Officiant for Kari & Matt’s Wedding
The biggest highlight of my life at this point in my life, I performed the wedding for my friend Kari Boyum and her husband Matt Pang.
My friend Kari was getting married and we were at her house in Queen Anne that she and her then-boyfriend already owned. They were talking about eloping or doing a courthouse marriage. I quoted my friend Valerie Meyers and said, you know, I heard that there is something about getting in front of all of your family and close friends to say your wedding vows. I hear it sorta seals the deal. This convinced them I guess because they said OK, we’ll do it, but only if you’ll be the officiant. We all had a good chuckle about this turn of events as I jumped on my 201X cell phone and searched for how to become licensed to perform weddings, and not 10 minutes later, I had completed the forms to become an ordained minister of the Universal Life Church. (more about that years later!) I would also get to use this skill to perform two more weddings, each time for the same couple, stay tuned 😅
Include photo of them kissing with me smiling behind them.
Anyway, here’s the script:
PROCESSIONAL
Music: Ben Lee, float on
Alex enters
Nikki & Jenn enter
Val & Gerry enter
Janice & Bruce enter
Kari & Matt enter
INTRO/WELCOME
Good evening, friends and family!
It is with great joy that I welcome you to celebrate the wedding of Kari Boyum and Matt Pang.
Thank you for making your way to this charming venue nestled here in the beautiful cascades. Isn't this place great? Look at this beautiful bride and this handsome groom. We couldn't have asked for a nicer night for this.
My name is Alex Porter and I am honored to have the opportunity to be a part of this wedding. Kari and I have been friends since we met 13 years ago as front desk hosts at the University of Washington and it's been awesome getting to know Matt over the last four years. A few months back we were talking about the wedding over dinner and Kari mentioned there might not be a ceremony. I said, "You know, I've heard that confessing your love and commitment in front of all of your friends and family really helps, kind of, seal the deal." Somehow that led to my nomination to be the minister for the wedding and now here we are.
FAMILY
You may have noticed the processional this evening was a little different. That's because Kari and Matt didn't want to do the same old same old and go completely by the books. They do plenty of that in their day jobs!
I'm joined on my right by Kari's parents, Janice and Bruce Boyum from sunny Kennewick, WA. In november, they’ll be celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary! [applause] And on my left I'm joined by Matt's parents Val and Gerry Pang from San Diego, married for 42 years! [applause]
Very impressive… As Matt and Kari followed in their footsteps down the aisle today, I know they can and will achieve the same long success and happiness in their marriage. These parents play an active role in the lives of Kari and Matt, and I am certain they will continue to do so. That’s why no one is giving anyone away at this wedding. It's actually quite the opposite as this ceremony will only bring these families even closer.
We're also joined up here by Matt’s sister Jenn and Kari’s sister, Nikki. These women are amazing and also play big roles in Kari & Matt's lives.
Nikki and Kari are joined at the hip. They've been roommates for years, are frequent travel companions, workout buddies, happy hour aficionados and most importantly, best friends. Like peas in a pod, if you see one, you can expect to see the other. They're so close that I'm excited to share that Nikki also recently became engaged to her boyfriend, Seth. [applause] I know Nikki will continue to be there for Kari, and that's why she stands here beside us to witness and support this marriage.
Matt's big sister Jenn has always played the role of big sister, watching out for Matt and keeping him out of trouble. But she’s also always been a good friend. They have never had a fight (except once when he sucker punched and he still feels really bad). He was four, so you can't blame him for his irrational behavior. Jenn is the main reason Matt ended up in Seattle eight years ago, and we can’t thank her enough for that since none of us would be here today if he hadn’t made the move. They were roommates for five years and she’s always been there to look out for Matt, making sure he doesn’t eat something he’s allergic to and making sure Kari is nice to him. Now living separately they continue to bond over food, whether it’s a trip to the Ballard farmers market, breakfast at Bastille or some Korean Tofu Noodles in the U District. They share the belief that food is comforting and helps connect people, a belief that I think everyone up here shares.
I hope this brief look into each of these great people shows you the importance of family to Kari and Matt. This tight-knit family will only grow closer through this marriage, and that's why these fine folks are all standing up here to help kick off the next phase of Kari and Matt’s lives together.
