our wedding H: ceremony

*What I remember of the ceremony*

I saw Werner, he looked dashingly handsome.
He was wearing his tie and it made me laugh.
The first and only thing I said to him was: You're wearing a tie!

He had this incredulous look on his face, the one he often gives me when he asks disbelievingly: Are you really my girl? Which made me giddy with happiness.

He helped me onto the podium and held my hand ever so tightly, all through the ceremony.
I kept feeling his eyes on me, but I was trying to focus on the officiant, the message and the meaning, so I'd just smile and sneak a look back every now and then. My heart would flutter and I'd squeeze his hand back, causing our hands to be clenched together in a vice-like grip!

I love these pictures, taken during the prayer.

So funny to see who closes their eyes and who doesn't. That's my handsome brother in the black suit, looking very serious.

Our officiant made a few references to the hardships of marriage and the high failure rate, even though I'd asked him not to dwell on that. He jokingly referred to my request as well, so I had to smile and forgive him.

There was some noise and consternation in the street behind us at one point. We learned afterwards that a couple had passed by walking their two Great Danes and all our guests got distracted. We hardly noticed.

It seems the entire bridal party was paying close attention.

A little boy also sneaked up the steps and lay at our parents feet. When they asked him afterwards what he was doing, he said he just wanted to see the bride and be a part of the prayer. Bless!

It was all over before too long and time for us to say our personalised vows to each other.

Werner would say the line the first, then I'd repeat after him.

**In the presence of our family and friends, I promise to stay with you.
I want to share my entire life with you.
I promise all my love to you alone and that you will experience it every day.
You are my best friend, my heart's desire.
I am incredibly blessed and fortunate to call you mine.
I give you my heart. My soul. My being. All that I am.
I thank God for you.
I love you endlessly.**

It felt good to say those words.

Werner had the rings with him, I'd just passed my bouquet to Ankia.

I can't remember why, but we seemed to find the exchange quite hilarious.

And then we were pronounced man and wife.

And I kissed my husband.

And he kissed me.

And we kissed each other.

And it was good.

*Even though I tried so hard to really listen and pay full attention to the service and ceremony, it all left my brain as soon as we started kissing. For this reason, among many others, I am so looking forward to seeing the video!
**Our vows were actually written and spoken in Afrikaans. This is a quick, approximate translation!