Winter Wedding

A cool silver morning, hearts are up with the sun. The venue is prepared. Silk drapes and tablecloths of moonlight. Olive and gold run down the tables as the humble centerpiece waits in anticipation for the night. The soft blessing of snow falls down on the blissful morning, but bustling is on the rise. Everyone is getting ready. Shining hairstyles, steady tuxes, and dresses the color of wine. I arrived just before the ceremony and even then it seemed like the bride couldn’t sit still.

Guests file in the church, a mingling of those who know the bride verses the groom. When the piano starts, everyone takes their seats. They try to be quiet with radiant smiles, but as the bridal party ascends the aisle, giggles and gasps of love reach out for them. Everyone is looking their best and sweet awe encourages toddling flower girls to the alter. They tripped, but family was there to pick them up again.

The music changes and the air is stilled with expectation. Everyone stands. The groom’s already crying and his bride has yet to arrive. When she walks into the room, a few have to wipe their tears. She’s as sparkling as the sun in her dress as white as the falling snow. I stole a glance at the groom and he’s lost all composure. His eyes can’t steal away from his bride and you know his heart is as full as his face is flushed.

A proud father manages to keep himself together as he guides the bride down the aisle. Hugs exchange when he passes his little girl to her groom. Whispers only they can hear swap between them. The father loses a bit of composure, but his smile couldn’t be brighter.

Together, the bride and groom kneel before the alter. A foreglimpse, I think, of how they’ll posture through the highs and the lows of their years.

A couple passages from the Word and it comes to the vows. Neither bride nor groom choke up. You can hear their promise to each other from every part of the church. Golden rings are exchanged by trembling hands, but they dare not let go of each other. The bride can’t stop smiling–and giggling–while the groom looks like he’s holding himself together. The flames of two families unite and rivers roll from every eye when the grandmother blesses the couple.

Several more prayers and the newly weds are announced. Cheers echo through the church as they share a long kiss, a sweet seal of their promise. The bride raises the bouquet and, arm in arm, they walk the aisle and celebrate their love with those who love them.

With a firm foundation, and a dedication to each other that even someone who’s never met the groom could see, they embark on a new adventure. Blessings to these two who found their life partner. May they cherish each other and not lose sight of this love throughout their days.

Congratulations, cousin.