Wednesday, February 11, 2009

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!

31 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful ceremony. Your recap brought tears to my eyes. :)

Janine / Being Brazen said...

Wow...

The pictures and words made me feel very teary eyed while reading this post.

Beautiful

Marie said...

Making me almost cry at work again. Sounds like an absolutely beautiful ceremony.

M said...

Oh my.

I would wish you two every possible happiness my dear, but it looks as though you've already found it.

And stop making me sniffle into my breakfast please!

Cate Subrosa said...

Oh, the way you two look at each other. *sigh*

Rachel said...

Good job I have my own room at work! Beautiful post.

LauraAnn said...

I hope you have a lot of wall space in your house because I don't know how you are going to chose which pictures go into frames to be hung. All of your pictures are gorgeous!

Brittany said...

so romantic!

Vince keeps teasing me that he's going to say his vows in afrikaans so I won't know what he's saying. I'll be so mad if he does... I really need to learn afrikaans so I can understand my kids one day!

MouseClark said...

*sigh*

So beautiful and romantic. I'm trying to dicuss the tears since I'm sitting at the reception desk of my office at 8.30am!

The photo of him looking at you during the prayer is wonderful.

Unknown said...

Watching your video is SO lovely, after the event, as you never remember the little details, there is so much you miss...I loved watching mine.

Jess said...

I love how much you two love each other. Beautiful!

Lisa from Lisa's Yarns said...

Oh for gorgeous! You two look so incredibly happy! I love the pic of the little boy laying by your parents - that is just too adorable!!

Read and See said...

Aw, I love you guys! Have I mentioned before how beautiful you look?

You totally pre-empted me, I was going to ask if your vows were in Afrikaans, then I saw your footnote. I love the vows, btw :-)

Darrah said...

Haha thanks for commenting all over my blog! I love it. You're hilarious. You're wedding looked beautiful... I can't wait to get married!

Keg Design said...

What a beautiful ceremony - congratulations! And, OMG, you were wearing Jenny Packham, right? I love your dress...and the bracelet? Where did you find your jewelry?

Anonymous said...

Soooo beautiful! Do you ever sit back and think to yourself...all that stuff led up to this? I was just overwhelmed by that thought. I've read all your posts and now here you are!

Mara (The Wedding Cabaret) said...

wow! amazing! you look beautiful!

October12 said...

You both are painfully beautiful. And yes, you made me cry.

Brunhilda said...

I do love the shot where he is looking adoringly at you during they prayer. Beautiful. The tale of the little boy is too sweet. :)

Kristy said...

I LOVE this series of photos! The emotion and anticipation (prior to the pronouncement and the kiss, of course) and joy jumps out in each frame. That little boy was adorable; and Afrikaans! South Africans are so cool.

The looks on both your faces...It just makes me grin. And tear up a little.

Oh, I am so happy for you!!

Anonymous said...

Ohhhhh I love this so much! You look so much in love and happy to just be near each other. Congratulations again!

Cyd said...

I love that the little boy snuck up just to see the beautiful bride and to be a part of the ceremony. I find that so beautiful and touching. Incredible ceremony, so emotional. I love you two together!

Stacy said...

Your dress is beautiful.

Julia said...

what stunning photos, I got tears in my eyes too. so emotive and beautiful, I love the look on his face!!! what a smitten kitten. I've loved seeing all the photos from your big day, can't wait to see the party ones too! you must be so pleased with how these have turned out.

Anonymous said...

gorgeous!

The Cwtch said...

Ah me! How lovely, how romantic and gorgeous. Beautiful photos ...

Kilee said...

you made me cry...those vows are beyond beautiful. thank you for sharing.

kilee
www.happyhourbride.com

P.S. I love this... said...

You were STUNNING!! I got choked up reading your words. That lil boy was just too precious. Loves it all!

Modelmental said...

Thank you so much for all the love and appreciation! It really was a wonderful feeling standing there, making those promises, the culmination of all the events posted on this blog. Our great big love affair finding a place in the real world.

We are in love with all our photographs and can't thank Ian of Westside Studios enough. Let that be my tip to future brides: get the photographer you want! Worth it over and over again.

Notquite: he's going to have to start giving you lessons at night! Imagine your children have their "secret" language with him! Not fair!

Keg Design, yip it's JP's Papillon. Lucky me! The bracelet was from a friend, (I believe she got it from Jewels of Africa here in Cape Town), earrings from a cheap local store and ring from Forever 21!

Kim said...

Gosh - Reading this now just brought tears to my eyes!!
What a beautiful ceremony!

Anonymous said...

even i cried again!