Wed-Cap: The Formal Shots

As soon as the ceremony finished we huddled in a back hallway, made out a bit and waited for the all the guests to disperse and head next door for the cocktail hour at the mansion. We then filed back into the main room for some formal posed shots.

I'm not a huge fan of the formal posed pictures but I realize that they are necessary, especially since those are typically the ones that the parents prefer to frame. I didn't want to spend a whole lot of time on these because I wanted our family and wedding party to have a chance to go and enjoy the cocktail hour while Kristian and I took pictures around the property.

Here are some of the formal family and wedding party photos we got. I'm not a fan of the stairs that lead up to the stage to the left in some of the pictures but I've been able to crop them out of a few of the ones prior to ordering the prints.

*my mom and Kristian's parents*

*Kristian's parents and sister*

*my mom and two older brothers*
*our good looking wedding party*
*I think the only person I'm taller than in this picture is the flower girl. Sad.*


I do have a few regrets when it comes to these pictures. Despite not being a big fan of formal shots there were a few that I wished we had gotten but didn't. Unfortunately we weren't able to get any formal shots with Kristian and I and our pastor or with any of the extended family. Everyone pretty much immediately headed next door for the cocktail hour and between the rain outside and the time crunch from running behind schedule we just didn't think to go hunt those relatives down.

I wish we had gotten a formal shot with Kristian's grandmother's. I really regret not having this. And I know my mom especially is disappointed we didn't get any with her brother and sister. Also, despite the fact that they were both there we didn't get a picture of just me with my two brothers...that's another picture I know my mom would have wanted.

But such is life when it comes to the craziness of weddings. We did make a list of the photos we wanted taken but in the hustle and bustle of trying to get everything some of them were forgotten.

My suggestion is to make sure that any person, whether it be family or friends, that you want formal pictures with know when and where to be for those pictures. If that means they should stick around after the ceremony let them know in advance otherwise they will probably head to the next destination.

One Month down, Forever to go

Today marks Kristian and my one month anniversary! And they said it would never last! J/K It's hard to believe that our first month of marriage has flown by so quickly. We're still trying to put away all our wedding gifts, write thank you notes and figure out what to do with all of our leftover wedding decor...we now have a LOT more candles around the house than we did before. And of course I have yet to tire of looking at all our wedding photos.

Married life is great, it really is. Since we lived together for a year before the wedding not much has really changed as far as our daily routine except now we drink more coffee, thanks to our new Keurig coffeemaker, we now eat dinner off of nicer plates and we sleep on nicer sheets. But other than that it's pretty much the same as before which I love. It's comforting. I've never been a big fan of change as it is and if I had had to deal with the stress of moving in together and adjusting to life living with a significant other for the first time right after the stress of planning a wedding I would have lost my mind.


Don't get me wrong, I do feel different. I feel settled and secure and at peace. I no longer worry that Kristian will wake up one day, come to his senses and leave me. I guess technically he still could but not without having to go through the court system :-) I love having a new last name, though I'm just now starting the arduous task of legally changing it. I love it when he introduces me or refers to me as his wife. I love being able to call him my husband.

I have a partner. Someone to lean on. Someone to share my ups and downs with. To cry with and to laugh with. It's the greatest feeling in the world. Yes I know, I had all this before but somehow now that we're married it just feels more real. We're a family now.

The Money Shot

So I just realized in my previous post with all the ceremony pictures I left out two of my favorite pictures of the whole ceremony! The two pictures of Kristian's face watching me walk down the aisle. I've already posted one of these before but since these are (in my photographers words) the money shot I figured it was worth another post.

Wed-cap: The Ceremony

**Picture heavy post ahead

My favorite part of the the wedding day was the ceremony itself, after all that was the moment that made Kristian and I husband and wife. That was the moment I had been dreaming of my whole life and more specifically for the 15 months leading up to it. You really can't anticipate how you'll feel in the moment before walking down the aisle, or the moment you recite your vows or the moment when pronounced husband and wife. For me I felt incredibly excited, nervous, beautiful and loved.

As I've mentioned the initial plan was to get married outside in the garden. However when it started raining about 30 minutes beforehand there was much rushing around to move everything and get the reception room setup for the ceremony. Prior to the rain starting the photographers did get a picture of the Plan A ceremony site which made me happy so that I could see what that would have looked like. While I think the garden was pretty I think the inside was a much more intimate and romantic setting, so it all worked out for the best.

*our outdoor ceremony that never happened*

*Kristian escorting his mom down the aisle*

*My brother Keith escorting my mom*

*Kristian's dad walking his mother down*

*Kristian's uncle walking his maternal grandmother down the aisle*

*The Jr. Bridesmaids Madison and Carleigh* *Michelle* *Kelli* *Colleen*
*MOH- Krista* *My brother walking me down to meet my groom*

Right before we entered the room I got very teary-eyed and had to take a moment to pull myself together. But once I saw Kristian I couldn't help but smile and my tears vanished. I was way to excited and happy to cry.