THE COUPLE
Now that you've heard about everyone else up here, let's talk about these two lovely people standing in front of me.
Kari grew up in Kennewick, WA and moved to Seattle for her undergrad degree at UW, followed by her law degree at Seattle U. During her years at school and time as a King County public defender since then, she has selflessly done everything she can to help everyone from immigrants to adolescents get the best possible outcomes in their times of struggle.
Four years ago, I remember Kari's excitement as she started dating a mysterious public defender from another another office...some place weirdly named Scrap. Now if my lawyer was from a place called Scrap, I might be a little worried that I'm not getting, shall we say, a prime cut. But Matt, here, is a true catch. He got his undergraduate degree at Tulane University in New Orleans and followed that with a Law degree at Northeastern in Boston. Matt is as diligent and caring for his clients as Kari is and has also been a leader among public defenders in King County where he has led the charge to ensure that all public defenders are treated fairly filling recent changes to how the county manages public defense.
Both working in public defense has made it possible for these two to not only be friends but help each other navigate our legal system on behalf of their clients. One might imagine life with two lawyers under one roof could be a little tense but these two have proven what a good partnership can accomplish. Perhaps it’s their other shared views that just make it work. They love travel and have been to Spain, Morocco, Colombia, Mexico and several U.S. destinations in the last four years. They love food -- including cooking at home for friends, smoking meat, and trying all the best restaurants in Seattle. They love friends -- it doesn't matter what they're doing as long as friends are involved. They love music -- ok, so tastes may vary, but we can deal with that. They love games -- one’s more into clue than clash of clans, but you get the idea. At least we can all agree on Bocce. These two share a love of life and of living it to its fullest with friends and family close by. I hope you can see how cementing this partnership in marriage just makes sense.
MARRIAGE
As you know, it's been a big year for marriage. Not only did these two decide to tie the knot, and that one decide to tie the knot (see you next year!), but the Supreme Court decided to weigh in on the subject of marriage.
In his majority opinion earlier this year, Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote, “No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and family. In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than once they were.”
Today, Kari and Matt, you are taking into your care and trust the happiness of the one person in this world whom you love above all others. You are agreeing to share life’s deepest and richest experiences. You are adding to your life not only the affection of each other, but also the companionship and blessing of mutual respect. You have invited these guests to share in this celebration that culminates in your union as lifelong partners.
Real love is something far beyond the feelings of romance and bliss. It is caring more about the well-being and happiness of your partner than your own needs and desires. Love makes burdens lighter because you divide them. It makes joys more intense because your share them. It makes you stronger so you can become involved in life in ways you dare not risk alone. Real love says that you are stronger together than when you are apart.
A good marriage must be created. What you’re starting today will build off of the success you've already shared, but it will take work, it will take effort, and most importantly, it will take commitment from both of you. Kari and Matt, are you ready to make that commitment today?
Kari and Matt respond together, “yes.”
THE VOWS
Please join hands.
Matt, do you take Kari to be your wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health to love and to cherish until death do you part?
Matt responds, “I do.”
Kari, do you take Matt to be your wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health to love and to cherish until death do you part?
Kari responds, “I do.”
RINGS
Time for some bling! Ladies, can we get some rings over here?
Jenn hands Matt his ring; Nikki hands Kari her ring
May these rings always reflect your love throughout the life you make together. You will wear them as a reminder of the bond that exists between you.
Matt, as you place the ring on Kari's finger, please repeat after me:
You are the love of my life
And you are my best friend
Kari, as you place the ring on Matt’s finger, please repeat after me:
You are the love of my life
And you are my very best friend
PRONOUNCEMENT
Kari and Matt, now that you have shared with each other these words of love and commitment, and we have witnessed the expression of your love as you have given each other these rings, it is with great joy and happiness that I pronounce you partners for life! [applause]
Please join us for drinks and appetizers at the outside bar (motion back over my left shoulder).
EXIT
Music: the cure, just like heaven
Kari & Matt exit
Janice & Bruce exit
Val & Husband enter
Nikki & Matt's Sister enter
Alex exits
Signing docs
Pictures with family and close friends
