As soon as the last notes of a wedding hymn faded we rose and walked to the little room where I quickly got my shawl and bonnet and then we started walking home. We tried to hurry in order to get there before the guests started arriving.
Several vans passed us before we got home but we were safely inside the house by the time the buggies started arriving. Daddy had set up numerous makeshift hitching places for people to tie their horses and they started filling up fast.
Our big diningroom table was piling up equally as fast with gifts. LV and I started opening them until Daddy came to tell us that it was time to go eat. Walking down through the basement and then out through the snow we entered the showroom where tables were set with the prettiest china we could find. We sat on the chairs we had placed for us and watched as Daddy started directing guests to their seats. The bishop and ministers were seated first. Usually they sat directly opposite of the bridal party but I couldn't bear the thought of having them directly in front of us and so we had made sure that there were no plates or benches across the table from us.
Daddy wheeled Grandpa in on his wheelchair and let him sit next to the bishop and closest to us. I was happy that Grandpa got to sit there. Somehow it made it seem extra special.
Once everyone was seated the bishop announced that it was time for prayer. The happy noise of talking and laughter ceased as everyone bowed their heads. Raising his head it seemed to have a domino effect as people raised there heads and started talking again.
Table waiters started bringing bowls of steaming food to be passed around the table. We had our own special server to take care of us and two special cooks who had prepared our favorite foods. But I wasn't hungry at all. Once everyone was done eating the table waiters quickly cleared the tables while the guests remained seated and Daddy and several of the uncles passed out songbooks.
For the next several hours we had to sit there and listen to them sing. How I wished I could we could get up and go back to the house but there were enough uncles and visitors from different communities who each wanted to sing their favorite church wedding songs the way they did in their community. They were sitting in a place that blocked our discreet escape and we had no choice but staying seated. Church songs were fine in church but pure agony anywhere else.
Trying to tune them out we sat and visited with our attendants and hostlers until finally after several hours we had an opening and were able to leave the table leaving the men to continue their singing for as long as the wanted to.
To be continued
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
Our Wedding ~ Part Three
Getting up from the bench where we were sitting, we walked up to stand in front of the bishop. This was the moment we had been waiting for, for so long. The packed church house seemed to disappear and it was as if only LV and I were there ready to be married.
He asked LV if he believed that it was God's plan to have me for his wife. LV answered "Yes." Turning to me he asked "And do you believe that it is God's plan for you to have LV as a husband. I didn't doubt it for an instant and was happy to answer yes.
Turning to LV he asked. "Can you promise to take care of your wife in sickness and in health, in good days and in bad, in a way that a Christian husband should. After LV answered, "Yes." He again turned to me and asked the same question.
He then asked both of us if we promise to love and cherish each other until our loving God parts us in death. We both answered yes.
Asking the rest of the church to stand he read a short wedding prayer. As everyone was sitting down he reached for both of our right hands. Clasping them together he covered them with his own hands and said. "May the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob bless you richly, today and for the rest of your life. I now pronounce you man and wife."
We turned to go back to our seats while the bishop read a short scripture about what was expected from a husband and wife. He then sat down and asked for the rest of the ministers to add any thoughts they had. I couldn't fully concentrate on what they were saying being filled with nearly overwhelming happiness. While they were giving words of encouragement and advice, Daddy and a few other men got up and went out to hitch up the horses. It was time for the cooks and table waiters to go get everything ready for the reception.
To be continued
He asked LV if he believed that it was God's plan to have me for his wife. LV answered "Yes." Turning to me he asked "And do you believe that it is God's plan for you to have LV as a husband. I didn't doubt it for an instant and was happy to answer yes.
Turning to LV he asked. "Can you promise to take care of your wife in sickness and in health, in good days and in bad, in a way that a Christian husband should. After LV answered, "Yes." He again turned to me and asked the same question.
He then asked both of us if we promise to love and cherish each other until our loving God parts us in death. We both answered yes.
Asking the rest of the church to stand he read a short wedding prayer. As everyone was sitting down he reached for both of our right hands. Clasping them together he covered them with his own hands and said. "May the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob bless you richly, today and for the rest of your life. I now pronounce you man and wife."
We turned to go back to our seats while the bishop read a short scripture about what was expected from a husband and wife. He then sat down and asked for the rest of the ministers to add any thoughts they had. I couldn't fully concentrate on what they were saying being filled with nearly overwhelming happiness. While they were giving words of encouragement and advice, Daddy and a few other men got up and went out to hitch up the horses. It was time for the cooks and table waiters to go get everything ready for the reception.
To be continued
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Our Wedding ~ Part Two
The door to the little room opened and the bishop followed by the rest of the ministers came in. They shook our hands solemnly and then sat on a bench in front of the window. The bishop started by asked if anything had changed since one of the ministers had come to talk to us before they had announced our engagement.
We both told them that no, we hadn't done anything. I'm not sure what I was expecting them to talk about, maybe some good godly advice on how to start a home or something. But instead, what I heard made me feel like getting up and walking out I was more than a little bit indignant and embarrassed by all the things they were saying. Trying not to gag we managed to suffer through almost an hour of listening to them.
