A Merry Wedding Weekend

Just two days prior to the big day, it seemed the dark clouds were moving in. It was supposed to rain buckets. It was rumored the air conditioning was broken in the sanctuary. The bride’s grandmother fell and was hospitalized.

Dearly Beloved, we are met in the presence of God to unite this man and this woman by the sacred ties of matrimony.

But, for this first cousin of mine, the Lord had plans for good. The skies were blue, the clouds were puffy white. The sanctuary was cool and comfortable. And Mimi is on the mend. It was truly a gorgeous wedding weekend.

A huge, long list of gifts to count!

Will you have this woman, whose hand you hold, to be your wedded wife, and solemnly promise that you will loyally fulfill your obligations as her husband to protect her, honor her, love her and cherish her in adversity as well as in prosperity, and keep yourself unto her alone, so long as you both shall live?

2434. a beautiful bridesmaids luncheon.

2435. my sweet grandmother and aunt taking care of our two boys for the weekend. Train tracks spread all over Mama Ann’s living room floor!

2436. whistling five-year-old from the balcony during photos of the bridesmaids.

These rings, endless until broken by the outside forces, are fit symbols of the unbroken partnership of marriage which should continue until broken by death.  Let them be unto you constant reminders of your obligations to each other.

2437. the church I grew up in. Was saved in – on that Easter Sunday morning I was ten. Walking up the familiar steps, sitting in the pews.

2438. the church I was married in, listening again to the piano and organ, the grandeur and celebration of wedding!

Thus, you are both to wear these rings as the enclosing bond of reverence and trust.  You both are to fulfill the perfect circle of duty that makes you one.  As you hope for happiness in your married life, I charge you to be true to the vows you have taken.

2439. Sisters, gorgeous!

2440. Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing as the bride entered.

2441. my twirling flower girl, shoeless most of the time.

2442. another of my girls, darting in between guests to be sure all had a program.

2443. and another, carefully lighting the remembrance candle.

Forasmuch as you have openly declared your wishes to be united in marriage and in the presence of God and before these witnesses have pledged love and fidelity, each to the other, and have confirmed the same by the giving of rings, and by the joining of hands, as a Judge of the Superior Court of the State of Georgia, I do pronounce now that you are husband and wife.  WHAT GOD HAS JOINED TOGETHER, LET NO MAN PUT ASUNDER.

2444. the wedding vows our friend the County Superior Court Judge used to charge the couple. The same vows my grandfather, the County Superior Court Judge wrote and used. Vows found tucked in his Bible – used in two cousins’ weddings now. Thinking of my grandaddy as I watched the bride and groom.

2445. the obvious and evident love the couple has for each other!

2446. dinner and merriment that followed.

Almighty God, Heavenly Father of mankind, whose nature is love,

Look with favor upon this man and this woman.  Bless each with the inward qualities of loyalty, honor, purity, self-control, trust and forgiveness, that they may live together all their days in true love and perfect peace.

May the Lord bless you and keep you: the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you, the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.  Amen.