Daddy holds our flower girl, Isabelle, before the guests arrive.
Father of the bride, Son, holds Blake, our ring bearer (I believe Blake is also his grandson), as they discuss the music with DJ, Stephen Scott, The Raleigh Wedding DJ. Finally it is time to begin. After the seating of the parents and the entrance of our bridesmaids, Blake and Isabelle are escorted in by their mothers, Mai and Casey. Aren't they sweet?
Everyone stands for our beautiful bride as her father proudly escorts her down the aisle.
After the welcome, tribute to their parents, their story, and their vows, during which Cookie became a bit tearful at which time I handed her a hankie that I carry just for those times, they exchanged rings. Notice the bridesmaids' unique dresses that reflect Cookie's Vietnamese heritage. A nice touch. Then we did the Water Pouring ritual which goes like this: "Trust, love and respect are the sustaining virtues of marriage. They enable us to learn from each situation, and help us to realize that everywhere we turn we meet ourselves. We honor water, to clean and soothe your relationship that you may never thirst for love." Then I poured water over their hands which were turned palms up. "With this water, the most ordinary and yet most essential element to human existence, I call on you to remember the ordinary and yet extraordinary days you will now share together, drawing on the intimacy of these days when hardship and struggle comes into your life. Together, may you always share kindness with one another that will ease any pain that may come between you or around you. With all the forces of the universe, we pray for harmony and true happiness for you both."
The big moment that seals the marriage and brings the ceremony to a close--the Pronouncement of Marriage. Followed by.....of course......
The Kiss!
And now they are husband and wife stepping into their new marriage with tremendous joy!Trevor and Cookie, you are a really cool couple! My best wishes to you for a very happy and fulfilling marriage!
A few days after the wedding, Cookie posted this glowing review of my services on Weddingwire.com along with a score of 5 out of 5 stars:
"If you want the best then Kayelily is the one to go to. Our ceremony was beautiful and guests continue to tell me about how wonderful it was. Kayelily provides you with materials to help you write your own ceremony, and this makes your day even more special because you were a part in creating it. She thinks of everything from having a handkerchief handy when I was reading my vows. You cannot go wrong with Kayelily!"
Thank you, Cookie!!