*The flower handoff*
*My 5 1/2 year old niece Kaitlin was our flower girl and did an amazing job of walking down the aisle and standing up front during the whole ceremony. Unfortunately her 2 1/2 year old sister who was our other flower girl didn't end up going down the aisle. She was suffering from a double ear infection and wouldn't stop fussing*



*His Uncle Stanley doing the first reading*

*The ring exchange*


*Spanky doing the second reading*
*The KISS*

*Mr and Mrs*
*Kevin, Krista and Kaitlin*

*Bryan and Colleen*
*Matt and Kelli*
*Jason and Michelle*
*Kristian's nephew, the jr. groomsmen, escorting his sisters up the aisle*

I loved our ceremony. It was sweet and sentimental and perfect. Kristian was very teary-eyed and I couldn't stop giggling. It was such a cool, surreal, amazing experience I just couldn't help but giggle with excitement. I was also trying to keep Kristian from completely losing it ;-) As much as I had stressed about the weather and the potential of the ceremony being inside I couldn't be happier with how everything went.

Wed-cap- The Ceremony Music

Since we didn't get married in a church we had pretty much free reign over the music we wanted played during the ceremony. Since we didn't have a organist or a string quartet or a full on church choir to do the music we had our DJ handle the music for the ceremony as well as the reception.

While the guests were arriving he was instructed to play soft, instrumental, wedding-y type of music. Since I haven't seen the video yet and obviously wasn't there for that part I don't know what songs he played. I didn't hear any complaints so I'm guessing it was nice and appropriate.

For the ceremony itself we had 4 songs lined up to play. First was the song to be played while the grandmothers and mothers were escorted down the aisle. For that we chose the Eva Cassidy version of "What a Wonderful World". I think the lyrics were very fitting for the grandmother's/mother's entrance and I just love Eva Cassidy's voice.

What a wonderful world-Eva Cassidy




Next up was the song for the bridesmaids, jr. bridesmaids and flower girl to walk down to. We chose the more traditional "Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring" by Bach for this. The first time I heard it was in my friend Emily's wedding and I just loved it. It's not a song I've personally heard used very often though I know it's a fairly popular choice.

Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring- Bach



When it came time for my entrance I've known for years that I wanted to walk down to "Canon in D" by Pachelbel. I've never been a big fan of the traditional Wedding March and everytime I hear Canon in D (as overused as it is) it always makes me tear up.

Canon in D- Pachelbel



Finally for the grand exit of the entire wedding party I decided to go with something a bit more contemporary and used the Israel Kamakawiwo'ole version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow". It's such a beautiful rendition and just a happy song. We got a lot of compliments on using this song, people thought it was a great way to finish the ceremony. Sweet story-- this song was included on our CD favors and Kristian's dad said he was driving around the day after the wedding listening to the CD and this song came on and he started to tear up. He thought it was just such a perfect song to describe the whole wedding.

Somewhere over the rainbow- Israel Kamakawiwo’ole

What songs did/will you use for your ceremony?

Wed-cap: Ceremony Transcript

Before I recap the ceremony with pictures I wanted to include the full ceremony script. We were given a few ceremony examples to use as a guide from our Pastor. Those along with what I found on the Internet helped me to create our ceremony. We both agreed we wanted to use traditional vows rather than writing our own. There was something very sweet and romantic about saying the same vows that millions of other couples have said. I figure if it ain't broke why fix it.

When I initially sent it to Pastor Steve he thought it was a little too short (not that we wanted a long ceremony) so we decided at the last minute to throw in the 1 Corinthians 13 reading which has become pretty standard in most ceremonies. At first I didn't want to include it because it has become so common but frankly it's a great passage and very fitting for a wedding, plus it has other sentimentality to it for me.

Since the ceremony is a bit of a blur to me now, until I see the video I can't be sure he followed the script exactly but it was pretty darn close.

Greeting-

Dearly Beloved, We are gathered here today for one of the happiest occasions in all human life, to celebrate before God the marriage of a man and woman who love each other. Marriage is a most honorable estate, created and Instituted by God, signifying unto us the mystical union, which also exists between Christ and the Church; so too may this marriage be adorned by true and abiding love.

Shannon and Kristian, although life is a gift given to each of us as individuals, we also learn to live together in harmony. Love is a gift to us from our family and friends. Through these gifts of love we learn to ourselves to gift it back. Learning to love and live together is one of life's greatest challenges and is the shared goal of a married life.

Mankind did not create love; love is created by God. Therefore, a husband and wife should not confuse love of worldly things with that of Godly love of one another. For even if worldly success is found, only love for one another will maintain a marriage. The measure of true love is a love both freely given and freely accepted, just as God's love is unconditional and free.

Today is truly a glorious day which the Lord hath made - as today both of you are blessed with God's greatest of all gifts - the gift of abiding love and devotion between a man and a woman. All present here today - and those here in heart - wish both of you all the joy, happiness and success the world has to offer.


Declaration of Intent-

I require and charge you both, as you stand in the presence of God, before whom the secrets of all hearts are disclosed, that, having duly considered the holy covenant you are about to make, you do now declare before this company your pledge of faith, each to the other. Be well assured that if these solemn vows are kept inviolate, as God’s Word demands, and if steadfastly you endeavor to do the will of your heavenly Father, God will bless your marriage, will you fulfillment in it and will establish you home in peace.

