...presentation of the bride...

I had contemplated using a handful of different pieces for my walk down the aisle.  Somehow none of them really seemed to fit.  But one day, I was driving to work, and it occurred to me that I could arrange the song I'd written for DG for the organist to play and it would be perfect. 

Funny story about that song.  Back when DG and I had first started dating and I was still living back in Missouri, I was at home alone one random Friday night and decided to sit down at the piano.  This song had kind of been floating around in my head for awhile but it hadn't completely come together.  By the time I got to the end of the chorus, I realized I'd written lyrics that I didn't really set out to write...thought about it...and decided they were true.  Needless to say, this song means a great deal to me.  This is how I discovered I'd fallen in love with DG...

This is Love

Stripped away is the mask that I'd been wearing

I'm exposed for exactly who I am

Still you see the beauty in all these flaws

Piece by piece, I am giving you all of me

And it feels like all I've ever dreamed of is one step away from truth

You're the hope that I'd been missing

I've realized I needed you

We are the two I wanted to be half of

My Love, this is love

Becoming more, like myself in every day

You inspire things in me I can't explain

By your side, I amount to so much more

You are mine, and believe me, I am yours

And it feels like all I've ever dreamed of is one step away from truth

You're the hope that I'd been missing

I've realized I needed you

We are the two I wanted to be half of

My Love, this is love

Anyone could hold me, anyone could say

I am beautiful in their eyes and look the other way

But you see something different

And knowing who I'll be

You push me

And it feels like all I've ever dreamed of is one step away from truth

You're the hope that I'd been missing

I've realized I needed you

We are the two I wanted to be half of

My Love, this is love

So unfortunately I don't have a recording to point to for how this song sounded as my dad escorted me down the aisle...but it felt exactly how I wanted it to, and despite the work it required, it was the perfect choice for us.  The photos that follow are some of my favorite.

DG's reaction as I walked in the door.

Dad and I make our grand entrance.

Trying not to cry.  Kind of wish I had really smiled rather than doing this weird grin sort of thing.

Opening prayer.

Being given away.

Time to get married.

Once again, thanks to Will at Will Knowles Weddings for these amazing photos.

...clasical-ish wedding ceremony music and processional: part two...

One quick note about our wedding ceremony music.  As a musician, I have a million musician friends.  After earning a music business degree at a college in Nashville, I've got pretty close ties with a lot of very, very talented people.  When it came time to plan out the music for our ceremony, I knew exactly who to call.  Granted, I could have organized everything myself, but instead my dear, dear friend handled it all.  I told him which pieces I wanted to  use, and he organized a small ensemble of really incredible vocalists, hired an organist, and held the rehearsals.  HE WAS A GOD SEND.  And hands-down, I have never heard such great music at a wedding.  EVER.  We (ok, I...cause DG really just went along with it for my sake) chose to use 21st century classical choral pieces, so our ceremony had a very traditional feel, without the same five selections you expect to hear at every wedding you've ever attended.  I'm not entirely sure I can find clips of every song, but sprinkled throughout the rest of these ceremony recaps, I'll try to give you a taste of what our ceremony sounded like as well.  If you happen to be looking for alternatives to the traditional songs you hear at most weddings, these are some really great options.  It certainly didn't hurt that the organ and acoustics at Edgefield were so nice.  Literally, I was overwhelmed at how well everything came together.  It sounded AMAZING.

So we pick up mid processional.  The choir began singing I Want to be where Your Barefoot Walks by local composer, David Childs as our grandmothers were seated and continued through the bridal party.  Listen here...

DG enters with our good friend and officiant and his best man.

My baby brother and DG's kid sister.

Groomsmen/Killer-reception-band-leader (we'll get to that later) and DG's older sister

Best buddies from college.

MOH.

Cutest flower girl on the face of the planet.

(All photos courtesy Will Knowles Weddings)

...ceremony processional:part one...

The following are some of my favorite pictures from Edgefield.  To me, the stained glass is just breath taking. 

These moments were filled with that "this is it" sort of feeling.  Anxiously awaiting my turn (and amid the arrival of many of our flood-detered guest), the music began and the most perfect wedding ceremony....at least in my opinion...began to unfold.  I'll have to write more about our music later, as I was THRILLED by the way it all turned out.  For now, here's part one of the photos from a handful of the most meaningful moments of my life.

Seating of the grandmothers.

DG escorts his mom in.

Together they light the memorial candles.  One representing DG's dad who passed away about six years ago and one for our grandparents who are no longer with us.

Baby brother escorts our mom.

Moms light the family candles.

As always, photos courtesy of the lovely and talented Will Knowles.

More to come...