All You Need is Love: The Ceremony- part 2

Read the past recaps by clicking on the "wedding" tab at the top.

Announcement of Marriage
Before God and in the presence of this community, Matthew and Jessica have made their solemn vows to each other. They have confirmed their promises by the joining of hands and by the giving and receiving of rings. Therefore, I proclaim, as a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ, that they are now husband and wife.
Those whom God has joined together, let no one separate.

Charge to the Couple
As Christ's own, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, and patience, forgiving each other, as the Lord has forgiven you, and crown all these things with love, which bind everything together in perfect harmony.

Benediction
The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord be kind and gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace.
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

You may now kiss your bride.

Side note- I love MOH Mary's face in this picture

And the navigation of the stairs

Yay! We're married!

MOH Mary & BM Josh

Brittany & Brandon

Lindsey & CameronKara & John

At this point, Matt & I head back to the bridal suite where the wedding party and our families meet us. There is much hugging and I'm just trying to breathe and understand what just happened. We wait a few minutes for the sanctuary to clear out, and then the family pictures-- that's next!

All You Need is Love: The Ceremony- part 1

Need to catch up? Scroll to the top and click the "wedding" tab.

So after my dad and I finally reached the end of the aisle, it was time for the ceremony to begin! The following text is from the ceremony and is the traditional Presbyterian liturgy. These recaps serve as my own keepsake, so I want the full text to accompany the pictures. Please bare with all the words :)

Call to Worship
God is love and those who abide in love, abides in God and God abides in them.

Giving of the Bride
Dr Jones: Who gives this woman to be wedded to this man?
My father: Her mother and I

Scripture
1 John 4: 7-19
"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
"We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
"God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
"We love because he first loved us."

1 Corinthians 13: 4-8a
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no records of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
"Love never fails."

Meditation [Reverend Dr. Jones gave a short & sweet message about marriage and the symbolism behind the wedding bands]

Declaration of Intent
Matthew, having heard how God has given us the gift of marriage, do you take Jessica to be your wedded wife, to live together in the holy estate of matrimony?
Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honor her and keep her, in sickness and in health; and forsaking all others, keep yourself unto her along, so long as you both shall live? Do you?
Matthew: I do

Jessica, having heard how God has given us the gift of marriage, do you take Matthew to be your wedded husband, to live together in the holy estate of matrimony?
Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honor him and keep him, in sickness and in health; and forsaking all others, keep yourself unto him alone, so long as you both shall live? Do you?
Jessica: I do

Affirmation of Families
Do you, the families of Matthew and Jessica given them your blessing and promise to do everything in your power to uphold them in their marriage?
Families: We do

Affirmation of Congregation
Will all of you witnessing these vows do everything in your power to uphold Matthew and Jessica in their marriage?
Congregation: We will


Marriage vows
Vows are never to be taken lightly, especially when they are made before God in the company of other believers. They are like anchors that hold us steady in the storms and gales of life. If you are sincere in the words you say to each other, and if you will remember them as long as you live, they will prove important guides in seasons of distress and indecision. Moreover, the God who hears your vows will be present to aid you in keeping them whenever you repeat them in awareness of God's spirit.

Matthew and Jessica, since it is your intention to marry, join your hands together and with your promises bind yourselves to each other as husband and wife.

Matthew: I, Matthew, take thee, Jessica, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, so long as we both shall live.

Jessica: I, Jessica, take thee, Matthew, to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, so long as we both shall live.


Exchange of Rings
These rings represent an unbroken circle, an emblem of eternity. They are symbols of a love which is complete, unbroken, beautiful and endless. May it so typify your love for one another.

Let us pray:
By your blessings, O God, may these rings be to Matthew and Jessica symbols of unending love and faithfulness, reminding them of the Covenant they have made this day, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.



