Living Through It: Wedding Part 2: Ceremony

The Ceremony

June 3, 2016 - 4:30 PM - Valle Vista Veranda

We got really lucky and had a beautiful day for the ceremony - warm and sunny (not hot and humid!)

My niece Emerson was our beautiful program attendant, passing out the programs my mom created.

Before the ceremony, Adelina got some flower girl practice time in.

My cousin Melissa flew in for the wedding and brought her youngest, Graham.

If there were any way to make heart eyes on a blog, I'd do it right now. How handsome is this groom?!

My brother Thomas and nephew Jonah were ushers on the wedding, ushering the mothers and grandmothers.

Next, Brandon entered with our officiator, Strait Hill, who has been in my parents' ward for years. He was my bishop when I went on my bishop and my stake president when I came home. He is now our stake president in our new ward.

Jackson was our ring bearer, and despite being hesitant in the rehearsal, he was as brave as ever and did a great job during the ceremony.

He stood with Brandon for a lot of the ceremony and was wonderfully behaved.

Flower Girl Adelina came next and stole everyone's heart when she dumped the petals and ran down the aisle.

Lastly, Here Comes the Bride! My goal my whole life has been to get married in the temple, so walking down the aisle was not something I ever considered. The temple is still a goal in the near future (Brandon has to wait until he's been a member of the church for a year), but it was wonderful to have all of our family members there and to be able to share this special moment with my dad. He's such a wonderful example, support, and adviser and having him by my side was very meaningful. Also, he's got a steady arm and walking down the aisle is a bit overwhelming!

Leading up to the wedding, I was never nervous. Even the wedding day, I wasn't nervous. Excited,; yes. Nervous, no. After everyone was ready, though, they went upstairs to find seats and get settled. I didn't have any bridesmaids so I was in my dressing room alone, waiting for the wedding coordinator to come down and get me, for about ten minutes. Ten minutes alone is a LONG time when you're about to get married. All of a sudden, I started to feel very nervous. I had no phone because I'd sent all my stuff up with my mom and sisters. It was me, my bouquet, and lot of pacing. Even once I got upstairs and was reunited with my dad and the ushers and moms and grandmas, I was still feeling uneasy. That feeling didn't go away until they opened the doors for me and my dad to enter and I could see Brandon at the end of the aisle. Then the uneasy nerves were again replaced with excited nerves and I was able to enjoy the rest of the day.

Jackson's face in this picture! Haha!

No big deal. Just the flower girl rolling around on the floor during the ceremony. No wonder people were distracted. :)

After a while, Ring Bearer decided it would be more enjoyable to sit with Mamaw.

As part of our ceremony, we did a time capsule of sorts. We called it a "Love Box." It's a box that we put all our notes and memories in from the time we were dating. We also wrote letters to each other right before we were married. The plan is to open this each year and read what's in there to remind ourselves of where we've come from. We'll then add to it each year.

When deciding on music for the ceremony, we chose a song called, "Purpose," originally performed by Justin Bieber. I fell in love with the music and we both really liked the words, but we just still felt uneasy about having a Justin Bieber song in our wedding. :) Some of the words weren't really fitting, either. One day, it just hit me - I have a sister-in-law who is a beautiful singer and talented pianist who could probably rework the lyrics to make them more appropriate and - bonus - we'd have a family member singing it instead of Justin Bieber! With two weeks before the wedding, I asked her if she thought she could do it, and she excitedly accepted. She did a beautiful job and I cried through the whole thing. Here's her version (she rewrote the second verse):

Feeling like I'm breathing my last breath

Feeling like I'm walking my last steps

Look at all of these tears I've wept

Look at all the promises that I've kept

I put my heart into your hands

Here's my soul to keep

I let you in with all that I am

You're not hard to reach

And you've blessed me with the best gift

That I've ever known

You give me purpose

Yeah, you've given me purpose.

Feeling like my journey's come to an end

Even though I know it's just the beginning

And I can't believe this love we're in

Don't you know you are my best friend

I put my all into your hands

Learn the lessons you teach

No matter when, wherever I am

You're not hard to reach

And you've given me with the best gift

That I've ever known

You give me purpose every day

You give me purpose in every way

Oh, you are my everything

You give me purpose

Next came the vows. We wrote them ourselves, which may have been a mistake because I could barely read mine through the tears.

My vows: I love you for who you are now and for who you are yet to become. For your goodness, your selflessness, and your irresistible charm. I promise to stand by you as your partner, your teammate, your friend, and your confidant, whatever life may bring. To prioritize your happiness and security. To laugh with you and to cry with you. To shoulder your burdens and work towards your goals. Together, we will build a family and a life that will last forever, anchored by our love for Jesus Christ and our love for each other. It is a privilege to be yours and it has filled my heart and soul. I can finally be who I was meant to be because I've found the part of me that's been missing all this time. You have made my dreams come true, and I devote all that I have and all that I am to do the same for you. I love you, Brandon, and I am forever yours.

Apparently, this was also happening while I was reading my vows.

Tears are dangerous when you're getting your picture taken all day, ya know?

Brandon's vows: Kaley, I have been all in from nearly the beginning. I feel blessed to have the opportunity to spend eternity with the most amazing woman I have ever met. I can't put into words the admiration that I have for who you are and who you want to become. Today I promise to be your partner and to support you in everything you want to accomplish in this life. Together we will build something far better than either of us could imagine. I promise to continue to give you my all, to love and respect you to no end, and to do my part to create a life with you filled with happiness.