*Edited 8/1 after I double checked my program*

I love these opportunities to go back and remember my day....

Choosing my bridesmaid's dresses was a challenge for me. I was so conscious of not asking them to spend too much. And I had some pretty tall girls who required extra length, so that negated some of my choices. All I really cared about was that they're blue! I wanted bold, bright, vibrant colors for my wedding. The church had red carpet, so I wanted the dresses / wedding to not clash terribly with it!





My bridesmaids are the sisters I never had. I was blessed to grow up in a small town and I've known most of my friends since my earliest memories. I'll introduce you to the girls from left to right:

Karin is my "sister" from Sweden. She was an exchange student who lived with our family for a year while I was a junior and she was a senior in high school. She fit so well into our family, and I look forward to an opportunity to go visit her in Sweden in the (hopefully) near future.

Bridget was my Maid of Honor. She and I went to pre-school together, and really just grew up together. She and I also stayed in close contact through college, despite going to different schools. She's one of those people who would do anything for another person, and she means the world to me.

Ann is my "sister" through marriage. She's Jon's youngest sibling and only sister. She was only 17 (I think?) when we got married -- she was between her junior and senior year of high school. I believe she took her finals and then their family loaded up the vehicle to drive from Oregon to South Dakota for the wedding. Can you say WIPED OUT? She's now married and has two beautiful girls of her own. I've enjoyed getting to know her over the past 11 years -- she's an inspiring person.

Tara is my first friend. She lived a few houses down from me, and my earliest memories (and even before I have memories) -- she's in them. She had been by my side through literally every event in my life, and I couldn't imagine getting married without her standing up for me. She's also got children of her own now -- the cutest pair of twins you'll ever meet!

Our flowers were kind of funny... well, not funny, they were beautiful. But how they came about is funny. I love to look at flowers, but really, I've got no clue about flowers. We went into the flower shop (the only one in my home town), and I said, "I want red, yellow, blue, and green.... you know how to make them pretty." And that's what I got! HA HA! We were married in 1998, which was right when the clutch style of bouquets was starting and the cascade style was ending (at least that was the case in SD). I saw the clutch style and immediately wrinkled my nose -- I didn't like it at all. I wanted the "wedding" look of cascading flowers. Of course, now I prefer the clutch style -- but it usually takes me a few years to accept the new "in" thing.

The Bible that our hands are resting on was carried by my Grandma and Mom in their weddings. My Mom gave it to me, but told me it's really hard to carry and she recommended that I not carry it. So instead, we put it on the table with our unit candle. So practical! :)




This photo kind of shows our unity candle. While we lit it, my brother and the other two soloists (fellow choir members from college) sang, "Shine On Us" by Phillips Craig and Dean. I still just absolutely LOVE that song.

Our unity candle was actually glass oil candles. We had the center one engraved with our name and the date. The side candles were taper candles. I love our unity candle!




This last photo shows a table that was really important for me to include. It was stationed at the back of the church, and we called it our "Legacy of Love" table. We're so fortunate to both come from homes with rock solid marriages founded in Christ. Not only our parents, but our Grandparents. So the table showed photos of our Grandparents and Parents weddings, as well as our engagement picture. We're thankful for that legacy that they've given us, and blessed to be continuing it...for better or worse!

The funny thing about reflecting on my wedding.... More than anything else, I knew what I wanted to have sung at my wedding. I went to college on a choir scholarship, and music was just the be-all and end-all. Yet now, I don't remember the music I chose. So here's what I think we had...

- Pre-Wedding Solo: "In this Very Room" by Ron Harris Oops! It was actually "Surely the Presence of the Lord is in this Place" by Lanny Wolfe

- Walking into the Church: "Canon in D" by Pachelbel

- Bridal Entrance: "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring"

- First Song: "There is Love" by Paul Stookey (my dad used to be in a quartet and would sing this for weddings - I've loved it ever since."

- Unity Candle Song: the aforementioned "Shine On Us" by Phillips Craig and Dean

- Song After Vows/Rings: "I Will be Here" by Steven Curtis Chapman and sung by my brother. It was the ONE song Jon requested, so of course we had to have it.

- Blessing Song: This is the one I can't remember, but need to find (I'll look when I get home). My Dad, Jon's Mom, My Aunt, and Jon's Aunt sang a blessing song for us. It was the neatest thing. I loved it! Found it! "Go Now in Peace" by Price and Besig. It's an SATB arrangement for choirs. I urge you to go listen to it on You Tube. I hadn't heard it since our wedding, and it still moves me.

- Exit Music: "Hornpipe"

- Return to the Church for Dismissal: "Ode to Joy"

I wanted to include the lyrics for "Go Now in Peace" -- remember it was my Dad, Jon's Mom, my Aunt (who's my Godmother), and Jon's Aunt who sung it -- so special!