As the name of my blog indicates, I spend a lot of time thinking about home. Of course, my Heavenly Home is the one that is eternal, so that’s where I need to lay up my treasures, and that’s the one I’m striving for. But in the meantime, I have been given this tiny piece of the here-and-now—this home on the edge of town, this family, this neighborhood—in which to serve Him. And, though this is in the earthly realm, I want the things that happen here to be investments in the Heavenly realm.




Tuesday, July 2, 2019

Wedding Bliss {Part 2: The Ceremony}




I am back with Part 2 of my little series about Kati's wedding. Again, I am going to pour photos into this post because they are all so beautiful and my heart is still full from that joy-filled day! 

Wedding photos were taken by our dear friend, Frances. She has taken many photos for our family through the years (you can see some ~here~ and ~here~ and ~here~ and ~here~). About the wedding photos, Frances made this remark, " . . . when you are photographing people you love, it is very easy to see the moments through the lens of your heart." These photos were truly a gift from her heart and we couldn't be more pleased or more grateful! 





Although Kati and Andrew's wedding was traditional in many ways, it certainly had their personal stamp on it with unique touches that reflected their loves and had meaning to them. They both love family, their nieces and nephews, hydrangeas, and hymns. Most of all, they love The Lord! All of that was evident in their wedding ceremony. 

Instead of traditional wedding music, Kati and Andrew chose favorite hymns. My niece Amy (you may know her as Bekah's piano teacher) played such beautiful arrangements of these songs. (I wish you could have heard them!) 


Time for the processional! 

The grandmothers entered to the song "To God Be the Glory." Ron's mom was escorted by our grandson Owen, 

and my mom was ushered to her seat by our grandson Gavin.


Andrew's parents, Mark and Beckie, walked in to the song "In Christ Alone." Our son-in-law Brian escorted Beckie to her seat. (We have had several opportunities to spend time with Mark and Beckie in the past few months and we have grown to love and respect them. Kati is blessed with wonderful new in-laws!)


I was thrilled to be ushered to my seat by my oldest grandson! (Can you see my heart bursting?) My song: "Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing."


Andrew, along with his groomsmen and the pastor (who is married to Andrew's cousin Melinda and is also named Andrew), entered to the soul-stirring hymn "Great is Thy Faithfulness."  

The rest of the wedding party came down the aisle to "It is Well with My Soul."

Kati's sisters were her bridal attendants. Sister-in-law Sarah was the bridesmaid, 

younger sister Bekah was the maid of honor, 

and older sister Kristin was the matron of honor.

Look at these dapper ring bearers! The tiny guy is Dawson, Andrew's nephew, who waved at his dad (the best man) all the way down the aisle. (Adorable!) In the middle is Josiah, Andrew's cousin. Paul, Kati's nephew, completed the trio. 

There were also three flower girls: Tabitha, Andrew's cousin; and sisters, Macie and Alaine, Kati's nieces. Lovely little ladies, all! 


Again, we heard the strains of "Great is Thy Faithfulness" and the beautiful bride entered the room, escorted by her father! 





Andrew's father prayed a blessing on the couple and the occasion, and the bride was given to Andrew. 


The wedding guests raised their voices together singing "Be Thou My Vision."


Pastor Andrew shared from The Revelation, verses which speak of the Bride of Christ who is adorned for her Husband. He explained how an earthly bride and groom are an earthly picture of Christ and His Church and how Jesus gave His all (his very life) to purchase His bride.


Our grandson Ben read I Corinthians 13:1-8. 








Our grandchildren Nora, Eve, and Peter sang "The King of Love My Shepherd Is," their sweet, clear voices blending in harmony. (I wish you could have heard that too.)




As part of their wedding ceremony, Kati and Andrew wished to wash one another's feet, a symbol of their servant-hearts towards one another. Pastor Andrew read from John 13.


Kati's brother Ryan prayed a benediction, and then Kati and Andrew were pronounced man and wife!


Recessional: "Be Thou My Vision"



I have found the one whom my soul loves.
~ Song of Solomon 3:4







Wedding Bliss {Part 2: The Ceremony}

Coming soon . . . 

38 comments:

  1. What a beautiful Wedding. Your photos will give you hours of memories.

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    1. Thank you, Barbara! It is so sweet to have these recorded!

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  2. Wonderful stories told in these wedding photos. What an album they will make! Say, I didn’t know that Deanna was at the wedding. Now that pleases me silly. 😊

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    1. These wedding photos are treasures! And we were delighted that Deanna and Tim were able to join us!

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  3. the simple elegance of this wedding, laced with treasures of scripture, familial love and support, and overall beauty ...... is breath taking. ♥

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  4. What a wonderful wedding! God bless them as they begin their new life!

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  5. I love all those hymns and was singing them in my heart as I looked at these beautiful photos.

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    1. Perfect! I love that you were singing along!

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  6. Oh - what a lovely wedding and testimony! Cheryl, Katie looks so much like you. Thanks for sharing these beautiful moments - such a treasure.

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    1. These moments were (are) a treasure, Rosella, and I am happy to share them with my friends! (And I consider it a huge compliment that you think Kati looks like me!)

