Saturday, July 7, 2018

The Wedding Day May 19,2018






At last! The day had finally arrived. May 19, 2018


He had been waiting for this day for some time now. Ethan, the young groom stood at the altar with his best man awaiting the arrival of his bride, our daughter, Mikaela. Tears of joy were already pooling in his eyes at just the thought because he loves her so.


The sanctuary was filled 

with friends and family from as far away as Nebraska, Kansas, and Texas. Some had driven over 5 hours that morning to be at this special event.





Best Friends



Ethan invited four of his best friends from High and College. Mikaela had asked her friends, as well, to come and stand with her. Though a very traditional girl, she had also asked her brother, Brett and her nephew, Austin to stand up for her because they were indeed her closest friends. Unfortunately, Austin became ill that morning and was not able to attend.




Grandparents and Mothers all had taken their seats and the bride and groom's wedding party was now in place. 






Music from Tangled, the Disney movie, began to play and his sister, Ericka, sweetly began to sing...

All those days watching from the windows
All those years outside looking in
All that time never even knowing
Just how blind I've been
Now I'm here blinking in the starlight
Now I'm here suddenly I see
Standing here it's all so clear
I'm where I'm meant to be
.
All at once, everything looks different
Now that I see you...

Ethan bowed his head and closed his eyes. He didn't want to see even a glimpse of his beautiful bride until she was standing in the doorway. We waited as the music continued. 











As one of the groomsmen, Mitch, sang out the second verse, the congregation stood and turned. Ethan lifted his head and opened his eyes.

Now she's here shining in the starlight


Now she's here suddenly I know
If she's here it's crystal clear
I'm where I'm meant to go

And at last, I see the light...


And there she was pretty as a picture standing at the threshold of their new life together. She wore a gown of antique satin and Chantilly lace from the same dress her mother and grandmother had worn many years earlier. Around her neck hung a necklace worn by her Daddy's mother.

Tears of joy could no longer stay back as he gazed at his treasured bride. Her Daddy stepped to her side and they walked down the aisle together. Daddy was also in tears. Just the thought of giving away his little girl brought so many emotions to the surface. Both pairs of parents had prayed for this day when each would meet God's mate for life.





A Royal Wedding 

They turned and faced the minister who made mention of the Royal wedding which had taken place that same day “across the pond”. He noted that this, too, was a royal wedding because the bride and groom are children of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.



Her brother, Pastor Brian, delivered a marriage message speaking of the gift of marriage and what it meant to give oneself to each other. He spoke of other gifts as well. The gift of love, commitment, themselves, and more.


Brian stepped aside, and both Dads approached the couple. Since both are ministers, they led the couple in the repeating of their vows. How precious that each father could lead their own child in these most sacred promises. You could hear their voices quiver.



And then, the exchanging of rings.


“With the ring, I thee wed..”

The groom placed his grandmother’s wedding rings onto her finger.

“.. And give to you, my life”


Mikaela placed a ring of wood and fiery opal on Ethan’s finger. Opal is her birthstone. [No comment as to whether "fiery" has any indications.] It could mean he has her wrapped around his finger. But more likely, She has him wrapped around her finger!








Bonded Together Forever


The couple then moved to the side for the unity ceremony.  They lifted a veil to reveal a beautifully stained board with a cross and three cords. Her brother, Daniel, had created this unity board for this day and this moment was the first glimpse they had of the board. 

Mikaela & Ethan began to braid the three cords representing God, Ethan, and Mikaela together.



And her brother, Brian sweetly sang as they spent a few treasured moments together.

“Today you're giving your all
You've never trusted like this before.
Now tears of joy fall like rain
They seem to wash away every fear
You feel God's presence so very near."

Yes, tears fell and Ethan took a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe her tears. What an endearing few moments to watch how much he loves his bride.

And a brand new life is waiting for you
Starting here, starting now

From this moment on
From here to forever
He will carry you
Safe inside His love

The couple returned to the arbor where Pastor Eric,
Ethan’s dad pronounced them man and wife.

“Ethan, You may kiss your bride.”

The kiss was as passionate as their love.

Thunderous applause and cheers rose up from the sanctuary nearly drowning out the pastor’s introduction of the new couple.

“May I introduce to you, 
Mr. and Mrs. Ethan Grimes”



Hallelujah!

Applause rose up again. The joyful strains of the Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus could hardly be heard as the couple stepped out hand in hand.



The moment had finally arrived. 

They were now bonded together. 


Forever.









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Thank you to all those who helped make this day a beautiful day. We couldn't have done it without you!





Need to see more pictures? Click here

Photos provided by Lynn's Photography


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