All guests rise.
Grooms Entrance
Trent Gregory Peterson & Jeffrey Allen Kerry
Welcome
Officiant: Colin Campbell-Abrams
Salute to the Grooms
Written by: Camp Pride Participants
Under the guidance of Nathaniel Gardener-Reese
Read by: Elijah Palton
Exchange of Vows
Officiant: Colin Campbell-Abram
Final Blessing
Officiant: Colin Campbell-Abrams
Recessional Music
“This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)”
Natalie Cole
The wedding partyformed at the end of the flower-banked path, nervously getting into position and brushing nonexistent lint from their suit jackets. Sophie and Nate stood at the front of the procession, with Sophie holding her beautiful bouquet while Nate gripped the wedding rings tightly in his hands. Near the arch, Colin and Alex both watched Joshua carefully, waiting for his signal to begin the processional music.
Joshua checked his watch, then glanced back at Trent and Jeff with a soft smile. “Ready?” After a murmur of assent, he turned and threw a thumbs-up to Alex and Colin.
Colin drew in a deep breath and nodded to Alex. A beat of silence passed—charged, expectant—and then the first notes of “Can’t Help Falling in Love” drifted through the air, Elvis Presley’s voice rich and timeless.
At the first notes, Nate and Sophie stepped forward, moving slowly and deliberately down the flower-lined path to take their places on either side of the arch. A few beats later, Joshua and David followed, their steps measured, their faces calm yet full of quiet joy.
As soon as they reached their positions, Colin lifted his hands, his voice carrying over the gathered guests. “Please rise as we welcome the grooms.”
The guests got to their feet and turned toward Trent and Jeff, who slowly made their way down the path, stopping under the arch.
Colin threw Alex a nod, and he lowered the music’s volume. He threw a glance to Joshua before turning to the assembled guests. “Welcome, everyone, to this wonderful event. We’ve just enjoyed a week of laughter, learning, and connection hereat Camp Pride, and today, we have the honor of celebrating something truly special—love in its purest form.”
He let his gaze sweep across the crowd, pausing briefly on Trent and Jeff, who stood hand in hand under the flower-adorned arch. “Trent and Jeff’s journey has led them to this moment, surrounded by friends, family, and the community they’ve helped build. Love brought them here, and love will guide them forward.”
A gentle breeze rustled the flowers lining the aisle as Colin continued, his voice steady yet filled with warmth. “Marriage is more than a ceremony. It’s a promise, a commitment, and, above all, a choice—one made every day, in a hundred different ways. Today, we bear witness to that choice as Trent and Jeff declare their devotion to one another.”
He glanced briefly at Joshua, who gave him an encouraging smile. Then, turning his attention back to the grooms, Colin’s expression softened. “Before we move forward, we have a special tribute prepared by some of the incredible young people who have been part of the Camp Pride experience, a Salute to the Grooms, read by Elijah Palton, written by the Camp Pride writing class under the guidance of Nathanial Gardener-Reese.” He stepped back and gestured to the young speaker.“Elijah?”
Elijah threw Colin a nervous glance as he stepped forward from his seat in the front row. His hands were shaking as he held the paper containing the words that he and his classmates had composed for this special day. He shot a sideways glance at Nate, who smiled and gave him a thumbs-up. Then he drew in a deep breath and spoke:
“Love isn’t just about the big things you do. It’s about the little things, the quiet times, the things you do every day, the things you don’t have to say, because you just ‘know’. Love is Jeff carrying a bottle of water to the baseball diamond because he knows Trent will be thirsty. Love is Trent carrying heavyboxes of terrarium jars to the dining hall because he knows Jeff is busy helping David’s crew with lunch. Love is Jeff, making Trent stop goofing around and eat his dinner. Love is Trent remembering how Jeff takes his coffee, and Jeff draping a blanket over Trent’s shoulders when it gets chilly at the evening campfire. It’s the two of them walking side by side, together everywhere they go … always laughing. Love is the way they talk about Sophie … never as ‘Trent’s daughter’, always asourdaughter.”
“Love isn’t perfect, but it’s choosing to be with this person every single day even when they screw up, even when it’s hard, even when things get tough. Even when you don’t know for sure what’s right, love is saying, ‘I’m here. And I’ll always be here because you’re worth it.”
“At Camp Pride, we’ve learned that love lives in those little things. The quiet check-ins, a hand on your shoulder, the way someone looks at you like you’re their whole world. We’ve seen it in the way Trent and Jeff care for each other and trust each other—not just today, but every day.”
