Let the Celebrating Begin!

The harpist resumed her playing while we formed a line to be received by the bride and groom and their attendants. The ring bearers were obviously nervous about the whole affair, so I joked that the "hard part was over. Just imagine if you'd dropped the ring in the grass. We'd all still be looking for it!" Everyone in the line was smiling, and cameras were starting to assemble on the small hill behind us to take more formal pictures of the wedding party. Everyone was handed a sticker to put on their shirt proclaiming "I saw Kaela & Mike Get Married!" The guests were encouraged to make their way back toward the tent for food and drink. There was a beautiful spread consisting of warm brie and bread, hot crab dip and crackers, cheeses and cold sausages, fresh vegetables and dip, and shrimp cocktail. Shortly our hosts, Kaela's Mom and step Dad, urged us to dig in: "Please help yourselves to hors d'oeuvres, we'll have lunch served when the bride and groom arrive." Wow. There was already a lot of food here. Better pitch in and do my part to see that none goes to waste.