Wedding part 3 - the service

Warning Theresa and Fiona - you may need tissues for this bit!

Once Emma the photographer had arrived we could begin the service. Ed and Chloe both felt the importance of the promises they were making - forever promises before all their friends and family and before God. The church was full but not overflowing. Paul had counted the chairs so many times! Chloe had chosen Pachelbels Canon to walk down the aisle to and the previous day there had been great hilarity when the bridesmaids had sped their way down the church. There was none of that on Saturday. Chloe had 5 bridesmaids (Ed's 2 sisters Jenny and Lily, her cousin Talia, Josh's wife Debs, and Hilary her friend from uni) and they each slowly walked down the church carrying their beautiful purple, green and white bouquets. I couldn't see Chloe and Paul as they entered the church but as they turned the corner I thought my heart might burst with pride. This was it - the moment we had planned for and I had longed to be at when I was  so very ill. Ed turned with Christophe (his best-man) to look at his beautiful bride. Her face, covered by her veil, was wreathed in smiles. Paul held tightly to her hand and looked like the proudest dad in the world. They made their way slowly to the front of the church where Ed was waiting - looking so smart in his morning suit with his perfect green tie ( which had taken about a month to choose). Julian (our vicar) began the service and the congregation stood to sing the first hymn. The sound of a full church singing  'Be thou my vision' was wonderful. We had, had many discussions about where we would sit in the church - our final decision was perfect we could see Ed and Chloes' faces beautifully. They stood to make their promises, their faces aglow as they both looked fully into each others eyes - meaning every single word they said. Both spoke firmly and confidently - I was so so proud of them. The rain poured down outside and the thunder decided it would join in with the promises! Nothing could dampen the enthusiasm of this couple.The tears gently rolled down my cheeks and I am sure Clare (Ed's Mum) was also wiping away a tear or two-  as our children promised to be there for each other in sickness and in health. For us that is a big promise - knowing how marriage for Paul and I has turned out. There was lots of clapping and cheering as Julian announced that they were now husband and wife. We then moved onto sing - My Jesus, My saviour - a hymn we had had at both my parents funerals. It was so lovely to feel them part of the service - how proud they would have been of their first granddaughter. Kit read 1 John 4 - so confidently from the pulpit, even managing to look at the congregation as she read ( always a scary thing to do in case you lose your place). Then Jenny read the poem - I carry your heart by E.E.Cummings her voice just breaking occasionally with emotion. This made it even more beautiful. 

i carry your heart with me(i carry it in

my heart)i am never without it(anywhere

i go you go,my dear;and whatever is done

by only me is your doing,my darling)

                                                      i fear

no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want

no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)

and it’s you are whatever a moon has always meant

and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows

(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud

and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows

higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)

and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)

 

 

Singing again - Be still for the presence of the Lord - it did feel like He was in this place blessing this marriage. Ed's dads, partners children - Tiffany, Millie, and Georgie  read the next reading 1 Corinthians 13-  bravely going up into the pulpit and speaking confidently.  Julian then spoke - giving Chloe and Ed wise advice about marriage. Then the signing of the register - all the  bridesmaids and ushers and mums and dads came up for this. During the register signing Josh and Ben sang John Legends - All of me. It was their gift to Chloe and Ed and was so so beautiful. Their voices compliment each other perfectly as maybe only brothers can.  The words are so lovely

'Cause all of me
Loves all of you
Love your curves and all your edges
All your perfect imperfections
Give your all to me
I'll give my all to you
You're my end and my beginning
Even when I lose I'm winning
'Cause I give you all of me
And you give me all of you. 

And then we were leaving the church - to Vivaldi's Spring and the sound of the bells. Such joyful music. Unfortunately the rain hadn't stopped so the plans for photographs were put on hold and we made a quick dash to the marquee in a mass of umbrellas!    

To be continued.................