K A T Y A and K Y E
THE SIXTH OF JUNE H E RC E G NOV I , M ON T E N E G R O
THE WEDDING CEREMONY Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the wedding ceremony of Katya Vopseva and Kye Swenson. I am honored to be here with all of you on their wedding day. Family and friends of the Bride and Groom, we have gathered here together today in celebration of love. Kye and Katya have asked all of you to be with them today because each of you has played a special role in their lives. They welcome you here and thank you for sharing this important day with them. Three and a half years ago, a girl getting ready to move from Brooklyn to New Jersey who did not really believe in online dating, decided to meet with a patient and pleasant guy who had never heard of Belarus before. And so, the Coffee met the Bagel =) It is not known exactly who is the coffee and who is the bagel, but this is the name of the dating app in which Kye and Katya met. The first date went so well it’s no wonder their second date was seven hours long. After spending more time together Katya and Kye began to cherish each other’s devotion to an open and honest relationship. They talked about their life goals, biggest fears, and learned that being vulnerable in a relationship is a gift. This bond — this trust — is what started a new story of love. Katya fell in love with Kye’s big heart and sweet smile. Kye is always there to help, to listen and to solve any problems, big or small. Katya knows that he will always be there to catch her if she falls and that is so precious to her. Kye sets a great example of always being kind to this world and Katya loves that about him. Kye will always be in love with Katya’s resilience and affection, her strong side and sweet side. When he was first learning Russian he would call Katya «Krepkiy Oreshek», meaning «tough cookie». Katya’s perseverance through life’s challenges has taught Kye to be more grateful for the finer things in life. Regarding Katya’s sweet side, Kye is happy to report that her never ending kisses, hugs, and love bites will continue to put a smile on his face every single day.
Together, Katya and Kye have never been more excited to embark on their new adventure. A journey where they will continue to unconditionally love one another, challenge each other, and above all else be grateful for each other, their family, and friends. Today is the public and joining of two people who have already united in their hearts. Marriage will not only define you as a couple, it will expand you as individuals and heighten your love for one another, because the commitment of marriage consists of entrusting our deepest selves into the loving care of another person. Through marriage, you make a commitment together to face your challenges as allies, to pursue your dreams as companions, and to accept each other fully. Today you formally choose one another as family. And the presence of your family and friends assures you that their hearts are in tune with yours as you make this commitment. And they are here not only to witness your union; they are here to wish you every happiness in your future together. And we know that your friends and your family who are not in attendance would smile upon this occasion with us. Because it is an enormous joy when two people, separate and whole individuals, choose to join together to strengthen each other in all endeavors, to support each other through all strife, and to rejoice together in all triumphs. May the words and the spirit of our gathering reflect the tremendous love that you share. And whatever is to come, may you always be informed by the admiration that first drew you together. Now, Katya and Kye have vows they wish to share with one another. Your vows.
K AY WOW Katya, in December of 2018 we exchanged Christmas gifts for the first time. You gave me a book about traveling called The Bucket List. On the inside, you left a note that says: “Because when you stop and look around, this life is pretty amazing.” That day is symbolic of what I love about you. From the day we met, you’ve been committed to making me smile and feel special. You have a supernatural ability to know when something is bothering me and make that stress go away by biting my cheek, pinching my ears, or finding another way to make me laugh. I will be forever grateful for your dedication to an open and supportive relationship. You empower us to dig deep and uncover our fears, insecurities, and hopes for the future. You are always there to listen to me while being incredibly forgiving of my faults and embracing my strengths. I am beyond excited for our next step together as life partners, best friends, and as a team. A journey where we’ll continue to challenge and inspire each other, grow our travel bucket list, and raise a family - which at some point will include a dog. I promise to love and support you for the rest of our lives. I will uphold our dedication to a faithful and honest relationship where we can talk to each other about anything. I believe in you and I believe in us. I love you.
K AT YA WOW S When I moved to the States by myself when I was just 20, I had no idea who I was at that time and where exactly I was heading. I only had big dreams in my pocket and a big hope that those dreams will come true. I have had a lot of ups and downs along the way. When I look back now, I am grateful for all those experiences, and among the wonderful ones what I am grateful for most is meeting you, my sweet Norwegian. Now I know for sure, it was all so worth it! You are very kind, generous, caring, loving and have the biggest heart of all. I have no doubt that you are my true soulmate and the love of my life. I promise to grow with you and support you. I promise to be patient, understanding, and kind. I promise to listen and share. I promise to create, to explore, and be curious. I promise to face any challenges together as we both evolve and change, so we can always keep our relationship alive and exciting. I will make sure that I continue putting a smile on your face every day with my kisses, hugs and of course my love bites. I promise to be my best for myself, for us, and for our future together. In good times and in bad, I promise to always love you and be there for you.
Kye and Katya, please join hands. These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love, that hold yours on your wedding day. These are the hands that will work alongside yours as you build your future together. These are the hands that will comfort you when you fear or grieve. These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children. And these are the hands that, when wrinkled with age, will still be reaching for yours. Kye, as you look into your bride’s eyes, please listen to this declaration you have chosen, and respond with «I do.» Do you Kye take Katya to be your 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, for as long as you both shall live? Kye responds, «I do.» Do you promise to continue watching the cute dog videos that Katya sends you until you buy a dog? Do you promise not to stir up the cocoon of blankets in which Katya sleeps so sweetly? Do you promise to learn how to speak Russian ideally before you have kids? Kye responds, «I do.» Katya, as you look into your groom’s eyes, please listen to this declaration you have chosen, and respond with «I do.» Do you Katya take Kye to be your 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, for as long as you both shall live? Katya responds, «I do.» Do you promise to continue surprising Kye with Belarusian dishes and dishes he hadn’t tasted before?
Do you promise to not forget to turn off the AC and to not steal Kye’s glasses of water? Do you promise to wait for Kye to learn to play the guitar that you gifted to him? Katya responds, «I do.» Kye and Katya, do you promise to start a family, buy a dog and plunge into travel the same way you jumped off that treacherous cliff in Hawaii? Both responds, «I do» May I have the rings please? For centuries, brides and grooms have exchanged rings as a token of their vows. Your rings are a symbol of your unity. Henceforth, wherever you go, may you always circle back to one another and to your togetherness. Kye, as you place this ring on Katya’s finger, please repeat after me: I give you this ring as a physical symbol of the commitment I make from this day forward to love, honor and respect you. Katya, as you place this ring on Kye’s finger, please repeat after me: I give you this ring as a physical symbol of the commitment I make from this day forward to love, honor and respect you. Today we witness one of life’s greatest moments. Kye and Katya, it won’t be the last big step you take together, but every step that follows will be taken together in marriage. Ladies and Gentlemen, Katya and Kye have demonstrated, in your presence today, the sincerity of their love, the strength of their bond, and their desire to live together in marriage. As witnesses, we ask you to be an advocate for this union. Friends and family respond: We do. Kye and Katya, in as much as you have consented to wed before me and these witnesses, I am honored to now pronounce you husband and wife. Invite Kye to «kiss the bride»
K AT YA and
KYE