Allie + Sebastian Get Married: The Ceremony (Part Two)

From the beginning, Sebastian and I wanted our wedding to be of ease. To be intimate, fun, light-hearted, and a reflection of... us. A heartfelt celebration of our two lives and families coming together. The planning process for the most part was simple, everything came together and clicked. I lost track of how many times I uttered the words meant to be.

Knowing that this moment - one of the most important in my entire life - would soon pass me by, I remembered to just breeeeaaathe and soak it all in. To be present, to savor everything, and enjoy the ride.

I hid behind a wall separating myself from Sebastian, arm-in-arm with my Dad, with just moments to spare before walking down the aisle, my heart pumping wildly, butterflies swirling, I was ready.

My bridesmaids, Julie and Sarah walked down the aisle to One Republic's Good Life - a song that evoked every feeling I wanted our guests to feel during the ceremony. This song had me picturing myself on a beach, dancing in the sun, smile on my face. It rang true. It clicked.

Once I heard the intro to Jack Johnson's Angel, I knew it was time. I clutched onto to my Dad's arm and walked out, revealing myself to everyone. One of my most vivid memories is walking out, and seeing Sebastian looking at the ground, his nerves illuminated so bright, I could feel them in my own body. Once I walked to the aisle runner, he looked up at me, and our eyes locked. My smile couldn't get any wider.

Choosing songs for our wedding was such a daunting task, let alone choosing a song for myself to walk down the aisle to. My mind swayed back and forth, running over option over option, I would pick one, but it never felt quite right, more like, this will do. Until Sebastian and I were driving home together late one night, listening to Jack Johnson (as we do), and Angel came on. Sebastian exclaimed, "THIS IS IT. THIS HAS TO BE IT!... It's perfect." And it was chosen, just like that. Having my husband-to-be select the song I'd be walking down the aisle to pulled on my heart strings like no other.

On that day, it was magnified. Amplified. A feeling that places you gently on top of the world, and gives you enough strength to move mountains. Surrounded by warmth and love.

 

THE READINGS



We wanted my oldest brother, Adam, and our friend, Valeriy to be involved in a significant way during our wedding, and asked them to read two beautiful readings for the ceremony. As they read the words, it brought tears to my eyes. Here they are:

 

An excerpt from The Alchemist, one of my all-time favourite books.

 

“When he looked into her eyes, he learned the most important part of the language that all the world spoke – the language that everyone on earth was capable of understanding in their heart. It was love. Something older than humanity, more ancient than the desert. What the boy felt at that moment was that he was in the presence of the only woman in his life, and that, with no need for words, she recognised the same thing.

 

Because when you know the language, it’s easy to understand that someone in the world awaits you, whether it’s in the middle of the desert or in some great city. And when two such people encounter each other, the past and the future become unimportant. There is only that moment, and the incredible certainty that everything under the sun has been written by one hand only. It is the hand that evokes love, and creates a twin soul for every person in the world. Without such love, one’s dreams would have no meaning.”

Union by Robert Fulghum, as recommended by the gorgeous Mo.

You have known each other from the first glance of acquaintance to this point of commitment. At some point, you decided to marry. From that moment of yes, to this moment of yes, indeed, you have been making commitments in an informal way. All of those conversations that were held in a car, or over a meal, or during long walks – all those conversations that began with, “When we’re married”, and continued with “I will” and “you will” and “we will” – all those late night talks that included “someday” and “somehow” and “maybe” – and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart. All these common things, and more, are the real process of a wedding.

The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, “You know all those things that we’ve promised, and hoped, and dreamed – well, I meant it all, every word.”

Look at one another and remember this moment in time. Before this moment you have been many things to one another – acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, dancing partner, even teacher, for you have learned much from one another these past few years. Shortly you shall say a few words that will take you across a threshold of life, and things between you will never quite be the same.

For after today you shall say to the world –
This is my husband. This is my wife.

 

As we exchanged vows, my smile had seemingly grown which I didn't even think was possible, and as I looked up at Sebastian and he looked back at me, I could feel ourselves radiating. A moment locked in time for eternity.

Once we got to the oh-so-anticipated Kiss, King Charles' Beating Hearts played loudly, kicking off the celebrations. We danced down the aisle as husband and wife, toasted champagne, hugged our friends and family, and snuck kisses.

It was beautiful beyond words, and more perfect than I could have ever imagined... here's a quick peek at our wedding video! (I'll be posting the extended version in a future post!)



Next, I'll give you the inside scoop on our reception...aka the drinking + partying the led into the night! Keep your eyes peeled.

+ If you missed part one, just hop on over here.

+ Photos courtesy of Tropical Studios, and Valeriy Tyshchuk

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