A Very Special Wedding for Carmen and Don!

It seems that the Universe out did itself moving mountains for me to be a part of this very special wedding. Carmen called me last week to see if I could officiate her wedding to Don on Friday evening. She wanted me to officiate because my friend, Ross Merle DJ, had told her that I would be the perfect minister for their wedding. At the time, I had a wedding at 6:00 and was not available. I referred her to some other officiants I know. Ross called me on Monday before the wedding on Friday and said that Carmen still did not have an officiant. (I learned later that one minister had written down the wrong number and had tried to call Carmen back and the other one was out of town.)

That very same day, I received an email from my couple getting married on Friday at 6:00 to inform me they had decided to postpone their wedding. So, I was available after all. I called Ross to tell him the turn of events and get Carmen's number. She was delighted with the news! Such synchronicity. We discussed the situation more in depth and the kind of ceremony she wanted. I put it all together and emailed it to her. She loved it and did not want to change a thing!

Carmen with her three handsome sons before the wedding. I thank Jim Colman for sending me this photo.

So, on Friday evening, Marty and I drove to Don's home for the wedding. Don has Lou Gehrig's Disease and is in a wheelchair and on a ventilator. Other than that, I did not know what to expect but I knew they had a DJ--Ross--and a large tent in the backyard. The tent was almost as elegant as their home and they expected 30 to 40 guests. I met Don and Carmen and Carmen's sons and soon thereafter we got started. Don had the fanciest wheelchair I had ever seen. He is unable to speak or use his hands and communicates with his eyes. He can move his lips just enough to smile. He was wheeled from the garage to the backyard into the tent and onto the dance floor. We got him positioned so that he could see the bride enter. Here we are waiting for Carmen.

Here comes our beautiful bride and her escort.

The wheelchair was elevated to put Don at the highest position and Carmen stood at his feet so he could see her.

At this point in the ceremony I spoke with Carmen's three sons (on the left) asking them to take Don into their hearts as a friend and family member. I could tell they already loved him a lot.

Don had prepared his own vows which were read to Carmen by her friend, Laura. They were so sweet. I wish I had a copy of them.

Then Carmen read her vows to Don. Among many other touching words of love, she promised to "be your feet, your hands, and your voice."

For the pronouncement of marriage, Carmen moved beside Don and took his hand. I placed mine on top of theirs and pronounced them husband and wife.

After I presented them to their guests, Ross played "We are Family" by Sly and the Family Stone that Don had requested and I invited their guests to the dance floor to celebrate! It was very festive and everyone was so happy. Can you see that little smile on Don's face? It was definitely there!

Posing for the customary photo with the minister!

This was such a touching wedding and one I will never forget. It is such synchronicity that I was able to be there after all and I feel so blessed to be a part of this wedding celebration. I wish you all the happiness in the world!

This is Ross and my "roadie," Marty. Marty and I do lots of weddings together with Ross and we were so honored to be a part of this one. Ross is a wonderful DJ. Not only does he do the music but he makes sure everything is flowing along. I know everyone had a great time after Marty and I left for a friend's birthday party. To reach Ross go to Just Music DJ.

Jim Colman was our photographer. I had never met Jim before. He told me that although he has been a photographer for many years in the Raleigh area, he only recently got into the wedding photography business. He gets around fast because he was photographing the wedding I did the next day! Jim's blog depicts his take on this moving wedding. Go see it and many more photos here.

The tent they had was large and elegant with pretty tables and floral arrangements. They had a very lovely wedding cake but I did not find out who made it.