May 24th, 2014 was a very special day for Marlene (pronounced Marlynn) Zacarias and Ryan Rosenboom. The couple, currently living in San Antonio got married, TWICE! Ryan is the son of Karl and Janet Rosenboom of Port O’Connor. Marlene is the daughter of Rafael Zacarias Gonzalez and Magdalena Fernandez De Zacarias, of Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico.
Marlene’s home, Piedras Negras, Mexico is a quaint little boarder town just across the Rio Grande from Eagle Pass, Texas. Long before she met Ryan, she had decided when she met Mr. Right, she would be married in the Catholic Church where her parents had exchanged wedding vows many years ago. As a young girl, she had pictured herself walking down that long aisle, dressed all in white to join her “Prince Charming” in Holy matrimony. The church would be full of beautiful flowers and a Mariachi Quartet would play wedding music. The union would be celebrated with a nuptial mass. Her family and friends would all be there to witness the special event and to wish her well. Sometimes Marlene would think the dream was out of reach and only sounded like a fairy tale. Little did she know her Prince Charming, a young professional was living in the very city she chose to work after graduating from college, San Antonio, Texas.
Ryan and Marlene were introduced through friends. They became friends, started dating and eventually fell in love. Even with their busy lives, they managed to be with each other as often as possible. When Ryan proposed, Marlene gladly accepted. They had known each other long enough to know they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together as husband and wife. Of course, now that Marlene had found her Prince Charming, she began to believe that fairy tales could possibly come true.
Somehow with endless planning, extensive coordinating and lots of good hard work, the dream wedding came together. The Nuptial Mass would be held in the Catholic Church in Piedras Negras, Mexico. The reception and Texas style wedding would be held in Eagle Pass. I was totally amazed how every little detail was addressed. What appeared to be a huge undertaking, seemed to come together flawlessly.
In May of last year, the grooms mother, Janet Rosenboom asked me if I could officiate a ceremony during the reception in Eagle Pass so Marlene and Ryan could be married according to the laws of Texas and according to Catholic church as well. I was honored. I have officiated weddings as far away as Houston, Austin, and San Antonio, but the Eagle Pass venue would break my record for miles traveled to a wedding. I was very excited.
Wedding at Piedras Negras Church
It was a wonderful experience traveling into Mexico for the church wedding as a guest. The church, priest, mariachis and nuptial mass were just as Marlene had dreamed they would be. She was a gorgeous bride and her smile was radiant as she approached her handsome groom. Everything was perfect.
When the bride and groom arrived at the reception, I had the honor of joining them as husband and wife “Texas Style.” I had created a unique ceremony just for the special circumstances in which Ryan and Marlene had agreed to enter into. “Marlene and Ryan, earlier today you entered into the sacrament of Holy Matrimony. You made your promise before God, the church, your families and friends to love, honor, protect and cherish each other for all the days of your lives.
According to the Catholic Church and the Country of Mexico you are joined as husband and wife. Now you are here tonight. You have expressed your wish to be married according to the State of Texas. I am honored to be acting as officiant to complete that wish. If you are both willing to enter into this contract to become husband and wife according to laws of the Great State of Texas, please answer — WE DO.” ___________ To end the ceremony, I stated “ I now pronounce you Husband and Wife, TEXAS STYLE and Ryan, you may now kiss your bride AGAIN!”
Judge Pomykal officiates at Texas Wedding
A grand reception was held at the International Center for Trade in Eagle Pass. The reception hall was decorated elegantly and was transformed into a magical venue for the couple’s first party as husband and wife. The guests dined and danced to a live band with a lot of surprise treats added as well. It was fun and exciting! The party continued until the wee hours of the morning. As the celebration slowly came to an end, my final thoughts were “ FAIRY TALES REALLY DO COME TRUE!” Congratulations and my very best wishes to Mr. & Mrs. Ryan Rosenboom . May God Bless you with a long and happy marriage.
