Our Wedding: Ceremony
14 Jun 2012
Our wedding ceremony was so important to me and to Eric, and we spent months choosing the music and readings, and preparing not just for a wedding but a sacrament. As the hour drew closer, we got more and more excited! We spent the morning taking pictures and scarfing down a quick sandwich before heading upstairs, and these photos of those moments are so precious to me. My Besfrinn put on my veil and blusher for me, and I was ready to go!
This is the face I made when someone said to me, “Cameron, in just a few minutes, you’ll be walking down the aisle!” I couldn’t wait!
I made it up (many!) stairs in my dress, and then we were all waiting in a little room off to the side of the church. I couldn’t really believe it would be happening so soon. My sweet bridesmaids were all smiles.
Eric had been cracking me up all day, which really helped my nerves, but the truly hilarious thing about this is that I didn’t even know he had done it until we saw our wedding pictures! The sign says “Please no children without adults,” but he modified it slightly. I love his wonderful smile here.
I had one more moment with him, and then it was time for him to head down the aisle. I love this picture so much.
Finally, it was just me and my dad left in the room, and I lost it. I hadn’t cried all day, but when I heard the processional, I just fell apart. I had chosen Pachelbel’s Canon in D because it was really special for me and my dad. When I was little, my dad used to teach me all kinds of things. Sometimes it was algebra and sometimes it was classical music. He had a lot of records from when he was in college, and he would play them for me and tell me about them. When he played Pachelbel’s Canon in D for me when I was about 10, I loved it so much that I suggested we lie on the floor and close our eyes and just listen and feel the music. Dad and I spent a Saturday at the music store listening to all the different recordings, trying to find the right one on cd. I so clearly remember lying on the purple rug in my bedroom, summer breeze coming through the windows, Pachelbel’s violins soaring inside me. I couldn’t have chosen anything else for such a joyful day, and for the incredible man who held my hand as I learned to walk and was now going to walk me down the aisle. I cried because I was overwhelmed with happiness, I cried because I didn’t know what on earth I had done to deserve such blessings, I cried because I didn’t know how else to express my gratitude.
I cried all the way down the aisle, with a tissue hidden in my bouquet. I was so, so happy to see Eric waiting for me, and so, so happy to be sharing that moment with my sweet dad.
And I was so happy to be in the cathedral, where my grandparents were married over 50 years ago, and my parents more than 30 years ago. And even more happy to see all these people we love and who love us, who had come to celebrate with us.
We were so lucky that not only did we know the priest who married us, but he was a dear friend to us. He knew Eric before we met, and he knew us as a couple from our first dates. He was one of the first people we called when we got engaged, and we just couldn’t imagine not having him preside over our wedding. We were touched and honored that he made the trip to marry us, and he made our ceremony so beautiful and so personal. During his homily, he took us up to a spot on the altar which, before the recent renovations, had been the beginning of the aisle. As we stood there, he explained that we were standing in the spot where my grandparents stood and where my parents stood when they gave their lives to each other. It was so moving, and I’m so grateful to him for it, especially since my grandparents have passed away and could not be there. This made me feel like they were, even if we couldn’t see them.
When it came time for rings and vows, I surprised myself by not crying at all. I was too happy for tears, somehow, and all I could do was smile until my face hurt. I loved saying those words, and I loved hearing Eric say them to me.
And, of course, there was laughter. I am pretty sure Fr. Charlie must have cracked us up, and I love him for it.
I love the pictures of us kneeling during the Eucharistic prayer. They represent to me that we are part of something that is so much bigger than us.
After the Eucharist and a nuptial blessing, we were ready to walk back down the aisle, this time as husband and wife! I don’t know if I have ever smiled so much in my life, and that is saying a lot! We were so, so blissfully happy.
This time down the aisle, we could see all the wonderful people who came from near and (very!) far to share in our joy. It was so special.
After we all processed out, there was lots of hugging in the little room where we were hidden away. So many wonderful people, so much joy.
We had to wait a little while for everyone to exit the church before we could head out to the reception, but this was like a little pre-reception, and it was so sweet. It’s hard for me to believe it has been almost a whole year since this day, and yet I am happy to say that we are both still smiling, still overjoyed to be married.

Jun 14, 2012 @ 07:02:51
I cried when I read this post. What a happy beginning to a joyous life together!
Jun 14, 2012 @ 07:53:51
I definitely cried when I wrote it! So many happy memories!
Jun 14, 2012 @ 09:11:41
Oh wow. You just gave me tears in my eyes. I didn’t even have at my wedding but then again It’s very rare I cry. I hope you didn’t have the same as me. A wedding full of Irish relatives I’d either met once or who I’d never met but heard wonderful things about.
Jun 14, 2012 @ 09:29:28
Thinking about songs for going down the aisle this was the one we chose. By our favourite singer/song writer Shane McGowan called you’re the one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHPMmRHauNE&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Jun 14, 2012 @ 21:01:20
Oh, WOW, now I have tears in my eyes! I wish I could have been there. That is a gorgeous song. And I loved that movie too! We should watch it together sometime!
