Your Wedding Day 1.1
Welcome to "Daily Grace." This is an opportunity to reflect on your wedding day and the vows you shared with one another that forever changed your life.
As you begin the blog, take some time to pray and remember your wedding day. If it helps, sit down with your spouse and look through your wedding album or watch your wedding video together. Talk to each other about the day. Let yourself remember all the details and the feelings that arose in you.
After you have taken time to recall your wedding day, each of you is invited, individually to write down your reflections on your wedding day. For example, think about who was there? What happened? How did it impact you? What stood out for you? Don't take time to make judgments or interpretations about the day (such as "I should have done...", "If only...", "He ought to have...", "I did that because..."). Simply recount the day in your own words and include your feelings.
Make sure to include your thoughts and feelings as you were sharing your wedding promises and vows with one another. What were you thinking and feeling as you looked into your spouse's eyes and freely promised to love him/her forever? Be as honest as possible.
Read your narration out loud to yourself. Take account of feelings that arise as you read about certain aspects of your wedding day.
After you and your spouse have completed this entry, share your stories with each other. Even though you were both there, don't be surprised if you both have different recollections and highlights. As you finish sharing with each other, take some time to pray with one another and thank God for bringing the two of you together.
We Belong to Each Other
3 years ago
It was only five years ago, and sometimes feels like a lifetime ago, and other times it feels like just yesterday. I remember feeling like the luckiest woman in the Church to be marrying Tommy. I remember looking at all of our guests and hoping that we had made my family proud of us.
ReplyDeleteI recall my voice cracking and holding back tears (of joy) as I recited my vows. We were holding hands as we said our vows and I remember Tommy rubbing and squeezing my hand to help me get through it.
That simple gesture of him rubbing my hand reminds me why I fell in love with him and how he has supported me in that same gentle way throughout our marriage.
Christi, thanks for being the first person to comment. It is wonderful to hear of people's wedding days.
ReplyDeleteI was married in NY (outside of Buffalo) and remember the surreal feeling as I walked out from behind the altar to the main altar. My friend asked me if I was OK. Everything felt like it was surreal (that's the only word I can use to describe the feeling).
I felt this way until I got to the main altar and looked down the ailse and saw Katie come around the corner. The surrealness passed and a huge smile came across my face...I was so glad to be marrying this beautiful woman. Her Dad talked to her a long time before passing her hands to mine (and I wondered what he was saying!) but eventually we proceeded hand and hand to the altar. The Mass was beautiful, the homily tailored to our relationship, the music (of Katie's selection and sung by friends) was beautiful...the Mass and Wedding really felt like it was ours and it was.
As we shared our vows, I remember the seriousness of the moment, but moreso remember looking into Katie's eyes knowing she meant every word she was saying and I prayed I would be able to live up to them. Our vows were a powerful moment that contiues to impact us to this day...
Our wedding day, I was very nervous and so very excited. Not nervous because of marriage just being the star in the big day, stage fright I guess.
ReplyDeleteI remember of how I just melted to see my beautiful wife (Christi) to be strolling down the aisle to me and I almost dropped a few tears.
In that moment saying our vows was an awesome feeling because it felt as if we were one and in an empty room as I looked at Christi. Also thinking "wow, this is finally happening!!" All that planning (Christi did a little part, hahaha) and now its happening.
I still feel as if we are newlyweds and sometimes wish I could experience it again (with Christi, of course).
I put our wedding day as the same feeling as when we had our children. Just an amazing feeling.
Also, I remember Christi and I saying to each other "we are married!!!". Over and over like we couldn't believe it.
October 2nd, 2004- I really experienced what life was about.
Tommy, that is powerful...and I bet many of us can relate in different ways. It is funny how after getting married, we keep repeating it over and over as if we can't believe it finally happened.
ReplyDeleteOur wedding was almost 5 years ago, and the main thing I remember is the giddy joy I felt that day. I had a blast all morning getting ready with my bridesmaids, and I remember waiting in a room with them for our priest to come tell us it was time to go, watching with amusement some last minute guests bolt across the parking lot to get into the church in time. When I walked down the aisle with my dad, I was so happy to see all our family and friends gathered in the pews, especially the people who had come in from out of town, that I couldn't help but smile and wave to them (with my bouquet in hand, of course, which made for really funny looking pictures). Mark was happy to see that I was so happy (and rather silly) coming down the aisle, and I remember feeling so at peace when I made it to the front with him, and throughout the rest of the mass.
