Well, first off, Merry Christmas Eve! Christmas is tomorrow! I am so excited to get to celebrate it with my husband =D
Secondly, you guys, it has already been three months since our wedding, that is crazy! I can't believe that I am on the other side of it. Seriously, I had been dreaming and planning for it for so long! When I was busy unpacking everything after the wedding I came across my huge binder that had all my ideas, plans, schedules, budget, etc. in it and it was like a huge load was gone knowing that I didn't have to think about any of that stuff anymore.
It's been a while since I've done a wedding post (and I still have so much to share!), or honestly any blogging, so today I just wanted to share our ceremony.
Can I say? Although I'm sure I have already... Nathan and I have some awesome, and I mean AWESOME families! Thanks to them I didn't have to think about anything. I just gave them my plans and schedules, and I was off duty the entire day, just to focus on being the Bride! I can't even begin to tell you how perfect everything was. There is nothing I would change, and I am so thankful for such a great family and wedding party who made that all possible.
{Picture credit - wedding party iPhone's and (the professional ones ;) our fabulous Photographers! Please go check out Melissa's website, she is the best! A&MPhotography}
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| My alarm for the day < 3 |
We decided to have our ceremony at 2pm, in between lunch and dinner, perfect for more of a dessert reception (but I guess that will come later).
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| Getting ready at our home |
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| Right before the first look! |
After Our first look at 11, we did wedding party and family pictures, which I will share at some point. Then we ate lunch and all that was left was to wait for 2 o'clock! Once I was able to see Nathan, I felt perfectly relaxed and non-stressed. I was just ready for the ceremony! Well... Right before lunch I might have gotten a little grumpy =P But food fixed that right up ;) I even forgot that people weren't supposed to see me and almost just went out to meet everyone, whoops!
We all sat around in our room for quite awhile, talking, eating, playing with Graham. My Granny and Aunt (My moms mom and sister) got there a little early, so they came back to see everyone. Granny lives in West Virginia and my Aunt in North Carolina, so we don't see them very often. They had flown down and were staying at a hotel in St. Pete. Granny was able to meet her very first Great Grandchild for the first time, so crazy! And it was good to see them =) Finally we were about 10 minutes out from 2:00, so the guys left to get ready up front. My daddy led all of us girls in prayer (So special) and we all took turns smelling peppermint essential oil to help with nervousness ;)
We lined up in the hallway by the doors we were coming through and Kayla got ready to walk down the aisle. The music started - my Bridesmaids walked down to an instrumental version of "All Creatures of our God and King" done by Jennifer Haines (I picked all my music by listening to a station on Pandora!) - and Kayla started down the aisle. Goodness, I'm getting butterflies reliving this!
(I've heard rumors that Nathan's sister Heather started crying at this point ;) Her little brother getting married! The rest of the family started soon after ;)
Then Charissa!
Next the best Matron of Honor ever, Jaquelyn!
And finally, me! I walked down to an instrumental version of "Come Thou Fount" (one of my favorite hymns ever!) by Paul Cardall.
Oh goodness, I was doing so well out in the hallway as my bridal party was walking down. I was excited but feeling calm. Let me tell you, as soon as I heard my music start and stood at the doorway and saw my groom - I lost it! I buried my face in my daddy's arm with tears streaming as we started down. All I could think was "Jessica, what are you doing! This is your moment! You're supposed to look gorgeous and graceful, look at everyone, look at Nathan! Smile!" But I was just so overwhelmed. Nathan said it was adorable, so I guess it was okay ;)
For our ceremony, we ended up splitting it between my lifetime Pastor and my dad, who is also a pastor. So, Pastor Randy was up front at the beginning for the giving away of the bride, and also the message. Then they did a switch so that my dad could do our vows. It was perfect that way and I am so glad they could both be such a special part of our day. Pastor Randy is basically my second Father, his daughter Kayla was a bridesmaid and one of my best friends, so it just made sense!
Nathan thinks it's funny my dad still has his arm around me as he is hugging him, "I'm not letting go yet!" (Melt my heart!)
Pastor Randy gave such a meaningful message. He goes over the differences between a covenant and a contract (Marriage being a covenant) and also important things to remember in marriage. I love how he reminded us that as we draw closer to God, we will draw closer to each other. Our priority must be to be getting closer and closer to the Lord.
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| Little Graham peeking! -Swoon- |
He also introduced the unity part of our ceremony. We chose to do salt pouring (which I might have stolen from Jaquelyn =P). Pastor went over how valuable salt was at one time, and that everyone carried some in a pouch. So when Jewish people went into a covenant with someone, they exchanged salt from each others pouches; signifying that it could never be broken, because the others salt could never be separated from your pouch. We poured our salt into one vase to signify that we can never be separated no matter what happens. While we poured, Nathan's longtime pastor read Ephesians 5, the passage speaking about husbands and wives. That was a very important thing that we both wanted to be included in our ceremony.
We now have most of that salt in a heart shaped vase, displayed with our other wedding memories.
Pastor Randy and Dad switched while we poured. Then we headed into the marriage questions, vows and rings. You can read our vows here!
The Kiss! -Heart eyes-
Daddy led us in prayer and then was the first to announce us as husband and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Frook!
We all walked out to the chorus of "I'm Taking You With Me" by Reliant K, a song that meant a lot to me during our long distance courting.
Don't you love Aunt Janette's thumbs up??
Jaquelyn, Hayden, and Graham with Charissa and Jonathan peeking through.
Kayla and Andrew.
Parents of the bride!
Parents of the groom! And a cute nephew ;)
After we all exited, everyone just turned their chairs toward the tables to start the reception! It was so nice (budget wise especially) to have it in the same place, especially since we didn't have to set up in between (everything was already set up except the chairs being turned toward the stage and some food still in the kitchen) and the reception decor doubled as the ceremony decor. Again, I cannot say enough how absolutely perfect everything was! The Lord definitely blessed our big day and I am so thankful! I will remember this day forever.
Reception to come later!
Until next time...
