Steven and Ashley at the Cincinnati Club

This weekend I performed a wedding at the Cincinnati Club. The Cincinnati Club is a very old institution in Cincinnati dating back to the 19th century. The rooms are opulent and the service is exceptional.

The Bride and Groom, Steven and Ashley, looked great in the full wedding regalia - she in a beautiful strapless gown that sparkles like stars in the sky. He in a pin stripe tuxedo with white shirt and black vest. They were truly a wonderful couple and the photos will look great.

They had the cutest Flower Girl as well. She is about 2 or 3 years old, dressed in a mini wedding dress of white, and she tossed flower petals on the aisle for the Bride to walk on. She ran out of petals half way down but still acted like she was throwing them on the floor. She was SO CUTE!!!

Steven and Ashley decided on a somewhat different ring ceremony and I have included their entire ceremony for you to see.

Thanks for looking and God Bless………..Rev. BB

Ceremony of Steven And Ashley

Mother - Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring
Processional - Pachalbel in Canon D
Bride Entry - Wedding March

Hello and welcome to all
As we begin the wedding ceremony
Of Steven and Ashley.
We are gathered
in the sight God and these
witnesses to join this couple
In holy Matrimony
We are all very happy for you
and thank you for including us to
celebrate with you today.

Intent
I have a question for you both,
and I ask that you answer it is.
Steven and Ashley
-
Is it your intention that come here
freely and with out reservation to be joined
As Husband and Wife???
It is

Message

Today is the one day in your lives that you will look on and remember with fondness and love. This is the day that truly begins the rest of your lives.
This is a day full of excitement with beautiful clothing, flowers and delicious food and drink - but none of that really matters when you think about the real reason we are all gathered here today. We are gathered here to celebrate the joining of two very special individuals in the most sacred of unions. Joining two very separate lives into one life long partnership.
Steven and Ashley nothing is easier than saying words and nothing is harder than living them day after day after day. What you promise today, must be renewed and decided again tomorrow, and tomorrow after that and the tomorrow after that.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To make this relationship work, therefore, takes more than love. It takes trust, to know in your hearts that you want only the best for each other. It takes dedication, to stay open to one another, to learn and grow, even when it is difficult to do so. It takes faith, to go forward together without knowing what the future holds for you both. While love is our natural state of being, these other qualities are not as easy to come by. They are not a destination, but a journey.
You have chosen each other to be with the rest of your lives. You have each chosen the one person in the whole world who makes you the happiest. The one person in the world that you will grow with - in the good times and in the not so good times. You have chosen this one person to be your life long best friend, your lifelong confidant- the one person who will know all of the secrets of your heart and soul. You have chosen the one person that you will grow old with, You have chosen your one true love.
Reading:
Love is patient and kind, it is not jealous or conceited or proud, love is not ill mannered or selfish or irritable, love does not keep a record of wrongs, love is not happy with evil, but it is happy with the truth. Love never gives up, and it’s faith, hope and patience never fail.


Vows

When you are sad, You each will dry the other’s tears.
When you are scared, You will comfort the other’s fears,
When you are worried, You will give each other hope,
When you are confused, You will help each other cope,
And when you are lost and cannot see the light,
You will each be the other’s
beacon ever so bright.
This you will pledge to the end
Because you are in love and best friends.

VOWS

Steven, do you take Ashley, to be your lawfully 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, and be faithful to, as long as you both shall live?
Bride/Groom: I do

Ashley , do you take Steven, to be your lawfully 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, and be faithful to, as long as you both shall live?
Bride/Groom: I do

RING CEREMONY

The wedding ring is the outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual bond, which unites two loyal hearts in endless love. It is a seal of the vows Steven and Ashley have made to one another.

Bless O God these rings that Ashley and Steven, who give them, and who wear them, may ever abide in thy peace. Living together in unity, love, and happiness for the rest of their lives.

(Reverend): Steven what symbol do you have as a pledge of these vows? (Best Man holds out the ring, which the Groom takes)

(Reverend): As you place this ring, a visible sign of your commitment in marriage, on the third finger of Ashley’s left hand, repeat after me:

Ashley, I promise to take/ you as my only love from this day forward, to stand by your side, to listen when you speak, to comfort you when you cry, and to join your laughter with my own. Take this ring, and be my wife. We will wear these rings, and the world will know that I am yours, and you are mine.

