The Wedding

My brothers’ weddings are by far the best weddings I have ever attended.  I don’t know if it was the incredible amount of fun I had at both or the extreme joy I felt for them.  Either way, best weddings ever. 

Though it had been raining pretty much non-stop the week prior, the couple lucked out and had beautiful weather the day of the ceremony.  The wedding was at the Formal Gardens at Miami University in Oxford.  It was a lovely place and I had fond memories of the garden.  (It’s where Ellen and I did “Senior Pictures” when we were at Miami.)  The flowers in the garden delighted my senses with their aroma and beauty.  No florist could have created a more beautiful scene. 

I’ll admit, the groomsmen looked very handsome in their tuxes.  My brothers and pseudo-brothers clean up well.  The ladies looked gorgeous in their dresses and each bridesmaid picked the perfect dress.  The ring bearers were absolutely adorable in their little tuxes and the flower girl was a doll.  Of course Michele looked stunning and her gown was gorgeous.  She could have been on the cover of a bridal magazine. 

The Fountainbleu Strings played enchanting music that added to the elegance of the ceremony.  The wedding party lined up ready to walk down the aisle.  First mothers and grandmothers were escorted by the ushers.  Unfortunately, due to my Mamaw’s Alzheimer’s, she did not attend the wedding as large crowds upset her.   Since our mother was not able to be a part of this day either, our cousin Marion, one of my mother’s closest and dearest friends, stood in for our mother.  She was sat next to two chairs that held roses in memory of our parents as that is where they would have sat if they had lived to see this day. 

There were six sets of bridesmaids and groomsmen.  Alex and I were the last to walk down the aisle before the Matron of honor, Michele’s sister.  I was still a bit off balance from the recent MS Relapse so I used my cane.  Alex was also very good at keeping me steady as I walked down the aisle.  One of my Occupational Therapy sessions was practicing walking in the shoes I wore to the wedding.  We also practiced standing for long periods of time to make sure I would have no problems.  Jeff and Michele said they would place a chair for me up front if I needed to sit.  My pride would not let me do that.  My legs did wobble a bit during the ceremony, but I think that was due to the fact that I barely ate anything all day. 

The only problem I had while walking down the aisle was not physical, but emotional.  I caught a glimpse of the two chairs that held roses instead of my parents.  I had to fight back the tears, but luckily I looked up and saw my brother’s smiling face and the tears stopped. 

It was a very simple but classy ceremony.  Jeff of course was a ham.  When asked if he would take Michele to be his wife he said, “Shoot yeah.”  Classic Jeffrey.  Then when Michele agreed to take him as her husband, Jeff made a loud sigh of relief so that everyone could hear and the of course the guests laughed.  He’s a funny guy.

In their wedding, Jeff and Michele included a “Unity Wine Ceremony,” which I had never seen before.  They  combined wine from two different bottles,  and drank it to symbolize them uniting as one.  They even poured a glass of fruit juice for Logan so he could participate as well.  After all, he was accepting Jeff as his father.  It was a very sweet moment.

After the Wine Unity Jeff and Michele were declared Husband and Wife and Jeff kissed his bride.   The two were taken away in a horse drawn buggy.

The bridal party waited around for the two to return from their carriage ride and so that we could all participate in pictures.  The groomsmen were able to snag some beers, but not bring any for the ladies.  I whined and claimed crippled girl…soon I had a beer.  All is well when you whine.

The wedding party photos went rather quickly.  The whole group was photographed at first and then individual families. There is one ridiculous photo of everyone smiling and looking at the couple, but for some reason I am laughing so hard.  I look like a goon.  I might need a copy of this.   Michele and Jeff took pictures with her parents and siblings along with brother in law and niece and nephew.  Jeff’s side was next and consisted of me, Julie, Joe, and Marion.  I really want a copy of this photo.   I was sad that Megan wasn’t in that photo because she’s important to our family.  There is a silly pic of the “Wells Sisters” at the reception though.  The picture of my brothers in their tuxes would be great too.  My favorite picture of the couple is Jeff hugging Michele from behind and her eyes are closed.  It’s really pretty.  I can’t show you all these yet as I don’t have the rights to do…gotta buy them.  You’ll just have to trust me that they are awesome. 

After we were done, we headed into the Marcum Center for the Reception.