Married in Montana: Ceremoniously Wed
And now, after our pre-ceremony shenanigans, it’s time for guest photos of the main event! As always, click for larger versions…
It seemed like forever before it was time for the ceremony: the buses had arrived with nearly an hour to spare leaving me unsure what to do with myself. Our photographer shot some bridal portraits with me outside the cabin that was our staging ground, the planner attached my veil, I ate a snack, and had my mom check my makeup. Finally, I went inside the cabin, sat down, and had about 20 quiet minutes to myself.
I wish I could say that I meditated on the meaning of love and marriage and looked forward to my joyous union with a zen mind, but I didn’t. I mostly worried about whether it was going to rain and if I was getting eyelash glue on my contact lenses. Derrrr…
After a while, my mom and my sister started to play our prelude pieces: Bach’s Gigue from Partita No. 3 and Telemann’s Concerto in G for Violin. Our guests were seated and the groomsmen stood up. Aren’t they handsome?
…buncha jokers…
I could hear the music from inside the cabin, and my stomach was in knots. I was so excited! The processional music started and one of our day-of coordinators came to fetch me. My youngest sister and my mom were playing Bach’s Wachet Auf so beautifully that I still tear up when I hear it today.
As I got ready, my bridesmaids made their way to the front of the aisle, and stood in front of the beautiful mountain backdrop… Guess which two (tall!) maids I’m related to? (Other sister is out of the frame.)
Our darling flower girl had to be carried down the aisle by her mom, but I’m just so glad she could be there at all! We weren’t sure we’d even have a flower girl and look how cute she was…
The ring bearer, who is our officiant’s son, carried our rings on a handmade wooden “plate” adorned with ribbons. I don’t have any guests photos of him, but I’m sure there will be plenty of pro-pics to post when we get them.
Next, It was my turn and I was breathless… the whole ceremony site was lit by a sunbeam and as I started walking down the aisle it began to sprinkle, oh so gently, just enough to keep me present in the moment. As you can see, I was choked up and having a hard time concealing my happy “cry face.”
At the end of the aisle, dad gave embraced both me and Justin in turn, and wished us the best…
Eyeballing the rainclouds, Justin shot a warning glance to the sky, and the ceremony began…
Miraculously, the weather held for the entire ceremony and cocktail hour. Once we were safely in the tents, it started to pour. But that’s a story for later. Here, now, we were focused only on each other, the words that were being read, the amazing setting, and our loving guests…
Including some uninvited guests, as well! The late-summer bugs (mostly grasshoppers) were everywhere and they LOVED to sit on the white silk of my dress! I kept having to brush them off…
The ceremony was recited, we said our vows, and fasted our hands (you can read the entire ceremony text in another blog post). Our guests were remarkably polite about photographs during this time, so I don’t have any digital photos of the mid-ceremony process yet, but I will soon.
The twenty-minute ceremony went by far too fast…
… suddenly we were being pronounced husband and wife! And, of course, sealing our vows with a kiss…
The ceremony was my favorite part of the wedding by far, especially because we had such a hand in writing and creating it. Ironically, it was one of the things we left until late in the planning process to take care of, but one of the only details that really mattered. All the rest, as they say, is just icing on the cake.
Next up on Married in Montana, we are whisked away for portraits while everyone enjoys cocktail hour… perhaps a bit too much…
Leave a Reply