Justin & Jess

Justin and Jess got married last weekend, and it was wonderful. I don't have a lot of pictures; we weren't supposed to take any during the ceremony. I do have a few from the rehearsal and the reception, but to be honest, I was having too much fun to take too many pictures. 

Jess' bridesmaids are three friends that she's known since childhood. Justin's three groomsmen are Ryan on Justin's right and two friends that have all known each other since elementary school. We had lovely weather but it was getting quite chilly on Friday evening. (You can probably tell from the long coats and hands in pockets!)

This is John's older sister Phyllis officiating at the rehearsal. She got internet-ordained 10 or so years ago and married Justin's cousin. She's done several other services, including her mother's memorial service, and was nice enough to agree to help Justin & Jess. Technically, they got married with a self-uniting marriage license. Originally issued with Quakers in mind, PA doesn't require people electing that route to be Quakers. All it takes is two witnesses, but Phyllis put together a lovely and personal service for them. 

 

 

Some of the photographer's pictures were funny. This is supposed be Ryan helping Justin with his vest, but Justin has been able to dress himself for almost 30 years. Ryan did make sure he wasn't putting on his purple Power Rangers shorts with his backwards dinosaur t-shirt.

 

Here is the bridal party all gussied up. I can confidently say that most of the males don't routinely dress like this, but they do clean up nicely. 

 

 

They had chosen an electric violin player for music to walk down the woodland path, and I was entranced. I think the instrument is beautiful and so was the music.

Here they are being introduced as Mr. & Mrs. Becker. John and I smiled a bit about that. It took me quite a long time to get used to being called Mrs. Becker, but there's certainly room for another. 

Ryan gave a heartfelt, personal speech that he had worked on for quite a while. It was really moving, but thankfully that was the end of tears and sniffles and the beginning of the dancing. 

 

I don't have any pictures of me in my dress, but it was comfortable and I felt good in it. If/when I get some pictures, I'll share them. It's not often that I get dressed up so I hope it's preserved someplace. However I looked, I got to see someone I love marry someone they love who loves them, and it was the best part of a wonderful and exhausting weekend.