Our wedding day: The ceremony (Part 1)

Our wedding ceremony was the most important part of the day to me. I knew all along that it would be the most special time to me personally, as it's what the whole day is about. It was so amazing!

The song played during the bridal party processional was Jesu, Joy of Man's Desire (I assume... I couldn't hear it, but that's what I asked our guitarist to play!)

First the guys (groom, best man and officiant) walked out.

Next was my beautiful maid of honor.

Then the lovely flower girl.

For the bridal processional, Dave played Canon in D.

I surprised myself by choosing very traditional music! I never expected that, but these songs are so beautiful and seemed right for the occasion.

I walked down the aisle with both of my parents - I always knew I'd do this and it was very important to me to have both Mom and Dad there with me in that moment.

As soon as we turned the corner and I saw everyone waiting there for us, I started to cry. Dad said "You're okay," and Mom said "Happy!" I don't know if they remember that but I always will!

As I walked down the aisle I tried to concentrate on James, but I also caught some glances of our smiling guests. I was so honored that they were all there to support us.

Lots of hugs were exchanged.

Our officiant, Mark, welcomed our guests:

We are gathered here today to share this special, special day with James and Chardonnay as they are joined together as husband and wife.

It all began over four years ago when Chardonnay and James met at a Second Saturday art exhibit. They went on a date together the following evening and have been couple ever since that night.

 

You two have had many special days together. You have traveled to Lake Tahoe, to San Diego, to Seattle and other destinations throughout California. You both enjoy the adventure of travel as well as the thrill of discovery.

But the thrill of today surpasses each preceding day. Today is the day you begin life’s most joyous and challenging journey. Because today is the day you two will become husband and wife.

All of us have a special relationship with James and Chardonnay and we have been invited here to share and partake in the joy of this day.

James and Chardonnay also want to thank all of you who have been sources of love and inspiration to them throughout their lives. They could not imagine celebrating a day of such importance without you being here.

Chardonnay and James have chosen a reading which will give us a fun and very thought provoking insight into their partnership as they journey through life together as husband and wife.

Mark introduced James' niece Linae, who read from the book that we selected - Oh, The Places You'll Go! by Dr. Seuss:

Congratulations!

Today is your day.

You're off to Great Places!

You're off and away!

You have brains in your head.

You have feet in your shoes

You can steer yourself

any direction you choose.

You're on your own. And you know what you know.

And YOU are the ones who'll decide where to go.

You'll look up and down streets. Look 'em over with care.

About some you will say, "We don't choose to go there."

With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet,

you're too smart to go down any not-so-good street.

And you may not find any

you'll want to go down.

In that case, of course,

you'll head straight out of town.

It's opener there

in the wide open air.

Out there things can happen

and frequently do

to people as brainy

and footsy as you.
 

And when things start to happen,

don't worry. Don't stew.

Just go right along.

You'll start happening too.

OH! THE PLACES YOU'LL GO!

You'll be on your way up!

You'll be seeing great sights!

You'll join the high fliers

who soar to high heights.

You won't lag behind, because you'll have the speed.

You'll pass the whole gang and you'll soon take the lead.

Wherever you fly, you'll be the best of the best.

Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.

Except when you don' t

Because, sometimes, you won't.

I'm sorry to say so

but, sadly, it's true

and Hang-ups

can happen to you.

You can get all hung up

in a prickle-ly perch.

And your gang will fly on.

You'll be left in a Lurch.

You'll come down from the Lurch

with an unpleasant bump.

And the chances are, then,

that you'll be in a Slump.

And when you're in a Slump,

you're not in for much fun.

Un-slumping yourself

is not easily done.

You will come to a place where the streets are not marked.

Some windows are lighted. But mostly they're darked.

A place you could sprain both your elbow and chin!

Do you dare to stay out? Do you dare to go in?

How much can you lose? How much can you win?

And IF you go in, should you turn left or right...

or right-and-three-quarters? Or, maybe, not quite?

Or go around back and sneak in from behind?

Simple it's not, I'm afraid you will find,

for a mind-maker-upper to make up his mind.

NO! That's not for you!

Somehow you'll escape

all that waiting and staying.

You'll find the bright places

where Boom Bands are playing.

With banner flip-flapping,

once more you'll ride high!

Ready for anything under the sky.

Ready because you're that kind of a guy!

On you will go

though the weather be foul

On you will go

though your enemies prowl

On you will go

though the Hakken-Kraks howl

Onward up many

a frightening creek,

though your arms may get sore

and your sneakers may leak.
 

On and on you will hike

and I know you'll hike far

and face up to your problems

whatever they are.

You'll get mixed up, of course,

as you already know.

You'll get mixed up

with many strange birds as you go.
 

So be sure when you step.

Step with care and great tact

and remember that Life's

a Great Balancing Act.

Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.

And never mix up your right foot with your left.

And will you succeed?

Yes! You will, indeed!

98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed!

You're off to Great Places!

Today is your day!

 Your mountain is waiting.

So...get on your way!

{just a cute shot of my cousin's son during the ceremony}

 

To be continued...