Weddingbee Blog

Standing in a field with the mountains at our backs, we took a moment to look at each of our guests. Slowly and clearly, with the volume and dictation one could only hope to find in a seasoned professional, Cathy began to read the ceremony we had written.

We thought it important to explain to our guests, some of who had journeyed hundreds of miles, the significance of our choosing this location. Cathy read,

“As much as today it is a celebration of Kat and Justin’s marriage,
It is also a celebration of their love,
Which is built upon the last eight and a half years they have spent together
And all the experiences encompassed by that time

They have invited you to this beautiful place, to Polebridge,
to Glacier National Park
And show you a glimpse of an important piece of their love,
To share with you these mountains, these forests, these lakes
Because during their years together,
They have come here many times, on days like today, together
So humbled and awed by the purity of their surroundings
That Glacier has become a shelter, a respite, and a temple to them

They wanted to show you the beauty of these fields and these rivers
Because this is where their hearts have made their home”

She then addressed our choice to marry, offering three suggestions for a successful relationship, and her hopes for our future.

I knew I was going to cry, and I’d taken along my great-grandma’s kerchief in preparation, so I wasn’t at all surprised when my eyes started to well up. But I’d stashed the kerchief in my bosom (where else was I going to put it?!), so it elicited a few chuckles when I fished it out…

Cathy continued, asking our guests to stand and declare their support for us:

“Always stand beside them, never between them
Offer them your love and your support
Not your judgment
Encourage them when encouragement is needed
And listen to them when they ask for advice

In these ways, you can honor this marriage
Into which they have come to be joined today”

In the audience, my grandparents had their arms around each other. I love that our photographer captured this moment…

Next, Mr. CP recited the vows he had written…

… during which I couldn’t keep from crying, again…

Then, it was my turn to recite what I had written for Mr. CP:

We exchanged rings, repeating the following:

“I give you this ring as a sign that I choose you
To be my lover, my partner and my best friend, to the end of my days
Wear it, think of me, and know that I love you”

You may notice from the above photo (and others if you a very sly), that Mr. CP has put my ring on the wrong hand. That morning, I moved my engagement ring to my right hand so that my wedding band could go on my left hand and I could move the engagement ring back to the left after it had taken its place. But moving my e-ring to the right hand caused Mr. CP to get momentarily confused and place my wedding band over there with it! Then I got confused and couldn’t figure out which was the right hand to put his wedding band onto. That’s why we’re laughing in the picture.

Finally, we were handfasted with burgundy-dyed hemp rope, made by Mr CP’s friend and groomsman. The same groomsman also performed the handfasting while our officiant read the text to accompany the ritual binding:

Once we were handfasted, we removed the still-knotted cords and Mr. CP stashed them in his suit pocket. With that, we were pronounced husband & wife…

… and had our long-awaited first kiss as a married couple!

Hand-in-hand, we marched down the aisle looking smug and triumphant, while my mom and sister played Spring from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons:

As we recessed, we were followed by our wedding party, this time coupled as we were.

Rachel & Micah:

Amy & Tom:

My sister, Allie, and Mr. CP’s friend Mark:

My sister, Liz, and Mr. CP’s college roommate, Jason (to be married in May in New York City!), followed behind by Mr. CP’s other roommate, Karl:

The two of us paused behind the tall grasses at the far end of the aisle to bask in our accomplishment over eight years in the making. Married!

Next, photos from our informal receiving line! (Some of which are sure to embarrass my sisters.)

[Credits: All images courtesy of Piknik Studios.]

Previously:
Married in Montana: The Rehearsal
Married in Montana: The Girls Get Ready
Married in Montana: The Guys Get Ready
Married in Montana: The Bus Ride to Polebridge
Married in Montana: Pre-Ceremony Preparations
Married in Montana: Staging the Ceremony
Married in Montana: Our Wedding Ceremony (Part 1 of 2)