With this ring, I thee wed, in token and pledge of our constant faith and abiding love. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Prayer of Dedication
Let us pray. Eternal God, creator and preserver of all life, author of salvation and giver of all grace, look with favor upon the the world you have made and redeemed, and especially upon Matthew and Jessica. Give them wisdom and devotion in their common life, that each may be to the other a strength in need, a comfort in sorrow, a counselor in perplexity, and a companion in joy.

Grant that their wills may be so knit together in your will and their spirits in your Spirit that they may grow in love and peace with you and with each other all the days of their lives.

Give them courage when they hurt each other, to recognize and confess their fault, and the grace to seek your forgiveness, and to forgive each other.

Make their lives together a sign of Christ's love to this sinful and broken world, that unity may overcome brokenness, forgiveness heal guilt and joy conquer despair.

Give them such fulfillment of their mutual love that they may reach out to in concern for others.

Grant that all who have witnessed these vows today may find their lives strengthened and that all who are married may depart with their own promises renewed.

Up next- the end of the ceremony!

All You Need is Love: Our First Look

Catch up here!

Here are all the things we DIY'ed for the wedding/reception
Here are our flowers
Everyone started arriving on Thursday
Friday, pre-rehearsal
Then we rehearsed
And of course ate
Then we woke up and my mom & I got our hair done
The girls got all prettied up!
Find out what the guys were up to
The details-- my something's
I finally got to put on my dress
The girls' pictures are taken
Then the guys got their pictures made
And we wait
The ceremony starts

Matt & I decided not to see each other before the ceremony, so when I walked down the aisle, that was our true first look. Before I saw Matt, I was this bundle of nerves and excitement and just felt overwhelmed. Once I saw him, that didn't all go away, but it made it much more worth it. I was trying so hard to not run down the aisle towards him, but thankfully my dad's arm & my heavy dress kept me back.

But walking down that aisle is intense. You're surrounded by so many guests, so much love, you're thinking about so many things but at the same time just focusing on the moment. It is fairly overwhelming and now, looking back, it is one of my favorite memories.

Love that series of pictures :)

Next- the ceremony really begins

All pictures by Kasey Lynn Photography

All You Need is Love: The Processional

Catch up on the past recaps:

Here are all the things we DIY'ed for the wedding/reception
Here are our flowers
Everyone started arriving on Thursday
Friday, pre-rehearsal
Then we rehearsed
And of course ate
Then we woke up and my mom & I got our hair done
The girls got all prettied up!
Find out what the guys were up to
The details-- my something's
I finally got to put on my dress
The girls' pictures are taken
Then the guys got their pictures made
And we wait

As I discussed here when I talked about the ceremony music, my brother played the processional for the families to enter. He is an AMAZING clarinetist and though he said he wasn't happy with his performance, he is definitely over critical of himself because he sounded great! I will always remember that moment, listening to him play while I'm trying to calm my nerves standing in the back of the church.

The sanctuary with the guests-- so pretty with the light!

My brother

Matt's mom, being escorted by his youngest brother, with their dad following

My mother, being escorted by my grandfather

The guys are in place

The bridesmaids start processing-- Brittany!

Lindsey

Kara
And MOH Mary

And everyone waiting...

You'll have to wait, too! The next part deserves its own post, in this blog-writer's opinion.

All pictures by Kasey Lynn Photography

Premarital Counseling, part tres + ceremony music

Catch up on Part 1 and Part 2.

This was our last counseling session with the reverend before the ceremony. It was crazy to hear him say, "OK- see you at the rehearsal!" We're getting so much closer... wow!

Anyway, so we mainly went over the actual wedding ceremony. We're getting married in a Presbyterian church and he uses traditional vows, which I love. Also, Matt & I will be saying the same thing, which was also important to us.

I feel weird about posting all about the ceremony and music now pre-wedding, so here is a basic summary. I will go into more detail post-wedding, I promise!

