Our Wedding

Lovely Tonight: The Ceremony, Part 2

These rings are an outward sign of an inward and invisible grace that unites two hearts in love. That’s what has brought us here today. They are especially significant because the circle of these rings symbolizes an unending and enduring quality of love that you two are sharing today. There is no beginning and there is no end. It is the same love that God has for each of us.

“I give you this ring as a sign of my love and faithfulness”

I…um…had a hard time getting Justin’s wedding band on his finger. Eek! Thankfully, he was nice enough to help me out with it!

The engagement ring is a symbol of a promise and intention. Now today, the intention is realized and the promise is fulfilled. So would you please place the engagement ring on Katie’s finger over her wedding band, symbolizing that the love that brought you together will protect and sustain you.

And then…Justin did something that made the entire room say “awwww” in unison. Here – I’ll show you…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDSLNKMAEYk[/youtube]

Seriously – my heart melts over and over again each time I watch that. You see, when Justin proposed he never did get down on one knee. Throughout our engagement, I continually would remind him of that fact (joking, of course). Well, I finally got my wish! What a sweetheart, right?

Anyway, after the ring exchange, we performed a handfasting ceremony –

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdfmJWzJxcI[/youtube]

Handfasting is an ancient Celtic tradition symbolizing the joining of two people in marriage. There are many versions of this gesture illustrating the union of husband and wife and is the origin of the phrase “tying the knot.”

These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever.

These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future.

These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch, will comfort you like no other.

These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills your mind.

These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears form your eyes; tears of sorrow, and tears of joy.

These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children. These are the hands that will help you to hold your family as one.

These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it.

And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.

With this cord, I bind Justin and Katie to the vows they make to each other.

The knots of this binding are not formed by this cord, but by your vows. You hold in your hands and hearts the making or breaking of this union. May your marriage be blessed with patience and dedication, forgiveness and respect, love and understanding.
Justin and Katie, Inasmuch as you have agreed to become husband and wife, and have before God, family and friends expressed your solemn vows and have signified the same in the giving of rings, by virtue of the authority in me as a minister of the gospel and the laws of this state, I declare you to be husband and wife, united in a holy marriage. Those whom God has joined together let no one separate.

The wedding is not over; itโ€™s just beginning. Not once and forever, but again and again shall the mystery of two people, together and in love, move one another and touch the world. For marriage is not something said and done, but a promise in which fulfillment is acted on in time. Justin and Katie may the blessing that rest upon all who love, rest also upon you and fill you with all spiritual grace. May the bond that unites you ever be strengthened.

Justin: you may kiss your bride.

And just like that, we were married!

*all photos courtesy of Pilster Photography*

Previously…

The girls got ready, then the guys got ready.

I became a bride, but our first look wasn’t what I’d hoped.

We took some photos alone and then with our bridal party.

Everyone hopped on the trolley and we took some family portraits before my cake arrived.

I gathered myself before the ceremony, our bridal party made their way down the aisle, and I followed afterward.

Our ceremony began with some readings.

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  • awwww i love that he got down on one knee to give you the wedding band?! that is too cute!! i’m a new follower of your blog! ๐Ÿ™‚ totally want to try the asian turkey meatballs sometime!!

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