Weddingbee Blog

I had been ordained online, worked on writing the ceremony with my friend and gone to the city clerk to make sure all was legal. Catch up with part one here.

It was time to boogie!

We spent a few extra days in Ithaca before the wedding. Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to have coffee with another bee, just a few weeks before her own wedding - anyone recognize this lovely lady?

personal photo

On Sunday morning, we headed over to the venue. We were a little bit worried about the weather, hearing whispers of possible rain, but we arrived and it was spectacular.

The Fountainebleu Inn

View from the house of the ceremony site

We headed to one of the rooms upstairs in the Inn to get ready.

Friend Beans and I getting A’s dress ready

Relaxing the nerves before the big show!

A’s Power Team, moments before we went outside

Bride A, Beans and I peeking to make sure it’s ready

After we were sure that A was ready to go, I headed out to the ceremony site. I ran into this dashing group of gentlemen and stopped to take a quick pic:

(personal photo)

And then I went to take my place. Here is a moment that though I am not particularly proud of, I find hilarious. In a moment of feeling groovy before the ceremony officially began, and after just about everyone had taken their seats, I flashed friend Beans a special smile:

Yeah, that’s right. Have fun officiating!

I held my note cards, waiting to begin.

Groom D (you may also know him as Almost-Dr. Dan, but we’ll get to that connection later) and I waited patiently for Bride A to arrive.

There she is!

And it was time to officiate!

The basic structure of the ceremony went like this:

I welcomed everyone, and included a short paragraph about marriage (thanks Mrs. Sand Dollar). I then added a personal paragraph about my two friends, A and D, and why they are so perfect for each other, and how I was so honored to be part of their wedding.

Have a little fun with it!

(personal photo)

Both A and D had chosen a family member to do a reading at this point about the importance of marriage. A chose her great aunt Annie, and D asked his dad. I introduced each of them, and they did the readings.

Then A and D read vows that they had written by themselves. They were absolutely wonderful and so personal.

A saying her vows

Then, I led them in exchanging their rings, first D and then A:

And now, D, place this ring on A’s hand and repeat after me:

I, Almost-Dr. Dan, take thee, AKH,

to be my wedded wife/husband,

to hand and to hold from this day forward,

for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer,

in sickness and in health

to love, cherish and respect till death do us part.

I give you this ring as a sign that I choose you to be my lover, my partner and my best friend.

Today, tomorrow and always.

Once they had said this, I exclaimed:

I now pronounce you husband and wife! You may now kiss!

personal photo

And they walked off into the sunlight!

I did it! (personal photo)

I kept expecting to get nervous, but I never really did. It was just so so amazing to be up there with them and a part of their wedding.

I snagged a picture with the newlyweds

And it was time to party!

The first dance (personal photo)

Cake cutting - they also had a sundae bar, it was so awesome!

Reception!

And oh yes, I promised you even more blog celebs! Remember how I called the groom “Almost-Dr. Dan” earlier? That is his alias on the incredible blog Young House Love. The groom just so happens to be the brother of Sherry - Sherry, John and I had a great time bonding over blogging and we couldn’t help but take a picture to share with you guys! (And yes, baby Clara is absolutely that cute in person!) You can see their post about the wedding here.

personal photo from YHL

And there was plenty of dancing!

The wedding was so awesomely fun! Everyone had a great time eating and dancing long into the night! Thank you, A and D, for including me in your wedding!

All photos in this post by Megan Schley unless otherwise noted.

If you are interested in learning more about having a friend or family member officiate, or are writing your own ceremony, I would be happy to share some more resources that we used.

Did you write your own ceremony? Any sources you can share with the Hive?