Prelude music:
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring-- Bach
Arioso- Bach
Clair de Lune- Debussy
Air on the G String- Bach


Music for Grandparents & Parents to enter:
Sonata for Clarinet & Piano in E Flat Major by Camille Saint-Saens
[My brother will be playing this, and I'm so excited! He was a music performance major in college but since graduation, I haven't heard him play. Even though I'll be stuck in my little bridal room, I'm happy he'll be playing at the wedding nonetheless :)]

Bridesmaids Processional:
Canon in D by Pachelbel


Bridal Processional:
Largo by Handel


Then we'll have the giving of the bride, followed by prayer and scripture readings. Then we'll have the Declaration of Intent (the I Do part), along with the Affirmation of Families and Affirmation of Congregation. Then coems the marriage vows and exchange of rings. We pray again, then there is an announcement of marriage, followed by the benediction. Then the most famous line "You may now kiss your bride."

Recessional [yes, went totally traditional on this]:
Wedding March by Mendelssohn


Badaboom, badabing. We're married in all about 20 minutes. It's ironic how short it is since this is the most important part of the day. I often lose sight of that, though I wish that wasn't the case. Silly wedding industry.


But I am really looking forward to the ceremony and saying the vows. It is such an important moment for Matt & me, one I want to remember forever.

Premarital counseling, part dos + Meeting with Music Minister

Haven't read the first counseling session?? Go here.

One of the things Matt & I did between New Year's and our New Orleans trip was have our second meeting with Reverend Jones, you know, the guy who is going to perform the ceremony. This appointment was not nearly as awkward as the first one, which was nice, but it was really helpful like the first session was. He read us two passages from the Bible, and commented on them and described his own marriage and how it related.

The first passage was from Genesis 2:24- "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh" [NIV]. I know most of us have heard that verse before, but Rev Jones described it in a new way that I hadn't thought of before-- when you get married, you leave your old life behind as you start a new one [parallels becoming a Christian]. He talked about letting bad habits die as well as getting rid of negative people in your life (that is those that think negatively of marriage and/or your spouse). It seems a bit obvious, but I never made that connection before. 

The second passage was the traditional 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a- "

 ⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.|⁸ Love never fails." (NIV) For this, Rev Jones described various situations in his own marriage. One of the themes he touched on was based on verse 5. In marriage, it is no longer 'me succeeding' or 'you succeeding.' Instead, it is 'we fail' or 'we succeed.' 

Basically, just good things to remember.

After that, we met with the new music director at the church. He is a rather young guy from New York, and very cool & easy to talk to. He was open to anything (i.e. remake of the "I Gotta Feeling" processional), but Matt & I believe the ceremony to be the most important part of the wedding. Obviously it is where we actually get married. Everything else is just (expensive) fluff. Being significant then, we wanted the traditional music. I know I prefer the piano to the organ, and besides not wanting to have the Bridal Processional be the "Bridal Chorus" (AKA 'hear comes the bride...'), I had no preference.

So he gave us several options for each slot where we need to have music, and with the help of YouTube and google, we have been able to come up with a decent list. Once we make the final decision I'll let you know! But I'm excited-- it's going to be pretty and not too formal or traditional. 

How did you pick your bridal processional? Or have you always just known that you wanted to walk down the aisle to a particular song?

 

Registry + 2 days, 5 vendors- Part 2

Before I continue with this, in somewhat exciting news, Matt and I got to register at Bed, Bath, and Beyond yesterday. Some of the pickins' were pretty slim, especially being the one located in a large college town, so we'll be finishing it up tomorrow in Houston. But, we did get a lot of items and random cool, things. Here are some pictures to prove that we, too, can work a scan-gun thing.

Don't worry, we did NOT register for pink towels. That would be cruel.

And moving on...

Where were we? Oh yes, we had just finished our first tasting at Kiss the Cook Cakes and admired there amazing pastry skills. OK, so then we went to lunch, numero uno mistake. So not hungry. I think I ate a third of my salad at McAlisters, though my family and Matt somehow ate most of their lunch. Not sure why or how, because shortly thereafter, we had tasting two at Bakery B, mistake numero dos, which I'll explain later.


