Katherine & Josh ~ 30th April 2016
Tears, laughter, applause, jumping and squealing, and a 'late arrival'... Katherine and Josh's ceremony had it all!
Katherine and Josh are genuinely just a lovely, happy, full of life couple, and it was such a great privilege to share their wedding day with them, and I have to say it was one of my favourite ceremonies to date!!!
Their wedding was held at beautiful Howard Vineyard, Nairne, and the weather was great with sun shining, and despite it being a bit windy it did not effect any of the plans for the day!
Josh was a very nervous groom standing, pacing, fidgeting, waiting for Katherine but was very well supported by him seven best mates and groomsmen, and his family. Of course, in true groomsmen fashion, there were the 'words of advice' such as "I wonder if she is coming" and "it's not too late to run", but it was also refreshing to hear words like "just wait until you see her. It's going to be amazing", and "cherish these moments, you will remember them your whole life".
Katherine and Josh opted for an unplugged ceremony allowing their guests to be present with them in the moment and enjoy the ceremony (learn more about the benefits of an unplugged ceremony here), and they all seemed happy and excited to be there for this beautiful couple.
Stringspace played Pachelbel's Canon in D as Katherine, her flowergirl and five bridesmaids walked down the aisle before Katherine shared one of the most special moments with her father.
It was at the rehearsal I learnt that Jim would be standing from his wheelchair and attempting to walk Katherine from the end of the aisle to meet Josh. There was some uncertainty as to whether he would be able to do this, and the bridal party and close family members watched on in silence at the rehearsal hoping that it could happen so they could both share this amazing experience on the big day.
There was not a dry eye around (my eyes definitely weren't dry, that's for sure!) as Katherine was overjoyed and overrun with emotion as they took those steps together, screaming "He did it, he did it!", jumping, smiling ear to ear and crying, and just so excited that on her wedding day her would be able to make those few special steps with her father and have him give her away. This is not a moment that I will soon forget!
There were more tears shed again as Katherine's late Mother, Barbara, was mentioned as a big part missing from the day, Katherine and Josh knew she would have been proud to see them making their commitments to each other and it was very important to them both to have her included in the ceremony.
While this was all happening there was a slight panic amongst the bridesmaids, as in the excitement of their arrival and getting Katherine ready, Josh's wedding ring was left behind in the car. With some very subtle moves and help from the mother of the groom and some of the other guests by the time we got to the ring exchange it had arrived (better late than never) and they pulled it off without the bride knowing... champion bridal party!
As we continued through the ceremony and spoke about all of those special things that Katherine and Josh share as a couple, Katherine's excitement and pure joy could not be missed. I don't think she stayed still for a moment throughout the ceremony and the excitement literally seemed to bounce out of her. We shared so many laughs and smiles, and I absolutely loved the amount of personality and fun it added to the ceremony.
Katherine and Josh's guests were definitely the most vocal and involved guests that I have ever experienced. As Josh said 'I do' there was the first round of applause, causing him wonder what was going on and asking "Was I supposed to say that?" and giving everyone a little bit of a giggle (amazing what nerves will do to us!). There was a second round of applause as Katherine said her 'I do's', and jumping and squealing with the excitement of it all actually happening!
Josh received more applause after sharing his vows:
"I take you to be my best friend, my faithful partner, and my one true love.
I promise to encourage you and to love you truly through good times and bad.
I will forever be there to laugh with you, to lift you up when you are down and to love you unconditionally through all of our adventures in life together."
Katherine was again overcome with emotion and stumbled reading her vows but made a wonderful recovery, and as her aunty mentioned to me after the ceremony, Lady Diana made an error in her vows to Prince Charles (and even got his name wrong!), so it can definitely happen to anybody (see it here).
As a special touch to their exchange of rings, Katherine and Josh asked their bridal party to warm the wedding rings before exchanging them:
"Katherine and Josh as your friends hold your rings they make best wishes for your future together as husband and wife, and fill them with love and warmth from all of your family and friends.
When you place these rings on each other’s fingers be reminded that they contain in their precious metal, that which is more precious and priceless – the love, support and hope of those around you and the pledge of everyone here to support you as you grow together in your marriage."
As I pronounced them married there was the biggest round of applause of all, complete with whistling and shouting, and more emotion from the bride and groom as their shred their first kiss as husband and wife.
It was amazing to be given the opportunity to share these special moments with a couple who have such a strong bond and who radiate love and happiness to all of those around them. Following the ceremony my cheeks hurt from smiling so much, laughing and sharing in Katherine and Josh's pure joy to be there.
Thank you again Mr and Mrs Cuming and I wish you all the happiness in the world together as husband and wife!
