Friday, February 14, 2014

Wedding Ceremony

We were a bit late starting - we couldn't find Zander (adventure blogged here).  Eventually, both grandmothers and moms were ushered to their seats.

I'm sure Kami got photos of some of these things. 

The wedding party entered while  "Haven't Even Kissed" by Moriah Peters played (click title to listen). This song was perfect for BreAnne's journey - even to the keys..... those of us who knew smiled big, sniffed a bit and watched seven handsome men in fedoras and seven beautiful  women in Audrey Hepburn dresses walk in.

After the members of the wedding party were settled, Nolan came down to pull the runner up. But...um...it seemed to be tacked down backwards. In any event, it would NOT unroll. This is where Nolan's humor (loved his laugh) and his unflappability (spell check says this IS a word) came to the rescue. I have learned to hoot, holler and make emotional moments or awkward moments humorous so folks aren't nervous while a solution is sought. Nolan ended up bending over and rolling it down the aisle - he even kicked it a time or two. I started the cheering...and there was laughter, clapping and all was well....Though Michael and BreAnne wondered what in the world was going on. (We have a video clip of this but I'd like to edit. It won't load at this point.)

Zander was up next. He had a cute chalkboard with, "Here Comes the Bride" written on it. A fun idea from pinterest. He came up the aisle and was hamming it up! The crowd had fallen in love with him when he was "lost" and everyone was relaxed by now. Lots of laughing and cheering.

The music changed to a beautiful instrumental arrangement of, "Someday my Prince Will Come," and Stacia walked down the aisle. (I can't find it on youtube to link). 


At this point the ushers - our five sons - were in the back getting ready to sneak into the front pew during the worship. Josiah looked up and caught this photo. Oh, be still  my heart. I love it. Thanks, son. It's a precious photo.  As I watched them walk towards us I reflected on life coming full circle. We're in a good place. Thirty years ago this very day, I walked down the same aisle to meet Michael at the altar. Today, he walks our oldest down to her groom.

Pastor Kirk said some sweet things (I'll load a video clip). Kirk grew up in this church - as did I when we weren't overseas. He went to Bible college at the same time as Michael and I. Fun to have him tag team with Michael. One of the things Kirk said was,  "BreAnne entered into a covenant of purity with her parents and with God to remain physically and emotionally pure until her wedding day. Today she has fulfilled this covenant and returns the symbol of that covenant to her father." She gave the ring to Michael - God's grace is truly amazing! 

 Michael gave Izaak a charge (blogged here)

During the charge, Michael said, "As Bre is entering into this new covenant with you, I am giving you the symbol of her faithful fulfillment of the first covenant.....she was faithful to that old covenant. She will be faithful to this new covenant." He gave Izaak the ring. A tender moment for sure. (Michael's charge was caught on video). 
 

When the wedding party came up, they moved to the front pew on either side of the aisle. AJ (is one I used to babysit. His family moved away. We moved away. BreAnne and Izaak are both on staff at this church now and he was a groomsmen in her wedding - small world connections) - ANYWAY - AJ led the congregation in two worship songs...and it was good to have time to compose ourselves.

We sang, "This is what you do,"  and "There is None like You."(Click titles for clips).


Loved these red shoes - Bride wore them too ::grin:: 

I thought the Converse were pretty cool too. 

Don't the groomsmen look spiffy? Dakota (our Grand Gherkin) is the best man

Izaak reads his vows (will eventually blog here)

BreAnne reads her vows (blogged here)

This is where Michael lost it at rehearsal but he did GREAT tonight....with this ring....

While Izaak and BreAnne took communion we listened and worshiped along with, "In Christ Alone!" I'm telling you they sang some of my favorite songs.....this and There is none like You are two of my favorites....
Four sisters in one shot
 During the rehearsal I had asked if any of these gals wanted to make bets how far Michael would get without tearing up. One disbelieving bridesmaid said, "Not at the rehearsal."

Ah - she doesn't know my tender, lovable, engaged daddy,  husband as I do. When he teared up, I yelled, "I win!" and ran up and gave her a high five...broke up the emotions and allowed all to relax and move on...and within minutes Kirk teared up too....and at the wedding...well I think most of the bridesmaids teared up at some point. It was a really sweet ceremony.  When I blew this up I caught a few tearing up.

Have you ever seen the sand ceremony? We hadn't - but it is beautiful. Dakota joined them for this, signifying the joining of their three lives into one family unit.  Happy Together (this exact version) played during this part of the service....it was fun and sweet and perfect. 

Their first kiss


"It's my pleasure to introduce to you Mr. and Mrs. Izaak and BreAnne D....." She does look like a princess! 

The recessional? Fabulous! My all-time favorite work out song! ::snort:: 
James Brown belted out, "I Feel Good!" 

Some danced down the aisle, all smiled, we whooped and clapped....it was simply fantastic! 

There are many more photos. Shelby took all the ones during and after the ceremony. She did a fabulous job. I'll load them all to Facebook...but couldn't put them all here.  I still have a few more posts to go.....

