Beautiful faces...

 Well, the beautiful day would have never been possible without all of the beautiful people who came to share it...  And honestly, I don't have many "people pictures"... I don't even have many ceremony pictures... There were many precious people who had a part in the lives of the couple that came to witness their vows... We left most of the people photography to my sister Renee who was dutifully documenting every detail of the day.  And I'm glad she did.  The day was so special and I'm so glad that someone could be trusted to capture all the details and the people who had a part in it. But the day was bittersweet.  As I looked into the faces of all of the people, I couldn't help but be reminded of what was missing...  But that's the reality of life.  All you can do is embrace the beauty of what you have, though you can't help but weep over what could have been. So, I wanted to devote my attention to Bethany, and leave the photography to someone else.   But I know everyone wants to see the bride and groom, and so I'll post just a couple of pictures for you...  The bride and her dad: 

  Beth Marie with Bethany and Isaac: 

   Holding my Bethany one more time: 

I told you she was the most beautiful bride ever.  :-)

I hope that she and her groom are having a wonderful honeymoon together at this very moment!

And now we're all wondering whose the next wedding will be...

Simply beautiful...

Well, Bethany and Isaac wanted the day to be special, but simple. So, there weren't a lot of decorations, but what they did have was very nice. Besides the beautiful gardens, the only added decoration at the ceremony was the unity candle:  

Isaac and Bethany made the two beeswax taper candles together on one of their first dates at a historic "Rendezvous" event.

 I know there were several people who came along side them and had a part in making the day beautiful...and while I don't know them all, we're all very thankful for those who had a hand in making the day special. The flowers were amazing...there were beautiful arrangements all over the house and patio.  Here are just a few:  

 

It was a cake and tea reception...

And Bethany determined that if it was going to be a cake reception--it was going to be good cake.

And it was amazing cake!

(The cakes were from Daube's bakery in Rochester)

Let's see if I can remember...

There was white cake with raspberry filling,

chocolate hazelnut,

lemon torte with blackberry filling,

and my personal favorite, chocolate carrot cake.

Mmm...

The house with all of its history and antiques was a perfectly fitting atmosphere for a cake and tea reception.

I love old houses...if only all those walls could talk...

If they could, they would now have one more story to tell.

Two are one...

This last Thursday afternoon was a beautiful day...

Which truly was a gift from the Lord considering that the forecast called for a cool, windy day with a 70% chance of rain.

But I think God knew that someone very special was hoping for a beautiful day...

and He granted her wish.

So...

I know there are a few of you who were hoping to see some pictures.

And to be honest, I spent most of my time attending to the bride, and very little with camera in hand.

Thankfully, my hubby was content to keep the camera with him and get a few memories of the day.

~ ♥ ~

Bethany and Isaac chose to exchange their vows in a small ceremony at the Plummer House in Rochester.

The house and grounds are an especially beautiful setting for a wedding.

I was a bit concerned with the late spring we've had that it might be a little disappointing...

But the daffodils in the gardens were in full bloom...

The birds were singing in the trees throughout the ceremony...

And the other local critters came out to take a peek as well...

I couldn't help but think it was special because the cardinals and the chicadees and all of nature seemed to be celebrating the day with us.  Those are the sorts of decorations that money could never buy, and that only God himself can provide...and He did.  Against all odds, He gave a beautiful day to a beautiful couple because He is good...  For a couple who love the outdoors, it couldn't have been a more perfect way for their story to begin...the day when their two lives became one.