The wedding

It was Saturday, but I want to post these pics anyway.  I have excuses for the delay–Sunday I drove all day, mostly in the rain, to get home; Monday I took the day off to recover; and yesterday I tried to post but WordPress was not cooperating in the uploading of pictures.  Anyway.  Sound and flash were off for all pictures so I was minimally intrusive during the ceremony.

It was lovely.   Based (I assume) on age, and the fact that it’s the second marriage for both, the colors were subdued.  Here’s the altar before the ceremony.

Ir and L entered on their own, one from each side . . .

. . . and then switched for the actual ceremony.  I have no idea why they did this little shuffle, but they did.

The ceremony was longish, but well paced–lots of little bits, no one of them too long.  After some words from the pastor, each of them read a poem to the other, L first.

Then Ir.

The poems were well-chosen, complementary to each other and well-suited to Ir and L’s personalities and lifestyle.

More words from the pastor at this point (if I remember correctly, which I may not).  I looked around a bit at times, trying to figure out who was who and part of whose family; I’ve heard lots of stories but hadn’t actually met most of them.  This little guy (right in the middle, on mom’s shoulder) was a delight–smiles and gurgles all the way and cute as a button.

Finally there were some vows, and then rings.  One for Ir . . .

. . . and one for L.

I missed the kiss.  I tried, but this was as close as I got.

The pastor declared them wife and husband (which I thought was a nice touch), and they walked hand in hand down the aisle, properly wed.

Lunch at the church while the official pictures got taken.  Friends of Ir who I had met years ago but hadn’t seen in years took me in and gave me someone to talk to.  I did get a few moments with Ir, and took the opportunity to grab this shot.

Eventually there was a toast . . .

and the cake, which was nicely laid out on display . . .

. . . got cut.

Here’s a closeup of the figure on the cake.

L is a biker (and ex-social worker, makes for an interesting combination I think), but apparently it was Ir who tracked down the figure.  I thought it was a perfect touch.

This was the “guestbook.”  We each signed a leaf.

Ir had told me back in October that she was pushing for more whimsical and fun and L wanted more dignified and traditional; I think they hit a really good balance between the two of them.

Eventually people headed over to their house.  I didn’t stay there long; I truly didn’t know anyone there except for Ir and L.  However, I took a couple of pics.  The first was mostly for the changes to the house since I was there in October.  The guy is L’s nephew; I learned that because he was interested in my van and we had chatted a bit.  The pictures on the walls are L’s; the brown couch and overstuffed chairs are Ir’s.  They are doing well at blending their households.

This last one was just because the little guy was so cute.  The baby is I’s great-great-nephew (if I have the generations correct; one of her brothers is quite a bit older than she is, making the great-great possible)  and I think the woman is one of L’s daughters.

He had clearly figured out that if he smiled at someone, they would smile back, and was working it for all he was worth.  Adorable.  Fitting way to close.