Where we left off last, Mr. Bean and I were ready to get hitched. I think I forgot to mention that we got married in our home church of St. James Anglican. It’s not the most beautiful church in my city, but it holds special meaning to both of us (Mr. Bean has been going there with his family for 17 years!) and it’s still pretty nice looking. Another plus of getting married at your home church – you already know the priest!

Our service was taken directly from the Anglican Book of Alternative Services, which mean that there wasn’t too much room for customization. But that’s okay, I think it’s a really beautiful service regardless and all the important elements were included. We ended up not doing any sort of “unity ceremony“, which I kind of regret. But there is nothing I can do about it now.

At the beginning of the service, I was really nervous. But Mr. Bean held my hand throughout it

During the readings and mini-sermon (which I don’t remember a single thing about except that it was good! – whoops) we apparently looked at each other a lot. I guess that’s a reason why I don’t remember much of the sermon – my attention was on my almost husband.

After the sermon, we exchanged vows:And then exchanged rings! (Thankfully no rings were lost in the making of this wedding)

(If you look very carefully, you can see my reverse farmer’s tan from my bike gloves ;P )

Then came my favourite part of the ceremony itself: when Tony, our priest wrapped his stole around our hands and said: “Those whom God has joined together let no one put assunder*.”

After another prayer, it was time to sign the marriage license:

Meanwhile, the congregation/guests shared the peace:

I love this picture, for everyone looks so naturally happy! (It’s quite an amazing feat – both my grandparents (on the right) usually look like deer in headlights in candid pictures or very forced in posed pictures.) Also, my brother is being his silly self and my parents just look so happy. (My dad was kind of sad all morning for he was “losing” his daughter.)

Mr. Bean and I had a private moment together in the room adjacent to the sanctuary, where I jumped around like and idiot:

Then it was time for our formal debut as the new Mr. and Mrs. Bean!

Can you believe that there is no official place in the Anglican service for the Bride and Groom to kiss? But that doesn’t matter, for we did it anyways:

Fun Times! What are your favourite elements of the wedding ceremony?

*This was one of the reasons that I decided against a unity ceremony because what kind of ritual can outdo those words?

As promised in a previous post, I have done some research about other types of unity ceremonies as an alternative for communion.

Option 1: Unity Candle.  

What it is:As most of you know, this is where the bride and groom takes a flame from two candles (representing each of their families) and jointly light the candle in the middle to represent their lives coming together.

Thoughts:Given that I’m a huge spaz and I’m going to be nervous, playing with fire is not the best idea. I think the thought is nice, but I don’t think it’s special enough.

Option 2: Sand Ceremony

 

What it is:The bride and groom pour two different colours of sand into a common vase to symbolize two lives coming together that cannot be separated.

Thoughts:I think it’s definitely the least risky of all unity ceremonies as it’s difficult for contained sand to ruin much of anything. However, my desire for some originality veto’s this – two of my friends have done or are doing this in their wedding.

Option 3: Water Ceremony

What it is: The bride and groom each pour coloured watered into a common vase to create a new colour. (aka. yellow plus blue equals green)

Thoughts:The chemical engineer/mass transfer lover inside of me is squee-ing with delight, but the thought of getting food colouring on my dress is less exciting.

Option 4: Chemical Experiments

What is it: Do some kind of experiment that when the two chemicals mix, they change colour.

Thoughts: Mr. Bean found a few that could work, but unless I’m pouring water or a mild saline solution, it could mean bad things for me and my poor dress!

Option 5: Washing of feet Ceremony

What it is:The bride and groom wash each others feet to to show their servant-heart for each other.

Thoughts:I think it’s really touching and washing of each others feet is an important act for the Christian faith. However, I think it might be really awkward to do with things like pantyhose, socks, etc.

Option 6: Do nothing

We could always just decide to only have the basic ceremony – then, at least, the ceremony would be shorter?

What kind of unity ceremonies did you include, or are you planning to including in your ceremony?”