The Weddin' :: Part Two

Ready for more memorializing of matrimonial moments?

Me too.

My friend Mari was clamoring in a comment to see the MotB. Here she is I am along with the FotB, in a shot taken a few minutes before the ceremony commenced.

We were pretty excited. I mainly because I was actually wearing a dress. I acquired it one week before the wedding. Long story. For another time.

Newlyweds Andrew and Brittany were on hand and on board and in fine shape for the happy day as well.

Such sweetness and loveliness. And they sing together too. As you will see.

The pews were beginning to populate with our guests.

Brittany took her seat and waited for Andrew to complete his duties of escorting his mother and grandmother down the aisle before joining her.

Doesn't that dress look pretty on Brittany? She got it on sale for a ridiculously low price. Well done, Britt.

Meanwhile, the handsome groom waited patiently behind the scenes along with his best man and our pastor.

Our dear friend Alan -- imported from Atlanta for the occasion along with his wife Anna, who served as a bridesmaid -- sang John Denver's For You at the conclusion of the prelude.

Trivia: Alan's late grandfather officiated at TG's and my wedding thirty-nine years ago.

That's me giving a last-minute hug to Chad's grandmother, Jane's mother, who I call Miss Claudia. Because I love her.

(I gave her a hug because I love her. I call her Miss Claudia because it's her name.)

Things got underway as Andrew seated his grandmother.

Eventually it was Jane's turn. Son Wade did the honors before joining the other groomsmen.

I love sons walking their mothers down aisles at weddings.

It's charming.

Finally it was time for the bridesmaids.

Here's what was playing as they walked:

Melanie led off, accompanied by her father, to provide reassurance and moral support. She was wonderful and so was he. 

Allissa revels in life's celebratory moments more than anyone else I know.

She did an excellent job, as did all the lovelies. Next came Anna.

Then it was our Stephanie's turn.

And finally Audrey, the maid of honor.

Sometimes I must do a swift double take in order to tell my own girls apart.

Especially when they're dressed alike.

Andrew and Dagny, ring pillow and flower basket held carefully in their hands, went through the big doors.

Remember when Dagny dumped all of her petals out at Andrew and Brittany's wedding, before she even made it twelve inches down the aisle?

She nearly did it again. In her defense, the tiny basket held about fifteen petals. We'd cautioned Andrew not to mention any sudden jettisoning of petals on his cousin's part, lest she stop and attempt to pick them all up and start over.

She's conscientious. I like that. But at such a time, better to just roll with it, whatever transpires. Because petal-strewing is awesome but symbolic, and the placement of petals affects no outcome.

So sweet and so serious.

Then the momentous moment had arrived for dad and daughter.

The bride was being prepped for her entrance.

All was ready at the altar.

At zero hour, a flower decided it no longer wanted to be part of the bride's bouquet. She tossed it behind her. Who needs you? I can almost hear her thinking, as TG kindly offers to take it from her and stuff it into his pocket, if need be.

Well played, Erica.

Chad seemed pleased with the sight of his bride adorned to meet and marry him.

Smiles mingled with happy tears, all around the big room.

The bride was flanked by her father and her husband-to-be as Joel gave the charge to the couple.

Then TG kissed Erica on the cheek. Joel went to sit beside Melanie on the front pew, and TG took his place beside me.

Showtime, Sugar.

I asked Erica later how she managed those stairs without picking her dress up. She said she didn't know. I don't know either.

But she made it and pretty soon, there were vows and rings being exchanged.

A bird's eye view of the proceedings.

The kiss.

They signed their marriage license, Erica using her new legal name.

Andrew and Brittany sang A Love Until the End of Time.

And then the thing we'd all assembled to witness, was done.

This may be my favorite picture of the whole day. If I had to pick one. Which I don't.

Give me a little kiss, and I'll give it right back to you.

Everyone is so happy that the knot was tied and they're off the hook.

Audrey and Chris:

Stephanie and Wade:

Anna and Josh:

Joel and Melanie:

Allissa:

Dagny and Andrew:

Andrew and me:

Always be yourself, unless you can be a pirate. Then always be a pirate.

Stay tuned for more photographs of love, marriage, romance, relatives, and festive celebration, in a few days.

And that is all for now.

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Happy Wednesday

Comments

[Judy]

Just lovely.

[Barb]

I enjoyed every minute looking at the photos and seeing all the love and beauty of family ties. What a lovely bride and handsome groom. Young Andrew and Dagny took their jobs seriously. I must say you look stunning as Mother of the Bride - your smile says it all. Thanks for inviting your blog friends to participate through the photos and commentary. I smiled but, as usual, shed some tears of happiness, too. Congratulations Erica and Chad!

[Mari]

I'm smiling big over here! The wedding was all I thought it would be, and more! The MotB was beautiful (I knew she would be) and the FotB was debonair as usual. All the attendants looked wonderful and the décor was so lovely! It looks like a perfect wedding. The only thing that makes me sad, is that we couldn't be there!

[Jennifer]

@Judy ... it was, and yours this weekend will be too! Can't wait to see your pictures.

@Barb ... how sweet of you to enjoy those with us! Warning: there are more, haaahahaha! You know there are lots more. Thank you for the compliment to me and my family, and for those happy heartfelt tears. xoxo

@Mari ... you not being there was a real downer but you WERE there, somehow. I knew you would be in spirit, at least. And that was a lot. xoxo

[Cheryl]

What a lovely wedding! I wish there had been a video of Andrew and Brittany singing. The bride was beautiful and the groom looked so handsome. Your girls look so alike to me too. You did a great job on the decorations. Now you can rest for the rest of the summer. :)

[Jennifer]

@Cheryl ... there is a video of the entire wedding, with the singing, but I haven't seen it yet. I need to ask Erica to bring her copy here so that we can watch it. Thanks for your kind words and I do plan to rest and read lots of books. xoxo