We were curious about how Gemma would do as a flower girl, since she is so young! Thankfully she seemed to hit it off with the junior bridesmaid, with whom she was walking. All she had to do was to make it down the aisle, where Grammy Reid was waiting to scoop her up and hold her for as long as she would sit quietly. We've been practicing "quiet time" with family worship, but Gemma's not used to sitting through an hour-long service yet, so the back-up plan was to pass her down the pew to her other Grandma if she started making a scene, and Grandma B would take her out. Gemma is in love with both of her Grandmas and had a few weeks of bonding time with them before the wedding, so we had high hopes!
The run-throughs at the rehearsal went by almost without a hitch--the second time, Gemma caught a glimpse of Grammy and started backward down the aisle, but the junior bridesmaid stopped and redirected her. We made a plan to leave a bag with some Cheerios, a drink, and her blanket in the front pew before the wedding the next morning.
That morning, my little flower girl woke up smiling, and I scooped her up with a hug! When I sat her on the bed with me to do her hair, she was happy to play with the hair ties and hairspray bottle while I wet, moussed, rolled back, and sprayed her 18-month-old hair in the hopes that it would stay put. As pictures from later in the day reveal, it didn't stay put very well, but it still looked sweet for most of the day!
Our final concern was that the wedding was at 1:00 in the afternoon and Gemma's usual nap time begins at 12:30/1. When 12:30 came, she started getting a bit antsy and whiny. John, and then Grammy, took turns walking around with her quietly and generally trying to keep her unstimulated.
When the piano started playing Canon in D, cuing the bridesmaids to begin the procession, I quietly prayed one final time and took my place, staring my groom in the eyes as I walked down the aisle. It was fun and a blessing that Derek and Liz asked both of us to be in their wedding and we got to walk together!
After all seven bridesmaids filed in, it was Gemma and the junior bridesmaid's turn! She took a few steps, stopped, and from the front of the church it looked like she had gotten distracted by the people in the pews around her. But the two of them quickly resumed their pace, Gemma confidently carrying her basket all the way down the aisle to Grammy. After the wedding, one of Derek's friends handed me Gemma's darling white shoes. Apparently, they were the cause of the delay, as they came off her feet almost as soon as she started walking!
The two older flower girls followed, and then the bride and her father entered to a stirring piano rendition of a piece which, I believe, is called "Hymne." And the wedding continued much like the weddings at our little church usually do, with a welcome, prayer, the giving of the bride, hymns, a short sermon, and the vows. We sang "I Greet Thee Who my Sure Redeemer Art," "What Wondrous Love is This?" and "In Christ Alone." My dear father-in-law preached to the couple from 1 Corinthians 13--the love chapter. And they exchanged simple, traditional-sounding vows.
To our astonishment, Gemma quickly fell asleep in her Grammy's arms and never had to be taken out! We were amazed at God's graciousness in this respect, and so thankful!
Unfortunately, I don't have many proper wedding photos, and those that we do have were just off the iPhone. But here is a shot of Derek and Liz with all the girls. Doesn't my brother look handsome in his army uniform?
Liz had allowed us to choose both the style and even the color of our dresses, within a spectrum of blues. What a fun and unique decision! I thought that the colors all looked beautiful together.
Sisters! The roses and hydrangeas in our hand-tied bouquets, were gorgeous, too. (You can credit Gemma for my half-smile in this photo . . . she had lost it at this point.)
On her Daddy's shoulders . . . of course most of our pictures are of Gemma . . .
Then we all headed to the town hall for a sweet, informal lunch reception of hors d'oerves, sandwiches and cake. Mom made the cake. :) Some day I will find someone with a picture of it . . .
While most of us were busy toasting and feasting, John and a couple of Derek's friends decorated the car with the supplies Heidi had procured the night before. They were quite proud of themselves. :) The front windshield read "Sparta!"
The beautiful bride and groom! With, of course, Gemma. :) In spite of that brief earlier meltdown, she pulled it together beautifully and was happy for the whole reception!
And one last picture for good measure . . . the two of us:
Baby #3 is due around Christmas eve. :)
Congratulations, Derek and Liz! May you know many years of happiness together, serving Christ and each other as husband and wife!
