Your wedding ceremony is over.

Kaylas POV
Me and Zander run out of the church and get in the car. The driver starts the journey to the airport. I smile and turn to kiss Zander. After about 10 minutes the driver yells "Hold on tight." I grab hold of Zander to feel something crash into the side. I turn my head to see a truck. I hug Zander tighter and he says "sit up I'm gonna try and open this door." I do and he tries to open it but another car crashes into his side. I look at him and he has cuts all over his face. He smiles and says "get help," before resting his head on my shoulder.

Shoutout to ashleywiggins18 and Bolt1999 who took part in the character competition and have been included in this chapter.