One Perfect Day in October

What do you get when you combine a surprise party with a wedding ceremony? My sister's wedding.
My sister knew she was getting married, but she thought it would be Monday, October 28th at a courthouse -- she didn't want the pressure and the expense of planning a wedding, not with the new expenses that came with a precious and perfect 7-month-old daughter. So, with the help of my mother, aunt, cousin -- Stephanie, who was studying to be an event planner -- and the groom we pulled off a surprise wedding one day earlier. 

On Saturday, October 26th, there was a secret meeting convening at the home of Dr. Dawn Ayers. Some very special friends flew in from out-of-state to help me, my Aunt Dawn, and my cousins set up for the next day, the "big" day. It was pretty cold and cloudy and we were nervous about having enough time to get the place ready and about the weather for the wedding. But everything would come together and the Indiana weather gods would smile upon us the next day.

Sunday, October 27th, the bride, arrived at our aunt's large house in the country thinking she was attending her pre-wedding reception with close family and friends. When she walked in she was ushered to the bathroom, she opened the door to reveal her best friend who was waiting to surprise her, Topher. Topher flew in from Arizona to do her hair for what we told her was a pre-wedding photo shoot -- so she had to wear her dress and shoes and have her hair done! 

While Cathy and Topher were in the bathroom getting ready, our family was making the final preparations for the food in the kitchen, setting up tables in the living room and on the back porch the 30+ guests -- who had gathered from as far away as California -- were patiently waiting to surprise the unsuspecting bride! 

The sun was shining on the opposite side of the house so the wedding site was a little chilly. But we planned for this and had lots of hot cider to serve. When guests arrived and made there way to the porch we had index cards for them to sign and a Polaroid camera to take a photo to put with their well-wishes on a fancy, framed cork board. 

Finally, the wedding procession began, to the piano music of our youngest cousin Meredith's piano teacher. When the time came, our dad went to get my sister. He took her by the arm, led her to the door of the back porch and walked her out. The look on her face was absolutely precious. Thankfully, my photographer/boyfriend caught every awesome moment in photographs and my cousin, Lindsey, filmed the moment of surprise along with the ceremony -- officiated by our very dear friend, Mr. Shannon Wise, who became certified just for this occasion and wrote a truly beautiful ceremony. 

Do you, Edward, take Catherine, to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold her, to honor and treasure her, to be at her side in sorrow and in joy, in good times, and in the bad, to love and cherish her always and to promise all this from your heart, for all the days of your life? If this is your vow please say, HELL, YES! 

Will the Ring bearer please come forward?

Cathy place the ring on Ed’s finger -- continue to hold his hand -- and repeat after me:
I, Cathy, give you, Ed, this ring to wear with love and joy. As a ring has no end, neither shall my love for you. I choose you to be my husband this day and forevermore.

Cathy and Ed, together as you light this candle of unity; you symbolize the flame of your own individual selves joining to ignite the partnership of marriage. As you light this candle today, may the brightness of the flame shine throughout your lives.  May it give you courage and reassurance in darkness; warmth and safety in the cold; and strength and joy in your bodies, minds, and spirits.

Grow Old With Me
--John Lennon

Grow old along with me
The best is yet to be
When our time has come
We will be as one
God bless our love
God bless our love
Grow old along with me
Two branches of one tree
Face the setting sun
When the day is done
God bless our love

God bless our love
Spending our lives together
Man and wife together
World without end
World without end
Grow old along with me
Whatever fate decrees
We will see it through
For our love is true
God bless our love
God bless our love

Cathy and Ed, you have exchanged vows and rings, and consented to marry in the presence of God and these witnesses. 
By the authority vested in me, by the National Association of Christian Ministers I now pronounce you husband and wife.
Ed, it's time to kiss your beautiful Bride!