So we arrive at this bakery, are seated at a table, and then taste a chocolate, almond, vanilla, and amaretto flavors. They were definitely good, though not as good as the first one in all of our opinions. Also, her estimate was a decent bit cheaper than our Bakery A, and the quality of her gallery showed it. In addition, when I wanted suggestions as to the design of the cake, she said that we didn't need to decide on that today, though I had LOVED that Bakery A had taken the time to do that. However, I really liked her, though, as a person. She was very sweet and I was not looking forward to sending her the rejection email, but I guess that's part of the deal.

Following being stuffed with excessive sugar [we couldn't even finish all the samples!], we left and went to meet with Florist B, LZ Floral. Florist B was unfamiliar with the church we're getting married at, so we met her at the church. AND I was able to take sanctuary pictures for y'all:

Ahh, the beautiful windows that look out into the trees. So pretty...

I really liked Florist B. We actually sat down and talked about the flowers we wanted, and she had a lot of examples of her previous work. Florist A had already 'decided' on flowers, though I'm sure we could have changed it. I just did not know what Florist A's flowers would look like all put together, so it was a lot harder for me to imagine than with Florist B. Also, Florist B really got along well with my family, especially when my brother and Matt started brainstorming crazy ideas for the wedding, such as kilts and zip-off skirts. What's better is that Florist B was able to get us a quote a couple of hours after we left, so yay for quick service! In addition, her quote was competitive with Florist A, which is something we were worried about.

And so that finishes the meeting with 5 vendors. I think you could guess, but the choices we went with were Florist B, LZ Floral, and then Bakery A, Kiss the Cook. I'm so excited to see what they do with the flowers and cake, respectively. It makes it so much more real, being able to envision all of those components of the wedding, in addition to really liking the photographer.

But here are some suggestions from me to any prospective bride that's reading this:
1) Do NOT schedule cake tasting back to back. I would suggest giving yourself SEVERAL hours between each, if you have to do them on the same day. Otherwise you're still full from the last one, and you cannot really enjoy the cake fully.

2) I really liked only having 2 bakeries to choose from. I could not imagine having more than that to pick from, because I would think the tastings would run together. "Wait, chocolate A, B, C, or D?" It just would get mixed up...

3) Come with ideas for both. I brought some swatches of my bridesmaids' dresses, along with pictures of bouquets, centerpieces, and cakes that I/we had liked. But also be open to going a different direction, in case your flower of choice is not available in the month of the wedding, for instance.

Wedding basics...

So because I'm a Type-A, advanced planner kind of gal, we have a lot of the wedding figured out. So here is a run down of the basics.
Ceremony- at The Woodlands Community Presbyterian Church. Though it hasn't been my church for very long, on account of we moved to the area 3 years ago, I am in love with the sanctuary and the grounds.

Source

So I'm having a hard time finding pictures of the sanctuary. Weird, but I'll try to get pictures for you later! Take my word for it- beautiful! Huge windows that will let in plenty of light (because the wedding is at like, 1 PM), surrounded by trees... *sigh!*

Reception- Amerigo's Grille (yes, with an 'e', we're apparently dignified here in The Woodlands!).
You see, a nice benefit of having a (cheaper) daytime wedding is we get the entire restaurant to ourselves, both floors. They do not open til 5 PM or so, thus as long as we're out by a designated time, we're good. We're not having a formal, sit-down dinner or anything. Instead, heavy hors d'oeuvres will be served, along with a pasta and salad bar. Along with the cake. And the food here-- AMAZING!
And the obligatory pictures:

Source

So there ya go! Amerigo's also has a dance floor, albeit small, but I think it will work for what we have in mind. As much as I love to dance, since: a) we're on a limited budget, b) we won't be having a 'party-all-night' reception, c) the groom isn't big on dancing, we all thought this was the perfect compromise.

That's all for today, but have a good one!