meet me under the big oak tree

There is something symbolic and beautiful about getting married under a huge tree.  And it makes for some gorgeous wedding photos!

Cooper Carras via Once Wed

Lisa Lefkowitz

Millie Holloman

Ian Grant

Jonas Peterson via 100 Layer Cake

Jonathon Campbell

Jose Villa

via Green Wedding Shoes

Clayton Austin via Weddings by Color

Wedding Ceremony - Butterfly Garden Biltmore Estate

Our ceremony location, the Butterfly Garden at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville.    A beautiful late afternoon in October.    We were so incredibly lucky with the weather that weekend.   In my pre-wedding weather stalking, there were constant reports of snow, rain and ice storms, none of which transpired!    We did prepare by stocking up on last minute blankets for our guests which we didn't need either, but better to be prepared than not!

I asked my dad and my brother to walk me down the aisle.    Partially due to the stairs and the four inch heels, but mostly because I wouldn't have wanted it any other way.    

Finally!

Photography by Visio Photography

Pro Pictures: Ceremony

Wedding Ceremony

Well, our wedding is finally complete (except for the part where we're writing the vows ourselves).  I love it and I think it fits us perfectly.  I wrote parts, then I stole parts from other ceremonies, and then my officiant wrote parts.


Ashley and Jason want to extend their gratitude to all of you that have gathered here for this joyous event.  With unfaltering determination, this day has been planned to the infinite detail.  You, as witnesses, have the honor and pleasure of experiencing the fruits of their labor.

Bryan C**** will now lead you in prayer.  Please bow your heads.

  Jason and Ashley, you both need to enjoy today.  Wrap yourselves in the love this day brings, and accept all that this day has to offer.  Take a deep breath, your journey begins now.

Your marriage can be all that you have dreamed.  Honor and respect should be the cornerstones to the foundation of love and trust. Don’t let the time come when you think to yourself…”Have I told you lately…..”?

Jason, do you affirm your desire and intention to enter into this marriage?

I do.

Ashley, do you affirm your desire and intention to enter into this marriage?

I do.

Please turn to each other and take a good look at the person who looks back at you.  True love cannot be found where it does not exist, nor can it be hidden where it truly lies.  With all the work that you have put into this relationship, it will now require extra dedication and a new resolve.

 

Jason: I love....

I love...

I love...

I promise...

I promise...

I promise...

Ashley: I love...

I love...

I love...

I promise...

I promise...

I promise...

Jason, please repeat after me

I, Jason

Take you, Ashley,

To be my wife.

To have and to hold

From this day forward

For better, for worse

For richer, for poorer

In sickness and in health

To love and to cherish

As long as we both shall live.

Ashley, please repeat after me

I, Ashley

Take you, Jason,

To be my husband.

To have and to hold

From this day forward

For better, for worse

For richer, for poorer

In sickness and in health

To love and to cherish

As long as we both shall live.

Sebastian S**** will now be reading

The wedding ring is the outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual bond which unites two loyal hearts in endless love.  Being true to your hearts, you are committing yourselves to one another.

Jason, place the ring on Ashley's finger and repeat after me

It is my honor

That you wear this ring

I commit to you

My heart and soul.

Please wear this ring

As a symbol

Of the vows we have spoken today.

Ashley, place the ring on Jason's finger and repeat after me

It is my honor

That you wear this ring

I commit to you

My heart and soul.

Please wear this ring

As a symbol

Of the vows we have spoken today.

Jason, please take Ashley’s engagement ring.  This ring was given as a symbol of promise and intention.  Now that the intention is realized and the promise fulfilled, this ring goes over her wedding band to symbolize that the love that brought you together will always protect and sustain your marriage.

Sand Ceremony

Jason and Ashley, as these two containers of sand are poured into the third container, the individual containers of sand will no longer exist, but will be joined together, as one. Just as these grains of sand can never be separated and poured again into the individual containers, so will your marriage be, united as one for all of your days.

Remember that deep breath you took at the beginning of the ceremony?  When you are faced with a task in the days ahead, take a breath.  When there is tension in the air, take a breath.  And late at night when you can’t quite believe that your “spouse” is beside you…take a moment to catch your breath.

Inasmuch as Jason and Ashley have this day consented together, in holy wedlock, and have given a pledged their love to one another in front of these witnesses, by virtue of the authority vested in me under the laws of the state of Florida, I now pronounce you husband and wife.

Jason, you may kiss your bride.

It is my distinct honor and privilege to present for the very first time

Mr. and Mrs. Jason and Ashley C****

Aisle Decorations

I was originally going to line our aisle with shepards hooks holding lanterns.  Well, I decided I wanted rose petals to do our aisle instead. 

Here's our ceremony site.

I was originally just going to line the aisle with petals, until my coordinator sent me this picture.  I'm in love!

My coordinators are going to decorate the aisle like this shortly before the guests show up.  I can't wait to see how it turns out! 

Ceremony Music List

I am control freak very detail oriented, so I have to be in charge of the music the DJ is playing.  I'm not going to completely control what he plays, but I am going to give suggestions and decide on the important songs.

So, here's what I've come up with for the ceremony so far.  I'm still not 100% sure that I want our recessional song to be a modern song or whether I want to keep it traditional.  That's the area that I'm wavering on a little.

Prelude
"A Whole New World" -- Aladdin
"Can You Feel the Love Tonight" -- Lion King
"Seasons of Love" -- Rent

Bridal party entrance
"Jesu, Joy of Man's Desire"

Bride's entrance
"Canon in D"

Recessional
"Accidentally in Love" -- Counting Crows

What is the recessional for your wedding?

Vows

I haven't talked much about the ceremony here.  The reason for that...well, I can't for the life of me figure out what I want.  It's the most important part of the day and it's the one thing I've having a heck of a time with.

J wants traditional vows.

I would like traditional vows, but I want to incorporate something more modern as well.

I found these vows from Oct/Nov 2009 issue of Modern Bride and I'm in love.  The bride and groom each wrote their own vows, but I'm just going to type of the bride's because it's shorter.  If you would like to see both sets, check out page 176 of this issue.  The last line is the same in both sets of the vows.

Matt, I love you because you care for me like no one else in the world.  You make me feel loved, safe, and beautiful.  
I love you because you always take the burnt piece of French toast and let me have the one that's cooked perfectly.
I love your deep belief in me as a person and as a partner.
I promise to keep both of us in view, to remain flexible as we build the rest of our lives around one another's needs and happiness.
I promise to be here, to be the one to help you stay grounded, to be the one you come home to, in the biggest sense of that word.
I promise to always encourage you to be your fullest self, and I will gratefully accept the same in return.
I promise to continue our efforts to build a relationship founded on deep respect for partnership.
I promise to always believe in you, and in this marriage.

I really love this idea and would love to figure out a way to incorporate it into our ceremony along with the traditional "...In sickness and in health, till death do us part..."  I'm thinking if I can't find a way to incorporate it, then we can each write these into our cards to each other.  Any ideas?