Claire's Wedding

Claire’s wedding couldn’t have been more beautiful. There were several nice personal touches that made it extra special. When we arrived in the church vestibule we found Claire’s parents Reid and Edie, as well as Andrew’s parents, there greeting the guests, probably relieving some anxious moments waiting around for the service to start.

Anna said she didn’t want to be escorted down the aisle by an usher, but then readily took Lang’s arm. We wound up seated near the front on the brides’ side. Matthew made a list of the three weddings he’s attended, and watched attentively throughout the service.

Several unplanned things happened during the wedding that should only make the memories for both families only more special. During the violent thunderstorms early that morning I wondered if they might somehow impact the wedding, but the cloudy morning turned into a beautiful spring day. It made me think about what someone said at our wedding, how wedding day rain is a positive foreshadowing on the success of the marriage.

I noticed the lovely flower arrangements, a tall arrangement placed on the narrow rail in front of the choir loft. Just before the grandparents were seated, half of the flower arrangements fell forward onto the pulpit floor! The crowd looked around. I caught Danny Morris’s eye, and we were part of a small group who went to pick them up. At one point I found myself standing next to Pastor David Sapp, so I asked him if he was in charge of the flowers. It was evident the tall arrangements weren’t going to stand on the narrow ledge, so we placed them on the front row of chairs in the choir loft. I thought the finished product looked almost as good as they had before.

We had picked up most of the stray flowers, but there was still a little debris on the left side of the pulpit. Ceil whispered it might be pretty if they spread some flowers on the right side so it would match. Instead Gordy and Bobby, two long-time church custodians, came out and vacuumed everything clean. Someone make the appropriate comment that it was nice that they got to be included in the service. I thought we should applaud when they finished, but got distracted and didn’t see them quietly leave. After the service I saw Lang go out of his way to thank the men. Later I ran into them in the hallway and told them of my plan to applaud.

Lang escorted his grandmother down the aisle as the vacuuming was being finished, followed by his grandfather. As she turned to be seated Lang accidentally knocked off her corsage. Reid escorted Edie to her seat. Organist Arden Starnes, who later noted that she’s played for over six-hundred weddings, tolled the bells, then her husband Danny rang his handbell four times to signal the hour.

Smiling Audra Mullen was the first bridesmaid down the aisle, where she was escorted up the steps by the groomsman who had come down the other aisle. They took their position and smiled back at the congregation. But no one followed them, for a long couple of minutes. Arden quickly finished her prelude, and then Reverend John Condra finally came out from the side door, followed by Andrew and his brother, the best man. Only then did the rest of the wedding party enter. Later I told Audra she must’ve wanted to see Andrew come out up close!

Just before Reid escorted Claire down the aisle, Andrew broke ranks and walked over to the end of the aisle, where he could have a good view of his bride as she came in. In all the weddings I’ve attended at SPdL and other churches with two aisles, I had never seen this sweet effect. It was only when Claire came down the aisle did I start to get tears in my eyes. Reid did a fine job, and clearly spoke his line while giving the bride away. Andrew and Claire sweetly exchanged their vows, and John did a great job with the service. It’s always nice when a close friend officiates the ceremony.

The best man did a great job singing a Steven Curtis Chapman song that Ceil was familiar with, and Lang’s flawless guitar accompiament helped keep both the song and service simple and sweet. The congregation smiled when Edie made sure Reid was correctly on her left side as they exited up the aisle.

After the wedding and at the reception it was great to chat with familiar faces that we hadn’t seen in a while…the Denton Harris’, the Wisenbakers, the Mullens, Jennifer Girardeau, Bruce Ambrose, Sam Reynolds, the Reeds, the McNeils, Jerry & Marcine Head, the George Wrights, Becky Matheny, Ron & Judy Watts, Carroll Glover, Luther Bootle, Hal & Diane Choyce, Mary Ann & David Hall (and his fiancé!), and many more. Margaret Condra had an old photo of her & John with Edie & Claire, taken shortly after Claire had been born. Lang’s wife Isabel said the wedding party trolley ride to the reception down crowded Peachtree Street was great fun, with many cars honking their congratulations to the bride and groom.

The reception was the nicest I had ever attended. It was in the 28th floor of the 999 Peachtree Building, which shares the corner of 10th & Peachtree with the Margaret Mitchell House, the Federal Reserve Bank, and Jocks & Jill’s. We all enjoyed the great view of the entire Atlanta area, including Downtown, Midtown, Georgia Tech, Buckhead, Decatur, the old Sears Building, Piedmont Park, Stone Mountain, Kennesaw Mountain, and even other mountains we couldn’t name.

Danny Morris introduced the newlyweds as they entered. A string quartet played, and Claire and Andrew danced the first dance and cut the cake. We hadn’t been there long when Anna exclaimed “the photographers have already filled up two memory cards!” The food was great as well. I kept hearing guests pointing out special dishes others should try. The serving tables were even decorated with edible designer potato chips. Matthew gobbled up the cheese grits.

Around eight the newlyweds made their exit, showed outside by pink flower petals, which looked much nicer than rice or birdseed. The entire day couldn’t have turned out better!

Today Claire called from the airplane to tell us she almost missed the departure, because she was in the restroom throwing up. Welcome to Mexico!