Izaak and BreAnne had obviously thought of so many special details. There was a slide show while folks waited...and even a few photos of OUR wedding....we love you two, too!  There were coloring books for kids....they turned their colors  and redeemed the coupon for one of those wedding sweets the girls and I had made. Many commented on how sweet the wedding was and how FUN it was. Kids were captivated and still. It was a balance of traditional and contemporary, spiritual and plain out fun! 

We are thrilled to have a new Son and grandson. This was a red-letter day! 

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Pre-Wedding & Decorations

A few last minute details to take care of at the church .... gift table as you come in one door of church 

BreAnne set out gifts for groomsmen and bridesmaids - the rest of us took pictures....worked on flowers etc.

This table was for the sand ceremony  - this was the right side of the platform

Three separate lives about to be combined

Out of order but this is what it looked like when they were done - 3 empty bottles (Dakota joined them) and one new family. They have a frame they will pour the sand into later - but it would have taken forever for the sand to sift down if they'd used it in the ceremony. 

Good job Jared

Stacia's hair - didn't Arielle do a great job?  So glad Shelby thought to get a photo of it.  The rest of these decoration photos were taken by Shelby. 

They had a friend, Sue Beaird, make this sweet cake...to feed a crowd and stay in budget they bought the rest of the cake from Costco. 


Hung on pews

 It was hard to get a photo of the entire platform....but here is the center....

This door was perfect! 

In the reception area

Guest book - they borrowed an idea from Cy and Shelby - guests signed their names on their birthdays. 

A dear family friend loaned us the antique suitcases, the chandelier hanging from the lace platform, the cake sign, the door and a couple of other things.  The suitcases and lace etc were on the platform - but not opened like this....the picket fences were some BreAnne has used in VBS and for various church functions. 

There were keys scattered around - the significance will become apparent when I share their vows

The groom and groomsmen wore converse and black fedoras

The boys were ushers - not sure we got a photo of all four of them....but I know we have photos here are there of them. 

Finally, time to get ready for photos and ceremony - Stacia wasn't quite sure why there was so much noise from the women upstairs.  (Taken with a cell phone. LOL)


 One groomsmen and bridesmaid brought munchies.....

I didn't get a lot of photos upstairs. We were busy. We had great fun. I enjoyed getting to know BreAnne's friends in such an intimate setting. 

Dakota was Izaak's best man. 


Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Wedding Day Brunch and Track

Friday morning....The Valentine's Day BreAnne was waiting for....and the essential things must be done! One of my hoarded masks from Asia. 

Michael hands over his mega camera to Shelby. She took some wonderful photos during and after the ceremony.....stick with me - you KNOW I HAVE to blog in ORDER. I'm already skipping the dress shopping and such to get to the wedding photos. 

I have great picture of our first look at BreAnne on her wedding day - but I promised I wouldn't blog it. 

The Texan Gherkins flew in Thursday afternoon, had Friday with us and left at 0700 on Saturday.  The only time to attempt to get us all together was a Wedding Morning Brunch. We invited everyone - but Izaak and Dakota had school, Will, Sherri and Drew had to work and Mom G had other commitments.   We pressed on.  There were nine Gherkins, my cousin Lorri, my parents and Michael and I in Krista and Drew's (nephew) living room.  We kept it simple. We did our best to accommodate all with the time limitations.


 After brunch, many (most) left to go look at Dad's Koi Pond.....BreAnne ran through her vows....

Michael ran through his charge - I think this was good for both of them. 

BreAnne and Arielle headed to the church. Michael, Krista, Jamin and me went to Hayward Field - the mecca of track....





Our next stop was the church and I think I'll begin a new post here. It was incredibly sweet to have all the kids in one location - and we made the most of our time. 

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

He Does All Things Well

They were extremely astonished and said, "He has done everything well! He even makes deaf people hear, and people unable to speak, talk." Mark 7:37 - Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

  • He schools the Pharisees (7:1-13)
  • He teaches the crowd & His disciples (7:14-23)
  • He casts a demon from a gentile girl (7:24-30)
  • He heals deaf and mute (7:31-36
The crowd responds.  They are "utterly astonished" (NASB). They are over the moon - out of their minds. 

I KNOW He is God, they were just glimpsing that revelation. Even knowing, there are times when I am out of my mind amazed at His faithfulness, His love, His heart to restore. 

He does ALL things well! Thousands of years later I declare with the crowd in utter astonishment - He does all things well. 

The good things and the hard things: 
  • Healing from past sins and sins committed against me
  • Career set backs
  • Career successes
  • Failed relationships
  • Restored relationships
  • Healing of unborn babies - even the loss of babies
He hasn't caused the sin done to me, the injustices, my sins and poor choices, the diseases....but He doesn't waste any event in my life.  He does all things well. He does redemption really well. He shapes my life, he heals me, he restores those things taken from me as I surrender it all to Him.

I understand Joseph well. God used injustices, treachery, sins committed against him to form Joseph into his leader, his tool. "...you meant it for evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result..."Gen 50:20.

He does all things well! I am exceedingly astonished...


Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...