I had some ideas for our ceremony. I really wanted to be outside...Bryan and I are outdoorsy (is that a word?) people and I never saw myself being married anywhere else. I wanted to be with my family and friends surrounded my God's gift to us...our beautiful world and all the wonders it gives to us. Overlooking the mountains on a green lawn with nature all around...it couldn't have been more ideal for us.
We loved the wooden arch that was provided by the Alpen Inn and Melody decorated it with white wax flowers and greenery.
We rented white chairs for some of the older family and guests from Boone Rentals and then had about 20 hay bales covered in my Grandma Helen Mallan's quilts that she made throughout her life. I wanted her to be there with me and this was a great way to share this with her:)
As far as our ceremony, I wanted to be a little different while still staying true to the some of the traditional aspects of the marriage ceremony. Our minister from our home church of West Market Street United Methodist Church, Dave Melton, was so open to my suggestions and we combined our two ideas and created a wonderful ceremony.... He delivered our ceremony perfectly. We both think the world of Pastor Dave and were very honored that he traveled to Beech Mountain to perform our marriage ceremony for us!
I was lucky enough to have some talented musicians in my family who helped make the ceremony that much better. My cousin, Emma Watts, played the guitar as family and guests were arriving, and my cousin-by-marriage, Steve Watts (her dad) played the TRUMPET as we walked down the aisle. Steve played the Appalachian March, or something to that effect, and it was amazing! THANKS TO BOTH OF YOU!!!
We decided to keep our wedding party small, so we each decided on one person to stand next to us on our special day. I chose my sister, Hayli Hanna McQuade and Bryan chose his dad,
Earl Betts. We were thankful and honored to have both of them there:)
I wanted to share our vows with you...I think they are beautiful and inspiring. We should say things like this to the person we love every chance we get.
From this day on, I, Sage, take you, Bryan, to be my husband, to live with you and laugh with you, to stand by your side and sleep in your arms, to be the joy of your heart and peace in your soul, to bring out the best in you always and to be the most I can be for you. I will love, honor and cherish you in sickness and in health for all the days of my life.
