​Amid the rugged beauty of Southern Utah's red rocks, Amy and Kendal turned a Summer vacation road trip with their kids, into the ultimate declaration of love: a surprise elopement! On July 1, (the one-year anniversary) of their engagement, they shared their vows with the most breathtaking backdrop nature could offer. Amy and Kendal wanted to celebrate the blending of their family; so this wedding was not only the beginning of their marriage, but also a celebration of the family they have created together with their children!
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The ceremony was as unique as their love, minimalistic with a touch of personal tradition; handfasting cords of each person's favorite color, symbolizing the strength of each individual; and further incorporating their children into a ceremony of unity.
During the official ceremony, each of the children was called forward, to place their cord over Amy and Kendal's hands. This allowed each one to have a special moment with their parents and be a part of the ceremony in an unforgettable way.
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I bid you to look into each other’s eyes, and join your hands, left to left, symbolizing your heart-to-heart union. In joining hands in this moment, you are taking the final step of offering yourselves to one another.
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These are the hands that will love and cherish you through the years. These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times and will give you support and encourage you to chase your dreams.​
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Back in earlier years, the hands would be bound with whatever was available – vines, colorful cords, or scarf. Today we will use colored cords chosen by those here to symbolize the binding, of promises
For the first promise, the Yellow cord, chosen by Kendal
Kendal, do you take this woman whose hand you hold as your wife and soulmate? “I do.”
Amy & Kendal - do you vow to choose each other and your love for all your days to come? “We will.”
And so the first binding is made.
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For the second promise, the Green cord, chosen by Amy
Amy, do you take this man whose hand you hold as your husband and soulmate? “I do.”
Amy & Kendal - will you honor and respect one another, and seek to never break that honor? “We will.”
And so the Second binding is made.
For the third promise, the yellow cord.
Amy, do you promise to love Kendal without reservation? “I will.”
Kendal, do you promise to love Amy without reservation? “I will.”
And when you falter, will you have the courage and commitment to remember these promises and take a step back toward one another with an open heart? “We will.”
And so the third binding is made.
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For the fifth promise - the purple cord.
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Amy, will you share in Kendal’s burdens so that your spirits may grow in this union? “I will.”
Kendal, will you share in Amy’s burdens so that your spirits may grow in this union? “I will.”
Will you both seek to remember, that you are stronger when you stand together in the face of adversity? “We will.”
And so the fifth binding is made.
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For the fourth promise - the lavender cord.
Amy, will you share in Kendal's happiness and laughter, bringing light into your union? "I will.”
Kendal, will you share in Amy's happiness and laughter, bringing light into your union? “I will.”
Will both of you look for the brightness in life and the positive in each other? “We will.”
And so the fourth binding is made.
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For the seventh promise - the red cord.
Amy, will you share in Kendal’s dreams, and work with him to fulfill them? “I will.”
Kendal, will you share in Amy’s dreams, and work with her to fulfill them? “I will.”
Will you dream together to create new realities and hopes for your marriage and family? “We will.”
And so the seventh binding is made.
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For the sixth promise, the pink cord.
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Amy, do you promise to walk side by side with Kendal throughout life, from this day forward? “I do.”
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Kendel, do you promise to walk side by side with Amy throughout life, from this day forward? “I do.”
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Will you be each other’s constant friends and one true love?
“We will.”
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And so the sixth binding is made.
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Will you who have witnessed these promises do all in your power to uphold these two persons in their marriage? If so, answer “we will.”
Woven into these cords, into the very fibers, are all the hopes of your friends and family, and of yourselves, for your new life together. (Jenn places hand over couples hands)
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Destiny has made your paths to cross. Today as your hands are bound by these cords, you will continue your journey together; Two entwined in love, bound body, mind, and soul by commitment and fear, sadness and joy, hardship and victory. All of which brings strength to this union. (Jenn makes an infinity knot - it hangs loosely on your hands)
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Kendal and Amy, as your hands are bound together now, so your lives and spirits are joined in a union of love and trust. These cords symbolize so much. It is your life, your love, and the eternal connection that the two of you have found with one another. Yet the knots of this binding are not formed by these chords- but instead by your vows. Either of you may drop the chords, for as always, you hold in your own hands the making or breaking of this union.
Hold tight to one another through both the good times and bad and watch as your strength grows. As this knot is tied, so are your lives now bound. (You each pull the cords, and “tie the knot”)
Your lives and spirits are now bound in a union of love and trust. Above you are the stars and below you is the earth. Like the stars your love should be a constant source of light and like the earth, a firm foundation from which to grow. Your two hearts now beating as one, your two souls now deeply joined anew - walk forward together, forever hand in hand, May your marriage be a lifelong celebration of love!
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