At 2:30pm, with Jen tucked away in a preparation room, the guests began to arrive. We had about 50 people total, and as they arrived I greeted them, gracious but nervous about the upcoming event.
Alicia began playing her flute around 2:30. Shortly thereafter, mugs of apple cider in hand, family began to take their seats by the Pergola.
And right at about 3pm, Steve, Michelle (our officiant), and I headed to the Pergola to await the bride.
Also, how epic is this Pergola?
Noah, our faithful MC/music guy, started up the processional: Air on a G String – J.S.Bach
My folks walked down the aisle first, followed by Jen’s mom and brother, Kelly (the maid of honor – heretoafter “MoH”), and finally Jen escorted by her Dad.
The Ceremony was fast and furious. It started with a brief story by Michelle where she described her and Noah’s frequent attempts to get us hitched. Then, a first reading by my sister T ‘The Art of Marriage’ by Wilferd Arlan Peterson
The Art of Marriage
The little things are the big things. It is never being too old to hold hands.
It is remembering to say “I love you” at least once a day. It is never going to sleep angry.
It is at no time taking the other for granted; the courtship should not end with the honeymoon, it should continue through all the years. It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives.
It is standing together facing the world. It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family.
It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy. It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.
It is not expecting the husband to wear a halo or the wife to have wings of an angel. It is not looking for perfection in each other.
It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humor. ?It is having the capacity to forgive and forget. It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow.
It is a common search for the good and the beautiful. ?It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, dependence is mutual and the obligation is reciprocal. ?
It is not only marrying the right partner, it is being the right partner.
—–
Our second reading was read by Jen’s sister Kati: Celebration by Carl Thitchener
Celebration
We celebrate the love that brought you to this day.
With love that deepens through many years, may you know its meaning and its mystery – how we become truly one in sharing ourselves with one another, and yet, remain truly two in our own uniqueness.
May your house be a place of happiness for all who enter it, a place where the old and the young are renewed in each other’s company, a place for growing, a place for music, a place for laughter.
And may those who are nearest to you and dearest to you constantly be enriched by the beauty and the energy of your love for each other.
—–
Next, we read our vows:
[insert name] I take you to be my (wife/husband), my best friend, and my future. Whatever lies ahead, good or bad, we will face it together. Today I take my place as your (husband/wife). Please accept this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness.
—–
THEN, Michelle made it real and it was the kiss the bride part.
Bam! Married!
You have a pic of the rings?
Actually, I’m not sure! If not, we’ll take one.
Stay tuned.
You need the pictures of the hands together with the rings, I’m fairly sure its required.
Right…Not officially married till pics of the Hand Holding Ring Shot (HHRS) is produced. I’ve called Amazon and asked them to hold shipment of your 50lbs of Celebratory Jerky until I see the picture.
What a beautiful day for a wedding, the photos look great and I love small ceremonies! Congratulations Mike and Jen!
Thank you!!