wedding re-cap: Saturday

Emma and Colin, outside during family pictures after the ceremony

some more pictures, taken by Karen O.

Now, of course the highlight of Saturday was the wedding - the whole reason all of us were congregating in Indianapolis in the first place. The wedding started at 5:30, so we had an entire day for the excitement to build before the actual event began.

At the Smillie home, things were rather relaxed. We took our time getting up that morning because we knew that the night would be a late one. After a breakfast of the leftover dessert from the rehearsal dinner and a few pots of coffee the guys finished cutting, punching and tying the ceremony programs.

Karen O. and Emma, who had just begun practicing sitting up

(Emma was experimenting with her tongue all week, just sticking the tip of it out)

Once we (the guys, Emma and I - everyone else had gone over earlier) arrived at the church around 3, we were enveloped in a swarm of activity. The girls were heading outside for their photos and the guys started to get ready too. Once the guys were dressed in their suits and getting their pictures taken, the girls milled around in the bride's dressing room, waiting for the 5:30.

Sarah F., Elizabeth, Leah, Sarah and Esther

Emma in her pretty new dress, waiting in Grandma's arms while her mama finished getting ready

Brian R., John, Brian, Evan and David

Caleb, David, Brian R., Brian, Evan, John and Colin

Danny, Joshua and Nathan

The guests arrived and were seated by Caleb and Colin, the pre-lude played by Jorge began, and the ceremony was underway ...

Caleb and Colin, lighting the candelabras

Jorge, playing the piano with Jenna Q., who later sang "How Beautiful"

the parents of the bride and groom, lighting the unity candles

watching Leah and Mr. Stonecypher walk down the aisle

"We are gathered together today to witness ..."

"Who gives this woman to be married to this man?"

"Love is patient, love is kind ..."

the vows

rings

"Brian, you may now kiss the bride."

Mr. and Mrs. Brian Smillie!

We took pictures outside after the ceremony while the guests signed the guestbook and enjoyed hor'douerves ...

Danny and Alison

Alison and Katie

The reception was beautiful. A delicious dinner of various salads and soups was offered, we danced (the practice payed off!), we talked, and we celebrated. It was lovely.

the cupcake table

a friend, Evan, Brian R. and John talking by the head table

Nathan and Danny

We sent the tired and buoyantly happy couple off in Brian's truck to a serenade of little bells (many of which were spontaneously tossed into the back of the truck) around 10, and began to gather things together leave. It was hard to believe that after all the months of preparation the wedding was over, but it was wonderful to see another joyful marriage begin ........ so wonderful.

Once we got home we were so tired. But still too wound up to sleep. So we sat around and talked. Or more like lay around and talked. Jorge played the guitar for a while, and around midnight we finally headed up to bed.

There are several video segments from the middle of the ceremony that I wasn't able to post due to their length. Thank you to the Shipley boys for taking the videos! It was so kind of you to man the camera for us when the tripod didn't work out. :)