Thank you to all of our friends and family that traveled to Bend to celebrate with us whether is was for the day or the week we cherished the time we got with each of you. Our wedding was such fantastic day full of love, laughter, and SNOW!!!
To our parents and close family, this event would have never gone as smoothly without your support. From the rehearsal dinner, to flowers, to last minute details you all were amazing.
Doug, the ceremony was perfect. We cannot thank you enough for helping us create something that fit us perfectly.
Our Ceremony
We are gathered together here today to celebrate the relationship of Jesi and Brent, and to be witnesses and supporters of the commitment they share with one another. Together we are a group of the most important people in their lives. They have brought us here today to publicly recognize that we have all played special, significant parts in the love that they share today.
Jesi and Brent wanted me to thank you all for being here and to recognize how important each and every one of you are to their relationship. They would also like to recognize all of those who couldn’t make it here today as they are certainly missed but not forgotten on this day of celebration.
I was asked to share with you the story of how Jesi and Brent met, and fell in love. Many years ago when Jesi was advancing through the PADI SCUBA diving courses and Brent was a divemaster, they first met on a boat off the shore of Catalina in California. It was a momentous occasion. When Brent returned home, he told me that he had met someone special. Brent was excited in a way that I had never seen before. For those of you who know Brent, this was definitely abnormal behavior!
Shortly thereafter, Jesi and Brent became inseparable. Even with the distance between Corvallis and Los Angeles between them, their commitment to one another did not waiver. It was at this point that I realized how serious Jesi was in her commitment to Brent. While working on a large dam renovation project in the Angeles Mountains, Jesi went to Forever 21 and bought a sun dress to wear when Brent came down to visit her. For those of you who know Jesi, this was definitely not normal!
Over the years, Jesi and Brent have continued to surprise us all in their deep love, affection, and commitment to one another. There is no better person for Jesi than Brent and there is no better person for Brent than Jesi. Together they are better people. Together they are stronger people. And together they are the people that we all love.
And now a reading inspired by the PADI Open Water Manual:
To ensure that you and your buddy are ready for your dive, that you are familiar with each other’s equipment, and that everything is functioning correctly, you must remember the BWRAF acronym.
B is for Buoyancy/BCD. Use the inflation button when you are mad at one another in order to keep your heads above water and use the deflation button relax tense situations.
W is for Weight. Carry the weight of the relationship when the other is unable but share the load when you can.
R is for Release. Always make time for releasing the tension of the day, sharing a laugh and a drink, and relaxing together by the fireplace.
A is for Air. Don’t forget to breath and have fun. Laugh with the full tank of air that you share together.
F is for Final Check. Gaze into one another’s eyes deeply and check your souls. This is the real deal. You are about to embark upon the next phase of a life-long journey together as a married couple.
Now signal to one another, and to your assembled family and friends your commitment to always be each other’s buddies throughout life, to be there when a regulator free-flows at depth, to help one another don and doff gear, and to love one another whether you are below the waves, on the beach, or up in the clouds.
(Bride and Groom give the “OKAY” signal to each other and then to guests)
Our Vows
Jesi, from our first moments together I knew there was something special. Something that made each moment precious, yet end just a little too soon. As we have grown stronger, each year with you has been better than the last. Our daily workouts have further strengthened our relationship, and maybe one day I will let you beat me at racquetball. And now that I stand here, I have never been more confident that you are my other half. That I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.
I take you to have and to hold, to cherish and to comfort with all of my heart. I promise to take care of you, to encourage and inspire you, to laugh and cry with you in good times and in bad, asking that you be no one other than yourself. I promise to walk by your side forever as your best friend, your lover, and your soul mate. I give you my hand, my heart, and my unconditional love from this day forward and all the days of our life.
Brent, you are my best friend and I fall more in love with you each day. I promise that today and every day that I will choose happiness. That every morning I will wake up more in love with you. I will never let you skip leg day, even if you have to scale, but you better not because I’m catching up… And maybe if the stars align someday I’ll let you win an argument, even though you know I’m always right… I will love you until infinity runs out, which is never.
I take you to have and to hold, to cherish and to comfort with all of my heart. I promise to take care of you, to encourage and inspire you, to laugh and cry with you in good times and in bad, asking that you be no one other than yourself. I promise to walk by your side forever as your best friend, your lover, and your soul mate. I give you my hand, my heart, and my unconditional love from this day forward and all the days of our life.
Ring Exchange
These rings are a symbol of the love you have for each other. Love freely given has no beginning and no end, no giver and no receiver for each is the giver and each is the receiver. May these rings always remind you of the vows witnessed here today.
Brent, as you place this ring on Jesi’s finger please repeat after me:
With all that I have and all that I am,
I give you this ring to symbolize my love and devotion.
I commit to you my heart and soul.
With this ring I marry you.
Jesi, as you place this ring on Brent’s finger please repeat after me:
With all that I have and all that I am,
I give you this ring to symbolize my love and devotion.
I commit to you my heart and soul.
With this ring I marry you.
With the pledge of their vows and the giving and receiving of rings Brent and Jesi have expressed in front of these witnesses their commitment and dedication. It is by the authority vested in me by the state of Oregon, I now pronounce you husband and wife.
You may kiss the bride!
Ladies and gentlemen it is my honour to announce to you, Mr. and Mrs. Scrivner!