Our Wedding.... The Ceremony

Justin and I planned our ceremony down to the last little detail. We took a lot of time and put in a lot of thought as to how the ceremony would flow.

The MOST important thing for us was that our families be involved, and that every one realized how big our love for each other, and for God, is.

We started the ceremony with a prayer by Justin's Uncle Sherman. He did an amazing job and the prayer was so beautiful and touching.

Justin's sister-in-law (well, mine too - she really is my sister and has been from the beginning of her relationship with Dustin!) read a scripture for us from Ecclesiastes.

 Two are better than one,
   because they have a good return for their labor:
 If either of them falls down,
   one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
   and has no one to help them up.
 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
   But how can one keep warm alone?
 Though one may be overpowered,
   two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. 

We exchanged rings next, which was officiated by our sweet Pastor.  And exchanged our vows, which was done by our very dear friend, Judge T. Lynn Brown.

We then did the unity candle, in which my brother-in-law Clay again sang a beautiful Stephen Curtis Chapman song titled "I Will Be Here."

Tomorrow morning if you wake up
and the sun does not appear
I, I will be here
If in the dark you lose sight of love
Hold my hand and have no fear
'Cause I, I will be here

I will be here when you feel like being quiet
When you need to speak your mind
I will listen, and I will be here
when the laughter turns to crying
Through the winning, losing and trying, we'll be together
'Cause I will be here

Tomorrow morning if you wake up
and the future is unclear
I, I will be here
As sure as the season are made for change
Our lifetimes were made for years
So I, I will be here

I will be here and you can cry on my shoulder
when the mirror tells us we're older
I will hold you, and I will be here
to watch you grow in beauty
and tell you all the things you are to me
I will be here

I will be true to the promise I have made
to you and to the One who gave you to me 

Lighting the Candle

Hugging my new mother-in-law

Justin hugging his Dad

Hugging my parents

We exchanged vows, and Casey did another reading entitled "A Prayer for Couples" which was a very pointed prayer that we felt said exactly what we were thinking. After the Lord's Prayer and a prayer to end the ceremony, it was the time we were anxiously waiting for....

Check out those smiles... we knew what was coming!

You may kiss the bride!

So, so happy!

After a round of applause, the music started..... announcing Mr. and Mrs. Justin Poley!

How sweet it is to be loved by you
How sweet it is to be loved by you

I needed the shelter of someone's arms and there you were
I needed someone to understand my ups and downs and there you were

With sweet love and devotion
Deeply touching my emotions

I want to stop and thank you baby
I want to stop and thank you baby

How sweet it is to be loved by you
How sweet it is to be loved by you

You can tell the total joy and happiness of EVERYONE involved --- maybe because the party of the year was coming up next!

My sweet Ella!

Do a little dance....

I am not sure WHAT was so funny here?!

It is done!

 Everyone packed up and headed out... We had a MAJOR party to attend!




**all professional images provided by Tyson Zahner Photography ***

Our Wedding.... The Aisle

After the "first look" we proceeded to take ALL of the wedding pictures! Honestly, this was the best idea ever. We were able to have plenty of time to take as many pictures together as we wanted, and weren't rushed trying to get back to the reception.

We took a few pictures just the two of us, which are some of my favorites!

Then we moved onto pictures of the wedding party together. We got some really fun and cute pictures. Our photographer was amazing!

The whole gang!

The favorite group shot!

Love this effect! Our poor wedding party was running.

The sweet kiddos!

After wedding party shots, we moved inside for family pictures. The photographer had us make a list of every single picture we wanted. We put them in order so that it moved quickly, and Justin and I could stand in one place and just add/subtract people from each shot. Then, we gave the list to the wedding planner and photographer assistant, who had people lined up and ready. We took about 50 pictures in 15 minutes. It was a very smooth process!

Justin's Family

Claire's Family

It was FINALLY time for the actual ceremony. Justin and I parted ways, and I started sweating like crazy and shaking. I was SO nervous to walk down the aisle. Anyone who knows me would never guess - because I don't usually have a problem being the center of attention. But I knew that I was going to be so overcome with emotion.....

So began the seating of the parents and grandparents. My brother in law, Clay, who has the most amazing voice I have ever heard, began to sing....

In this very room, there's quite enough love for one like me

My brother and Nana

And in this very room there's quite enough joy for one like me,

Dustin and Grandma Jo

And there's quite enough hope and quite enough power to chase away any gloom,

Sam and Mom

For Jesus, Lord Jesus ... is in this very room.

Lighting the unity candle.

I knew as soon as "Canon in D" started to play, that my time was coming. I snuck my head out the door to see if I could walk into the hall....

And knew my sweet little babies were leading the way....

And met my Dad in the hallway for our walk down that aisle.

Then, I heard the sounds of the acoustic guitar start to play, and the words floated above me.......

Forever can never be long enough for me
Feel like I've had long enough with you
Forget the world now we won't let them see
But there's one thing left to do

And off we went.

Now that the weight has lifted
Love has surely shifted my way
Marry Me
Today and every day
Marry Me
If I ever get the nerve to say
Hello in this cafe
Say you will
Say you will

Together can never be close enough for me
Feel like I am close enough to you
You wear white and I'll wear out the words I love
And you're beautiful
Now that the wait is over
And love and has finally shown her my way 

Marry me
Today and every day
Marry me
If I ever get the nerve to say hello in this cafe
Say you will
Say you will

Promise me
You'll always be
Happy by my side
I promise to
Sing to you
When all the music dies

And marry me
Today and everyday
Marry me
If I ever get the nerve to say hello in this cafe
Say you will
Say you will
Marry me 

And then, my Dad stepped aside and I reached for my husband.