We both sighed with relief when they dismissed us and we could go to the adjoining room where our attendants were waiting. We were still too traumatized to feel like talking to anyone so we simply sat there and waited until we heard the third song being announced. We all got ready to enter the church house once they started singing the third line. John and LV's cousin Rhoda would go first, LV and I followed them and then LV's cousin Timothy and his girlfriend.
As the third line started John opened the door and we walked in and sat on the bench that had been reserved for us in front of the ministers .
LV's Dad got up to preach the first sermon, He didn't really preach, basically he only told Bible stories starting with the garden of Eden and then how Abraham sent his servant to find a wife for Isaac. Once he was done every one knelt for a short silent prayer. LV's uncle read a short scripture and then it was the bishop's (my uncle John Henry) turn to preach. I had always loved listening to his sermons and today was no different as he preached about Jacob and how he worked for fourteen years for his wives, Boaz and Ruth, and several other examples of marriages.
In the middle of his sermon someone drove up to the church house with Grandpa Mast. They wheeled him in on his wheel chair and parked it next to the bench where we were sitting. I was so happy to see that he was able to be there.
At twelve o'clock John Henry said if we would still like to get married we can rise and come stand before him.
To be continued
We both told them that no, we hadn't done anything. I'm not sure what I was expecting them to talk about, maybe some good godly advice on how to start a home or something. But instead, what I heard made me feel like getting up and walking out I was more than a little bit indignant and embarrassed by all the things they were saying. Trying not to gag we managed to suffer through almost an hour of listening to them.
We both sighed with relief when they dismissed us and we could go to the adjoining room where our attendants were waiting. We were still too traumatized to feel like talking to anyone so we simply sat there and waited until we heard the third song being announced. We all got ready to enter the church house once they started singing the third line. John and LV's cousin Rhoda would go first, LV and I followed them and then LV's cousin Timothy and his girlfriend.
As the third line started John opened the door and we walked in and sat on the bench that had been reserved for us in front of the ministers .
LV's Dad got up to preach the first sermon, He didn't really preach, basically he only told Bible stories starting with the garden of Eden and then how Abraham sent his servant to find a wife for Isaac. Once he was done every one knelt for a short silent prayer. LV's uncle read a short scripture and then it was the bishop's (my uncle John Henry) turn to preach. I had always loved listening to his sermons and today was no different as he preached about Jacob and how he worked for fourteen years for his wives, Boaz and Ruth, and several other examples of marriages.
In the middle of his sermon someone drove up to the church house with Grandpa Mast. They wheeled him in on his wheel chair and parked it next to the bench where we were sitting. I was so happy to see that he was able to be there.
At twelve o'clock John Henry said if we would still like to get married we can rise and come stand before him.
To be continued
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Our Wedding ~ Part One
We got up early that Thursday morning. There were still last minute things that needed to be done. Everything had to be perfect and the beds all made with their brand new bed spreads. Before long some of Mom's cousins from Oakland MD arrived. They would be taking care of all the food while everyone else was at the wedding.
While Mom told them about everything that needed to be done I went to get dressed. As I pinned my white cape and apron over my blue dress I couldn't help but think that this would be the last time I would be wearing white. I had always enjoyed wearing a white cape and apron to go to church during the months between spring and fall communion.
Once we were ready it was time to go to church. The rest would come later but the bridal party needed to be there at least an hour before anyone else. We had opted to not use the three seated buggy to go to church like they did at most weddings. We would walk instead. There were dirty snow banks beside the road and the roads themselves were still dirty from all the salt and sand that had been sprinkled on them that winter. I hoped the passing traffic wouldn't send showers of dirt over our clothes.
Once we arrived at church we practiced walking to the front bench were we would be sitting and made sure that we could all stand up and sit down at the same time. Now there was nothing left to do but wait until church started.
We closed the doors to the little room we were sitting in so no one would see who was having part at our wedding until it was time to go into the main room. LV and I sat by the window and watched as the guests began to arrive. Buggy after buggy drove in the lane and up to the porch to drop the women and girls off. As they drove past the window they would wave and smile. Vans started coming filled with aunts, uncles, and cousins from other communities. I had never seen so many people at our church before and they were running out of room to park.
A little before nine o'clock the bishop (my uncle) and ministers started walking towards the church house. It seemed different to see Daddy and my little brothers walk right behind the ministers but they wanted to sit on the front bench where they could see well.
As a long line of men followed we noticed that a few men were heading back out to the barn, Before long they returned with backless benches. They had run out of room for everyone to sit. Finally even those benches were filled and there was now standing room only. Once everyone was inside the church house the bishop announced that it was time to start services.
The song leader announced the first song and started singing. Little shivers ran up and down my spine as everyone else joined in to sing. I got up and walked to the adjoining small room and closed the door so the table waiters and our attendants could stay there until it was time to make our entrance.
As they left LV closed the door between the two little rooms and then sitting on chairs we waited for the next line of the song to begin when the ministers would come in to join us and talk to us. I had always wondered what they talked about on the morning of weddings and was now about to find out.