ReplyDeleteOur mass was really rocking because we had the youth group band and we couldn't resist tapping our feet and bobbing our heads to some of the songs. It took 1 1/2 hours but even our non-catholic friends said that it went by so fast. Our priest knows us both well and in his homily moved us from near tears to shaking with laughter, which also made for really funny pictures of us responding to what he said.
When it came time for our vows, I just remember being so happy looking into Mark's eyes, and kind of had that feeling like whoa - this is really happening. It felt so natural. I was sure and calm and really almost literally bubbling over with happiness. I don't think I had a lot of thoughts in my head - I was just filled with love for Mark and was really in the moment, saying the vows from my heart. But I do remember thinking a couple of practical things like speak loud and uh-oh the ring isn't going over Mark's knuckle - phew - there it goes! We had put a lot of thought into the readings and music that we chose for our wedding, and it was awesome to start our marriage in such a prayerful joyful way. I do sometimes wish we could relive our wedding day because it was so wonderful, but God has given us joyful moments in new ways, such as the birth of our daughter.
What I remember is primarily snapshots and tiny little moments, most of which were pretty insignificant, with big gaps in between. I recall talking with a random acquaintance who I barely knew and who only came as someone’s +1, but I don’t remember talking to so many of the people there who I have known and cared about for years. I can’t remember a single conversation with any of the guys in my wedding party, all of whom I’ve known for half my life. Judging from the pictures and from my recollection, I barely even saw my new wife during the reception! Perhaps I was subconsciously maximizing my time with people who wouldn’t be with me every hour for the next 9 days. Yeah, that seems like something I might do.
ReplyDeleteI hardly remember any of the Mass and ceremony even though it was every part of an hour and twenty minutes, but I do vividly remember that first smile as she came down the aisle. I had never seen her so joyful and alive! She was just bouncin’ and smilin’ and wavin’ to people like it was her party and she could do what she wanted to. I only hope I can make her grin like that a few more times before this is all done, but I don’t know. . . that may have been a once in a lifetime smile.
Thanks for your comments Tess and Mark.
ReplyDeleteIt is funny how as a variety of people share we touch on various aspects of the day. The people present, our feelings as we shared our vows, wondering what the future may hold, etc. Our wedding day is all these things and each of these impacts how we live our marriages now...more on that as we proceed.
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ReplyDeleteIt's so great to recall our wedding day (June 17,2006). I can't believe it's been almost 4 years. Every year on our anniversary we like to recall our wedding day and watch the DVD of our Mass. The biggest thing that I remember is the peace I felt in knowing God had made this man (Patrick) for me and had made me for him. I forgot about all the planning and all the many details...it was now about the fulfillment of our vocation!!!
ReplyDeleteWe had to sit apart in the beginning (on opposite sides of the aisle with our bridesmaids/groomsmen). And this was hard! But it was important because it symbolized the real change that took place when we said our vows. After we said our vows, we were now a family. So we then sat together on the altar, holding hands. That was powerful! The other cool part was after we walked down the aisle and exited the main door, Patrick picked me up and twirled me around. Some people captured this moment on camera and I love to look at that photo and remember the joy we both felt!!
Maureen, Apex, NC
Maureen, I have not attended many weddings where the bride and groom have to sit apart and later come together...I can certainly seen the symbolism aspect of it, but that would be hard to sit apart on your wedding day.
ReplyDeleteOur wedding day was just absolutely gorgeous weather-wise. It was pure blue sky, high of about 75, no humidity, with a gentle breeze. In the morning when I looked out my childhood bedroom window, I felt the day was full of promise and hope. Everything turned out perfectly and I remember being amazed at all the family and friends who made such an effort to be there, especially those who came from a distance.
ReplyDeleteI remember being nervous before Mass but I also remember thinking that if I could get down the aisle to where Rob was, the rest would go fine--I would be safe there! And that has been the case for the last 3.5 years.
During the vows, I looked into his blue blue eyes and it did feel surreal, like someone else here said, to be speaking and hearing those words. And then we were married and I sort of couldn't process that it had really happened... I was just happy the rest of the day to be by his side and cherish our new bond.
