With the storm that blew into New York the weekend before (closing the state fair early and knocking power out to towns near Fulton for several days), I was a little worried that the weather would not cooperate for our wedding. The weathermen had be trying to assure me that everything was going to be beautiful, but I still had my doubts. The day before the wedding was beautiful, but that night, I was sure I smelled chocolate in the air (which means it's going to rain in Fulton). I woke up the day of the wedding to find that it was going to be beautiful! I called Gary so often at the hotel that the manager told me that I should be getting ready, not gluing the phone to my ear. The bridesmaids and I got ready at the church , while Gary and the groomsmen waited for us. After a few last minute instructions and emergencies, everything was in place. After the mothers were seated, I and the girls (as I affectionately call them) went upstairs. I tried to stay out of sight, but it was't easy. Gary and the groomsmen lined up at the front of the church to wait patiently for us. The music started and the girls began their journey to the front of the church. First it was Mary (Gary's younger sister) , then Candy (Gary's older sister) , then Janis (my sister) , then my Matron on Honor, Sarah (my best friend) . My father and I waited for our moment, then began our slow walk down the aisle. I smiled at friends and family, and blinked (and blinked and blinked...) back happy tears. We stood at the front of the church until my father gave me away. After a short introduction by Pastor Dave, we said our vows , handfasted ourselves to each other, exchanged rings , and lit the unity candle . Pastor Dave prayed for us and blessed our marriage, let us kiss , and pronounced us as husband and wife. We made our way down the aisle and got ready for the receiving line. I managed to get a (voluntary) kiss from my nephew, T.J. I think it will be the only time that something like THAT will happen! After our guests went through the receiving line, they grabbed birdseed roses and talked tossing strategy while they waited for Gary and I. Gary tried to get out of it by wanting to sneak out the back of the church, but I forced him to go with me! Our witnesses signed the licence to make everyhting legal. With birdseed in our shoes and underneath our clothes, we sent the guests ahead to eat, drink, and be merry while we finished our formal pictures. |Home|--|About Us|--|Ceremony|--|Reception|--|Formals|--|Credits|--|House|