A Very Romantic Wedding

November 24th will ever be etched in our memory

 as a most romantic, meaningful wedding celebration.

Scott and Anna were joined in holy matrimony at 4 pm in a candlelit sanctuary
among more than 200 guests.
Here is a glimpse of that beautiful sacred day.
The crowning day of life for Scott and Anna.

The ceremony began with the bride and groom's mothers lighting candles
to the sweet and gentle music from "Pride and Prejudice,"
 106 candles
 illuminate the sanctuary with soft tranquil glow that set the stage
for vows taken with deepest joy,
 not loud and hilarious,
 but in quiet and solemn gladness, with reverence.

 

The Handsome Captain walked down the isle with his granddad.

                     Then came the bridal party walking in to the theme from "Pride and Predjudice."

And here comes the bride to a rush of music, "Liz on top of the world."

The groom never looked more radiant.
 He is fully aware that this is the first day of God's own ideal of completeness for him.
The married life is meant to be the happiest, fullest, purest, richest life.
This occasion of highest felicity is not lost on him.
Oh no.  If ever a groom understood and embraced such thoughts, it is he.

Mentors gather around the couple and pray blessings upon them.
They realize that this is no mere human arrangement.
The stamp of Divine intention and ordination is upon it.

The bride's daddy officiates, calling the love struck couple to pay attention.

smile.

 During the vows, the father/pastor brings out a heart necklace,

 given to Anna when she was 12,

 a symbol of her giving her heart to her daddy to keep until God's man came along. 

The intention was at that time years ago, to give the necklace to her groom,

 and so, fighting down great emotion, Brian gave the necklace to Scott.

He then explained the model of biblical love, (outlined in 1 Corinthians 13)

 that is unconditional, 

servant hearted and unselfish. 

Practicing these virtues brings so many possibilities of happiness, 

of growth, 

of nobleness of character,

 of heroism in living,

 of tender romance in loving. 

The result is that of deep peace, 

quiet joy

 and inseparable affection....

that only grows sweeter and sweeter over the years.

 Anna's grandfather, also a pastor, pronounced the happy pair man and wife.

  These two, who disciplined themselves to save their First Kiss for this very moment,

 before God and man, sealed their courtship and began their wedded life together 

in a long anticipated kiss,

 to cheers and clapping from the wedding guests.

The purport and significance of the night was far from over,

 however, as upon entering the reception, 

the groom washes the bride's feet in a very stirring act of service representing the servant leader.

 Music from the BBC movie North and South, "Northbound Train" provided the perfect serenade.

   As the song swelled and the minutes passed, wordlessly, Scott proclaimed his love for Anna,

 the love that he is called to by God to mimic as Christ loved the church and gave up his life for her. 

 In his expression and eyes were the solemn intention of a man to assume the gentle, 

delicate confiding love of his young wife into his keeping, 

to cherish her,

 to bless her,

 to shelter her, 

and wholeheartedly serve her,

 until death do they part.

 For many, this was the single most memorable part of the occasion. 

 Witnesses overcome with emotion wiped their eyes all over the room, all in good company..

.and gazed on as the couple had their first dance.

They dance to the Butterfly Waltz by Brian Crain.

An effusive Father cut in and taking his daughter's hand 

danced gracefully to "When Daddy says I'm Beautiful" by Annie Moses.

Brian and I both shed many a tear during the whole event, but, we do not cry in mourning, as he later said, but for pure joy. 

 This is what we raised her for...this is the goal met,

 and met well. 

 Tears may fall, but they are tears of happiness for her,

 and for our new son, Scott, who, by the way,

 we could not possibly love more.

Salads, yams, and fresh made bread were all brought by loving friends 

to round out a

 Providence lodge

 style meal of Venison Roast and special homemade mustard.

We were so blessed to have cake made by a loving neighbor,

and help from numerous

 friends and family through out the day 

who joyfully pulled together their resources 

to make this day the happiest, most blessed occasion it could be.

 If anything is worth a great deal of work and effort, 

it is a wedding.

 This, the second most important day of a person's life, 

a covenant taken before God and man, 

the bringing of two lives together as one...oh man is it worth it!

Now they go to begin their journey...

two hearts throbbing as one, 

two souls joined for the glory of God.

 Wishing them all the love and joy married life offers.

With Christ as their focus, 

they surely will live

                                                                     

Happily Ever After.