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    2. And while I am stating the obvious, let me also say that your two eldest children look so very much like their dad while both Kati and Bekah favor you. A nice tidy split! It’s all good...one can’t go wrong in your beautiful family.

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  7. oh my.....I remember when Kati was still in homeschool! What I love so much about this wonderful day is that every single thoughtful detail was chosen with the purpose of glorifying God. Beautiful intentionality.

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    1. Doesn't time just fly?

      Yes, I think that is why I say that it was one of the most beautiful days of my life . . . because it was a day that glorified God, a day of rejoicing in His goodness!

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  8. Beautiful!!!!! God honoring precious ceremony!!! ~tammy

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  9. This is absolutely beautiful.Bless you for sharing.I love to see another home built on Christ,The Solid Rock.What a gorgeous bride,and beautiful Mama, equally beautiful sisters,oh my,this brings great joy.Blessings,Dawn E.Brown

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    1. Awwww . . . thank you for rejoicing with us, Dawn! I love how you expressed it: "another home built on Christ, the Solid Rock." Amen!

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  10. Oh my goodness, this was truly beautiful, bride was radiant, then the tears started flowing at the photos of their washing each other's feet. Thank you for sharing and I pray God's continued blessings on these two as they start their adventure in marriage together. FlowerLady

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    1. It was such a beautiful and moving day . . . I am glad that my friends can share some of it with us! Thank you for your prayers!

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  11. Such beautiful, beautiful photos of this blessed event! Your family friend did an absolutely fabulous job capturing the all the love and emotion. I love the hymns that were chosen...some of my favorites but the part that really got me was the foot washing...oh how perfect. I come from a church where this ordinance was practiced and if one has never experienced it, it would be hard to explain it to them. Thank you for sharing Kati's lovely wedding with us! And may and your family enjoy a happy and safe Independence Day!

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    1. We believe that Frances is an artist with her lens! I am glad that you enjoyed the photos and that you loved the hymns too. I had never seen a foot washing as part of a wedding before, but it was so meaningful!

      It's a pleasure to be able to share these moments with my blog friends! I kind of get to relive them . . .

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  12. Wow--like all my most favorite hymns! I walked up the aisle to Praise My Soul the King of Heaven. We sing it often at our church which always brings a smile. We had other hymns sung by the congregation at our wedding as well--it just brings worship to the forefront. Kati looks so focused and serious as she goes through the ceremony and makes her vows, as indeed it is a serious thing. Seems these days brides often giggle through the ceremony. Again, beautiful photos and thank you for taking the time to put together such a lovely post about it! I'm hoping there will be more! I hope you all are adjusting well to all the changes. (and for Kati the heat!!)

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    1. "It just brings worship to the forefront." I think that is exactly what was so wonderful about it! To God be the glory! I can imagine that your "wedding hymn" brings a smile when you sing it.

      Thank you for enjoying the post and the photos along with me. As I have said to other commenters, it is a way for me to relive those joyful moments. (There will be two more wedding posts!)

      I feel like I am just now catching my breath. After rushing from the wedding into graduation planning and finishing school, I have taken advantage of these past few weeks to do only what is necessary. I needed some time to process and unwind. But I am beginning to tackle some projects and make some plans!

      Oh, the heat. There is a story there, but I'll save it for another time as this comment has become so l o n g as it is. :)

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  13. What a beautiful and meaningful wedding. I LOVE all the hymns they chose. Your memories of this day will always be very sweet.

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    1. Thank you, Lorrie! Yes, they will be sweet memories.

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  14. My heart is so thrilled to see all of these beautiful photos, Cheryl! I scrolled back to view all of it. Everyone in your family looks lovely on this special occasion! I must say that the photos of Kati are stunningly beautiful. She is a beautiful bride. I really love the music that was chosen for their special day. How exciting it all is! Wishing them love and happiness.

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    1. It thrills me that you enjoyed all of the photos, Martha Ellen! I have to agree with you that Kati was a beautiful bride. And it was an exciting and happy day! Thank you for your sweet wishes!

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  15. Cheryl, your photographer friend captured the wedding so beautifully. One of the photos I especially like is in the previous post, you putting the necklace on the bride. Sweet moment!

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    1. That is a favorite of mine too, Jean! We feel so blessed that Frances was able to photograph the wedding . . . what a gift!

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  16. Oh, what a lovely, special, thought out ceremony! So many personal touches to weddings in this day and age now. Thank you for sharing. She is a beautiful bride.

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    1. Thank you, Melissa! I, too, like the fact that weddings these days are reflective of the bride and groom's loves, personalities, and preferences!

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  17. What a beautiful family event and so honoring to all that God has done in your lives as a family. Loved all the songs chosen and what a great choice to have a foot washing ceremony. A very special day indeed.

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    1. It was such a special and meaningful day for our family . . . and "God honoring" is the best thing that can be said!

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  18. Heart beautiful!!! Loved the very first photo of Kati … I felt my heart lurch at how precious she looked as she gazed into her groom's eyes.

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    1. Yes, words are your friends, Brenda! I love reading your expressions of delight!

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