Wedding Day Bliss!

We gathered on a beautiful day in May under sunny skies, light breezes and spectacular views of Manhattan from our location in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. On the right, we saw the span of the Williamsburg Bridge, mid-town and the Empire State Building.....

...on the left, we saw the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges and Lower Manhattan in the distance.

Straight ahead was the wedding arbor full of flowers and the chairs waiting for guests.

The wedding was about to begin and the string quartet began to play.

My handsome son escorted me to my seat.

My soon to be son-in-law Joseph's stepmother and uncle entered, representing his parents who are sadly deceased.  We know they were with us in spirit that day!

...followed by my soon to be son-in-law and the minister.

Then my son, the bridesmaids, matrons, and groomsmen processed in, one by one as the music played. Except for my son and one friend of the groom, all the groomsmen were all brothers of my son-in-law.

We then waited for this special moment...

...when my proud and happy husband and my sweet daughter began their walk down the aisle....

...towards her waiting groom.

They listened to the beautiful and sacred words of Corinthians 13:4-8:

"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.  If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.  Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.  And now these three remain faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love."

They also read their own vows that were written from their heart.

My eyes teared with joy as they proclaimed their love and devotion.

They exchanged wedding rings...

...again expressing their love for each other.

And they were pronounced before God and family and friends as husband and wife!

My husband embraced his new son...

...and Lisa and Joseph began their walk down the aisle as Mr. & Mrs.!

Of course, I have much more to show, as we had a wonderful celebratory reception afterward that I know you will enjoy seeing.  I will blog more about the wedding soon, as many photos are coming my way that were so graciously taken by family and friends. It has been so wonderful to re-live these happy moments through these photos as we wait for the professional shots.  I was so relieved that those who traveled far for the wedding -- one of whom was a Navy buddy of my son-in-law who traveled all the way from a Navy base in Italy -- all arrived home safely. Honestly, the many months of planning and the build-up of excitement and anticipation for this wedding was so worth it to ultimately give our daughter the wedding of her dreams. Thank you for being a part of the journey and for all your best wishes!  We could not be happier and more excited to see her marry a man who will love, honor and cherish her forever!