Jun 15, 2012 @ 09:17:10
I’ve never seen it. But we both love the song.
Jun 15, 2012 @ 09:20:01
You’re so lucky with your daddy. Mine jokingly did a little dance saying “yay I got rid off you”
Jun 16, 2012 @ 09:53:20
Hahaha, that’s hilarious! But you know your daddy loves you very much 🙂
Jun 16, 2012 @ 09:52:59
You might like it then!
Jun 14, 2012 @ 20:58:21
Aww! I think your wedding was perfect also 🙂 What better opportunity to meet all those wonderful relatives?
Jun 14, 2012 @ 09:40:36
Given my travel experiences, I’m only just seeing these posts, but I really like how you’re reliving the wedding in the week leading up to your first anniversary! 🙂
It’s crazy to think that, at this point last last summer, I was driving to Memphis…Where the time goes, my friend, I’ll never understand.
Happy almost anniversary to you and Eric!
Jun 14, 2012 @ 21:04:19
I am so excited about your travel adventures! And thank you so much for driving all the way to memphis (especially in that crazy weather!) and bringing cookies too! It wouldn’t have been the same without you! Speaking of time flying, as you are in Greece now, I am thinking about that picture of Greece you received by email…two years ago?! Happy anniversary to you too!
Jun 14, 2012 @ 10:27:09
Aaaaand now I’m crying. 🙂 You were the most beautiful bride. That “Children please” photo is possibly the best thing I’ve ever seen. I crack up every time I see it!
Jun 14, 2012 @ 21:13:21
Thank you so much! He is pretty hilarious, I have to say!
Jun 14, 2012 @ 11:33:16
Wow! I feel like I just went to your wedding, and it’s one of the most beautiful ones I’ve ever attended! Magical photos, crystal clear descriptions, and most of all: your and Eric’s radiant, sincere, glowing happiness and gratitude. Here is one of the best blog posts ever — practically a wedding invitation to your readers! (And I am teary eyed, too, with the Canon in D in my head!) Thank you for sharing.
Jun 14, 2012 @ 21:15:02
Oh Moriah, thank you so much! I am so happy to be able to share it–it truly was a wonderful day! One year later I am still kind of pinching myself, but more grateful than ever to be starting every day with my best friend by my side;)
Jun 14, 2012 @ 14:26:40
“They represent to me that we are part of something that is so much bigger than us.”
“I cried because I was overwhelmed with happiness, I cried because I didn’t know what on earth I had done to deserve such blessings, I cried because I didn’t know how else to express my gratitude.”
Cameron, I must agree with Dad, you so get it. Today, I cry with gratitude for the blessing to have you in our lives. How rich, how full you make our lives. . . .Thank you, beloved of our hearts.
Jun 14, 2012 @ 21:23:49
Thank you so much, for sharing your life and your heart with me! I don’t think it would be possible for anyone to feel more welcomed into a new family. The amount of love you have shown me overwhelms and humbles me. Thank you so much!
Jun 14, 2012 @ 21:06:39
I too lost it a year ago in that little room and again tonight reading your post and writing this reply. With all the preparations for the wedding, I had completely forgotten you had picked that piece so when it started playing, the tears of joy and the memories of us sharing that special music together flowed in harmony with the beautiful violin music just like when you were little. I know the coordinator had to come get us to make our entry and I’ll never forget thinking as I walked you down the aisle that this is the greatest gift and the greatest honor a daddy can ever have with his precious little girl.
Jun 14, 2012 @ 21:27:18
I think I had forgotten too! It was overwhelming to remember all of that and then to be in the moment we were in. I remember how you comforted me when I was crying, just like you used to when I was little. You are the best daddy in the world!
Jun 15, 2012 @ 06:43:39
What a wonderful treat this has been to relive all these beautiful memories each day this week. Will you do this again next week? And I must agree with Eric’s parents; you DO so get it, and so does Eric!
Jun 16, 2012 @ 09:48:46
Thank you, lovey! I think there will be one more post on Monday (our actual anniversary), and after that, back to business as usual! I still have tons and tons of gorgeous photos from Amy that I haven’t used yet, though, so maybe I will do a recap next year too!
Apr 24, 2013 @ 20:04:27
I just found this through the little “You might also like:” box, and oh my gosh. You looked so beautiful! And your wedding! So gorgeous. Really. I’m glad I clicked on this.
Apr 29, 2013 @ 11:22:41
Thank you so much, Ashley! You are so sweet! It was just the greatest day, and I am so glad we have so many pictures!
Canon in D | Krug the Thinker
Jul 26, 2013 @ 20:27:47
[…] Central Park, they heard this cellist playing Canon in D. This is the music that played when my dad walked me down the aisle, and I love that he thought of me when he heard it. It’s our song. I’m so grateful I […]