Saturday and Sunday were days of jubilation and celebration as we helped facilitate the marriage of two former students, now dear friends! It began with rehearsal at an idyllic setting three counties north of us
The weather was picture perfect!
Barn swallows were SO busy as we rehearsed: courtship done, they were building nests
This was my first "solemnizing" as Ohio calls it...my first wedding as an officiant
I had gone through the process just for these dear friends, and though I took short-cuts
(hello...ordained online?), I am a former ministerial student, an ordained deacon.
I hold a Master of Divinity degree (with biblical languages, no less!).
So don't think I took this lightly...in fact, this process changed me...
At a deep spiritual level, I am not the same person I was last year.
I am now "Wedding Solemnizer" and Dr. M, Historian.
I embrace the full responsibilities of each...
I embrace the full responsibilities of each...
But I also do not wish to detract from the loveliness of this wedding!
The beautiful bride to be, with her father...
Modeling her great red wedding shoes!!!
I called the couple "farm boy" and "Buttercup" as we rehearsed the vows...
if you don't get it, I will pray for your soul...
My dear Bug, who helped with the music, also made these lovely dish cloths!
Even as she obsessed over my hair...
And so the day came...the time came...for the wedding!
The stunning bride, rocking the great dress and the red shoes! I love her...
Bridesmaids in red...gorgeous, all! No close-up of Katie? Dang...so beautiful.
Bride, Groom, and Officiant in this splendid pastoral setting!
I was sweating a bit, but the weather was perfect! PERFECT!
The ceremony, written by this amazing couple, also was perfect...as was the cake!
There were toasts and tears, yes, indeed!
And cake! And oh, that dress...so right for Heather!
And my dear Bug, rewarded for her patience...
And oh! Those red shoes and that gorgeous bride...
Married to her zany Prince Charming...a fairy tale!
It was a dream within a dream...a weekend I will NEVER forget!
So, too, will I never forget those who gave the last full measure of themselves
So that this kind of celebration can happen.
This in not a trite tag-on...even as we celebrated this wedding,
our dear nephew, among a host of others, still stood ready
for deployment. A poignant, beautiful weekend, indeed.
5 comments:
Congratulations on your first solemnized nuptials! There's nothing like a beautiful bride in a beautiful dress, but the details are what set these events apart--like shoes! So glad you enjoyed this special occasion so much. Dana did save you some cake, right?
I actually opted for the peach pie...yes, PIE! The bride's father loves pie, so the caterers served up some delicious ones, made by Grandma. SO, SO special. Thank you, Sweet Pea!
I am so happy the weather was sunny and warm. The ceremony looked lovely. Congratulations on this memorable occasion. From the photos here, Dana looked like she enjoyed the day as well. A wonderful event to be able to tie the knot.
Of course the sun would shine on this special day. Lovely and thoughtful post. Bless the nephew ready for deployment. And bless the union, newly solemnized by you. And bless the wonderful red shoes!
Great job, Dr. M. And may your nephew be safe.
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