This was it! It was time to walk down that beautiful grassy aisle! Our ceremony musician, guitarist Rich Barry, officially kicked things off by starting to play Sheep May Safely Graze (Bach), which Mr. GP and our officiant first walked out to, then Mr. GP’s parents together, then my mom escorted by Mr. Guinea Pig’s sisters.
This worked out to be a wonderful way to include Mr. GP’s sisters in the ceremony, and I loved that our families were united from the start!
Next it was time for the bridal party to come on out—we chose to have the groomsmen and bridesmaids walk out together, as I never did understand why people make the bridesmaids walk out there alone (plus it probably helped to have an arm to balance on with heels in the grass)! The bridal party walked down the aisle to Prelude in C Major (also by Bach).
I know I’ve said this before, but I loved my bridesmaids’ dresses—the different looks in that bright blue and sister GP’s contrasting yellow dress—whoooeeee! Love. They all looked so fabulous!
Next was MOH/Sister GP with Best Man J—I think it’s hilarious that they were exactly in step down the brick stairs.
Then it was time for my entrance with Dad GP! For this, we asked Rich to play Bach’s Air (from Orchestra #3, also known as Air on a G String, but I couldn’t put that in the programs and keep a straight face). Oddly enough I didn’t even realize there was a trend in the pieces we’d chosen until Rich emailed me back and said “I really like that you’ve chosen all Bach for processionals”. Uh yes! We totally meant to do that.
I wish I could remember what my dad was saying to me in the photo on the left! I was taken aback by everyone standing up and turning to look at us, even though I theoretically knew that it was going to happen. We walked up the aisle where I had to stop once and pull my veil back after it blew in front of my face (right photo, above). When we got up front there was a super strong gust of wind and I instinctively held my veil onto my head!
(I love how much my bridesmaids are cracking up in this photo)
And then with one last hug from my dad,
I stood up at the ’altar’ with my soon-to-be husband!
I handed my flowers off to sister GP, and this is where you see the beginning of the end. I was desperately trying to wrestle my veil down because it kept blowing sideways, so I did one more adjustment to bring it behind me:
And suddenly, pouf! A veil-less bride!
In the background you can see that everyone started clapping and laughing—there was also a collective “Ohhh!”. Friend J was sitting on the aisle and did a quick reach out to grab it as it flew by. It was so fast that no one got any photos of it, but we do have some video from the day that shows it blow away! Here’s a clip so you can see the gale force winds in action. 
(video courtesy of Sprocket Pro)
It was actually a nice start to the ceremony, because it eased any nerves by making us all laugh, and I’m really glad the distracting veil was gone! Now I could focus on the actual ceremony…
Did anything unexpected happen to you during your ceremony?
Up next: We laugh, I cry: the first half of our ceremony
*** All photos in this post copyright Amy Deputy Photography ***
(some cropping by me to fit in collages)
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Far Beyond Forever:
This post made me smile so much! I just love it. The pictures and Friend J grabbing the veil is priceless. I love all of this. 
We had an organist at our wedding and he played a selection of prelude music as people were being seated. When it was time for the processional to start, he stopped the music for a pause before beginning the processional. As soon as the church got quite apparently my baby cousin was concerned by the lack of music and said “UH OH” at the top of his lungs. The whole church burst into laughter. His mom and dad thought we were going to be soooo mad because we didn’t have kids at the wedding (I made an exception for her to bring her little ones to the ceremony). But hubs and I both thought it was hysterical. Like you it was so nice to have something to lighten the mood and take the pressure off. It was one of my favorite memories from the day. I can’t wait to hear it on the video : )
Hahaha, those pictures and the thought of a veil taking flight (freeeeeedom!) is hilarious, wish I’d witnessed it!
During our ketubah signing at the rehearsal, there was a prayer that we both recited to each other, using either “husband” or “wife” as appropriate. Well, I clearly was either nervous or just not really able to focus bc I said “my wife” the entire time, not really understanding what I was saying…All of our friends and families were cracking up and my rabbi had me go back and say it correctly (my husband!)
