After all the preparation, photos, getting ready to move into our new house, and decorating, the wedding day finally arrived! March 30, 2013. Exactly one year after we became engaged.
After a quick lunch all of us girls were in a flurry of preparation, After finally getting everyone's dresses right and everyone's curls pinned to perfection, we drove to the Forrest House.
Mom was already there, and helped with last minute preparations.
Pink cameo necklace given to my Granny by my Grandad, and given to me after his death.
Finally ready, and starting to get rather nervous.
It really hadn't seemed real until now...
Can't believe I'm about to walk down the aisle.
Hadn't seen Jordan all day, except for one glimpse out the upstairs window.
When we arrived at the Forrest house, buckets of blossoms and flowers had been placed there for our bouquets. So, just before the ceremony we were all working like mad trying to get ours completed and tied with a bit of vintage lace. My bouquet was a combination of peach blossoms, pear blossoms, and creamy daffodils.
The ceremony was held at 3 in the afternoon.
The wonderful musicians! Our song selections were:
-Fairest Lord Jesus
-Clancy's Theme (from The Man From Snowy River)
- Emma (Main Theme from Gweneth Paltrow version)
-Be Though My Vision
-Dixie
Below is some of the text of our ceremony & vows.
(We used the 1871 Book of Common Prayer vows, but did a lot of paring down and rearranging.)
DEARLY beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight
of God, and in the face of this company, to join together this Man and this
Woman in holy Matrimony ; which is honourable among all men : and therefore is
not by any to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly ; but reverently,
discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God. Into this holy estate these
two persons present come now to be joined. If any man can show just cause, why
they may not be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter
forever hold his peace.
Jordan, Wilt thou have this Woman to be thy wedded wife, to
live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony ? Wilt thou
love her, comfort her, honour, and keep her in sickness and in health ; and,
forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live ?
I will.
Atlanta, Wilt thou have this Man to be thy wedded husband, to
live together after Gods ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony ? Wilt thou
obey him, and serve him, love, honour, and keep him in sickness and in health ;
and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall
live ?
I will.
I Jordan take thee
Atlanta to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for
better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and
to cherish, till death us do part, according to God’s holy ordinance ; and thereto
I plight thee my troth.
I Atlanta take thee
Jordan to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for
better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love,
cherish, and obey, till death us do part, according to God’s holy ordinance ;
and thereto I give thee my troth.
With this Ring I thee
wed, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow : In the Name of the Father, and
of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
{We had our rings engraved inside with messages to each other. They were inspired by 18th and 19th century posy rings. My message to Jordan on his ring reads 'In Christ & Thee My Joy Shall Be', and my ring reads 'Gods Gift Thou Art, My Dearest Heart'}
God the Father, God
the Son, God the Holy Ghost, bless, preserve, and keep you ; the Lord
mercifully with his favour look upon you, and fill you with all spiritual
benediction and grace ; that ye may so live together in this life, that in the
world to come ye may have life everlasting. Amen.
Those whom God hath
joined together let no man put asunder.
Forasmuch as Jordan
and Atlanta have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the
same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their
troth, each to the other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving a
Ring, and by joining hands; I pronounce that they are Man and Wife, In the Name
of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
You may now kiss the
bride.
And just in case you were wondering. - Yes. This was our very first kiss.
(it was wonderful.)
As we walked back down the aisle, the musicians burst into "Dixie", and the canon fired!
I think everyone was quite surprised.
The canon was brought by members of Forrest's Battery, Jordan's reenactment group.
The canon is actually an original Confederate gun!
Pretty awesome if you ask me.
Signing our Marriage Covenant
Hugs. And cake. Lots of cake.
Family photos!
Stockton insisted we have flowers thrown at us. :) Sweet little brother.
Crazy brothers, Cim and Laredo.
Sisters!
Rebecca and Aspen seemed *quite* affected....
Wonderful friends!
Dearest friends. Rebecca, Desarae, Beth, and Jennifer.
Even though it began misting/lightly raining just a little bit after the ceremony, every still seemed to have a lovely time dancing and visiting!
Dancing!
(in the rain)
As the evening drew on, it was soon time to depart....
Little sis Carolina caught my bouquet!
Farewells...
Into happily ever after...
So thankful for our wedding day - and so thankful to God who brought us together.
(majority of pictures credit Smile For Sophie Photography)