(Minister): Ashley what symbol do you have as a pledge of these vows? (Maid of Honor holds out the ring, which the Bride takes)

(Minister): As you place this ring, a visible sign of your commitment in marriage, on the third finger of Steven’s left hand, repeat after me: Steven, I promise to take you as my only love from this day forward, to stand by your side, to listen when you speak, to comfort you when you cry, and to join your laughter with my own. Take this ring, and be my husband. We will wear these rings, and the world will know that I am yours, and you are mine.

Blessing
Father we ask your blessing on Steven and Ashley as they begin their lives together.
May this man and this woman be a blessing and comfort to each other, sharers of each their dreams, consoler to each others sorrows, helpers to each other in all life's vicissitudes. May they encourage each other in what ever they set out to achieve. May they trust each other, trust life, and be unafraid. May they love each other and offer love and support to those around them.
Amen

Pronouncement
Steven and Ashley, It is with great pleasure the by the power vested in me by the great state of Ohio, I now pronounce you HUSBAND and WIFE.


Ladies and Gentlemen
Mr. and Mrs. Steven and Ashley
You may kiss your bride!

Hello All,

Three weddings this past week to report on.

David and Lisa
On Thursday morning I married a couple who were on their way to a wonderful vacation in Mexico. They were both from northern Ohio and just really wanted to be married.
I met them at 7:30 AM at Mt. Echo Park in Price Hill. The park has a spectacular view of the bend in the river and the skyline of the city. There is also a very nice pavilion that is surrounded by gardens of perennial flowers.
They chose the pavilion as their setting and in a few short minutes they were husband and wife.

David and Hillary
Wedding number two was at the home of the Aunt of the bride. The yard was decorated with torches and a simple white cloth runner was ready for the bride to make her grand entrance.
They had also set up two huge parasols at an angle to each other which created the wedding arch for the ceremony. This couple wrote their own vows and spoke from the heart to each other.

Chris and Nazan
Wedding three was at the Manor House in Mason. This is truly a wonderful setting as the staff of the Manor House can not do enough for you. As the guests arrived they were served mint tea or lemonade to cool themselves as they waited for the ceremony to begin.
At 7:30 the guests were seated and the attendants made their way down the aisle - with the bride and her Dad not far behind. As all were assembled the wedding began and they were off to the start of their lives together.

Pictures from Eric and Melissa

Hello Everyone,

Here some pic’s from Eric and Melissa’s wedding at the Oasis Country Club. At the end of their wedding they “broke the glass” and every one yelled “MAZEL TOV”

They are a cute couple!

Good luck and God Bless……….Rev Ben

Chad and Shannon

Hello,

I had to hurry and tell you about a really wonderful wedding I performed tonight.

Chad and Shannon were married at “Elegance” in Florence. This couple is by far one of my favorites that I have worked with and you could feel the love they have for another just being with them in the same room.

Elegance is a very classy banquet hall that made sure that all of the details were completed and the setting perfect for the wedding. The linens were white and there was crystal stem ware and sterling silver place settings on all of the tables. Lighted candles floating in crystal vases that reflected the flames of the candles in a multi faceted effect. The lights were dimmed for the ceremony as the attendants made their way to the front.

The bride was stunning in her gown with thousands of crystals sewn to the top and a beautiful flowing shirt of satin with a long train of satin and lace. The groom was dressed in a morning coat with satin tie and vest. They were the epitome of class and elegance.

Their vows were from the heart and of course we had a misty eyed bride and groom as well as some sniffles from the family. It was truly a happy day for all of them and the joy felt was evident to everyone.

Chad and Shannon also chose to do a hand fasting ceremony after they had recited their vows. Each question I asked they answered with “we will” and I draped a ribbon over their joined hands until we had six ribbons that were then tied as one to signify their union in marriage.

I will always remember this wedding as one of my all time favorites and I will post a picture when I get one.

Good luck and God Bless…….Rev Ben

My Recent Weddings

Here are my most recent weddings:

Tera and Chris- Longworth Hall
Josh and Nicole -The Phoenix Club
John and Jennifer- Ault Park
Melissa and Eric -The Oasis
Justina and Tony -The Madison

As I get more pictures I will post them on the blog.

Tera and Chris

Here are some pictures from Tera and Chris’s wedding at the Longworth Hall on the riverfront in Cincinnati.

The photography is courtesy of Wittmeyer Photography. These people do a great job and I highly recommend them for your event!

I will post more pics as I get them.
God Bless……Rev BB