Julie M.
The day of the wedding went by so fast… Before the ceremony I was rushed, I was almost late, and I was stressed, which, I believe, kept me from crying while walking down the aisle. My mindset was not about how great the day was and how happy I was but instead about the anxiety of not getting there on time. The only thing David had asked me for that day was not to be late. I made it inside the church at 11.01am. Once I stepped into the church and was finally by David’s side, I felt better; anxiety slipped away and I was able to finally rejoice about where I was and what was enfolding. The ceremony was probably my favorite part. We got married in the same church as my parents in law, same church my husband got baptized in. It is a small and charming little church in the country. As for the weather: well if rain on a wedding day brings luck, we should be VERY lucky. It rained a lot that day. But it stopped long enough for pictures and the sun even came out for these rare occasions. We got married by a priest who knew us well. The homily was great, funny and meaningful. The reception went by fast and the pictures are a good reminder that we were indeed there. It felt like we hardly had any time to say hi and thanks to our guests. Dances, dinner, speeches, cake cutting…
ReplyDeleteIt was great to have our two families together and my few friends who were able to make it. I loved this day and I’ve loved most of our married days.
I remember feeling very busy on our wedding day, and also excited that the culmination of all that planning was finally here. My family is really important to me. I have a large extended family, but I'm closer to my father's side, since they live here in the States. My mother's family still lives in Korea. My father died when I was in college, and everyone felt his absence on my wedding day. However, I was so grateful that my wedding merited a trip from Korea for two aunts and one uncle. It meant so much to me, and especially to my mom.
ReplyDeleteI don't remember too much about the wedding Mass, but it was at the church of the Catholic grade school where I had attended. I had received all of my sacraments there, and it was meaningful to me to have that connection. We did mention those beloved family members who could not be there - both my father and my husband's grandmother. And for one of the readings, one of my uncles read in Korean. It was just one of the ways we started our life together, by bringing our families and cultures together and starting anew.
When it was time to exchange our wedding vows, I remember being nervous because those words were so important, and I wanted everyone to know how much I meant every word. I was touched at how Casey got a bit choked up, too, not at all like his usual assured self. I thought that getting married was the beginning of my grown-up life, and it was.
The first thing that I think of when reflecting on our wedding day is how beautiful Teresa looked as she walked down the aisle. She absolutely glowed! I could not believe that I was so lucky to be marrying the girl of my dreams (I had a crush on Teresa ever since I was 13 years old)!
ReplyDeleteHer father was very proud to be her escort, and after he kissed her and offered her hand to me, he proceeded to the altar to perform the ceremony as he was a permanent deacon at our church. This made our wedding even more special.
Our wedding was beautiful and we were surrounded by friends and family.
It was unseasonably hot for mid-May, and the reception had one little snag...the air conditioning at the restaurant was not working. The manager jumped into action and dispatched his employees to purchase several large fans. This was a minor inconvenience, and we all had a wonderful time!
It's been almost 12 years since that wonderful day, and my memories are still filled with happiness and love.
We were seated alone in front of the altar, almost apart from everyone else. To me, it seemed to emphasize that this was not just a social occasion, but a serious and religious ceremony.
ReplyDeleteWhen it came time for us to exchange our rings, I ended up putting the wedding band on her wrong hand... she had remembered to switch her engagement ring to the right hand on that day and I just followed it. Oops.
I also remember that the altar servers had failed to show up that morning and the priest had to conduct the whole ceremony with no assistance. He did not seem happy about this.
The rest of the day was a blur of fun and festivities with our family and friends, but it all started off as a blessed and holy event.
I was more than ready to get the show on the road. I have attended close to 35 weddings in my life so I have seen all manner of ceremonies and heard most of the different Wedding readings. The reason is that I was an Altar Boy who volunteered for serving most weddings and funerals because it got me out of class at the parish school. Being in a huge family, I have had the benefit of observing the entire boy meets girl leads to marriage thing so it was so alien to me but rather very natural and expected. Also, I married really late in life so I really didn't have any of the apprehensions that many people go through. Throughout my life I knew that I wanted to be a Catholic married man and so I just needed to wait for that special woman who would be my partner in the family life circus that raising kids can be.
ReplyDelete