Happily After All: The Readings and The Solo

Once we reached the altar, it was time to pledge our love and support to each other in front of all our family and friends.  In the year leading up to this moment, I probably put 90% of my effort into decorating and getting ready for the reception, when in reality, this moment was 100% the purpose of the day.  I was so excited to plan for the party, but I didn't let that take my mind off of how important the wedding ceremony is.  

I won't lie though, I really don't remember much about our ceremony.  As I'm writing this recap, I'm having to look back at our program to see the order of events that went on.  It was so hot that day and there was no air in the church.  And in all honesty, I think I was too busy smiling at Mr. T and being happy to really let anything sink in.

After the invocation and opening prayer, my good friend Sarah stepped forward to do the readings.  Sarah is in fact the entire reason that Mr. T and I were getting married that day.  When I started hanging out with her, I made friends with her husband's friends as well.  And Mr. T happened to be one of those friends.  So thank you Sarah!

I chose two readings for the day.  I had originally settled on "Union" by Robert Fulghum.  For those of you who haven't stumbled upon it yet, you can find it here. 

I also decided towards the last minute, to have her read from 1 Corinthians because it coincided with the banners that were hanging in the church.

Then, following the readings, Mr. T's mom and aunt came forward to sing a solo.  

Originally it was just going to be his mom singing, but she decided to ask her sister to join her and they did a little practicing the night before and were ready to go that day.  The song they sang was "He Has Chosen You For Me" by Pat Terry.  She came to us with the song when we were discussing what to do.  They have sang it at multiple weddings in the family, and we knew it had to be sung at ours as well.

We don't know what tomorrow holds, but we know who holds tomorrow.
Knowing this we'll live above the world and all its sorrows.
I have prayed for all my life that we would be together.
Serving Him together seems so right.
Oh, oh yes, it's true.
He has chosen me for you.
Take my hand and we'll agree
That He has chosen you for me.
Now and then I like to think about the day He saved me.
All the love that He bestowed and all the gifts He gave me
With all this I praise His name for putting us together
He knew we'd be together from the start.
Oh yes, it's true
He has chosen me for you
Take my hand and we'll agree
That He has chosen you for me
He has saved us
Washed us white as snow
Now we're together
Cause He has made it so

While we were busy paying attention to the song and just being busy being in love, some of our guests were having a good time as well.

 I can't blame them though...it was HOT that day!  I bet it was hard for them to keep focused.

After the readings and the solo, it was time for the wedding message, or what would be a sermon in a typical church service.  We had our MN pastor do this part of the service, because he has known Mr. T and his family for a long time, and he got a chance to know me while we were doing our premarital counseling.  The pastor at the church had only been there for a couple years, and really didn't know either of us well.

Hopefully one day soon I'll be able to share the message with you.  He gave us a copy of it that day, but it's still at my parents' house and they're away on vacation right now!  It was really great though, and very personal.  He had us and most of the guests who know us well laughing on a couple occasions. 

 

Next up:  The I Do's!

Unless otherwise stated, all pictures are by Brandy Swartz of Photography by Brandy.

In case you've missed anything...

The Processional

The Pre-Processional

The Church Details
Heading To The Church
Slipping Into My Dress

The Flowers

Getting Pretty
A Crazy Lady The Morning Of
Decorating the Reception Hall
Honoring Our Family
The Rehearsal