10-10-10 Wedding

We headed due north to Syracuse on Saturday morning with our good friends Kevin and Carla. We had to stop at the Cracker Barrel for brunch.

I heard someone calling my name in the restaurant and it was my cute friend @WendyCinDC!!! Of course we run into each other in Pennsylvania. She was on her way to cheer her husband on in the Scranton marathon.

I love a good road trip. I had never been to this part of Pennsylvania and New York.

We also had to hit the Starbucks. Nothing like coffee to keep you going on a road trip.

The leaves were in full peak in PA.

We arrived in Syracuse with a very generous basket waiting for us. We were here for our friend Scott and Shakira's wedding on 10-10-10.

I'm the one who orders all of our amenities for my company and it gave me so many fun ideas. They customized this basket for the wedding guests. We needed the tissues for sure!!!

We rested a bit and looked into the things we shouldn't miss in the city.

We met Kevin and Carla in the lobby for a drink and to wait for the family for the pre-wedding dinner. Kevin was one of our groomsmen. We are so lucky they live just a mile from Stone Hill.

Scott was one of our two best men in our wedding. He and E. have known each other since they were very little. They met in the sandbox, lived down the street from each other and have been friends for as long as they have memories. E. was the best man in the wedding this weekend.

Miss Johnson still lives down the street from E's parents. We loved Shakira the first time we met her. She has a wonderful personality and is a great match for Scott, who is seriously one of the funniest guys.

Beezer is their precious child. He'll be two in November. Scott and Shaq are such amazing parents.

He's seriously adorable and such a laid back kid. We want to clone him.

The dinner was so nice. E. knew everyone and I was lucky enough to meet most of the family at the baptism last year.

We all turned in pretty early to be ready for the morning 10-10-10 wedding.

The weather was glorious.

Everyone was invited aboard the Mysterie.

E. got his marching orders and had to hold the rings.

Scott waited patiently for Shakira to arrive.

Before shot. Notice his ring finger.

The ladies fussed over the flowers.

Here comes the bride.

E. was blocking Scott so he couldn't see her.

The flower girl and Beezer! How freaking cute are they?

The kids were perfect for the ceremony.

There was not a dry eye during the vows. At one point Scott wiped Shakira's tears away.

It makes me cry with joy looking at these photos every time. Thank you Christie for the tissues in the gift basket. Holy jeesh. But this love story is so beautiful. They've been through so much and to finally see this day was precious beyond words. (Crying as I type this.)

The Blessing.

Look at the joy in their faces. I mean, seriously, where is that box of tissues?

Boo yah! Bl-ring!

As photos were being taken on the boat we set sail to Oneida Lake un Upstate New York.

The setting was amazing. The air was crisp. The sun was warm.

Ahoy captain!

It was the most intimate wedding I've ever been to. No more than twenty guests. All family and us. We were so honored to be there as witnesses.

After photos and champagne we all went downstairs for lunch. I've been to a fair amount of  weddings. I was a wedding planner, a wedding photographer's assistant and have been in I'm not even sure how many weddings. The most amazing weddings are the small ones. Keep it easy people. Have no more than 30 people at your wedding. There is something magical about a small wedding. It's like God comes and shines His face so close to you, you can feel His presence. Shaq and Scott were a mirror of God's love and it radiated to all of us who witnessed it. 

Eric gave the most touching toast. He honors me with his words often but this was off the charts!

Each place setting had a box of black cake. It's a soaked rum cake with fondant. Off the charts delicious.

The wedding cake was delicious too. It was a yellow cake with strawberries.

Everyone was so relaxed. Scott was so happy.

And the best part was we all got to spend so much time with the couple. They could visit with all of us.

Let us pray.

Eternal God, creator and preserver of all life, author of salvation, and giver of all grace: Look with favor upon the world you have made, and for which your Son gave His life, and especially upon this man and this woman whom you make one flesh in Holy Matrimony. Amen

Grant that their wills may be so knit together in your will, and their spirits in your Spirit, that they may grow in love and peace with you and one another all the days of their life.

Amen

Give them grace, when they hurt each other, to recognized and acknowledge their fault, and to seek each other's forgiveness and yours.

Amen

BCP, page 429