Shannon, do you take Kristian to be your husband, to live together in holy marriage? Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?

I do. (actually I believe I said it more like I doooooo)

Kristian, do you take Shannon to be your wife, to live together in holy marriage? Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?

I do.

Response of the Families

The marriage of Shannon and Kristian unites their families and creates a new one. They ask for your blessing. Will all of you, by God’s grace, do everything in your power to uphold and care for these two people in their marriage?

We Will.

Prayer

The Lord be with you.

And also with you

Let us pray. God of all people, you are the true light, shining on everyone. You show us the way, the truth, and the life. You love us even when we are disobedient. You sustain us with your Holy Spirit. We rejoice in your life every day of our lives. We praise you for your presence with us, and especially in this act of solemn covenant; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames. but have not love, I gain nothing.

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 record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Reading 1-
"I Love You",
by Roy Croft

I love you, not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you. I love you, not only for what you have made of yourself, but for what you are making of me. I love you, for the part of me that you bring out. I love you, for putting your hand into my heaped-up heart, and passing over all the foolish, weak things that you can't help dimly seeing there, and for drawing out, into the light, all the beautiful belongings that no one else had looked quite far enough to find. I love you, because you are helping me to make of the lumber of my life, not a tavern, but a temple. Out of the works of my every day, not a reproach, but a song. I love you, because you have done more than any creed could have done to make me good, and more than any fate could have done to make me happy. You have done it without a touch, without a word, without a sign. You have done it by being yourself. Perhaps that is what being a friend means, after all.

Intercessory Prayer-

Eternal God, Creator and Preserver of all life, Author of salvation, Giver of all grace: Bless and sanctify with your Holy Spirit Shannon and Kristian, who come now to join in marriage. Grant that they may give their vows to each other in the strength of your steadfast love. Enable them to grow in love and peace with you and with each other every day, so they may reach out in concern and service to the world; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Exchange of Vows
In the name of God
I, Kristian Edward P....
Take you Shannon Elizabeth G....
To be my 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
Until we are parted by death
This is my solemn vow

In the name of God
I, Shannon Elizabeth G....
Take you Kristian Edward P....,
To be my 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
Until we are parted by death
This is my solemn vow

Blessing and Exchange of Rings

The wedding ring is the outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace, signifying to us the union of this man and woman in holy matrimony, through the Church of Jesus Christ our Lord. Bless, O Lord, the giving of these rings so that they who wear them may abide in thy peace and continue in your favor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Shannon:
In token and pledge
Of our constant faith
And abiding love,
With this ring
I thee wed,
In the name of the Father,
And of the son,
And of the Holy Spirit.
Amen

Kristian:
In token and pledge
Of our constant faith
And abiding love,
With this ring
I thee wed,
In the name of the Father,
And of the son,
And of the Holy Spirit.
Amen

Reading 2-
"Blessing of the Hands"

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 from 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.

Declaration of Marriage

For as much as Shannon and Kristian have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have pledged their faith each to the other, and have declared the same by joining hands and by giving and receiving rings; I pronounce that they are husband and wife together, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Those whom God hath joined together, let no one put asunder. Oyden Diaspasei Hmas (Nothing shall tear us apart). Amen.

The Kiss

Kristian, you may now kiss your bride

Presentation of the Couple

It’s my pleasure to introduce for the very first time Mr. and Mrs. Kristian and Shannon P....

Wed-cap: Pre-Ceremony

Once we finished getting ready at the hotel, all of the girls including my mom and her BFF piled into the limo to take us to the venue. The limo company agreed to allow us to rent the limo for only 3 hours as opposed to their standard 8 hour block so long as we agreed to be done with it by 5pm so they could make their Prom appointments. This actually worked out perfect for us and they even upgraded the limo for free.

**Tip- if you are getting married in May or early June you will be competing with proms for limo service and will probably have to pay more because of this.

*my red carpet arrival*

Once the limo dropped us off it went to pick up the boys. The girls arrived to the venue first so we could go ahead and get our pictures out of the way prior to the boys arriving. Fortunately the rain held off long enough to get some nice outdoor shots around the property. We took pictures of all the girls as well as pictures of me with each girl individually.

*With my 4 bridesmaids and 2 jr. bridesmaid. I actually found the 2 jr. bridesmaid dresses during the holidays at Target! I think they are a great compliment to the Bridesmaid dresses*

*With my big brother Michael who walked me down the aisle*

*Going into the mansion where the bridal suite was located*

*The boys arrival*

*Kristian with his parents and older sister (one of my bridesmaid)*

*Kristian with his two best men*

*The groom with his groomsmen*

*Kristian's nephew and our jr. groomsman getting his bout pinned on*

*Kristian's mom pinning the bout on his dad*

*It started raining 30 minutes before the ceremony and we had to walk to the building next door without getting wet. I think these pictures are really cute*

*walking to the ceremony*