**all professional images provided by Tyson Zahner Photography *** 

Wednesday Musings

I'm going with some random thoughts today. So bear with me. I think I will even number the paragraphs to make it easier to follow. Nerd alert.

 1. Facebook and Christianity I know that Facebook is a public forum. And I understand I choose who I friend and what I post. But lately I have read some pretty upsetting posts. People are SO quick to point fingers and judge. Especially when it comes to Christianity and church and morality. I do post statuses that are faith based. I have never denied my strong Christian background or the fact that I am steady in my faith. I think everyone would whole heartily agree that I do not use that belief to condemn or belittle others. I consciously post scripture, thoughts, prayers or song lyrics when I need a visual and public reminder of God's undeniable love for His children. I always stop to think that maybe this is the time that ONE person needed to hear these words. I look at it as an opportunity to testify - not crucify.

 Some who call themselves children of God simply use this forum to crucify every person who does not agree with them. I strongly believe that my testimony should be in the light of love and understanding. I'm fairly certain that Jesus did not call his disciples to condemn every sinner they came in contact with. Sharing the word should not be done in a way that makes another human being feel so despicable that they think Jesus could NEVER love them.

Edited to add: Case in point: this morning, a sweet friend in Christ posted a scripture verse that I think says much better what my point is:

²⁰ “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, ²¹ that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. ²² I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— ²³ I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. John 17:20-23.

It doesn't matter if you are Baptist, Methodist, Catholic or a member of a non-denominational church. Jesus prayed for ALL believers. Why can't those who claim to walk in the footsteps of Jesus do the same?

 While I know this happened before Facebook came along, I think now it makes it easier for people to hide behind their computer screen and use the Bible to berate those who are different.

 2. Valentines Day I love love. And pink. And hearts. I love Valentine's Day. Any reason to proclaim to the world how blessed, grateful and overjoyed I am to have a life filled with many people to love is great in my book. Which really burns my grits for people to make comments that if you "have" to profess your love on this holiday obviously you have NO real love and need to put on a show. You know what they say about making assumptions......

 3. Final Thoughts I just felt like I needed to have three headings in order to have a numbered list. But I'm finding myself frustrated here lately with how unbelievably selfish and unkind some members of the human race are. I pray that we can raise our kids to be selfless, kind and generous humans. This world needs more.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

This is a break from our regularly scheduled programming for a little rant.

What happened to RESPECT? I swear, it has gone down the drain. And that makes me sound like some old fart in a rocking chair pointing their finger and snarling "Kids these days have no respect! They just don't know what it was like...." Apparently I will make a good old fart.

Work has been beyond crazy these past few days. I am exhausted and feel like I am burning the candle at both ends. And hitting my head against a wall, because there are just some issues that I cannot resolve no matter how hard I try.

Plus, I get so frustrated when people USE people. Justin and I both work SO hard to make a living. We both spend a lot of our time doing and giving that isn't paid or compensated. We pay all our bills ourselves, get no outside help, and are working to be debt free as soon as possible. It is just a struggle sometimes when I see others who don't do any (or a lot) of the above and still take, take, take from everyone else. Seriously? If you made the decisions, then you need to be ready for the consequences.

Last night in bed, I was laying there and couldn't sleep. I kept telling Justin I felt so anxious, but I couldn't even pinpoint WHY. That is never a good sign, especially not for me.

Wah, wah, wah. Woe is me.

Highlight of the day: ordered some new clothes for me and the hubs (discount + free shipping, woot) AND bought some jalapeno cheddar cheetos. Bad for the diet and the new clothes. But worth every bite.

Our Wedding... The First Look

Justin and I decided that we wanted to see each other before the wedding. I know, I know - some of you think that is so crazy! We didn't spend the night together, but chose to have a first look that afternoon. First, we knew we wanted GOOD, quality and fun photos together and with all our wedding party and family. Neither of us wanted to try to accomplish this after the wedding (which was at 5:50pm in the evening). Our priority after he kissed the bride was to P-A-R-T-Y.  And that we did! Also, I knew for my own sake, I would never make it down the aisle in one piece if I didn't have a chance to get my crazy crying emotions out beforehand.

So - the photographer set up in the church, and Justin turned around facing the alter.

Sneaking in.....

I was shaking I was so anxious and nervous. All these emotions were swirling around in my head. My heart felt like it was beating out of my chest! I just couldn't wait for him to see me in my dress and veil. And I was so, so excited to see the look on his face.

Hey there.

So happy.

Love love love.

So emotional.

together. forever.

And at this point, I finally relaxed and knew - this was all I ever needed.




Until next time,



Claire

** all images provided by Tyson Zahner Photography **

Happy Birthday!

I am taking a break from regularly scheduled wedding programing to wish my husband a Happy 28th Birthday!

This is the first birthday in YEARS we have actually been in the same physical location. And it is his first birthday as a husband! I have to say, shopping for birthday cards in the "husband" section was really fun.

I cannot say enough how blessed I am to have Justin as my husband. After 12+ years of being together, every day I wake up and am so excited to spend another day with him.

He makes my days brighter. I can't stay mad for long at all, even when he drives me crazy! He can just look at me and crack a joke, and I'm done.

I cannot wait to see what our life has in store. I know it will only get better and more exciting. I look forward to the days when we have little babies, and toddlers, and pre-teens running around our house to celebrate with us. But for now, I am content to have this time just the two of us.

Happy Birthday, Justin! You make me want to get up every morning, just so I can see you smile and hear your laugh. Here is to many, many more together. I love you to the moon and back.

Until Next Time,

Claire