Glad someone caught your veil! Our big thing was our officiant was 45 minutes late. She’d been so nice and then this. It threw everything off and now she’s saying it wasn’t her fault. What? She’d had the address for 3.5 months or more which the time, date, and address were in the email requesting a quote. Also, she spoke so softly no one could hear her. Argh! She darkened the whole day with her inexcusable actions for which she never apologized to me for.
That picture of your and your father hugging is so sweet. Luckily right before I start to tear up, I see your veil sticking up vertically from your head and then I have to giggle. I love it.
Where are your bridesmaid dresses from? so gorgeous and the various style options totally come together
What a fun memory. I’m glad it didn’t cause any major distractions and your hair looked fab still. During our ceremony we realized our wine for our love letter and wine box ceremony was leaking. Oops.
Love, love, love your wedding (not just because of, but) especially because of your veil! GP, you’re awesome
That’s too funny. Luckily you are a bride that could laugh it off and wasn’t traumatized by the unexpectedness of it all!
I can’t believe how windy it was! At least the wind made for great pictures and some nerve-calming!
Is it weird that I barely remember anything from our ceremony? I know that’s the part that’s supposed to be the focus of the day, but man, I can hardly remember anything. I think it was because I was a nervous wreck….
@Moose1209: Hahaha – I can just imagine the UH OH echoing through the silent church! Excellent tension breaker
@Mrs. Trail Mix: Ha! So funny you didn’t even notice! That would have been hilarious to hear you repeat ‘my wife’ again and again!
@Ginevra: The dresses are by Lula Kate! They added some new styles after we ordered ours, too, and I love them even more – definitely check them out! (Although they are quite pricey).
@Mrs. Hot Wings: Oh no! Haha – mid ceremony stop and stick a glass under the leak to save the wine for later?! Hope it didn’t get on your dress!
@Mrs. Nachos: Aw, thanks Nachos!!
@Miss Hippo: Someone remarked to me after the ceremony “I was so impressed you didn’t get upset when your veil flew away!” I was like – uh, did you see the wind? What was I going to do, pause the ceremony and glue it to my head? Who cares?! It helped that I made it myself for $7 so it wasn’t some expensive masterpiece flying away 
@Mrs. Snow: Not weird at all – I watched a video of our ceremony for the first time last weekend (showed it to family who couldn’t make it to the wedding), and I was like – wait, that happened? That’s what Mr. GP’s vows said? Why did we hug before recessing?! Haha I guess that’s why photos are important? And I see why people put videography high on their list now (although it was last on the totem pole for us, I wish we’d pushed it up a bit for this very reason).
You picked great music — and I, too, have a hard time keeping a straight face with “Air on a …” you know. I love the sun-flare in the picture where you’re hugging your dad.
Additionally, thank you for getting Enya’s “Sail Away” in my head now. 
@Mrs. French Fries: Muwahahaha. I cannot read this post title without singing it in my head … and sometimes out loud
that is some serious wind, gp! but no matter, everyone looks so happy, and wow i can’t get over how absolutely gorgeous you are!
You’re so beautiful! And the veil story made me laugh
My veil blew off into a water hazard when we were mini-golfing the next day.
I mean, you’ve got the dress, might as well wear it, right?
Mini golf cashier: Did you just get married?
Groomsman: Nah, she just really needs to do laundry.
Mrs. Guinea Pig, Baltimore, MD Age and Occupation: 26, PhD student Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Operations Director at a non-profit Engagement Date: December 25, 2008 Wedding Date: May 2010 Venue: The Chesapeake Bay Beach Club About Me: I'm a tomboy science nerd whose girly side has made a startling appearance thanks to wedding planning! I love to bake, knit and sew but I also ride a motorcycle (that Mr. Guinea Pig wouldn't touch with a 10 foot pole). We live with our three crazy cats and love to read, travel, watch movies, and do home improvement projects together! My parents/family are Canadian but I'm definitely American, although I've lived in 5 different countries, 6 different states, and speak Russian fluently. Mr. GP and I met online (did I mention I'm a scientist?) and had a whirlwind romance - now we can't wait to get married & celebrate with all our friends and family in a blue and yellow waterfront affair!
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