Katie and Ryan Schouweiler's Wedding, January 24, 2015

For the third time in less than a year I got to coordinate the wedding of a beautiful young couple, following God's call for their life to be united in marriage. It was a pleasure to get to work closely with the girls and help make their special days go smoothly. I finally had the presence of mind to video tape the wedding last Saturday for my niece Katie and Ryan. Actually, it wasn't my mind, but the photographer who, during the rehearsal of the song with the bride, asked, "Is anyone going to videotape this?"

I decided I would! It's not high quality, but it captures the day. My camera stops on its own and saves the content about every 12 1/2 minutes and I tried to stop and start it so it wouldn't make breaks during important parts of the ceremony. I waited too long for the first break so part 2 is only 25 seconds long (the time between the camera's break and then the one I initiated).

Part 1 Welcome, Giving away the bride, Pastor's charge


Part 2 Pastor's charge continued


Part 3 The Pledge, the vows, signing the marriage license with Chet and Bryce singing "How Sweet the Sound" by Citizen Way


Part 4 Katie, Chet, and Bryce singing "Holy (Wedding Day)" by The City Harmonic


Part 5 Exchange of Rings, Introduction of couple, recessional to Chet and Bryce singing "How Sweet the Sound" and other songs as the guests are dismissed


It was a special thing for me to see four of my children participate in this wedding. Ellen and Dana are three years apart and Katie fits right in between them. The three of them have been friends forever and have literally gone through all of their life's highs and lows together. Chet and Katie are only only 4 months apart so he was the odd boy out in that age group of cousin/siblings. They started singing together in high school and I hope they don't stop. And Bryce, Bryce is just everyone's friend and finds a way to be a part of the lives of all of his family, close and extended, no matter what the age.

(And if you're wondering, my daughter Ellen (the bridesmaid on the far left), is 8 months pregnant.)