Wedding Highlights
Every wedding is special. The bond of two people joining together for the rest of their lives. It's a time I always reflect on my own wedding to my dear husband Jeff. Nineteen years have passed and I can still remember it like it was yesterday. I enjoyed every minute (including the nineteen years that have followed), right down to one of the groomsmen telling me the tux rental company had delivered a yellow tux instead of the correct black one. To this day I assume he was joking, trying to get me to react, but he's never said that! I think in my next life I could be a wedding planner. Helping someone plan for that special day would be a job to cherish. Each wedding takes on its own personality. Some more formal, some not so. Some we know the bride and groom well, some not so.
On Saturday we attended a wedding. The bride is my second cousin, our fathers are first cousins, our grandfathers were brothers. It started with the location. You've seen those signs on the road indicating a double S curve, winding road ahead? Once off the black top and on gravel, we snaked around the rolling hills of eastern Iowa. The hill going up to the gate of the pasture was covered in a canopy of trees. Men on horseback directed us to our parking in the pasture. A hay wagon pulled by a team of mules took guests over the crest and down the hill to a breathtaking valley.
Mums, pumpkins, and corn stalks decorated the gates.
Hay bales were set for guests to watch the ceremony. Fleece blankets were passed out to throw out on top of the bales.
Then came a stunning scene. The bride arriving, driven by her father, escorted by horses.
A photo I cherish. A moment she will cherish.
From the singing of Tom T Hall's I Love You, to the reading of special poems, to the planting of a unity tree, to their dogs being the ring bearer and flower girl, the ceremony was filled with unique touches alongside traditional rituals.
The bride's hair piece was adorned with feathers.
The horn was blown.
The delicate lace covered the hard-working boots.
Our grandfathers were two of four brothers. Today, only one of those brothers remains, Merle. How special it was for the bride and groom to have him join in the celebration.
And, how special was it for me, to make new memories with my family--whether it was those distance cousins we only see at family events, or the treasured moments I made with my daughters.
On Saturday we attended a wedding. The bride is my second cousin, our fathers are first cousins, our grandfathers were brothers. It started with the location. You've seen those signs on the road indicating a double S curve, winding road ahead? Once off the black top and on gravel, we snaked around the rolling hills of eastern Iowa. The hill going up to the gate of the pasture was covered in a canopy of trees. Men on horseback directed us to our parking in the pasture. A hay wagon pulled by a team of mules took guests over the crest and down the hill to a breathtaking valley.
Mums, pumpkins, and corn stalks decorated the gates.
Hay bales were set for guests to watch the ceremony. Fleece blankets were passed out to throw out on top of the bales.
Then came a stunning scene. The bride arriving, driven by her father, escorted by horses.
A photo I cherish. A moment she will cherish.
From the singing of Tom T Hall's I Love You, to the reading of special poems, to the planting of a unity tree, to their dogs being the ring bearer and flower girl, the ceremony was filled with unique touches alongside traditional rituals.
The bride's hair piece was adorned with feathers.
The horn was blown.
The delicate lace covered the hard-working boots.
Our grandfathers were two of four brothers. Today, only one of those brothers remains, Merle. How special it was for the bride and groom to have him join in the celebration.
And, how special was it for me, to make new memories with my family--whether it was those distance cousins we only see at family events, or the treasured moments I made with my daughters.
What a wonderful day for this couple and the whole family. I loved the picture of the bride in the carriage. Just lovely.
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Beautiful....thanks for sharing!
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Oh.. the memories the bride and groom will have of this their special day.
What a different wedding and I'm sure it fit their personalities...
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Hi Heidi - These are some remarkable weddings you've shown here (this post and at least one other). The opposite of just throwing a lot of money into 'wedding' stuff from a catalog, these weddings look very creative and personal!
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Beautiful wedding and so unique. You and your family look so happy! On a side note, I don't know if you remember me. I freelanced for you right out of ISU. Thanks for giving me my start in quilting--I owe it all to that experience!
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What a wonderful wedding!!! I enjoyed looking at the pictures.
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