At 5:00PM, our coordinator at the Wynn closed the double doors that lead to the Lavender Salon. Our ceremony was about to begin. All of our guests were in their seats. Everyone was ready. Everyone was waiting. A quiet fell over the room, broken only by my excited laughter from the hall.
Suddenly, the opening bars of Aretha Franklin’s Bridge Over Troubled Water began to play. That was the cue. The double doors reopened, and Mr. Mole and his mother started to walk down the aisle.
Personal Photo
Our coordinator closed the doors again, presumably to build up some anticipation before it was my turn. It’s a good thing she did.
As soon as Mr. Mole started his processional, I burst into tears. And these were not pretty bridal tears. These were crumpled face, dripping nose tears. The best way that I can describe my feelings at the time was overwhelmed: overwhelmed by excitement, by joy, by love. Luckily, I regained (most of) my composure by the time that the song reached the chorus.
Our coordinator tucked a folded tissue into the ribbon of my bouquet, and then she reopened the doors. It was my turn.
Personal Photos
All eyes were on me, including Mr. Mole’s. The walk itself was a blur. This was one of those rare times where the journey was truly less important than the destination. All I remember was excitedly wanting to take my place at the front next to Mr. Mole. Then, just like now, with him was where I wanted to be.
Photo by Cashman Photography
Until this day, I had never seen Mr. Mole cry. He used to say that the only thing that ever made him cry was the ending to Amy Tan’s The Joy Luck Club. (Of course, in response, I would always quote from it.) Now, we can add our wedding to the list.
Personal Photo
My father and I stopped about ten feet away from the end of the aisle. Reverend Walter asked, “Who presents this woman in marriage?” My father replied, “We all do.” Mr. Mole stepped forward, shook his hand, and took hold of mine.
Photo by Cashman Photography
Reverend Walter gave everyone a warm welcome before calling Mr. Mole’s sister up to read. The first reading that we chose was an edited version of Taylor Mali’s “Falling in Love is Like Owning a Dog: An Epithalamion.” It was a perfect poem for us and for the occasion, especially since an epithalamion is a wedding poem. (English majors, unite!)
Personal Photo
First of all, it’s a big responsibility,
especially in a city
So think long and hard before deciding on love.
On the other hand, love gives you a sense of security:
when you’re walking down the street late at night
and you have a leash on love
ain’t no one gonna mess with you.
On cold winter nights, love is warm.
It lies between you and lives and breathes
and makes funny noises.
Love wakes you up all hours of the night with its needs.
It needs to be fed so it will grow and stay healthy.
Love doesn’t like being left alone for long.
But come home and love is always happy to see you.
It may break a few things accidentally in its passion for life,
but you can never be mad at love for long.
Is love good all the time? No! No!
Love can be bad. Bad, love, bad! Very bad love.
Sometimes love just wants to go for a nice long walk.
Because love loves exercise.
It runs you around the block and leaves you panting.
It pulls you in several different directions at once,
or winds around and around you
until you’re all wound up and can’t move.
But love makes you meet people wherever you go.
People who have nothing in common but love
stop and talk to each other on the street.
Throw things away and love will bring them back,
again, and again, and again.
But most of all, love needs love, lots of it.
And in return, love loves you and never stops.
Personal Photo
It was then Reverend Walter’s turn to say a few words. We didn’t have a choice about our officiant; he came as part of the package at the Wynn. However, we couldn’t have chosen a better officiant if we tried. He was warm and enthusiastic throughout the entire process, from his correspondence to his delivery of the ceremony. He allowed us to completely customize an entirely secular wedding. He even sent us an incredibly kind letter last month, wishing us a tremendous life together. We felt an immediate connection with him.
Personal Photo
He spoke eloquently about the partnership of love and friendship in a marriage before asking a series of important questions. The answer to those questions, along with the personalized vows that accompanied them, would make us husband and wife.
Photo by Cashman Photography
All photography in Las Vegas by Brian Saculles, unless otherwise noted.
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We used “Falling in Love is Like Owning a Dog” too! Loved it. 
The reading is perfect! I had never heard it but if I had, it probably would have made it’s way into our ceremony…love it!
I stumbled upon this reading while desperately entering searches like “wedding secular reading” and “romantic poem help” in Google. We knew that we didn’t want anything that was too formal or too stuffy. I also knew that we needed to find something that was reflective of both of us (otherwise, we might have ended up with some medieval love poem!). It is sometimes embarrassing to admit how important our dog is in our lives, but we thought that this reading was perfect without being too cheesy.
Love your reading! And the look on your face while walking down the aisle says it all, it’s perfect!
That poem’s beautiful. I love your face when you walked down the aisle, it’s a real picture.
That poem was beautiful. And those are the most comfortable looking guest seats I have ever seen.
My sister used that reading and it was perfect for them, too, with their Great Dane and Boston Terrier.
Are those the flowers that the Wynn provided? If so, the Wynn knows how to do flowers that fit the room. It all fits together while still being very elegant. Even the Reverend’s tie works with the room.
These are the photo’s by the Wynn photographer, correct? You can see a subtle difference, but they are still very graceful and the Mole’s love for each other is still coming through. The photo of the two of you that follows the poem looks like it should/could be used in advertisements for Wynn Weddings. I mean that in a 100% good way. Also, the way your arms are around each other, not just holding hands is very special.
I love the lady in the background clasping her hands. So sweet and so much love!
Thanks everyone!
@theoddbride: Seriously. I was definitely eyeballing them as I stood in my heels.
@carol: Yes, the Wynn has an exclusive in-house florist. They were expensive as a result, but we loved how the room looked! And, yes: Cashman Photography is the Wynn’s official wedding photographer. We didn’t end up buying all of the photos that they took during the ceremony, so any shot labeled “Personal Photo” was taken by my BIL. He’s a pretty good shot, even in the dimly lit room!
@Future Army Wife: I love my friend in that photo! She is so cute.
touching poem…I didnt know it, thx for sharing it. I love your look in the picture (4th) when your walking out with your dad. Beautiful!
Mrs. Mole, Los Angeles/Las Vegas Age and Occupation: 29, Test Prep Instructor Fiance's Age and Occupation: 31, User Experience Architect Engagement Date: April 2011 Wedding Date: January 2012 Venue: Wynn Las Vegas/Bouchon Bistro About Me: I’m a Wisconsinite-turned-Angeleno who is planning a destination wedding in Las Vegas. I am passionate about education: I spent 23 (!) consecutive years in school, and now I work to help other people get into graduate programs. I love running on the treadmill, buying bath products from Lush, learning new moves in step aerobics, and exploring my neighborhood on foot. I am sometimes snobby about food, but I am rarely snobby about books. I read everything from Geoffrey Chaucer to Iris Murdoch to Chuck Klosterman to Candace Bushnell. My fiance and I are getting married on our third anniversary!
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