Family Wedding for Heather and Cameron at Embassy Suites at Crabtree!

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Heather and Cameron and her two sons, Damien and Dominik, came to see me in February about officiating their wedding on June 16, 2012 at the Embassy Suites at Crabtree. They wanted a formal celebration for the declaration of their love for each other and to include Damien and Dominik in some way in the ceremony yet wanted a casual fun wedding ceremony. I read them a wedding ceremony that illustrated what they might want and they decided that they really liked the idea of putting their own wedding ceremony together, writing their own vows, and including the boys in a Family Unity Sand ceremony too. So we got started! I thank Kyle Adams at Embassy Suites for not only referring the couple to me but for also directing their rehearsal and wedding. She can really make a wedding event come together!

For those who have never been in Embassy Suites Crabtree, it has a tall open atrium that is covered by skylights and also has a water feature. The atmosphere is tropical and casual. This is a view from the upper stairs leading down from the mezzanine to the atrium floor. Marty and I arrived an hour before start time and set up my battery-operated sound system that works so well in this setting.

The couple had framed a photo of themselves with a picture frame (saw that on Pinterest!) and the guests were invited to write messages on the mat board.

Off the mezzanine level was the reception room and inside was the cake. It carries out their blue and green theme with teddy bears! They did not tell me who baked it for them but I believe it was a friend.

When the guests were all seated and the parents had processed in, Cameron and his groomsmen and I entered and took our places.

Bridesmaid, Courtney, and Matron of Honor, Ashley, entered followed by our Maid of Honor, Katie, and our flower girl, Lea.

Damien and Dominik were in their places and waiting for the bride to meet them there at the bottom of the steps.

As the music for the bride started, I asked all the guests to stand in her honor.

Heather's father, Richard, escorted her down the floating stairway from the mezzanine down to where the boys were waiting and at that juncture, the boys escorted their mother the rest of the way down the aisle.

"Dominik and Damien, do you agree to share your mom with Cameron as they join in marriage?" They certainly did. I could feel a very close bond between the boys and Cameron!

After the welcome and prayer, I called the boys forth and told them how important they are in this marriage and then Cameron said a few words to them and presented them each with a watch to commemorate the day. It was so sweet!

Then I got to tell their story! Their friends played matchmakers because they could see these two together and finally Heather and Cameron caught on!

They made their vows of marriage and exchanged rings.

Then it was time for the Sand Ceremony in which the bride and groom and the two boys poured their sand together.

"Just as these grains of sand can never be separated and poured again into the individual containers, so will your marriage and family be--a molding of your individual personalities, bonding together and forming one family, one heart and one life."

Then I placed my hand on theirs, ready to make the pronouncement of marriage, when I noticed that both of them needed to wipe their eyes and their noses to be ready for the kiss!