We did it....the perfect back yard wedding with our family and the best friends in life. We kept it simple with no aisle and no attendants but used the covered back porch as our altar and the screened porch for the Tuscan style buffet brunch. We had punch, Italian beer and wine and I know that without the caterer and photographer, I would have been a lot nuttier. I toasted everyone and got choked up a few times (especially with thanking Anne, Mary and Becca) and thinking back to Julie and my bachelor party. To my family who came from so far and all the support everyone has shown. We will have more pictures soon but to start, here are a few Anne Hall took and sent (thanks for that!). You were one of the best parts of this day.
To Jean and Russ, our witnesses, thanks for all you do for us and for flying across the country everytime I have an event and when I need you most.
To Jeff's family, thanks for making me feel so welcome and for becoming such incredible grandparents.
Here is part of our ceremony which we put together with the help of our minister and means so much to us both.
The Reading: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their toil.
For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow;
but woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up.
Again, if two lie together, they are warm; but how can one be warm alone?
And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him.
The Prayer
Dear God of Peace and Light, who gives us the longing for the love and the capability of loving, we give you thanks for Jennifer and Jeff or their open hearts and willing spirits, and for the example of loves that they embody here in our presence.
Be with them on this joyous occasion of showing their love and making their vows, and be with us their witnesses, that we may support them always and that we will all be blessed by what is said and witnessed here today. In thy name we pray Lord, Amen.
The Vows - Repeat:
I promise to encourage and inspire you, to laugh with you, and to comfort you.
I promise to love you in good times and in bad,
when life seems easy and when it seems hard,
when our love is simple, and when it is an effort.
I promise to cherish you, and to always hold you in highest regard.
Everything I am and everything I have is yours, from this moment forth and for eternity.
The Exchange of Rings
God, bless these hands that you see before you this day. May they always be held by one another. Give them the strength to hold on during the storms of stress and the dark of disillusionment. Keep them tender and gentle as they nurture each other in their wondrous love. Help these hands to continue building a relationship founded in your grace, rich in caring, and devoted in reaching for your perfection. May Jeff and Jennifer see their four hands as healer, protector, shelter and guide. We ask this in God’s name, Amen.
The marriage ring seals the vows of marriage and represents a promise for eternal and everlasting love. It is a physical manifestation of the promises joining both the bride and groom together. The wedding ring is placed on the fourth finger of the left hand because it was traditionally believed that this finger was a direct connection to the heart - the perfect place for a symbol representing eternal love and commitment.
Repeat-
This ring has no beginning and no end,
It represents my promise that I will always love you,
That I will always cherish you and honor you
For all the days of My life.