To be continued
While Mom told them about everything that needed to be done I went to get dressed. As I pinned my white cape and apron over my blue dress I couldn't help but think that this would be the last time I would be wearing white. I had always enjoyed wearing a white cape and apron to go to church during the months between spring and fall communion.
Once we were ready it was time to go to church. The rest would come later but the bridal party needed to be there at least an hour before anyone else. We had opted to not use the three seated buggy to go to church like they did at most weddings. We would walk instead. There were dirty snow banks beside the road and the roads themselves were still dirty from all the salt and sand that had been sprinkled on them that winter. I hoped the passing traffic wouldn't send showers of dirt over our clothes.
Once we arrived at church we practiced walking to the front bench were we would be sitting and made sure that we could all stand up and sit down at the same time. Now there was nothing left to do but wait until church started.
We closed the doors to the little room we were sitting in so no one would see who was having part at our wedding until it was time to go into the main room. LV and I sat by the window and watched as the guests began to arrive. Buggy after buggy drove in the lane and up to the porch to drop the women and girls off. As they drove past the window they would wave and smile. Vans started coming filled with aunts, uncles, and cousins from other communities. I had never seen so many people at our church before and they were running out of room to park.
A little before nine o'clock the bishop (my uncle) and ministers started walking towards the church house. It seemed different to see Daddy and my little brothers walk right behind the ministers but they wanted to sit on the front bench where they could see well.
As a long line of men followed we noticed that a few men were heading back out to the barn, Before long they returned with backless benches. They had run out of room for everyone to sit. Finally even those benches were filled and there was now standing room only. Once everyone was inside the church house the bishop announced that it was time to start services.
The song leader announced the first song and started singing. Little shivers ran up and down my spine as everyone else joined in to sing. I got up and walked to the adjoining small room and closed the door so the table waiters and our attendants could stay there until it was time to make our entrance.
As they left LV closed the door between the two little rooms and then sitting on chairs we waited for the next line of the song to begin when the ministers would come in to join us and talk to us. I had always wondered what they talked about on the morning of weddings and was now about to find out.
To be continued
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Final Wedding Preparations
Our large showroom had to be emptied of all the furniture. We stacked everything carefully into our finishing room and locked the doors. Hanging a closed sign outside it was time to set up all the tables for the wedding reception.
Once all the tables were set up we cover them in tablecloths and started setting them with pretty china that we had borrowed from my aunts and uncles. The bridal corner was set with my wedding china and we carefully placed our new chairs behind the table for us to sit on. Everyone else could sit on wooden backless benches but we would have something comfortable.
In the basement we had other tables set up with rows and rows of pie, cake, and pudding waiting to be served the next day. LV and I worked together baking the big wedding cake that would be standing in the corner in front of us. After the cake had cooled we got to frost it. There were no decorations allowed so we simply swirled the frosting to make it look pretty and felt satisfied.
A lot of aunts, uncles, and cousins started arriving from other communities and things started feeling crowded and a little overwhelming. Mom told me to go ahead and enjoy my last day as a single girl that she had enough help to get everything done.
Heading upstairs to my room my cousins and I enjoyed one last gab fest.
When evening came they left, leaving only our family and LV. His mother had sent his specially made new wedding suit over and we decided to have him try it on to make sure it fits.
Slipping into the suit coat we were both horrified at how it fit. The sleeves were much too short and it was big and baggy. Frankly the worst suit coat I had ever seen. There wasn't anything that could be done about the sleeves but I could try to make that it wasn't as baggy. For the next several hours I worked on trying to make that coat fit better. Once I was done it was much better but still far from what we would have liked.
Hanging it into the closet it was time for bed. Morning would be here before we knew it and I didn't want to look tired and frustrated on my wedding day.
Once all the tables were set up we cover them in tablecloths and started setting them with pretty china that we had borrowed from my aunts and uncles. The bridal corner was set with my wedding china and we carefully placed our new chairs behind the table for us to sit on. Everyone else could sit on wooden backless benches but we would have something comfortable.
In the basement we had other tables set up with rows and rows of pie, cake, and pudding waiting to be served the next day. LV and I worked together baking the big wedding cake that would be standing in the corner in front of us. After the cake had cooled we got to frost it. There were no decorations allowed so we simply swirled the frosting to make it look pretty and felt satisfied.
A lot of aunts, uncles, and cousins started arriving from other communities and things started feeling crowded and a little overwhelming. Mom told me to go ahead and enjoy my last day as a single girl that she had enough help to get everything done.
Heading upstairs to my room my cousins and I enjoyed one last gab fest.
When evening came they left, leaving only our family and LV. His mother had sent his specially made new wedding suit over and we decided to have him try it on to make sure it fits.
Slipping into the suit coat we were both horrified at how it fit. The sleeves were much too short and it was big and baggy. Frankly the worst suit coat I had ever seen. There wasn't anything that could be done about the sleeves but I could try to make that it wasn't as baggy. For the next several hours I worked on trying to make that coat fit better. Once I was done it was much better but still far from what we would have liked.
Hanging it into the closet it was time for bed. Morning would be here before we knew it and I didn't want to look tired and frustrated on my wedding day.
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