I Do I Do in a Very Special Way

Last week-end I attended one of the sweetest weddings ever - in a long line of weddings I have been to, or have been a part of. This one took place in the mountains at our denomination's campground. The bride and groom met when they were working at the camp - the groom's father is the director of the camp, so it was his home. This is the third romance of kids from our church who have spent their summers working at the camp. My nephew and his wife married there 8 years ago, after meeting at camp and even both changing colleges so they could be together their junior and senior years. It was an absolutely perfect day in a rustic, beautiful setting. The path to the "sanctuary" was marked with these clever signs.

The guests enjoyed the beautiful weather as we waited for the processional.

The sister of the bride and her escort --



Very happy for her little sister.

The adorable ring bearer and flower girl - children of the officiant, who grew up in our church, as did their mother - they went to college together, then ended up at the camp with him as assistant director

.

And here comes the bride on the arm of her dad. (Love her red shoes!)






Levi, the father of the children, did a great job, as did the young woman who wrote the beautiful ceremony.




They had so many personal touches that made the ceremony so special. They did the triple chord ceremony, representing the strength of three strands over two - Jesus being the third strand.

There was laughter.



There were tears.




I've never seen the attendants sing together in any wedding I've attended. Unique and wonderful. I wonder if they had to try out to be in the wedding party!?




And then the Danielle and Ben served communion to everyone. I've often seen the bride and groom and maybe their family take communion, but never the guests. Lovely.




Mr. and Mrs. face the future together --




The camp staff prepared lunch for everyone - typical camp fare, hot dogs and brats and burgers -
everything tasted great.




A blue grass band entertained us as we ate.




I wasn't able to stay through the entire reception, so missed the part where the groom sang a quartet with his groomsmen. He was in my brother's choir in college - one of my brother's favorite guys ever. I did get them in a casual shot inside the lodge.




They ate on the go as they visited with their guests. It was apparent that they enjoyed every minute.

I headed down the mountain feeling very hopeful for this lovely young couple's future.