The wedding day arrived and it was beautiful! A bit on the toasty side but with the shady spot for the ceremony, we were good. I was delighted to find that the new owners of the venue had expanded the deck so that there was plenty of room for more guests and moving about without being scrunched in.
I first got plugged into the DJ sound system and did a sound check. Then I went over the processional and recessional cues for Rodney. He was excellent to work with and the sound was impeccable!
The barn itself was ready for the guests after cocktail hour.
I sat down to review the ceremony script ahead of time in the house where the wedding party and families were hanging out.
When all the guests were seated and before the ceremony started, I entered and made the unplugged announcement. Then the wedding party processed in around me.
Clayton's parents, Reba and Skip, entered first. Skip and I discovered that we were both students at the University of Georgia at the same time many decades ago!
Clayton and Baxter enter next. Baxter is an amazing well-behaved pooch!
The bridesmaids and groomsmen entered next.
Then it was time for the many children in the processional including a little one in a wagon.
I invited everyone to stand in honor of the bride and her beautiful mother who was dressed in traditional Korean wedding dress. (Sadly Sarah's father had passed away just two months before, but not before giving Sarah and Clayton his blessings and his wish that their wedding not be postponed.)
Sarah's mother placed Sarah's hand into Clayton's and was seated with the guests.
On behalf of Sarah and Clayton, I welcomed their guests for this once-in-a-lifetime gathering of the unique and cherished people who have touched their lives throughout the years.
The words of welcome were followed by a prayer and remembrance of their loved ones who could not be present including Sarah's father and her grandmother in Chicago and many relatives in Korea.
Looks like Baxter is enjoying the ceremony!
Then it was time to honor Sarah's mother, Sue, and Clayton's parents, Skip and Reba.
I love to tell the story of how the couple met and fell in love and bring the guests from that day to the wedding day. It all began back in 2013 when Clayton was a post-doctoral fellow and Sarah a grad school student at UNC. They ended up working in labs next to each other. And since they were both single then ended up going to many events together and got to know each other. There were some laughable times for sure! Eventually they realized they really enjoyed being together and after a few rocky starts and stops, they fell in love.
Sarah is hearing for the first time what Clayton told me in confidence that he loves about her, why he wants to marry her and what he is looking forward to in marriage. Then Clayton heard what Sarah told me in confidence. Such a sweet moment for both.
They made their vows of marriage and sealed them with the exchange of rings.
After a closing blessing, I pronounced them husband and wife and invited them to share a kiss!
And so the marriage is signed, sealed and delivered! Everyone was cheering them on.
And out they step into their new married lives--Baxter is smiling too!
Can you tell that I am a dog person and was smitten with this cutie pie of a dog in his tux?
Congratulations, Sarah and Clayton! It was a wonderful wedding and I am so glad you decided to go forward with this celebration with your family and friends. I wish you the very best always!
No comments:
Post a Comment