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On September 20, 1997, Dan and I were married at Algonkian Regional Park in Sterling, Virginia. We have been promising since then to post some of the photos we got from the wedding. Most of these are the product of our photographer, Jane Levine. We went out of our way to find someone who could take candid shots, and would be willing to make that be the majority of the photos. We are very happy with her work. A few of the photos were provided by friends Fran and Doug.

Remember: If you want a closer look at any of the photos, just click on the photo and you'll get the big picture!

And now, on with the show!

At about quarter of 2, Brandon, another friend, started playing his hammered dulcimer, to set the mood for our guests. Fortunately for us, his repertoire is extensive, because he continued to play right up until the ceremony started. This is also the best side view of the gazebo decorations.

The ceremony started and ended with bagpipes by our friend, Gus (an idea we happily lifted from Tom and Barb's wedding, two years before).

First in line came Barb.

Then, Sue, Laurie, and Betsy's Sister, Amy.

Then, with a dramatic pause and a change in music, came the bride, grinning from ear to ear, on the arm of her father.

[A brief word about the bridesmaids' dresses: Future brides take heart! It is possible to find decent dresses off the rack. Simply stay away from bridal houses. These dresses were purchased at Hecht's, and as luck would have it, were of a floral jacquard similar to the cotton damask of the wedding dress. Even the lines were similar. The only complaints I had were that I couldn't find a purple to go with the red and blue, and that the dresses were actually one-piece, not two, which was a shame considering that it was 88 degrees out by the time the wedding got underway!]

The Ceremony

(The ceremony took all of 20 minutes from start to finish, including the processional, a sash ceremony, a wine ceremony, vows and exchange of rings and the recessional.)

Greeting/Opening

Barb: "Good afternoon.

"We are gathered here today to witness and to celebrate the marriage of our friends Daniel and Betsy, to be with them and rejoice with them in the making of this important commitment.

"Daniel and Betsy, each of you brings to the other, and to this union, your own rich heritage. The importance of this heritage will become more apparent to you as your life together unfolds. The essence of a good marriage is respect for each other's personality combined with that deep intimacy, physical, mental, and spiritual, which makes a serious love between two people the most fructifying of all human experiences. Such love, like everything that is great and precious, demands commitment and devotion, and sometimes compromise to succeed. This commitment must be voluntary, for, where it is not, it will destroy the very basis of the love for the sake of which it is made."

The Question

Barb: "Are you, Daniel, prepared to make this commitment and take Betsy to be your wife?"

Dan: "I am."

"Are you, Betsy, prepared to make this commitment and take Daniel to be your husband?"

Betsy: "I am."

"May the relationship you affirm with this ceremony continue to grow stronger, and may the support we express by our presence here continue through the years, enriching your life together."

Lee reads from Much Ado About Nothing (Act 2, Scene 3, 219-238, with a few changes)

"...Love me! Why, it must be requited...I
hear how I am censured–they say I will bear myself
proudly, if I perceive the love comes from her: they say
too that she will rather die than give any sign of affection
...I did never think to marry. I must not seem proud.
Happy are they that hear their detractions, and can put
them to mending...They say the lady is fair–'tis a truth,
I can bear them witness: and virtuous–'tis so, I cannot
reprove it: and wise, but for loving me–by my troth,
it is no addition to her wit, nor no great argument of her
folly, for I will be horribly in love with her. I may
chance have some odd quirks and remnants of wit
broken on me, because I have railed so long against
marriage: but doth not the appetite alter? A man loves
the meat in his youth that he can not endure in his age....
Shall quips and sentences and these paper bullets of the
brain awe a man from the career of his humor? (...)
....When I said I would die
a bachelor, I did not think I should live till I were
married."

Sash Ceremony:

Barb: "In ancient times a man swore an oath of loyalty to defend and protect his sept or clan. Daniel has sworn a similar oath to his country and state. His kilt, made of Air Force tartan, is a visible representation of his pledge to the Air National Guard.

"When a man swore such an oath, his family was bound to support his commitment. By her willingness to wear this sash, Betsy agrees to accept and support this commitment. Betsy, do you accept this symbol of Daniel's oath?"

Betsy: "I do."

Barb: "Daniel, please place the sash on Betsy."

(Dan places the rosette over her right shoulder, and passes the excess of fabric behind, under her arm, and underneath the rosette down her back).

Jeanmarie reads My True Love Hath My Heart by Sir Philip Sidney

My true love hath my heart and I have his,
  By just exchange one for another given;
    I hold his dear and mine he cannot miss;
  There never was a better bargain driven:
    My true love hath my heart and I have his.

My heart in me keeps him and me in one;
  My heart in him his thoughts and senses guides;
   He loves my heart for once it was his own;
  I cherish his because in me it bides:
    My true love hath my heart and I have his.

Wine Ceremony

Barb: (while pouring) "Into this cup is poured two wines, bitter and sweet. Marriage is the bitter and sweet of life inextricably mingled. The sharing of wine symbolizes the nourishment your love will provide to each other over the years. Drink of this glass as your lives are so mingled."

(Betsy & Dan hold the glass together. Betsy drinks first, then Dan. They set down the glass but keep holding hands).

Vows

Barb: "If you are ready to enter into the union of marriage, then take each other's hands and repeat after me:

I, Daniel, take you, Betsy, to be my Wife.

I promise to walk by your side, to love, help and encourage you.

I will share your laughter and your tears as your partner, lover and friend.

I promise always to respect you and honor you as an individual

and to be conscious of your needs.

Though we face new experiences as a married couple,

our love and commitment will continue to deepen,

always growing through the life we have planned together.

---

I, Betsy, take you, Daniel, to be my Husband.

I promise to walk by your side, to love, help and encourage you.

I will share your laughter and your tears as your partner, lover and friend.

I promise always to respect you and honor you as an individual

and to be conscious of your needs.

Though we face new experiences as a married couple,

our love and commitment will continue to deepen,

always growing through the life we have planned together.

Ring Ceremony

Barb: "These rings signify your love for each other and as such, show no beginning and no end. Wear them as an outward symbol of your love and let them remind you, and show others, how much you mean to each other."

(Dan will place it on Betsy's finger)

Daniel: "I give you this ring with all that I have and with all that I am as a sign of my love."

(Betsy will place it on Dan's finger)

Betsy: I give you this ring with all that I have and with all that I am as a sign of my love."

Barb makes a few remarks

[Extemporaneously...]

Pronouncement and kiss

Barb: "As you have both declared your consent to marry before your family and friends and you have exchanged vows and rings, I now pronounce you husband and wife!

Barb to Betsy: "You may now kiss the groom."

[And kiss him she does!]

Recessional

(After the recessional:) Barb: "Mr. & Mrs. Delaney would like you to join them inside for tea, sandwiches and dancing.

"Thank you."

And that was it. Except for a few quick "congratulations" before the photo session, and the first attempt by Betsy's veil to dive for the ground [combs simply do not stay in my hair, and I should have know it!], we didn't see much of the reception until after the formal shots were done.

[Part 1] [Part 2]
On to Part Three: The Formal Shots
[Part 4] [Part 5]

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