Some Wedding Reflections | Tea Time

Over the weekend, hubby and I attended a beautiful wedding.  Those invited were few, so I was over the moon privileged to have been a part of it.  The occasion felt very intimate and romantic.  Upon arrival at the hall, the bride and groom were at the door greeting and welcoming visitors.  It was something new.  At first I felt like, "Oh dear bride, why are you here?  Rest in a room somewhere..."  I was meditating on typical weddings were the guests and the groom waits with much anticipation for the arrival of the bride and everyone awed by her beauty and gown. Then she said: "I feel very nervous.  This way, I get to visit with my guests already and get comfortable.  Once I walk down the aisle, I won't have that awkward feeling anymore.  They are my friends!"  Ah, I never thought of that before... I guess if there is one do-over about my own wedding, this would be it {{ All the guests were inside the hall, they were early.  I arrived with my entourage just in time, I haven't seen my friends and family yet.  When I entered the hall, there they were, all staring at me.  Tears... Yes, I was nervous and excited at the same time.  Such loving but expectant eyes, I couldn't help it.... Tears...}} For my friend though, she and her groom were the first to arrive at the hall.  By the time the wedding started, they know each and every single one in the audience.

A beautiful music was played... then the Maid of Honor marched on ever gracefully...  The Bride and her 'father' came not too long after.  She greeted me at the door much earlier... but seeing her march on the aisle with the lovely, happy smile on her face melted my heart like it was my first time seeing her in that lovely white gown. I'm certain the groom's heart not only missed a beat, he held his breath, his heart stopped for a moment.  When he finally held her hands.... tears. So romantic! I love weddings!

Using heart-shaped cookie cutters to decorate
the gift.

The ceremony started with a very encouraging and inspiring wedding talk delivered by a close friend of the couple.  He used the Bible very frequently to read the words of the One who instituted the marriage arrangement.  Listening to the talk reminded me of the love and deep respect we ought to give our marriage mates.  God really valued this sacred arrangement and laid out a path for us... If we should follow, we will have success.  I am deeply moved and was inspired to watch my own wedding talk and ceremony (video) once again.  Why... I felt like the wedding talk was also for me. My husband and I held hands as the bride and groom took their wedding vows. It was so delightful!

Then an exchange of vows, rings and the signing of important documents.  The vow is not only given by the bride and groom toward each other, it is also taken towards God.  They are not meaningless beautiful rhymes but words that resound the importance of taking this responsibility with all seriousness and sincerity.  A vow to be kept "for as long as we both shall live together on earth..."

“I —— take you —— to be my wedded (wife/husband), 

to love and to cherish (Bride: and deeply respect) 

in accordance with the divine law 

as set forth in the Holy Scriptures 

for Christian (wives/husbands), 

for as long as we both shall live together on earth 

                      according to God’s marital arrangement.”

After which, the resounding, beautiful words were spoken:
"What God has yoked together, let no man put apart."

Reception followed at the Maid of Honor's home.  I opened the door to enter, the lights were dimmed but pleasant.  There were about 5 steps of stairs to enter the house.  While I stepped in gently, the ambiance of the room filled me.  The home was arranged like a lovely outdoor Parisian restaurant - Silver and white table cloths, white flowers, candle lights...  Wedding cupcakes with the guests names on them greeted me as I entered. On another corner was a table with more flowers, the guest book and a dainty tray of personalized tea sachets made out especially for the bride and groom.   "It is a wedding!"  I expected a nice, intimate dinner with friends and family, sitting informally by the couch in a well lit home. No, this is a wedding -All the dreaminess and romanticism of such a love-filled occasion is lingering in the air.

Hubby and I sat by a small round table prepared for 4. Our names were written in pretty place cards placed on our plates. On the middle of table were beautiful flowers in a small vase.  The candle light transformed the home into a beautiful fairy tale garden.  I was peacefully content with just taking in all the beauty and peace... and love. Just below the vase of flowers were seashells, one half filled with salt and the other with pepper. Even the black-and-white powder's in a dreamy state. Every single thing was Pinterest worthy.

Supper was great!  The maid of honor arranged the menu and friends/family brought in the food.  The best man served drinks and went from table to table making sure that everyone was happy.  It was super pleasant!  After supper the couple danced to "I Do" by Paul Brand... It's one of the most romantic weddings I've been too...



RECEPTION IDEAS

Bride and Groom Shoe Game
The guests each write a question on a piece of paper that is answerable by either the Bride's or the Groom's name.
Example:  Who will be given more breakfasts in bed? Who initiated the first kiss?  Who said I love you first?.... etc..
Then the Bride and Groom exchange a shoe so that each of them will have a her and a his shoe.
Let the Bride and Groom stand back to back of each other.
Each time a question is read, the Bride and the groom will raise a shoe or both or indicate the answer.  His shoe = Groom's name and Her shoe = Bride's name.
 

Proposal Video:
After the meals and the games, the wedding party presented a video that they have filmed about "The Proposal."  This was a surprise made by the Groom and the wedding party for the Bride.  They planned out a scavenger hunt for her (assisted by her maid-of-honor) to search out clues around meaningful places. (She doesn't like airplanes as she is scared of flying.  So the groom planted a clue at the airplane of the Centennial Park.  Cute!)  I thought this was a perfect and very sweet idea of letting-in their intimate friends and family at how the proposal was made.  Aren't we all curious?

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